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
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