Laughing at Summer

Summer can be slow birding times.  At least they have been for me this summer.  Between School and daughter-father time, I haven't carved out much birding time.  We did managed to make it to the coast a few weeks ago and I really enjoying seeing a lot of variation among the the Laughing Gulls. 

I've post some of my pictures below.  Laughing Gulls are definitely an interesting gull to look and I love seeing different aged birds side by side.  Laughing Gulls on the Georgia Coast definitely allowed time for that.  What do you think of my mini photo essay?  How is summer birding treating you? 

Laughing Gulls - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

A little New England...

I recently made a stop back in CT to see some friends and family, and get my daughter baptized!  The trip also provided an opportunity to catch up with some CT birds.  I visited some great sites including The Bent of the River, Mondo Pond and Milford Point.  It was a great opportunity to catch up with some CT birders and birding.  Some of the highlights are below.

  

Barred Owl on a nest

Piping Plover in a Marsh

Seeing these familiar sites was awesome.  It was like visiting old friends.  They had great treasures and awesome sights to share in once again.  Seeing the Piping Plovers in the marsh, warblers in the field, and gulls were happy sights!  What are some of your favorite old sites to visit?

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

She sells Shorebirds

If you love shorebirds, the above picture can be very exciting to you!

Like most birders, I've been working on learning more and more about the different ways to distinguish shorebirds.  Going to the Georgia coast is a great opportunity to study shorebirds and other coastal birds.  Along with some great views of birds, I got a life bird and a life subspecies.

Western Willet (subspecies)

While the Willet currently remains as one species, there is evidences that there is very little overlap between the Eastern and Western Populations and they do live in very different habitants and regions throughout their life cycle.  Eastern Willets winters in South America and breeds on the Atlantic Coast.  The Western Willets, seen above, winter on the Gulf Coast and some on the south North Atlantic coasts and Breed in the plains of the West.  This makes these two subspecies very different from each other.  

The Willet @ All About Birds - Link here

Comparing the Songs of the Willet Subspecies @ Sibley Guides - Link here

Whimbrel - a Lifer for me

This Whimbrel was a life bird for me.  I seemed to always dip out on these guys in Connecticut, but at the Bloody Marsh in St. Simon's Georiga, I got lucky!  This guy was very affable and was even hunting around and eating a bunch while I watched him.  His distinctive beak made him easy to spot out along with the fact that the other birds there were Least Sandpipers and Killdeer.  He stuck out like a sore thumb!

The Whimbrel @ All About Birds - Link here

wWild Bird Wednesday - link here

LIL Birding

When a Little Gull (LIGU) showed up on Lake Lanier, I couldn't help myself and I when to chase the bird.  Not that this was a life bird for me, it would've been a great state bird.  While Georgia has no natural lakes, there are great number of man-made lakes from a number of dams across the state.  Recently, due to the work and observation of a many birders across the states, there have been many birds found that probably would be expected at the shore but not an inland lake.  But these lakes are huge and some call it "inland sea effect" like what occurs on the Great Lakes.

The birds see these large lakes and find some similarity with their traditional habitats.  Since we are fairly far the coast, some birds might appreciate the benefits of the large inland lake.  The Bonaparte's Gulls, Horned Grebes, and even some Common Loons, are great evidence of this.

What are some unexpected places you like to find birds?

Horned Grebe

Bonaparte's Gull

...with a fish!

Bonaparte's Gull - Link here

Horned Grebe - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Birding: The Next Generation

My daughter is still new, but she's opening my eyes to a whole new world.  She's already got some descent birding skills.  She's already found a bird before me and she's got really sharp ears.  She's already found a few birds before me and I can't wait to see how she develops as a birder/naturalist/learner.

I've posted some pictures that we've taken together.  She looks to watch birds at the feeder and tries to talk to them.  We'll work on that though.  I've always enjoyed sharing birding with new people but I suspect that sharing the field and the art of birding with my daughter for the rest of our lives will be one of the most enjoyable things.

Enjoy some of the pictures we've taken together!

Yellow-Rumped Warbler or as she calls them.... oooohhahahhh

Hermit Thrush or ppphhhhh!

Downy Woodpecker or AAK! AAK! AAK!

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Hybrids! Hybirds!

Last week, I discussed a genetic mutation that can change migrations and allow some birds to help them colonize new regions of the world.  I thought that this week, we would discuss how mutations can change the nature of animals themselves.  I've included three pictures of bird hybrids that I've been lucky enough to see.  These animals exhibit interesting mixes of behavior.  For instance, the Domestic X Canada Hybrid I found at Lake Henderson acted like a Domestic Goose even if they were bigger and very differently colored that the other Domestic Gooses in their flock.

In some cases hybridization can be dangerous.  In the case of the American Black Duck X Mallard Hybrid, many people believe that hybridizations like this are putting serious pressures on the American Black Duck population that is currently experiencing some big drops.  Hybrids are essentially a waste an opportunity to add productive members back to the population.  This is also occurring with Golden-Winged and Blue-Winged Warblers and some speculate that hybridization with Bachman's Warblers added serious and significant pressure to that species decline.

What hybrids have you guys seen?

Domestic X Canada hybrid

Tricolored X Little Blue Hybrid

American Black Duck X Mallard Hybrid

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link Here

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Article on Hybrid Geese - Link here

Was the Labrador Duck a Hybrid? - Link here

Wilson's Snipe

There are many reasons to love Wilson's Snipe.  First off, they are a shorebird that is rarely at the shore.  they are prefect reminders that adaptations in the natural world are diverse and endless.  Snipe can act like more typical shorebirds and yet never see the seashore.  Snipes are just really cool birds.  It is worth noting that the word Snipe is really fun to say very quickly and loudly.  

Snipes are really normally very secretive birds.  Recently, I had an encounter with a Wilson's Snipe in Clayton County's Huie Ponds.  This particular Snipe is really easy to spot and will display feeding behavior very clearly for people to see.  This provides for great opportunities to observe this bird and see its behavior.  The Snipes at Huie are very cooperative and I would definitely recommend going and looking at these guys to really see and observe them.

I've been spending lots of time with my daughter so birding has been limited.  While I wait for the days I can both, we do manage to do a lot of backyard birding together.  So far she loves to hear white-throated sparrows and cedar waxwings and I am hoping that she will continue to enjoy the outdoors and birds!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link Here

Wilson's Snipe Info at All About Birds - Link Here

Field Fun

Part of the joy of moving to a new place is experiencing new places and new hotspots.  Back in New England, I could tell you where to do and when to go to see certain birds.  Here, its partly learning a new birding language, a new timing, and some new species and habits.  The other day I went to an open field to look for sparrows.  While I walked away with nothing new for the year, I was reminded about patience in the field and patience when it comes to learning a new spot.  

I;ll give you an example.  I got my first Georgia Veery last month.  But the bird I saw was not the Veery I was used to.  It was paler.  The Georgia Birders I was with thought nothing of it, but I was confused.  This of course comes with any move.  The joys of learning are important ones and bring about great opportunities if you are willing to listen and enjoy them.  I will enjoy learning the new places, habits and hopefully, get some new birds!  Until the next time...

Chipping Sparrow

Northern Flicker

Palm Warbler

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link Here

Field Gear

So my first pair of binoculars broke and when I learned that they could not be replaced, I was devastated.  It was the pair my then-girlfriend, now-wife bought me to encourage me to get into birding.  It was a pair that traveled with me to Texas, the Georgia Coast, and was a familiar and useful part of my field gear.  I was not happy.  Until recently, I had used a pair of Vortex 8x28s that I had purchased several years ago, but as a main pair to use in the field, they were lacking.  Finally, I broke down and purchased a new pair of binoculars.  I got a Vortex Diamondback 8x42s.

So far, so good.  I am really enjoying this new pair of bins.  The color clarity is great and the light is amazing.  I feel like I've got a whole new world with my new Bins.  I had looked at their Talon HD which is a whole other level of awesome, but I settled for the Diamondbacks because I wanted a reliable pair that I could pass on later.  I am happy to get another piece of Vortex Optics to my collection and this will definitely be a very useful part of my field gear!

The Weight is pretty substantial but the design makes it a great fit for use in the field. I highly recommend Vortex Optics and can't wait to get out and field and use my new binoculars!  Until the next time, enjoy some pictures of my bins and birds!

My Binoculars and My Camera

Here are a couple of old shots... Enjoy!

Puffy Eastern Phoebe

A Northern Parula

Linking to...

Wild Bird Wednesday -  Link Here

Vortex Optics - Link Here

Botanical Gardens

Quiz Bird:  What bird do you see here?

Last Week's answer?  Scarlet Tanager Juvenile.  The solid black wings and tail are the id-ing marks.

Recently I explored the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (link here) during a bird walk with the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society (link here).  The SBG are a real gem of a locale.  There are built along a site that was visited by William Bartram.  Bartram made extensive visits throughout the South in well documented journeys to try and to learn more about the natural life of the American South.

Of course, I am not on such a journey, yet.  I made my visit to really learn more about the site and the birds that live and migrate through.  This site is truly something to enjoy and explore.  The Gardens are also working on removing their invasive species and replacing them with native species.  A valiant effort and one that needs support.  Birds and insects do much better in native species.  I hope to return to the Botanical Gardens soon to learn about the native plants and fauna of Georgia.

Until next time, get out and go birding!

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Turkey Vulture

White-Eyed Vireo

Connecting to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

A visit to the Wetlands

Bird Quiz #4: What Bird is this?????

The answer to last week: Osprey!  Congrats to all who got it right!

In my new home, I visited the Newmans Wetland Center and the E.L. Huie Ponds in Clayton County (Link here).  I've been to this site before, but never in the fall.  Fall does not hit the Southeast like it does in the Northeast.  There are one or two trees that are changing here, but not many.  Back in the cold northeast, many trees are changing and fall is marked by nice long drives through the mountains, and fall-ish things like Apple and Pumpkin picking and, of course, fall migration.

The Southeast has its own wonders and it is nice to be a new place and experience a new season.  So far Fall here has a lot of rain and clouds mixed with some real sunny days.  But it is fall migration and a trip to the wetlands would hopefully yield some migrants.  While the trip yield some great shots of birds (see below), there weren't many migrants to speak of.  Hummers were still around and many titmice as well.  A few waterfowl were about as well to round off the trip. A great and interesting site and worth the visit any time!

Until the next time, get out and go birding!

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Young Great Blue Heron

Palm Warbler

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

World Shorebird Day

This September 6th was World Shorebird Day.  Shorebirds have compelling life stories of epic migrations and making it across continents.  They are also a massively threatened group of birds who suffers from climate change and habitat loss.  I spent the day with the Atlanta Audubon Society with their Workshop on Shorebirds.  The Workshop focused on learning how to identify and age shorebirds by looking at their structure and learning the stages of molt.  After working on the our skills, we took to the field were we found Spotted Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and even Semipalmated Plovers!

Now its time for a Bird ID Quiz.  What are the two birds below?  Can you age them?  Post your answers below.

Bird #1

Bird #2

American Oystercatchers flying about, not catching oysters

World Shorebird Day - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Atlanta Audubon Society - Link here

Eastern Kingbirds are quite Democratic

Eastern Kingbirds or tyrannus tyrannus are fairly common flycatchers of East of the Rockies.  Kingbirds have an awesome black and white contrast going on.  Their key look is their white chest and the white tip to their tail.  They seem to enjoy wet habitats.  Its probably good for cultivating their main food source, flies.  They are pretty adaptable birds as you find them across different habitats and they have such a huge range.  Kingbirds, like most flycatchers, have their song programmed and don't learn them like warbler do.

Just a few facts about your friendly neighborhood Kingbird...

Eastern Kingbird on a branch near the nest

Eastern Kingbird watching a Pond

All About Birds - Eastern Kingbird - Link here

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Marsh Wren in a Marsh, Who Knew?

Personally, I am a fan of Wrens.  A big fan.  They are awesome little birds that are adaptable, tough, and easy on the eyes.  I have a print of a Carolina Wren in my living room actually.  It is a nice print and enjoy seeing it everyday.  But back to wrens.  Marsh Wrens are another of the wrens we get in the Northeast and they live in... well... marshes.  They are very vocal and territorial.  They are often seen bounding between reeds, grasses, and other marsh plants trying to get food, protect their boundaries, and building nests.  Long story short, they work hard.  Their songs are also loud and pretty easy to hear if you are near a marsh.

I had a close encounter with a very active and vocal Marsh Wren recently.  I took advantage of his singing to take several photos of him.  His singing set off some of the other birds around the marsh too.  Red-Winged Blackbirds, Seaside and Saltmarsh Sparrows, and other birds all joined in after the Marsh Wren began singing.  He did not seem to care much that I was there for the show either.  Half a dozen other people either listened in as well, or walked right by him.  It was a great moment to share with the little critter and I wish those walking by would listen a bit more to the world around them.

Until the next time!  Get out and go birding!

Marsh Wren Singing

Dramatic Pose...

Marsh Wren at All About Birds - Link Here

Connecting to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Summer Birding Had Me a Blast

I am writing this during a busy summer.  Summer is a great time to bird and be in nature.  The better challenge might be funding a time that isn't so great to be outside and exploring.  But it's summer and I find myself focusing on the  birds that are around now.  Namely breeding birds.   There are a few vagrants around but most time is supreme finding critters that are sticking around with their nests.  . 

A nasty of barn swallows at a local park.   These barn swallows were ready to pop out of their nest.  Literally. Mom and dad asking with the other parents and adults keep close eyes I  these youngsters.  They are ready to buzz and defend against any and all who approach.  Birds will protect their nest and it is important to recognize this behavior to protect the bird.

Can you find the American Avocet in the Picture? (C) Not my Photo!

A Double Crested Coromorant in Central Park

What's your favorite part about summer birding?  Post it below!  Until the next time, get out and go birding!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Ruby Throated Entry

Put 2 paper clips in your hand.  This is the weight of your average Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.  Hummingbirds are pretty incredible birds.  But I don't have to tell you that.  You know how amazing they are.  The Hummers that zip around our gardens and parks spend their winter in Mexico and Central America.  How they make back and forth between their breeding grounds and their wintering grounds is a true feat of nature.  I was lucky enough to hear a UConn Grad Student in the Ornithology Department present on his findings regarding Hummes and their evolution.  There's a link below to his findings and they are extraordinary!

The talk focused on their tongues and beaks as tools to maximize their consumption of nectar.  In fact, most of the hummingbird seems to be geared towards getting the maximum amount of nectar.  Their flying agility is unparalleled but they are themselves very rigid.  Males leave females to care for the brood all on their own.  Females will build their nests near raptor nests to maximize protection.  Its worth nothing here that only 1 raptor is known to enjoy hunting and eating hummers, the Bat Falcon of South America.  Hummers are truly amazing animals!

What's your favorite Hummer experience?  Share in the comments below.  Until the next time, get outside and go birding!

Nature's Magic In The Air Documentary - Link here

UConn's Work on Hummingbirds- Link here

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at All About Birds - Link here

Vultures and Vultures

Vultures get a bad rap.  Scavengers usually do.  I remember an uproar when people suggested that the Tyrannosaurus Rex might have been a scavenger.  People were unwilling to believe that the biggest raptor could have been a scavenger.  Their evidence was not without merit.  The T-Rex had the largest olfactory nerve center in the fossil record.  2nd biggest is the turkey vulture.  And some of the largest flying birds today are scavengers of some sort, Eurasian Black Vulture, Andean Vulture to name a few.

But back to today's vultures.  I've included some pictures of the 2 Vultures living here in Southern New England.  The Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture.  Both are fairly visible around here and common.  The Black Vulture has only become common in the past decade or so.   Whether that's a product of climate change or not, that's up for debate.  Their sensory prowess is definitely up for debate as even JJ Audubon was know to experiment with sense smell.  So think about vultures next time you see them in the sky, you are in good company!

Until the next time, go outside and bird!

A Turkey Vulture perched up high

A Close Up of a Turkey Vulture

A Black Vulture soaring in the sky

Wild Bird Wednesday - link here

Nesting Season

ETHICAL DISCLOSURE: These nests were minimally disrupted.  I did not touch the tree with the nest nor move and nor harass the nest or birds.  If Parent Bird was close, I did not approach.  When Parent approached, I ceased my activities and left the scene.  In short, I aimed to respect the space of the birds and their chances at breeding.

Birds breeding powers their migration, courtship rituals, and plumage.  While we may dream about seeing the amazing breeding grounds of the tundra or the rainforest, our local birds aren't too shabby.  We just need to know where to look and how to look.  Finding nests is kind of like finding a pot of gold.  You can get a real intimate view of the bird.  But here are some thoughts on the ethics and moral dilemmas of looking at and photographing Nests.

#1 - Do Not Anger Mom and Pop - Pissing off parents can be a dangerous proposition.  You don't want to scare them off their nesting duties and you don't want to draw attention to the nest.  If you have to make too much motion or commotion, you might really endanger the nest

#2 - Do Not Disturb the Tree/Shrub/Ground - Different birds have different nesting strategies and its important to know them so you don't disturb them.  Knowing where birds like to build their nests also makes it easier to find them!

#3 - Take only Memories - Don't gather a memento of your encounter with a bird nest.  It is against the Migratory Bird Act to take nests and also detrimental to the birds themselves.  

Enjoy the many activities of our breeding feathered friends!  What are your favorite encounters with a nest and breeding birds?  Share in the comments below and until next time!

Northern Flicker in Nest

American Redstart on the Nest

Yellow Warbler Nest

Eastern Phoebe Nest

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here