A good number of Great Egrets also lined the flooded area.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Baird's Sandpipers at Green Pond ~ August 23, 2006
During my afternoon stop at the flooded fields by Green Pond, I was pleasantly surprised to find two Baird's Sandpipers feeding in the shallow water. To my knowledge, these two birds represent the 1st records for Northampton County!
Baird's Sandpipers at the flooded fields by Green Pond, Northampton County. These photos were taken on August 24th.
A good number of Great Egrets also lined the flooded area.
A good number of Great Egrets also lined the flooded area.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Fork-tailed Flycatcher AND Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in PA! ~ June 4, 2006
With my Pennsylvania Life List in the 360's, seeing a new state bird gets really tough anymore. So, I was totally blown away when I came home with TWO state birds in ONE day!
In late morning, I heard about four Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that had been found in Bucks County by Rudy Keller. Since I had previously missed seeing the ones found in Westmoreland and Lancaster Counties in 1993, I was ready to head down there to look for them. But soon after that, I got another call about a probable Fork-tailed Flycatcher that was found near Morrisville in Bucks County by Bill Keim!
Billy Weber just happened to be birding at Arlene Koch's house when I got the call, so he and Arlene hopped in the car and the three of us headed down there while the bird's identification was changing from Fork-tailed to Scissor-tailed and eventually back again. When we got there, we saw that the bird had a much shorter tail than what is shown in most of the guides and, at first glance, could have possibly been passed over as an Eastern Kingbird by an inexperienced observer. This was a great find, especially since the bird was found in unusual habitat, trees right along the Delaware River.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Morrisville, Bucks County. Note the bird's dark cap, gray mantle, all-white underparts, and fairly long tail, which is much shorter than what is portrayed in most of the field guides because it is not an adult bird. This bird represents the first record for Pennsylvania!
Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Morrisville, Bucks County. Note the bird's dark cap, gray mantle, and fairly long tail. Here, the shaft of the tail feather on the right side can be seen protruding longer than that on the left. This bird represents the first record for Pennsylvania!
After watching and photographing the flycatcher for about an hour or more, we left and headed for the pond where Rudy Keller had seen the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in the late morning. We arrived at the pond, just west of the town of Pleasantville, in the early evening and found Harold Lebo and Drew Weber there. The only ducks on the pond were a pair of Mallards, but Arlene said that Rudy told her that they had been hiding in the surrounding vegetation when they weren't in the pond. So, after about 20 minutes of checking every spot we could from the road, Harold went over to the farmhouse and asked the lady there if we could walk out the path to check the near side of the pond. She kindly gave us permission and also told him that she had noticed them there a few days before. We walked out the path and there, in the near right corner of the pond (when looking from the road), were the Whistling-Ducks in just high enough vegetation that they could not be seen at all from the road. We watched them, took photos, and left them right where they were with about an hour of daylight left.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks near Pleasantville, Berks County. Note the black belly, white wing patch, red bill, and light eye ring on the gray face. All four birds are in this picture, although the fourth bird is hidden by the dead gray stems just below and in front of the tallest bird. There are very few records of them for Pennsylvania.
To say the least, I was thrilled with getting two state birds (and great-looking ones at that) in just several hours!
In late morning, I heard about four Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that had been found in Bucks County by Rudy Keller. Since I had previously missed seeing the ones found in Westmoreland and Lancaster Counties in 1993, I was ready to head down there to look for them. But soon after that, I got another call about a probable Fork-tailed Flycatcher that was found near Morrisville in Bucks County by Bill Keim!
Billy Weber just happened to be birding at Arlene Koch's house when I got the call, so he and Arlene hopped in the car and the three of us headed down there while the bird's identification was changing from Fork-tailed to Scissor-tailed and eventually back again. When we got there, we saw that the bird had a much shorter tail than what is shown in most of the guides and, at first glance, could have possibly been passed over as an Eastern Kingbird by an inexperienced observer. This was a great find, especially since the bird was found in unusual habitat, trees right along the Delaware River.
After watching and photographing the flycatcher for about an hour or more, we left and headed for the pond where Rudy Keller had seen the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in the late morning. We arrived at the pond, just west of the town of Pleasantville, in the early evening and found Harold Lebo and Drew Weber there. The only ducks on the pond were a pair of Mallards, but Arlene said that Rudy told her that they had been hiding in the surrounding vegetation when they weren't in the pond. So, after about 20 minutes of checking every spot we could from the road, Harold went over to the farmhouse and asked the lady there if we could walk out the path to check the near side of the pond. She kindly gave us permission and also told him that she had noticed them there a few days before. We walked out the path and there, in the near right corner of the pond (when looking from the road), were the Whistling-Ducks in just high enough vegetation that they could not be seen at all from the road. We watched them, took photos, and left them right where they were with about an hour of daylight left.
To say the least, I was thrilled with getting two state birds (and great-looking ones at that) in just several hours!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Cancun, Mexico Trip ~ May 19, 2006
My wife and I spent May 19th to the 22nd in Cancun, Mexico to attend my stepdaughter's wedding, so this was obviously not a birding trip, but I was still able to get out and see some nice birds.
On Friday, May 19th, we flew non-stop from Philadelphia to Cancun. A shuttle took us to the Moon Palace Resort on the Riviera Maya, just south of Cancun. Without a rental car, my birding was restricted to the resort and its adjacent golf course. The damage to the vegetation done by Hurricane Wilma was still very evident. After settling in, I saw my first of five 'life' birds for the trip, a Melodious Blackbird.
Melodious Blackbird at the Moon Palace Resort near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows the overall glossy black coloration, the dark eyes, and the dark, pointed bill. This bird was photographed in grass next to a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area. These birds were fairly common in the brush around the resort.
Another bird that was evident in the brushy swamps surrounding the resort was the Anhinga.
Anhinga at the Moon Palace Resort near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows the fairly long, sharply-pointed bill, the white on the wings and back, and the light area at the tip of the tail. This bird was photographed while drying its wings over a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area.
Great-tailed Grackles were everywhere. Another bird that was commonly seen around the resort and its edges was the Tropical Mockingbird, which was another 'lifer' for me.
Tropical Mockingbird at the Moon Palace Resort near Cancun, Mexico.
This bird has darker wings and a much smaller area of white in the tail when compared to our Northern Mockingbird and lacks the Northern's large white wing patches in flight. This bird was photographed on a post outside our room.
On Friday, May 19th, we flew non-stop from Philadelphia to Cancun. A shuttle took us to the Moon Palace Resort on the Riviera Maya, just south of Cancun. Without a rental car, my birding was restricted to the resort and its adjacent golf course. The damage to the vegetation done by Hurricane Wilma was still very evident. After settling in, I saw my first of five 'life' birds for the trip, a Melodious Blackbird.
This photo shows the overall glossy black coloration, the dark eyes, and the dark, pointed bill. This bird was photographed in grass next to a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area. These birds were fairly common in the brush around the resort.
Another bird that was evident in the brushy swamps surrounding the resort was the Anhinga.
This photo shows the fairly long, sharply-pointed bill, the white on the wings and back, and the light area at the tip of the tail. This bird was photographed while drying its wings over a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area.
Great-tailed Grackles were everywhere. Another bird that was commonly seen around the resort and its edges was the Tropical Mockingbird, which was another 'lifer' for me.
This bird has darker wings and a much smaller area of white in the tail when compared to our Northern Mockingbird and lacks the Northern's large white wing patches in flight. This bird was photographed on a post outside our room.
Cancun, Mexico Trip ~ May 20, 2006
On the morning of the 20th, I walked the golf course and found another 'lifer', a very cooperative Northern Jacana.
Northern Jacana at the Moon Palace Golf Club near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows the black face with the contrasting yellow forehead patch and yellow bill, black neck and breast, chestnut back and body, grayish legs and very long toes, and pale yellow flight feathers with dusky edges. This bird was photographed near one of the water hazards.
Northern Jacana at the Moon Palace Resort near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows how strikingly different the immature looks from the adult. Note the white underparts and face, brown cap on the head, brown back, grayish-green legs, and duller yellow bill with a dusky tip. This is one of two immature birds that were seen in a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area.
Magnificent Frigatebird at the Moon Palace Resort near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows the dark head, the long, dark, pointed wings, the white chest patch, and the long, forked tail. This adult female was photographed while circling over the beach.
The rest of the day was spent at my stepdaughter's wedding and the reception.
This photo shows the black face with the contrasting yellow forehead patch and yellow bill, black neck and breast, chestnut back and body, grayish legs and very long toes, and pale yellow flight feathers with dusky edges. This bird was photographed near one of the water hazards.
This photo shows how strikingly different the immature looks from the adult. Note the white underparts and face, brown cap on the head, brown back, grayish-green legs, and duller yellow bill with a dusky tip. This is one of two immature birds that were seen in a brushy swamp along the edge of the resort area.
This photo shows the dark head, the long, dark, pointed wings, the white chest patch, and the long, forked tail. This adult female was photographed while circling over the beach.
The rest of the day was spent at my stepdaughter's wedding and the reception.
Cancun, Mexico Trip ~ May 21, 2006
On Sunday, the 21st, I took a bus tour to the famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. We didn't get there until midday and the grounds were loaded with people, so I saw very few birds, but the ruins and the associated stories that the guide told us about the site were well worth the trip.
"El Castillo", also known as "Kukulcan's Pyramid" at Chichen Itza.
About 75 feet tall, it was built around the 10th century A.D. for astronomical purposes. During the vernal and autumnal equinox, the sunlight on the one stairway forms what appears to be a serpent 37 yards long that creeps downward until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway.
About 75 feet tall, it was built around the 10th century A.D. for astronomical purposes. During the vernal and autumnal equinox, the sunlight on the one stairway forms what appears to be a serpent 37 yards long that creeps downward until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway.
Cancun, Mexico Trip ~ May 22, 2006
Very early on the 22nd, I once again walked the golf course and found my last two 'lifers', a Yucatan Jay and a female Thicket Tinamou before packing for our early afternoon flight home.
Yucatan Jay at the Moon Palace Golf Club near Cancun, Mexico.
This photo shows the turquoise-blue wings and tail, black head and underparts, and yellowish legs. This bird was photographed along the path to the clubhouse. This life bird was with three others in the brush along the path.
A Coatimundi at the Moon Palace Golf Club near Cancun, Mexico.
I got my first-ever look at one of these as it walked around the course.
Some of the other birds seen during this long weekend were Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Plain Chachalaca, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Osprey, Common Moorhens with young, White-rumped Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, White-winged Dove, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Vaux's Swift, the "dubius" race of Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rose-throated Becard, "Ridgeway's" Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cave Swallow, Clay-colored Thrush (Robin), Red-winged Blackbird, Bronzed Cowbird, and Hooded and Altimira Oriole.
This photo shows the turquoise-blue wings and tail, black head and underparts, and yellowish legs. This bird was photographed along the path to the clubhouse. This life bird was with three others in the brush along the path.
I got my first-ever look at one of these as it walked around the course.
Some of the other birds seen during this long weekend were Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Plain Chachalaca, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Osprey, Common Moorhens with young, White-rumped Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, White-winged Dove, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Vaux's Swift, the "dubius" race of Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Rose-throated Becard, "Ridgeway's" Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cave Swallow, Clay-colored Thrush (Robin), Red-winged Blackbird, Bronzed Cowbird, and Hooded and Altimira Oriole.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 6, 2006
On Monday, March 6th, Babe Webster and I flew to Albuquerque to try and see some of the rarities that were present in New Mexico and Arizona. Our target birds included Yellow Grosbeak, Black Rosy-Finch, Streak-backed Oriole, Rufous-backed Robin, and Gunnison Sage-Grouse, which we hoped might start visiting the lek before our week was over.
As soon as we got our small rental SUV, we headed over to the backyard of 1412 Las Lomas Road in Albuquerque. After about an hour-and-a-half wait, the Yellow Grosbeak popped up out of a vine-covered tree just outside of the yard and flew in to the feeders, giving us all the nice views we wanted.
Yellow Grosbeak at 1412 Las Lomas Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This bird was photographed just outside the yard. This photo shows the large gray bill, large yellow head, all-yellow underparts, white spots on the black wings, and white spots in the dark tail.
Yellow Grosbeak at 1412 Las Lomas Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This bird was photographed at the feeders. This photo shows the large yellow head, large bill (which has a slightly deformed upper mandible), yellow underparts with some dark flank streaks, white spots on the black wings, and dark-streaked back.
After enjoying the bird for about an hour, we headed up to Sandia Crest to check out the Rosy-Finches. There, at the Crest House, we saw all three species, including Babe's 'life' Black Rosy-Finch.
Black Rosy-Finch at Sandia Crest, near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This bird was photographed at the Crest House feeders. This photo shows the dark head, back, and body with light gray head patch, rose-edged wings, and fainter rosy underparts. A Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is also in the upper left of this photo.
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Sandia Crest, near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This bird was photographed at the Crest House feeders. This photo shows the dark forehead, light gray head patch, rose-edged wings, and fainter rosy underparts on an overall dark brown body.
As soon as we got our small rental SUV, we headed over to the backyard of 1412 Las Lomas Road in Albuquerque. After about an hour-and-a-half wait, the Yellow Grosbeak popped up out of a vine-covered tree just outside of the yard and flew in to the feeders, giving us all the nice views we wanted.
This bird was photographed just outside the yard. This photo shows the large gray bill, large yellow head, all-yellow underparts, white spots on the black wings, and white spots in the dark tail.
This bird was photographed at the feeders. This photo shows the large yellow head, large bill (which has a slightly deformed upper mandible), yellow underparts with some dark flank streaks, white spots on the black wings, and dark-streaked back.
After enjoying the bird for about an hour, we headed up to Sandia Crest to check out the Rosy-Finches. There, at the Crest House, we saw all three species, including Babe's 'life' Black Rosy-Finch.
This bird was photographed at the Crest House feeders. This photo shows the dark head, back, and body with light gray head patch, rose-edged wings, and fainter rosy underparts. A Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is also in the upper left of this photo.
This bird was photographed at the Crest House feeders. This photo shows the dark forehead, light gray head patch, rose-edged wings, and fainter rosy underparts on an overall dark brown body.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 7, 2006
The next morning, we made the long drive to Phoenix, Arizona. Along the way, we made a fuel stop and spent a minute "standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona", the spot made famous by the line from the Eagles song, "Take It Easy". We eventually got to the Gilbert Water Ranch near Phoenix, Arizona. It's a nice little refuge surrounded by suburban sprawl. While looking for the Streak-backed Oriole that had been sporadically reported there, we spotted Great and Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Anna's Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Purple Martin, Verdin, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's and Lincoln's Sparrows, and many "Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrows.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 8, 2006
On the 8th, we spent the morning back at the Gilbert Water Ranch. Birds seen there in addition to ones mentioned before included Double-crested Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, Least Sandpiper, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Violet-green and Cliff Swallows, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Wilson's Warbler, and Green-tailed and Abert's Towhees, but still no oriole.
Verdin at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona.
This bird was photographed in a small mesquite tree. This photo shows the yellowish head, dark lores, tiny bill, the rufous shoulder patch exposed by the wind blowing the feathers, and the light gray breast and belly.
We left Gilbert around mid-day and drove up to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. There, new trip birds included Broad-billed Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee, and an unusual bird for Arizona: a Brown Thrasher.
Brown Thrasher at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona. This was the only photo I could get of this 'eastern' bird that was being sought after by the western birders.
This bird was photographed in a small mesquite tree. This photo shows the yellowish head, dark lores, tiny bill, the rufous shoulder patch exposed by the wind blowing the feathers, and the light gray breast and belly.
We left Gilbert around mid-day and drove up to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. There, new trip birds included Broad-billed Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee, and an unusual bird for Arizona: a Brown Thrasher.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 9, 2006
Thursday, we spent the entire day at the Water Ranch looking for the Streak-backed Oriole but, once again, left without seeing it. Trip birds for the day were Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Wilson's Snipe, Burrowing Owl, and Common Yellowthroat.
Burrowing Owl at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona.
This photo was taken near one of the man-made nesting sites. It shows the pale eyebrows, speckled head, and spotted back. The barring on the flanks is barely visible.
Abert's Towhee at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona.
This bird was phototgraphed as it furiously kicked up leaves. This photo shows the dark face contrasting with the pale bill and overall grayish face and body with pinkish tones on the breast and belly and tan undertail coverts.
This photo was taken near one of the man-made nesting sites. It shows the pale eyebrows, speckled head, and spotted back. The barring on the flanks is barely visible.
This bird was phototgraphed as it furiously kicked up leaves. This photo shows the dark face contrasting with the pale bill and overall grayish face and body with pinkish tones on the breast and belly and tan undertail coverts.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 10, 2006
On the 10th, we started the day at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Trip birds found there included Cooper's Hawk, Cactus and Canyon Wren, Phainopepla and, finally, Babe's 'life' Rufous-backed Robin.
We left Boyce Thompson and made the long drive to Gallup, New Mexico after being told by a secretary at the Gunnison office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife that grouse had been seen on the lek. Little did we know that, after many hours of driving and waiting, this information she gave us might have been incorrect.
We left Boyce Thompson and made the long drive to Gallup, New Mexico after being told by a secretary at the Gunnison office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife that grouse had been seen on the lek. Little did we know that, after many hours of driving and waiting, this information she gave us might have been incorrect.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 11, 2006
When we woke up Saturday, it was snowing with a few inches of snow already on the ground. We worked our way to Colorado through the towns of Durango and Ouray and over the mountain passes to Gunnison. Along the way, we saw Common Merganser, Steller's Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Bluebird, Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco, and a flock of Brown-capped Rosy-Finches.
Mountain Bluebirds at Ridgway State Park near Ouray, Colorado.
This pair posed on the fence along Highway 550. This photo shows the electric blue male and the duller female with her turquoise blue rump and grayish head with white eye accent.
A late afternoon scouting visit to the Waunita lek site produced a Golden Eagle perched on the fence right next to the road.
Golden Eagle near Gunnison, Colorado.
This mottled bird was photographed at the Waunita lek site. It clearly shows the 'golden' hackles on the head. Using the car as a blind, we were able fairly close to this bird, take some photos, and slowly leave without it ever flushing off its perch.
This pair posed on the fence along Highway 550. This photo shows the electric blue male and the duller female with her turquoise blue rump and grayish head with white eye accent.
A late afternoon scouting visit to the Waunita lek site produced a Golden Eagle perched on the fence right next to the road.
This mottled bird was photographed at the Waunita lek site. It clearly shows the 'golden' hackles on the head. Using the car as a blind, we were able fairly close to this bird, take some photos, and slowly leave without it ever flushing off its perch.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 12, 2006
We were at the lek very early the next morning but never saw any grouse, although we're sure we heard a few cackling to each other. Surprisingly, an adult Bald Eagle was seen flying over the lek area.
We left the lek in the late morning and drove all the way down through Colorado and Albuquerque to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. There, new trip birds included American White Pelican, Snow Goose, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, a "Harlan's" Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Say's Phoebe, and Brewer's Blackbird.
We left the lek in the late morning and drove all the way down through Colorado and Albuquerque to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. There, new trip birds included American White Pelican, Snow Goose, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, a "Harlan's" Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Say's Phoebe, and Brewer's Blackbird.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip ~ March 13, 2006
On our last day there, an Albuquerque native mentioned that we got to see all four seasons of the year in just one week. We had 80-degree weather in the beginning of the week, hail and snow with temperatures down in the teens in the middle of the week, followed by 'white-outs' caused by 50-mph wind-driven snow near the end. Needless to say, it was a memorable week weatherwise.
For those of you interested in seeing many more photos from New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, you can go to my New Mexico Photos Album, Arizona Photos Album, and Colorado Photos Album.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip List ---- March 6th to 13th, 2006
1) Pied-billed Grebe
2) American White Pelican
3) Double-crested Cormorant
4) Great Blue Heron
5) Great Egret
6) Snowy Egret
7) Green Heron
8) Black-crowned Night-Heron
9) Snow Goose
10) Canada Goose
11) Wood Duck
12) Green-winged Teal
13) Mallard
14) Northern Pintail
15) Blue-winged Teal
16) Cinnamon Teal
17) Northern Shoveler
18) Gadwall
19) American Wigeon
20) Canvasback
21) Ring-necked Duck
22) Lesser Scaup
23) Bufflehead
24) Common Merganser
25) Ruddy Duck
26) Turkey Vulture
27) Bald Eagle
28) Northern Harrier
29) Sharp-shinned Hawk
30) Cooper's Hawk
31) Red-tailed Hawk
32) Golden Eagle
33) American Kestrel
34) Peregrine Falcon
35) Ring-necked Pheasant
36) Gambel's Quail
37) Common Moorhen
38) American Coot
39) Killdeer
40) Black-necked Stilt
41) American Avocet
42) Greater Yellowlegs
43) Least Sandpiper
44) Long-billed Dowitcher
45) Wilson's Snipe
46) Ring-billed Gull
47) Rock Dove
48) White-winged Dove
49) Mourning Dove
50) Inca Dove
51) Burrowing Owl
52) Broad-billed Hummingbird
53) Anna's Hummingbird
54) Belted Kingfisher
55) Gila Woodpecker
56) Red-naped Sapsucker
57) Ladder-backed Woodpecker
58) Northern Flicker
59) Black Phoebe
60) Say's Phoebe
61) Ash-throated Flycatcher
62) Horned Lark
63) Purple Martin
64) Violet-green Swallow
65) Northern Rough-winged Swallow
66) Cliff Swallow
67) Steller's Jay
68) Western Scrub-Jay
69) Black-billed Magpie
70) American Crow
71) Common Raven
72) Mountain Chickadee
73) Verdin
74) Bushtit
75) Red-breasted Nuthatch
76) Cactus Wren
77) Canyon Wren
78) Bewick's Wren
79) Marsh Wren
80) Ruby-crowned Kinglet
81) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
82) Mountain Bluebird
83) Hermit Thrush
84) Rufous-backed Robin
85) American Robin
86) Northern Mockingbird
87) Brown Thrasher
88) Curve-billed Thrasher
89) Phainopepla
90) European Starling
91) Orange-crowned Warbler
92) Yellow-rumped Warbler
93) Common Yellowthroat
94) Wilson's Warbler
95) Northern Cardinal
96) Yellow Grosbeak*
97) Green-tailed Towhee
98) Spotted Towhee
99) Abert's Towhee
100) Brewer's Sparrow
101) Vesper Sparrow
102) Song Sparrow
103) Lincoln's Sparrow
104) White-crowned Sparrow
105) Dark-eyed Junco
106) Red-winged Blackbird
107) Western Meadowlark
108) Yellow-headed Blackbird
109) Brewer's Blackbird
110) Great-tailed Grackle
111) Brown-headed Cowbird
112) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
113) Black Rosy-Finch
114) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
115) House Finch
116) Lesser Goldfinch
117) American Goldfinch
118) House Sparrow
* Denotes a 'life bird'.
For those of you interested in seeing many more photos from New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, you can go to my New Mexico Photos Album, Arizona Photos Album, and Colorado Photos Album.
New Mexico - Arizona - Colorado Trip List ---- March 6th to 13th, 2006
1) Pied-billed Grebe
2) American White Pelican
3) Double-crested Cormorant
4) Great Blue Heron
5) Great Egret
6) Snowy Egret
7) Green Heron
8) Black-crowned Night-Heron
9) Snow Goose
10) Canada Goose
11) Wood Duck
12) Green-winged Teal
13) Mallard
14) Northern Pintail
15) Blue-winged Teal
16) Cinnamon Teal
17) Northern Shoveler
18) Gadwall
19) American Wigeon
20) Canvasback
21) Ring-necked Duck
22) Lesser Scaup
23) Bufflehead
24) Common Merganser
25) Ruddy Duck
26) Turkey Vulture
27) Bald Eagle
28) Northern Harrier
29) Sharp-shinned Hawk
30) Cooper's Hawk
31) Red-tailed Hawk
32) Golden Eagle
33) American Kestrel
34) Peregrine Falcon
35) Ring-necked Pheasant
36) Gambel's Quail
37) Common Moorhen
38) American Coot
39) Killdeer
40) Black-necked Stilt
41) American Avocet
42) Greater Yellowlegs
43) Least Sandpiper
44) Long-billed Dowitcher
45) Wilson's Snipe
46) Ring-billed Gull
47) Rock Dove
48) White-winged Dove
49) Mourning Dove
50) Inca Dove
51) Burrowing Owl
52) Broad-billed Hummingbird
53) Anna's Hummingbird
54) Belted Kingfisher
55) Gila Woodpecker
56) Red-naped Sapsucker
57) Ladder-backed Woodpecker
58) Northern Flicker
59) Black Phoebe
60) Say's Phoebe
61) Ash-throated Flycatcher
62) Horned Lark
63) Purple Martin
64) Violet-green Swallow
65) Northern Rough-winged Swallow
66) Cliff Swallow
67) Steller's Jay
68) Western Scrub-Jay
69) Black-billed Magpie
70) American Crow
71) Common Raven
72) Mountain Chickadee
73) Verdin
74) Bushtit
75) Red-breasted Nuthatch
76) Cactus Wren
77) Canyon Wren
78) Bewick's Wren
79) Marsh Wren
80) Ruby-crowned Kinglet
81) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
82) Mountain Bluebird
83) Hermit Thrush
84) Rufous-backed Robin
85) American Robin
86) Northern Mockingbird
87) Brown Thrasher
88) Curve-billed Thrasher
89) Phainopepla
90) European Starling
91) Orange-crowned Warbler
92) Yellow-rumped Warbler
93) Common Yellowthroat
94) Wilson's Warbler
95) Northern Cardinal
96) Yellow Grosbeak*
97) Green-tailed Towhee
98) Spotted Towhee
99) Abert's Towhee
100) Brewer's Sparrow
101) Vesper Sparrow
102) Song Sparrow
103) Lincoln's Sparrow
104) White-crowned Sparrow
105) Dark-eyed Junco
106) Red-winged Blackbird
107) Western Meadowlark
108) Yellow-headed Blackbird
109) Brewer's Blackbird
110) Great-tailed Grackle
111) Brown-headed Cowbird
112) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
113) Black Rosy-Finch
114) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
115) House Finch
116) Lesser Goldfinch
117) American Goldfinch
118) House Sparrow
* Denotes a 'life bird'.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bullock's Oriole continues near Bethlehem ~ January 22, 2006
I decided to make another visit to Steve Wolfe's backyard to get some more looks and photos of his continuing Bullock's Oriole. After a fairly long wait, the bird finally showed itself. I managed to get these two photos of it perched atop a bush.
Bullock's Oriole near Bethlehem in Northampton County.
Friday, January 6, 2006
Bullock's Oriole in Northampton County! ~ January 5, 2006
On the 3rd, Rick Wiltraut got a call from Steve Wolfe about a bird that was visiting his backyard feeder north of Bethlehem since New Year's Day. Yesterday, he went to check it out and was pretty sure that the bird is a first year male Bullock's Oriole. He described it this way:
"The bird has a distinct dark eye-line (lores and behind the eye) and a dark spot on the throat area. The face and upper breast are yellowish-orange including the malar area and auriculars and there is a bright yellowish stripe above the eye. The rest of the underparts are an ashy gray color contrasting strongly with the yellowish-orange breast and the undertail coverts appear grayish with a hint of yellow. The median coverts have dark pointed centers creating a toothed effect. The back is grayish and is scalloped. The entire lower mandible and edge of upper mandible is pale."
I spent this morning there and got to see the bird in the tray feeder and bathing in the backyard bird bath.
Bullock's Oriole near Bethlehem in Northampton County. If accepted by PORC, this first-year bird represents the 1st record for Northampton County and only the 3rd documented record for PA! Thanks to Steve's hospitality, another county bird is potentially on the list.
"The bird has a distinct dark eye-line (lores and behind the eye) and a dark spot on the throat area. The face and upper breast are yellowish-orange including the malar area and auriculars and there is a bright yellowish stripe above the eye. The rest of the underparts are an ashy gray color contrasting strongly with the yellowish-orange breast and the undertail coverts appear grayish with a hint of yellow. The median coverts have dark pointed centers creating a toothed effect. The back is grayish and is scalloped. The entire lower mandible and edge of upper mandible is pale."
I spent this morning there and got to see the bird in the tray feeder and bathing in the backyard bird bath.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)