Quit Grousing Around

I've written on the Unicorn effect several times in this blog.  But the thrill of the hunt and ecstasy of victory are simply too much to ignore.  For a long time, ground birds presented me with great difficulty.  The problem here in the Northeast is that several populations are declining and some have been expatriated from the region.  For those that remain, several enjoy being secretive and elusive.

Many more people hear Grouses in Connecticut than see them.  They are fans of the second growth forests and for a while that was an uncommon environment in Connecticut.  They are most often heard and not seen.  People can often hear the drumming in the distance.  That's the best way to find them around a forest.  Finding them in Connecticut can be a challenge but a worthwhile one.

As some of you know, I placed them on my list of goal birds for this year.  Hearing them drum and then finding them in the open was a real thrill.  It is often such a thrill to see awesome birds in the wild.  I can't help but be more and more excited for the next adventure!  In meantime, get outside and go birding!

The Grouse crossing the Road

The Grouse kept his eye on me...

And then left giving me some great shots!

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Ruffed Grouse is a 2014 Goal Bird

AllAboutBirds -  Ruffed Grouse

Not Quite Migration

Everyday Spring migration draws nearer and nearer.  Or so they tell me.  While the last storm missed Connecticut, we got a good burst of cold wind and weather nonetheless.  Of course, that doesn't keep the New England Birder at bay.  Well, actually, it takes the New England Birder right to the Bay.  I visited several parks that were near open water this past weekend with great success.  I found an Eared Grebe that had been a winter resident near Greenwich Point Park.  While I had seen the EAGB in Texas, it was nice to add this rare bird to my Connecticut List.

The 2 most exciting birds that I got this last outing were the Long Eared Owl and a Glaucous Gull!  Both were great finds in the state of Connecticut.  It was hard to snap photos of the better birds due to distance and folliage, but all 3 were great birds to find for different reasons.  The Owl was just a great find.  Its silence and almost magical flight around me made me truly feel special to share space with that bird.  The Glaucous Gull was a bit more of a workhouse find.  Visiting Southbury where hundreds of Gulls have been visiting and to find the Glaucous, I had to sort through the Gulls.  Sitting out, against the wind, I had to sort through hundreds of Gulls and when I found the Glaucous, I felt like all those hours of reading and work finally paid off!  

I can't wait til the next weekend comes.  Until the next time, get outside and go birding!

A House Finch

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Juvenile Eastern Bluebird

Downy Woodpecker

Long-Eared Owl

2014 Year Birds: 127
CT Year Birds: 120
Notable Additions:
Long-Eared Owl *Life and Goal Bird*
Eared Grebe
Glaucous Gull *Life Bird*

San Antonio Review

So I just returned from a trip to lovely San Antonio Texas.  I visited 3 sites dedicated to birding.  I've already written about the good work being done at the Botanical Gardens.  So I want to focus on 2 other sites.  Warbler Woods (http://warblerwoods.org/) and Mitchell Lakes Audubon Center (http://mitchelllake.audubon.org/).  Both offer an incredible habitat for birds and all sorts of animals.  I had a blast exploring the different habitats around San Antonio and could have gone back for more.  There were countless sites that I want to go back to and see.

Warbler Woods - This site is incredible.  Painted Buntings, Greater Roadrunners, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, and Canada Warblers were the biggest highlights of the site.  For the followers of my blog, You will note that both Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher and Canada Warbler were 2 of my Goal Birds for the year.  It was a marvelous site and one that I hope to return to in the future!

Mitchell Lake Audubon Center - This site has a plethora of habitat and is great for shorebirds.  The pictures below are from this site.  My highlight of this spot were getting great shots of the Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, a Spotted Sandpiper, and an American Golden-Plover.  This was super awesome for me!  A goal Bird, a nemesis bird, and just a beautiful bird!  Time spent at Mitchell  Lake won't be a waste.

This post is short so I can get back outside.  Why don't we all do the same!

 Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

 Yellow-Headed Blackbird

 Wilson's Phalarope

 American Golden-Plover *Goal Bird*

Hudsonian Godwit

2013 Year List: 199 (1 to go)

Life List: 297 (3 to go!)

Eared Grebe LIFER

American White Pelican LIFER

American Golden-Plover LIFER and GOAL BIRD

Hudsonian Godwit LIFER

Western Sandpiper LIFER

Baird's Sandpiper LIFER

Stilt Sandpiper LIFER

Long-billed Dowitcher LIFER

Wilson's Phalarope LIFER

Franklin's Gull LIFER

Black-chinned Hummingbird LIFER

Curve-billed Thrasher LIFER

Yellow-headed Blackbird LIFER

Inca Dove LIFER

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck LIFER

Western Kingbird LIFER

Common Ground-Dove LIFER

Greater Roadrunner LIFER

Common Nighthawk LIFER and ABA Bird of the Year

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher LIFER and GOAL BIRD

Canada Warbler LIFER and GOAL BIRD

Painted Bunting LIFER

Lesser Goldfinch LIFER

Neotropic Cormorant LIFER

Cave Swallow LIFER

White-winged Dove LIFER