Bird Men Are From Marsh #85-#89

It was around 6:30AM along a gravel road in the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area that I turned to my birding buddy Greg Miller and said, "Have you ever been called a 'bird nerd'? I think we're bird nerds." Of course in this case Greg would probably be considered the Uber-lord Bird Master and I'd be like the Junior-bird Padawan Learner or something. To those who might not know, Greg is tied for forth place (with 715) in all of North America for the most birds seen in a single year! If you want to know the whole story, read the book written about him and two other birders: "The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession" (2004) by Mark Obmascik. Of course if you are not the reading kind (wait... this is a blog) they are also making a MOVIE based on the book starring Jack Black (who plays Greg), Owen Wilson and Steve Martin. Suffice it to say that going birding with Greg is good for what ails you.

Greg: the Maestro at work.

Today we hit the aforementioned Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area as well as Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area. Yes, I said Funk Bottoms. We also decided that the title "Funk Bottoms" is awesome and would be a good name for a band. Our target birds were marsh and shorebirds of any variety. We did very well today, especially considering the slow time of year. Fall migration has not yet really picked up in earnest, but some early birds are starting to arrive. Our first bird, and the most satisfying of the day to me, was a Marsh Wren. I really enjoyed seeing the wren because a few days earlier I stood in one spot for 30min trying to see the bird that never revealed itself! Today, however, it flitted out from cover and sang proudly from atop a small stalk in full view.

Marsh Wren, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Along the Clark road area we set up the spotting scope and managed to pick out a Bank Swallow from among the gathering flocks of Barn and Cliff swallows that are preparing to migrate. There were scores of Wood Duck and Eastern Kingbird as well, but no shorebirds at this location today, though one did circle overhead before flying out of sight.

Bank Swallow, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

At the Funk Bottoms observation platform off of 95 we spotted two Great Egret in the grassland looking toward the green oil wells. One also flew beautifully overhead. At this location we also heard a Common Moorhen very close but didn't get a sighting. Other birds were Green Heron, Swamp Sparrow, Swallows and Great Blue Heron but also no shorebirds here.

Great Egret, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Finally we headed down Wilderness Road were, sadly, the swamp is being systematically pumped out and filled in. What may happen to the future of shorebird migration in our area is uncertain at best. Today we saw 30+ Killdeer as well as 3 Solitary Sandpipers and one each of Spotted Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper. Time was slipping away and as we drove off I heard Sandhill Crane calling from the distance, beckoning me to return and watch another day.

Spotted Sandpiper, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Least Sandpiper, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Marsh Birding 7/31/2010 in a larger map


Photo Credits:

Marsh Wren - www.naturespicsonline.com
Bank Swallow - D. Gordon E. Robertson
Great Egret - Marek Szczepanek
Spotted Sandpiper - Mike Baird
Least Sandpiper - Britta

The Birder Strikes Back - #84

In this action packed episode we go from the backyard to the back marsh, bringing you some of the many faces of birding adventure... and, yes, a new bird too!

We'll kick things off with a first reveal of my backyard bird feeding project. I built this whole array by hand including the feeders. The tube feeders are made from a roll of Rat Wire capped with a soda or tin can on each end. You pass an aluminum wire through the whole assembly and curl one end. Gravity holds it all together. The roofed tray-feeder on top is made from cedar with some bamboo shoots for perching. It's a really simple design I built based on a hopper feeder design from the net.

The cedar tray feeder with simple roof.

One of our first customers!

From here let's check out some of the cool place I've birded lately!

Beach City Wilderness Area

Clear Fork Reservoir

Clear Fork Reservoir

Wright Marsh at Killbuck

And now, on to this morning's search! I spent a wonderful dawn at Wright Marsh in The Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. Lots of birds in the area: Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, lots of common birds. Today I also redeemed Saturday morning and got a great look at a Solitary Sandpiper.

Solitary Sandpiper, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The chase continues!


Photo Credits:

Solitary Sandpiper - Len Blumin

Odd Birds.... back to #83

Yes, we birders are a strange lot. Up in the wee hours of the morning to stand beside a road or in some pest infested swamp wearing our geek goggles and staring up into the trees. We say things like "Prothonotary" and "Passerine" as if everyone should know what that means. But one thing you can count on however, is that when you meet a birder, you almost always meet a great person. Today was no exception.

It was an early meeting of some odd birds on the northern end of the Clear Fork Reservoir this morning. Arriving for a last desperate chance at a Gallinule sighting, we combed the surrounding lily pads and swapped wars stories until 8:30am. Joan and Clare Harding are mother and daughter birders from the area and had quite a few birding exploits under their belts. Bill Flanegan is a frequent visitor to this sight and it was the second time I've had the privilege at meeting up with him. He works with local wildlife management in the Ontario area and added some color to the morning by inviting a remarkable friend of his to swing by: Gary McNeely is a world class woodcarving artist, taking frequent awards at high level competitions. Gary is a man of detail and passion for the beauty of birds. What an enjoyable time celebrating our admiration together!

(Click on the photo to get a better look at Gary's masterwork.)

Now, on to the OTHER birds... First things first. After second thoughts and reconsideration I don't think I can be 100% positive I sighted the Purple Gallinule rather than a Common Moorhen. So.. I took it off my list. Today was just as much of a struggle to get the BVD (better view desired). No Gallinules were forth coming and the three new birds I saw today were just as frustrating. I just can't be sure on any one of them. My suspects: Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper and Red-shouldered Hawk. As so often happens I must return to watch another day.

Going Cuckoo... Again - #84

Well I was up early again this morning and the rain was holding off, so off I ventured into the dawn half light in search of new birds...

In the bowels of the Beach City Wilderness Area is a trail that takes you along the edge of a large crescent shaped pond, I'd say about a mile long from point to point. This is a beautiful stretch of marshland but not without its perils. Some of the meanest poison ivy I've ever seen grows in hedgerows down both sides of the trail and some of the hungriest skeeters you'd never want to meet spawn there too. Fortunately, braving these hazards yields rewards to the bold: a great place for both fishing and birding. My buddies and I caught a half dozen fish-Ohio Crappie here in one season along with plenty of Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill and Catfish. Being pretty new to serious birding, I've fished all the way down the trail but hadn't yet birded from end to end, which brings me to this morning. My hope was that I'd run into water fowl further down the trail then where I usually stop.

As it turns out I did spot a new bird, but not what I expected. I passed several avi on my walk: House Wrens and Swamp Sparrows nesting in a stand of dead trees, about a dozen or more Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, Catbirds, Flycatchers, Robins, Northern Flickers, Indigo Buntings and Song Sparrows. Then, there at the end of the trail, an unexpected sight. Between it's yellow lower bill and bright black and white marked tail, its white belly and brown top, I had myself a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in my sights! On the return march along the trail I may have also spotted a Least Bittern. At a distance it could also have been a Green Heron. Nothing for it but to go back for another look another day.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

My, but the adventure continues - what might the fall migration turn up? We shall see!


View Morning Birding 7/21/2010 in a larger map


Photo Credits:

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Mdf

I Got The Blues... #83

It was a dark and stormy dawn... but the birds were singing! I got up this morning with my new baby girl at around 5:00AM. A few minutes later she was happily eating and I was dabbling on the internet. Bout quarter to 5:00 the thought crossed my mind... I could go birding this morning. Looked out the window, sweet! No Rain. Hopped in the car and headed out (never fear, mom was taking care of baby). I decided to drive around the Stingy Rd. / Pleasant Hill / Leihley Hill area again and see what I might find. Wouldn't you know it I spotted a target bird! Singing twice from the wire and once from the treetops was a splendid Blue Grosbeak!

Blue Grosbeak, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Blue Grosbeak 7/19/2010 in a larger map


Photo Credits:

Blue Grosbeak - Jerry Friedman

No really... it's rare, colorful and walks on water! #79-#82

Ok so, I'm really wiped out. What happened this morning? I have a vague recollection of throwing down some Wild Turkey getting a little Kuckoo, catching some Flies and turning Purple... What is this nut-so thing we call birding?!? Up at 2:30 so I could be north of the Clearfork reservoir to lay eyes on a rare bird. I'll tell you what it is... totally awesome!

!!--- NOTE: I removed the Gallinule from my list. (See this post) In retrospect I realized that it might have been a Common Moorhen that I saw. I was so excited that I forgot to raise my binoculars and go through the process of ID-ing accurately. Lesson learned. --!!

All silliness aside, it really was a beautiful morning. Picked up a tip from the Ohio Ornithological Society list-serve that a pair of Purple Gallinule had not only shown up in the area but had nested and where raising young! What a great little slice of habitat, and just around the corner from the Ohio Bird Sanctuary as well. Right as I pulled in a fellow birder was hitting the same spot. It was great to meet a fellow enthusiast. Bill Flanegan proudly showed me some photos he had taken of the birds, which may even show up in the next addition of the Bobolink. Two hours later, Bill had to leave and I was losing hope when, out of the blue, one of the youngsters walks right across the road! I would have loved to see the adults, but it wasn't to be. What a moment though!

Purple Gallinule, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The morning was filled with other delights as well. As a matter of fact I almost ran right into my first birds of the morning: A Wild Turkey hen and her chicks, crossing the road in the morning light. And I thought I was going to have to wait in one of my friend's backyards. Doesn't it seem like everyone has a story to tell about turkeys that show up every morning in their backyards?

Wild Turkey, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

My next bird really was a surprise and actually there were two. Flitting about the branches of a stand of trees, was our mystery brown and white bird. At first blush I thought thrush or thrasher, but there was no dappling on the chest and the thick bill and lack of pattern throughout excluded them both. A little head crunching and Kuckoo crossed my mind. I quick flip through my guide and "eureka!" we had ourselves a Black-billed Kuckoo. Over the next two hours the pair of them purred and chortled around the area.

Black-billed Cuckoo, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

My last find of the morning was very satisfying. I had seen on previous trips a bird that I thought was a Willow Flycatcher, but I could never really be sure. This morning was different, because this morning I watched them singing in all their glory. That "zzzwik-burrr" is such a cool call! There was a very healthy population in the area along with Red-wing Blackbirds, Eastern Kingbirds and a handful of Warblers.

Willow Flycatcher, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

So there you have it. A sunrise in the marsh on a cool morning and four more birds to my list. What a way to start a day.


View Clearfork Birding 7/17/2010 in a larger map


Photo Credits:

Purple Gallinule - Bruce Tuten
Wild Turkey - Wing-Chi Poon
Black-billed Cuckoo - Wolfgang Wander
Willow Flycatcher - Jim Rorabaugh/USFWS

It Came From The Swamp! - #78

Another beautiful, clear morning. I took a drive north on 93 from Sugarcreek to poke around some of the back country roads again, but I started out at Beach City Wilderness area. I wanted to get another look at the Prothonotary Warbler, and I had heard a call there that I hadn't yet connected to a bird (though I though it was the warbler). Turns out it wasn't the warbler after all! Just past a stand of dead trees I laid eyes on this very loud songster. "Chinga chinga chinga", it called. Our bird? A Swamp Sparrow. He packs a lot of song for such a small bird. Once again my view was brief, due to the overwhelming mob of mosquitoes that also happen to love the same swamp. What DO they eat when people aren't there!?!

Swamp Sparrow, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Swamp Sparrow 7/15/2010 in a larger map


Photo Credits:

Swamp Sparrow - Cephas

Dryocopus pileatus - #77

Went for a drive in the country this morning chasing a long shot that the Blue Grosbeaks might still be around. It was a "pea-soup" kind of morning but the birds seemed to enjoy the extra privacy and were singing everywhere. I never spotted the Grosbeak... well I think. I did see a Grosbeak on a telephone wire. I assumed it was a female for there were no real coloring or marks that I could see, just a dark brown body all over. It was a wet morning so her plumage could have been affected. The only reason I thought she was a Grosbeak was because of that extraordinary beak. Suffice it to say I am intrigued but there is nothing conclusive there. I was content to come home without a new bird but I didn't have to! I pulled up short near an old gnarled tree to get my lenses on what I think was a Mockingbird. Well that bird took off, but right beside it on the tree was a very good-looking Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen these wonderful birds before but not since I've been keeping an official list and was so glad to see it.

Pileated Woodpecker, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Actually, one gave me quite a start a few years ago. I was renting a small trailer at the time and had put up a hopper feeder on a post that my landlord had made. (The seeds of further birding were already there!) I was minding my own business one day when I heard a strange, very loud knocking. Well I went to the front door and nada. I walked around the house listening intently trying to discover the source of the uproar. Finally I pulled back the curtains and looked out at the feeder. Perched right on top and drumming that hollow feeder box for all he was worth was a Pileated Woodpecker. I guess he liked the resonance. I get it, after all I am a musician too. When you find some good wood, you just have to rock it ;)


View Pileated in a larger map

Yes, Grasshopper... #74-#76

Oh what an awesome morning. God was so good to me! Between 6:00 - 9:00 there was a three hour window of no rain and I was able to slip up to the Dundee Grasslands along Yackey Drive, east of Dundee. There I once more pursued two birds who, until this morning (mu-ha-ha-ha), had eluded me. After an hour or so of standing along the roadside and wading through wet, tick-infested grass I did manage to catch a fleeting glimpse of a Prairie Warbler. You can see from the map that a portion of the grasslands is thick with young pine trees about six to twelve feet tall. This is the perfect cover for birds and those shy, sneaky warblers are incredibly difficult to see. They seem to know how to stay just on the other side of what you can look past and taunt you with their bright singing.

Prairie Warbler, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Somewhat satisfied I got back in my car and shifted south a little ways. Driving with my window down, I quickly heard the song of the Grasshopper Sparrow (my other target). If you haven't heard it, their song is very thin and hi-pitched... uh, think grasshopper or cricket. Like a cricket it can be hard to tell exactly which direction they are singing from. By now I no longer cared about the ticks - I just wanted my bird! So, off I went, tromping through the field. As I neared the birds it was easier to tell which direction they were singing from. Before long I was surrounded by Grasshopper Sparrows singing from areas all over the field. I had several decent views of them perched on long woody grasses and low field bushes. I was more satisfied.

Grasshopper Sparrow, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Now, as I was tracking Sparrows across the field in the direction of the pines, I noticed I was also getting closer to a particularly loud Warbler. Raising my binoculars I spotted him in full song atop a pine! He spotted me too and darted down into the trees, but he kept singing. I shifted gears and slowly began skirting the trees for a better look. Walking all ninja-like, I alternated taking a few steps and waiting... stepping and waiting... and then, there he was! An energetic and unafraid male in full song, his bright yellow, streaky plumage filling up my lenses. I watched him chase a few bugs and flit through the bushy needles. I was VERY satisfied (yes, I whooped a little).

But the party wasn't over! On the way back toward my car I walked through the Grasshopper Sparrows again and got an uber view there too. Saw one singing his full song, even the liquid, twittering part. Now I was just a-grinin' and a-thankin' God. I pulled away and started heading home. I drove around the corner just in time to see a Meadowlark flying a few hundred feet away. Now, I STILL hadn't heard AND seen one, so I pulled over and rolled the window down. CHA-CHING! Eastern Meadowlark thank you very much! Can you tell I'm happy? All this and I was back by 9:00, the kids still sleeping and me on time. Yeah it was THAT good.

Eastern Meadowlark, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Dundee Grasslands 7/12/10 in a larger map

Be blessed! I leave you with this wisdom:

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese"


Photo Credits:

Prairie Warbler - Dominic Sherony
Grasshopper Sparrow - Dominic Sherony
Eastern Meadowlark - Alastair Rae

Guess the Fledge or Fledge Your Bets

Do YOU know what kind of bird this is? I THINK I know what it is, but could use your expertise. These are the best shots I could get with my phone camera and I didn't want to stress the bird or its parents too much. A couple of hints:

Habitat: Swampy with low trees
Size: Approx. 2.5 inches

Let's hear your identifications! You can click on these photos for larger views:

A Veery Good Day! #66 - #73

Well, it's been quite a birding marathon today! We started out at the covered bridge in Mohican State Park. This is really one of the most beautiful areas in the whole park and also a hot birding spot, even for this time of year. I have often fly-fished here as the Clear Fork river that runs beneath the bridge is stocked with Brown Trout by Trout Unlimited. We arrived at around 6:30AM and were immediately dazzled with half a dozen Veery sightings! The Veery is a beautiful thrush with a flute-like cascading song which it sang in plain view for us. We were able to get surprisingly close and take in all their details.

Veery, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Further down the river we briefly viewed a female Wood Duck with young, slipping into the tall grass along the bank. I am hoping to get a better view, especially the male, with it's spectacular plumage. Still, it was wonderful to see them today! Yet further down the river-side path, drawn there by its distinctive call, we finally laid eyes on a Hooded Warbler. It took some patience and a lot of neck craning before we saw him, but what a worthwhile sight.

Wood Duck, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Hooded Warbler, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

From the covered bridge we drove the short winding road up to the gorge overlook. Just to be at the overlook is wonderful. I so enjoy the feeling of rising above the treetops and the gentle warmth of breeze and summer sun. In the pine forest, to the left of the overlook, we plunged beneath the canopy (dodging poison ivy as we went) to track down the Ovenbird, singing proudly in the trees. We did eventually get a solid view of this familiar songster but failed to see the Black-Throated Green Warbler who was singing nearby- a prize for another day.

Ovenbird, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The crown jewel of our trip was both hearing and seeing one of the truly talented singers of the bird world: the Winter Wren. A rare bird for our area at this time of year, he was just off to the right of the overlook itself in a band of evergreen. It took us about 30min, listening to the beautiful music all the while, before finally seeing the bird itself, singing a final few phrases before flying off down the gorge.

Winter Wren, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Mohican Birding Trip 7/10/2010 in a larger map

By now it was time to leave the park and for Greg to head home. I couldn't resist going to one more spot after we got back to Sugarcreek, so off to Dundee I went! I spent about two hours in the grasslands hearing but never quite seeing Prairie Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow. I will just have to go out there some morning and try again. Not to be dismayed, and since I was so close, I jumped over to the Beach City Wilderness Area to see what I could see. No disappointment... I finally both heard and saw my Wood Thrush! This has been a target bird of mine for awhile and one of my favorite singers. I didn't get the full body view that I still crave as he was right behind a few leaves, but nevertheless there he was.

Wood Thrush, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The day wrapped up with a walk down a trail that leads to a large area of open water. I've often fished these waters and caught a few Fish Ohio crappie down there in one year. Today I had the pleasure of seeing my first Prothonotary Warbler. My previous post also shows a fledgling of the same who was stranded on the path. I only had a brief glimpse, but what a spectacular color.

Prothonotary Warbler, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Dundee birding 7/10/10 in a larger map

Unfortunately the mosquitoes and biting flies in that swampy place did not share my love of the birds, nor did they seem to fear at all my heavy coating of bug spray. And so, I end today with a full heart and several itchy bites.


Photo credits:

Hooded Warbler - The Lilac Breasted Roller
Wood Duck - Just chaos
Ovenbird - Cephas
Prothonotary Warbler - DominicSherony

#65 - Hark a Lark!

I had a little time this morning so I decided to try out a place that Greg Miller told me about: the "Dundee Grasslands" as they are called. It's a little area east of Dundee with... well grass and pines, ticks (bleh) and... birds! I was actually on the hunt for a Grasshopper Sparrow (which I failed to locate) when I ran across an altogether unfamiliar bird. It was on the ground next to a dirt road within a very large area of low cut grass. My first thought was Meadowlark or Sparrow because of the shape, but through the binoculars I saw a bright white face with a bold black eye mask and bold black collar. It was brown on top and white on the bottom with "normal legs" (I say this because I was surrounded by Killdeer and, though the coloring was similar, the length of the legs made for a clear distinction). I thumbed through my guide but nothing jumped out. I text-messaged a friend and he was stumped... what could it be!?! Not until I got back to a computer and googled "ground birds" did I eventually come across our bird: the Horned Lark.

Horned Lark, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Dundee Grasslands in a larger map

Photo Credits:

Horned Lark - Linda Tanner

To See and Not Hear, To Hear and Not See...

... This has been the case 'twixt me and the Eastern Meadowlark. After three inconclusive sightings and no song, today I had the pleasure of hearing the song afield but never laying eyes on my quarry. Need I be so strict in connecting the two? Perhaps not, but I always like a strong ID.

I wish I could say it's only been the case with the Meadowlark. Unfortunately this is not so. Today was a double header of hearing two of my target birds, but leaving with no satisfaction. My other foe? The wily Wood Thrush is an adept at staying concealed. He came within several yards but not a branch stirred. There, in the misty morning wood, surrounded by swarming mosquitoes, I tipped my hat: Wood Thrush 1, birder nil.

Bird on, people... bird on.

#63 and #64 - A "Fly" in the Ointment

Morning

Took a 1 hour excursion to the Norma Johnson Center, just east of Sugarcreek, Ohio. I went right to a spot where, previously, I had heard (but couldn't manage to see) an Acadian Flycatcher. This morning proved a lot better! The bird, danced around me in the canopy for awhile but finally perched on a bare pine branch, affording me a very good view. Observed him singing both his "pweet-sa" and flight twitters. He had a tendency to jitter his tail while perched, not a full bob like a phoebe, but rather a little vertical shake like he had the shivers.

Acadian Flycatcher, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology


View Acadian Flycatcher in a larger map


Afternoon

Came up short this afternoon. The jury is still out on the meadowlarks I keep seeing. I have just not heard them sing, and therefore cannot be 100% sure of what kind they are. Hopefully we'll get that song soon!

Evening

Ran down to Lowes to get materials for a backyard bird feeding area... What do you know, I picked up bird #64 on the wires along the parking lot. Finally saw the trustee and familiar House Finch, beautifully colored and singing joyfully. Came home and got the post in the ground, all ready for feeders. When I get the whole area done, I'll post some photos and hopefully the first few birds that come to the feeder!

House Finch, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

So tell me, what birds have you seen today?

Photo Credits:

Acadian Flycatcher - Public Domain
House Finch - Ken Thomas

#56 through #62 - sunday... sunday... sunday!

What an awesome afternoon! A big thank you to Greg Miller for taking me out birding. I added a total of 7 life birds to my list today. We birded the back roads south of Winesburg between Trail and 93, as well as ending up, once again, at the Beach City Wilderness Area. Our first good sighting was of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak family. Stopped by their strong chirp, we had a great look at the male and female along with a juvenile male who was just developing his rosy chest. I also added Rock Pigeon to my list as we passed a barn silo with it's obligatory group of borders.

Rock Pigeon, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

We made our way haphazardly along several roads, stopping here and there to ID birds (got played once by a tricky Mockingbird) until finally reaching our first target destination: Stingy Rd, East of Barrs Mills. There, at a local lumber yard, we zeroed in a group of Lark Sparrows still hanging about! We had a great look at their beautiful rufous-striped heads and cheeks, and what a song! There we were, reveling in the Lark Sparrow goodness, when who should come along but an Orchard Oriole, yet another life bird for me! Just take a look at this beautiful yellow body with the striking black throat.

Lark Sparrow, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Orchard Oriole, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

With smiles on our faces we headed out and traveled but only a few hundred yards when a bird on a wire pulled us up short again. LOW AND BEHOLD - mystery solved!! My American Kestrel finally presented itself! Not one, but three birds were perched menacingly (at least if your a mouse) on a power line above a meadow. The hunched over posture, the in-air hovering and the notable field marks put my mystery bird finally in the book.

American Kestrel, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

By this point we were pretty dehydrated and, being somewhat delirious by nature and myself having only 4 hours of sleep the night previous, things were getting a little sideways. A couple of drinks from a gas station vending machine and we were back in action (we thank thee oh orange crush for your refreshing elixir).

Next we paid a visit to, what local birders call, the vulture roost. Route 414, west of Trail is host to the largest roosting group of turkey vultures I have ever seen. They swarmed in the sky above and draped themselves about the dead trees and even the power line towers. But that's not the ONLY vulture about. We had the privilege of seeing a total of 3 Black Vultures among the over-crowed turkeys.

Black Vulture, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Finally, we decided to swing by the Beach City "Backwaters" for a look-see before calling it quits for the day. Managed to finally sight on a White-eyed Vireo who gave us quite a game of hide and seek in the understory along the road. Hooray for bird #60! It was also really great to meet up with fellow birder Bill Jackson who was on the hunt for an Osprey. We certainly have a great group of birders around here.

White-eyed Vireo, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Well, that was it. We headed home and the day was done... or so I thought. Wouldn't you know it? I arrived back at my in-laws to see a Hairy Woodpecker and a Downy feeding side by side (for good comparison I'm sure) on the neighbor's suet feeders. What a great exclamation point on a hot day which turned out to be some hot birding.

Hairy Woodpecker, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

I'm off to roost now - binocs up!


View Bird Trip 7/4/2010 in a larger map

Photo Credits:

American Kestrel - Kevin Cole
Black Vulture - Ken Thomas
White-eyed Vireo - Alastair Rae
Hairy Wood Pecker - http://www.naturespicsonline.com

#55 - By any other name...

Tonight's outing lasted about an hour and a half. I left from Winesburg at about 8:30 and headed east on Co. Highway 97 (Chestnut Ridge) toward the Beach City Wilderness Area.

On the way there I came up on an increasingly familiar sight: that mystery falcon! I scared him off a power line as I drove by, but it returned to it's perch behind me. Stopped the car and turned around, but I couldn't get a clear view as it was backlit by the setting sun. Drove past and turned around again (he spooked and landed again behind me). Heart pumping, I approached slowly, every foot bringing it's field marks into clearer view. Right when I thought I was finally going to get the ID I've been looking for, a horse buggy came trotting up the road and (sigh) off went the bird.... maybe next time.

On a positive note, the Wilderness Area was just beautiful tonight. A walk along the tracks turned up my 55th life bird: a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. What an amazing red vest it had, blazing through the canopy! Plenty of other great fair as well: Towhees, Buntings, Herons, Sparrows, Finches, Kingfisher, Waxwing, Chickadee and more.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A last word of advice: when you walk 20min away from your car down a railroad at dusk, give yourself enough time to get back before lights out ;)

Goodnight!

Photo credit:

Ken Thomas

#53 and #54 - The King and I

Morning

Went walking at the Norma Johnson Center this morning. Some very nice trails and lots of birds singing away in the early sun. I heard, but missed, an Acadian Flycatcher but did manage to pick up a definitive ID on a Field Sparrow (I'm still slowly working my way through the sparrows).

Field Sparrow, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Afternoon

A lunchtime drive through the country turned up an Eastern Kingbird sitting on a barbed-wire fence by a farm pond. Two exciting yet inconclusive sightings also. The first was probably a female American Kestrel. The banded head was there and the strongly barred back, but the rufous coloring was just not apparent. It's size, as well, seemed to me larger then what I've seen of kestrel photographs. I was tempted to say Prarie Falcon, but that would indeed be a rare bird here. I'll have to try and find it again another day. This was the second day in a row I managed to see this bird in the same area so I remain hopeful of another sighting.

Eastern Kingbird, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

I spotted a second bird of prey soaring high overhead. It repeatedly whistled high, ascending, two-note cries: "kur-ee, kur-ee, kur-ee". I think this may be a Red-tailed Hawk, though, when it was within sight, I didn't notice a rufous quality to it's tail at all. I did happen to see a large nest, high in an oak tree below where the hawk was circling.

All in all some good outings today!

Photo Credits:

Field Sparrow - Public Domain
Eastern Kingbird - User:Mdf