Sunday, February 21, 2021
Long-tailed Duck in Northampton County ~ February 21, 2021
Adam Miller found a Long-tailed Duck at the "Forks of the Delaware" in Easton. I had been going down there fairly regularly because a large amount of gulls had been dropping in there on their way from the landfills back to their nighttime roosting areas. As soon as I started looking from the south side of the Lehigh River, I saw the bird on the Pennsylvania side, just south of the Free Bridge. I drove over there and the bird put on a show about 50 feet away, allowing me to get these nice photos. I like the head reflection in the second photo that looks like a puppy dog face.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Rough-legged Hawk in Northampton County ~ February 15, 2021
Billy Weber discovered a Rough-legged Hawk yesterday near the Tatamy exit of Route 33. I didn't see it there yesterday, so I made the short drive up there today and immediately found the bird on one of the light posts at the southeast corner of the exit. It was also seen flying over the fields and on a nearby tree.
This area used to be several square miles of fields where I occasionally rode my bike as a kid in the late 1960's and early 1970's. I remember riding out there to watch them build what is now Route 33. Unfortunately, the fields are now being taken over by warehouses.
This area used to be several square miles of fields where I occasionally rode my bike as a kid in the late 1960's and early 1970's. I remember riding out there to watch them build what is now Route 33. Unfortunately, the fields are now being taken over by warehouses.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
American Kestrel "Outdoor Dining" ~ February 14, 2021
Billy Weber discovered a Rough-legged Hawk near the Tatamy exit of Route 33 earlier in the day. Since my mom lives in Tatamy and I was going there anyway, I decided to do a quick check of the area to see if I could find it. Although I didn't find it, I did find this American Kestrel "outdoor dining" near the exit. It's nice to know that at least THEY don't have to wear masks!
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Pink-footed Goose in Northampton County ~ January 30, 2021
Mike Schall found a rare Pink-footed Goose in my county back on January 20th. It was several hundred yards away at Seiple's farm pond in East Allen Township in among about 20,000 Snow Geese! I got to see it through a scope before it flew off with most of the Snows, so there was no chance of getting a photo of it. The bird was sporadically seen a few times, but on the 30th, Mike refound the bird just east of Seiple's at another small pond. This time, I was lucky to get some nice, close photos of it.
At one point, the Pink-footed swam in front of a Cackling Goose, creating a pretty rare photo opportunity where both were in the same frame.
Thanks goes to Mike for finding the bird both times.
At one point, the Pink-footed swam in front of a Cackling Goose, creating a pretty rare photo opportunity where both were in the same frame.
Thanks goes to Mike for finding the bird both times.
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Florida and Texas Trip ~ January 13, 2021
The continued reports of three life birds in Florida and one in Texas prompted me to schedule a triangulated trip from here to Florida and then over to Texas before returning back home. Most of my travelling friends had already gone for these birds or weren't able to go when I was planning to, so I was going to have to do this trip solo, which would make things a little more challenging. It's always better to have more eyes looking and, especially in my case, better ears listening.
I got up early on Wednesday morning and headed to the Philadelphia airport for my $42 (yes, $42!) non-stop flight to Fort Lauderdale. I got my rental car at around 1:30 PM and headed for the Florida Keys. It was mostly cloudy, but the temperature was in the 70's. It was nice to be in a T-shirt, especially since the cold seems to infiltrate me quicker than it used to in my younger years. Along the way, birds seen included Magnificent Frigatebird, Great and Snowy Egret, Brown and American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Royal Tern, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Common Myna, and Boat-tailed Grackle.
I arrived at the "Blue Hole" on Big Pine Key at 5:00 PM with only about an hour of light left, so I did a reconnaissance of the area and saw only three species before it started to rain.
I headed for the Sugarloaf Lodge on nearby Sugarloaf Key where I spent the next two nights.
I got up early on Wednesday morning and headed to the Philadelphia airport for my $42 (yes, $42!) non-stop flight to Fort Lauderdale. I got my rental car at around 1:30 PM and headed for the Florida Keys. It was mostly cloudy, but the temperature was in the 70's. It was nice to be in a T-shirt, especially since the cold seems to infiltrate me quicker than it used to in my younger years. Along the way, birds seen included Magnificent Frigatebird, Great and Snowy Egret, Brown and American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Royal Tern, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Common Myna, and Boat-tailed Grackle.
I arrived at the "Blue Hole" on Big Pine Key at 5:00 PM with only about an hour of light left, so I did a reconnaissance of the area and saw only three species before it started to rain.
I headed for the Sugarloaf Lodge on nearby Sugarloaf Key where I spent the next two nights.
Florida and Texas Trip ~ January 14, 2021
My first bit of luck on the trip occurred when the rain that had persisted overnight stopped before first light. I headed back to the "Blue Hole" and started walking around the small body of water. On the western side, near the end of the trail, I found a nice little flock of birds that included White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Redstart, Palm, Prairie, and Black-and-white Warbler, and Northern Parula, but the only flycatcher I saw was a Great Crested Flycatcher.
I worked my way back to the observation deck where I found the Cuban Pewee actively feeding about 15 feet to the right of it! Probably since I was all alone, it seemed unconcerned with me while I was getting these nice photos.
I spent the next hour or so looking for the Black-faced Grassquit that was also being seen there, but it had only been sporadically reported the past few days, so I decided to head for the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden since they are only open from 10 AM to 4 PM. I did the 40-minute drive, getting there right as they opened. As I slowly walked around the courtyard, boardwalk, and trails, I saw Gray Catbird, Ovenbird, and Palm Warbler. As I was returning to the courtyard, I noticed another birder pointing a camera into the tree above Marker #6. I searched and found the Red-legged Thrush, but I could only see the reddish legs and the dark throat patch through the leaves before the bird flew back into thicker vegetation. I waited a while, hoping that it would return, but it didn't. Eventually, I decided to walk the trails in the direction that it left, but I couldn't find it. Back at the courtyard, I met two birders from Ohio. Around noon, a bird flew into the top of a palm tree in the center of the courtyard. After getting a better angle, I found the bird near the top of the palm and got the others on it.
It worked its way over to the back of the tree above Marker #3, just inside the entranceway, where it perched at the same spot for well over an hour. It was pretty much in the open, but if you didn't know where to look, it was easy to miss.
With good views and fairly good photos 'in the bag', I decided to do another walk around the grounds. At the eastern edge of the property that adjoins the golf course, I found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a wire, which was an nice surprise.
I headed back to the courtyard and the thrush was still perched in the same spot. Around 2:00, the bird worked its way over to the same tree above Marker #6 and was feeding on its yellow-orange fruits. That's where I managed to get these nice photos of it.
Thrilled with the thrush show, I drove into Key West and stopped at the Wendy's to get something to eat and celebrate with a chocolate Frosty. In the parking lot, I saw the ubiquitous Eurasian Collared-Dove and a few Common Mynas.
I headed back up The Keys and realized that I would have very little time left in the day if I returned to the "Blue Hole", so I decided instead to drive the shorter distance to Sammy Creek Landing on Sugarloaf Key where an American Flamingo was being reported. When I got there, I looked to the east-southeast an easily picked out the unmistakable pink bird, although it was definitely a good distance away.
While there, a Sandwich Tern, a couple Royal Terns, a Black-bellied Plover, an Osprey, and several Brown Pelicans flew by. Also there in the channel was a Little Blue Heron among a group of White Ibis. A Magnificent Frigatebird glided past just after sunset.
I worked my way back to the observation deck where I found the Cuban Pewee actively feeding about 15 feet to the right of it! Probably since I was all alone, it seemed unconcerned with me while I was getting these nice photos.
I spent the next hour or so looking for the Black-faced Grassquit that was also being seen there, but it had only been sporadically reported the past few days, so I decided to head for the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden since they are only open from 10 AM to 4 PM. I did the 40-minute drive, getting there right as they opened. As I slowly walked around the courtyard, boardwalk, and trails, I saw Gray Catbird, Ovenbird, and Palm Warbler. As I was returning to the courtyard, I noticed another birder pointing a camera into the tree above Marker #6. I searched and found the Red-legged Thrush, but I could only see the reddish legs and the dark throat patch through the leaves before the bird flew back into thicker vegetation. I waited a while, hoping that it would return, but it didn't. Eventually, I decided to walk the trails in the direction that it left, but I couldn't find it. Back at the courtyard, I met two birders from Ohio. Around noon, a bird flew into the top of a palm tree in the center of the courtyard. After getting a better angle, I found the bird near the top of the palm and got the others on it.
It worked its way over to the back of the tree above Marker #3, just inside the entranceway, where it perched at the same spot for well over an hour. It was pretty much in the open, but if you didn't know where to look, it was easy to miss.
With good views and fairly good photos 'in the bag', I decided to do another walk around the grounds. At the eastern edge of the property that adjoins the golf course, I found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on a wire, which was an nice surprise.
I headed back to the courtyard and the thrush was still perched in the same spot. Around 2:00, the bird worked its way over to the same tree above Marker #6 and was feeding on its yellow-orange fruits. That's where I managed to get these nice photos of it.
Thrilled with the thrush show, I drove into Key West and stopped at the Wendy's to get something to eat and celebrate with a chocolate Frosty. In the parking lot, I saw the ubiquitous Eurasian Collared-Dove and a few Common Mynas.
I headed back up The Keys and realized that I would have very little time left in the day if I returned to the "Blue Hole", so I decided instead to drive the shorter distance to Sammy Creek Landing on Sugarloaf Key where an American Flamingo was being reported. When I got there, I looked to the east-southeast an easily picked out the unmistakable pink bird, although it was definitely a good distance away.
While there, a Sandwich Tern, a couple Royal Terns, a Black-bellied Plover, an Osprey, and several Brown Pelicans flew by. Also there in the channel was a Little Blue Heron among a group of White Ibis. A Magnificent Frigatebird glided past just after sunset.
Florida and Texas Trip ~ January 15, 2021
I returned to the "Blue Hole", hoping to find the Black-faced Grassquit. I found what seemed to be the same little flock of birds on the western side near the end of the trail, although this morning they were joined by Pine and Yellow-throated Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.
A Pied-billed Grebe, an Anhinga, and a Green Heron were seen from the observation deck. An Iguana was also present in a nearby tree.
I searched the western side along 6th Street and mostly along Key Deer Boulevard, just north of the parking lot where the bird had last been reported. I had several false alarms when glimpses of a bird in the grass and brush turned out to be Palm Warblers. A Red-bellied Woodpecker grabbed a beetle from a nearby pine.
Birds noted overhead included a large group of American White Pelicans, three Wood Storks, a Bald Eagle, and both dark and light morph Short-tailed Hawks.
A young Broad-winged Hawk and a male American Kestrel spent most of the day perched on nearby snags.
Despite searching the whole day, I still couldn't find the Grassquit. I was hoping that I would be able to find it and then head back to the mainland where the motel prices are much cheaper. Instead, I had to search for a motel for an additional night, which was made worse because it was a Friday. I managed to find one that wasn't too expensive, but it also wasn't the best. It had a nearby open-air tiki bar with live music. The band was playing classic rock and they really weren't too bad, but they were loud and I really wanted to get some sleep. If I was a normal tourist and not a birder, I probably would have liked it a lot more. I guess it's the old story where you get what you pay for. It wouldn't be fair to mention the name of the place since it did provide me a place to stay, but I'll pass on it if there's a next time.
A Pied-billed Grebe, an Anhinga, and a Green Heron were seen from the observation deck. An Iguana was also present in a nearby tree.
I searched the western side along 6th Street and mostly along Key Deer Boulevard, just north of the parking lot where the bird had last been reported. I had several false alarms when glimpses of a bird in the grass and brush turned out to be Palm Warblers. A Red-bellied Woodpecker grabbed a beetle from a nearby pine.
Birds noted overhead included a large group of American White Pelicans, three Wood Storks, a Bald Eagle, and both dark and light morph Short-tailed Hawks.
A young Broad-winged Hawk and a male American Kestrel spent most of the day perched on nearby snags.
Despite searching the whole day, I still couldn't find the Grassquit. I was hoping that I would be able to find it and then head back to the mainland where the motel prices are much cheaper. Instead, I had to search for a motel for an additional night, which was made worse because it was a Friday. I managed to find one that wasn't too expensive, but it also wasn't the best. It had a nearby open-air tiki bar with live music. The band was playing classic rock and they really weren't too bad, but they were loud and I really wanted to get some sleep. If I was a normal tourist and not a birder, I probably would have liked it a lot more. I guess it's the old story where you get what you pay for. It wouldn't be fair to mention the name of the place since it did provide me a place to stay, but I'll pass on it if there's a next time.
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