Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
- JAZZISCOOL
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Recent highlights: first sightings of Mountain Bluebirds , Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay.
Otherwise the usual suspects who are active with the spring sun and the longer days. The female Red-winged Blackbirds are also back (the males arrive first.)
Otherwise the usual suspects who are active with the spring sun and the longer days. The female Red-winged Blackbirds are also back (the males arrive first.)
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Right now I'm using Leupold 8*42 for bins but I am about to pull the trigger on 10*42 (probably Zeiss). For waterfowl and shorebirds a scope is the only alternative. We have a couple of scopes. One of our regular birding friends has a huge camera so I don't do any photography except very occasional jury-rigged digiscope through one of the spotting scopes; the digiscoping is often not very good.
btw., wood warblers area starting to arrive in MD which is very early.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
my 10x42 was just a cheapy from west marine, serves purpose...
will see how it does tonight with the five plants....
will see how it does tonight with the five plants....
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Just to chime in here with some unsolicited advice. I would consider just upgrading your 8x42s bins. Most of the time while birding, you need to choose to be a birder or a photographer but rarely both. My wife is purely into birding, so she carries the nice bins (Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42mm). In lieu of jewelry, that was the first nice I present I bought her while we were dating . I carry a pair of Hawke Frontier ED X 8x42mm. The Hawke are a decent mid-level compromise though there is significant chromatic aberration at dusk as compared to the Zeiss. We didn't buy a 10x42mm because there is noticeable shake when attempting to track small song birdsRight now I'm using Leupold 8*42 for bins but I am about to pull the trigger on 10*42 (probably Zeiss). For waterfowl and shorebirds a scope is the only alternative. We have a couple of scopes. One of our regular birding friends has a huge camera so I don't do any photography except very occasional jury-rigged digiscope through one of the spotting scopes; the digiscoping is often not very good.
In you dive into the rabbit hole of bird photographer, you will eventually invest in a 150-600 or 200-600mm zoom lens. They range from $1100ish to 1800ish and are heavy.
FWIW, our birding life has been placed on pause after starting a family. And my photography has shifted from birds to babies (and more people).
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Just witnessed two mourning doves mating on a pine tree in my backyard, where after "billing" a few times, the male mounted the female's back.
- JAZZISCOOL
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- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
- Location: Colorado - 5,700 ft.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Yeah, rarely take a photo. Only if I need it for an eBird validation. Last one was to prove goose was PFGO and not one of the 10,000 Snow Geese next to him.pomomojo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 9:14 pmJust to chime in here with some unsolicited advice. I would consider just upgrading your 8x42s bins. Most of the time while birding, you need to choose to be a birder or a photographer but rarely both. My wife is purely into birding, so she carries the nice bins (Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42mm). In lieu of jewelry, that was the first nice I present I bought her while we were dating . I carry a pair of Hawke Frontier ED X 8x42mm. The Hawke are a decent mid-level compromise though there is significant chromatic aberration at dusk as compared to the Zeiss. We didn't buy a 10x42mm because there is noticeable shake when attempting to track small song birdsRight now I'm using Leupold 8*42 for bins but I am about to pull the trigger on 10*42 (probably Zeiss). For waterfowl and shorebirds a scope is the only alternative. We have a couple of scopes. One of our regular birding friends has a huge camera so I don't do any photography except very occasional jury-rigged digiscope through one of the spotting scopes; the digiscoping is often not very good.
In you dive into the rabbit hole of bird photographer, you will eventually invest in a 150-600 or 200-600mm zoom lens. They range from $1100ish to 1800ish and are heavy.
FWIW, our birding life has been placed on pause after starting a family. And my photography has shifted from birds to babies (and more people).
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I always enjoy hearing Red-winged Blackbirds when I visit wetlands. You have to give them an A for enthusiasm.
The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Seneca Epistles < c. 65AD
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH
first drama of Eagle Nest season...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_lfqxRg4Y
Clip 5 days ago of feeding and then Lady Hawk posted this.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWo9P96lJ7E&t=43s
Nest collapsed ;-(
first drama of Eagle Nest season...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_lfqxRg4Y
Clip 5 days ago of feeding and then Lady Hawk posted this.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWo9P96lJ7E&t=43s
Nest collapsed ;-(
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Also,
The Dahlgren Osprey cam which has Jack stealing stuffed animals etc.
Well, went down to our dock the other day to talk to my Osprey's and noticed one of those sparkly spinner things in the nest
I had a LOL moment.
went down today and it's gone, we had 70+ mph winds the other day, so might have spun off;-)
The Dahlgren Osprey cam which has Jack stealing stuffed animals etc.
Well, went down to our dock the other day to talk to my Osprey's and noticed one of those sparkly spinner things in the nest
I had a LOL moment.
went down today and it's gone, we had 70+ mph winds the other day, so might have spun off;-)
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
One of our Green Herons showed up yesterday - a bit early but a lot of returning birds seem early this year. Chimney Swifts were working the back yard in the evening when the weather was really quite warm last week. That means Hummingbirds can't be far behind since they are in the same family. Our Woodie pair seem to be regulars now so I'm pretty sure they have settled on our Wood Duck house to use this season.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
For Chesapeake Bay birders and fans, you might find this piece about the eagle populations interesting
https://www.bayjournal.com/news/wildlif ... 341ff.html
https://www.bayjournal.com/news/wildlif ... 341ff.html
Once lurching toward extinction, eagles flew off the endangered species list as the number of mating pairs nationwide soared from a low of a few hundred in the 1960s to nearly 10,000 by the late 2000s.
And the Chesapeake Bay region has continued to burnish its reputation as one of the country’s top bald eagle breeding grounds, registering a nearly fivefold leap in paired males and females during the past two decades.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I'm sure you know this site Jeb, https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/humm ... 23-map.htmjebmke wrote: ↑Tue Apr 11, 2023 7:18 am One of our Green Herons showed up yesterday - a bit early but a lot of returning birds seem early this year. Chimney Swifts were working the back yard in the evening when the weather was really quite warm last week. That means Hummingbirds can't be far behind since they are in the same family. Our Woodie pair seem to be regulars now so I'm pretty sure they have settled on our Wood Duck house to use this season.
they are here in SOMD...
Have my feeder out to help scouts...
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
OMG it has started now that Harriett's on an EGG>>f35phixer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 11, 2023 7:04 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el5RIKQDKtY
Dahlgren Ospreys has first egg @ 0520 !
We have a gender reveal, blue and pink ribbons
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
yes; I watch this. For some reason they are always a bit later on the eastern shore. I'm putting my feeder up this week in case we get transients or early birds. May also plant a small hummer garden.f35phixer wrote: ↑Tue Apr 11, 2023 9:11 amI'm sure you know this site Jeb, https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/humm ... 23-map.htmjebmke wrote: ↑Tue Apr 11, 2023 7:18 am One of our Green Herons showed up yesterday - a bit early but a lot of returning birds seem early this year. Chimney Swifts were working the back yard in the evening when the weather was really quite warm last week. That means Hummingbirds can't be far behind since they are in the same family. Our Woodie pair seem to be regulars now so I'm pretty sure they have settled on our Wood Duck house to use this season.
they are here in SOMD...
Have my feeder out to help scouts...
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
- JAZZISCOOL
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
- Location: Colorado - 5,700 ft.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
For the bird photographers, here are some great Audubon photo winners. Really amazing.
Top 100 for 2022
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-2022-a ... ds-top-100
Juveniles (babies)
https://www.audubon.org/news/take-peek- ... baby-birds
The House Finches "borrowed" the Barn Swallow nest. I wonder how that will turn out in the coming weeks......
I've also seen Spotted Towhees close by lately which is a bit unusual. They generally prefer a little different habitat such as scrub oak.
Top 100 for 2022
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-2022-a ... ds-top-100
Juveniles (babies)
https://www.audubon.org/news/take-peek- ... baby-birds
The House Finches "borrowed" the Barn Swallow nest. I wonder how that will turn out in the coming weeks......
I've also seen Spotted Towhees close by lately which is a bit unusual. They generally prefer a little different habitat such as scrub oak.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Thanks Jazz.
19. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Peregrine Falcon by Chris Saladin
In the top 100 is so FUNNY !!! Peregrine is like thanks for cleaning the bugs off my head
19. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Peregrine Falcon by Chris Saladin
In the top 100 is so FUNNY !!! Peregrine is like thanks for cleaning the bugs off my head
- JAZZISCOOL
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- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Seeing: - Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Hearing: - Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Seeing & Hearing: - Barred Owls
David
"Money will not make you happy. And happy will not make you money." - Groucho Marx
- JAZZISCOOL
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
No hummers here yet but looking forward to them.
- JAZZISCOOL
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Doing some yard work. A lot of Bluebird singing. A complete nest in front box and back box; no sign of invaders yet.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Just watched a Cooper's Hawk (unsuccessfully) go after a Common Garter Snake in our backyard. The snake crawled into a shrub/underbrush and the Cooper's kept hopping around the outer edge trying to go in after it. But, in the end, patience paid off and the snake got to watch the hawk fly away.
David
"Money will not make you happy. And happy will not make you money." - Groucho Marx
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I saw a Black Swan at Burke Lake Park, Virginia, on 2 April 2023. Yes, that’s right, a Black Swan (an Australian species)! A perfect bird for this forum. Anyway, the Cornell Ebird application revealed that numerous people had already reported the bird and that it has been defined as a “provisional escapee,” presumably from a zoo.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Say's Phoebe north of here this morning. I know this is a more common bird out west but it is rarely seen in this area. Attracted birders from DC/Baltimore area. Very cooperative bird.
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- JAZZISCOOL
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I came across this site just now. Some of you might be interested in it, for migration info:
https://birdcast.info/
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... -dashboard and
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... cast-maps/
https://birdcast.info/
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... -dashboard and
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... cast-maps/
- Silentnight
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I am not a birder.
I had the priviledge of stopping at Radnor Lake State Park by Nashville, TN. It is a delightful park and was filled with birders.
The birds themselves seemed almost tame. (Plenty of deer around too.)
There was some type of woodpecker, with red markings on its head, pecking the bark off a log right next to the path. It was fascinating.
I have a question though. There was this grey bird--a hawk?--and a wild turkey. The turkey first was walking in the woods and then it started walking on the path ahead of us. The grey bird was flying over the turkey and at times dive bombing it--both when the turkey was in the woods and when it was on the path.
What was the grey bird and why was it dive bombing the poor turkey? Is this what birds do?
I had the priviledge of stopping at Radnor Lake State Park by Nashville, TN. It is a delightful park and was filled with birders.
The birds themselves seemed almost tame. (Plenty of deer around too.)
There was some type of woodpecker, with red markings on its head, pecking the bark off a log right next to the path. It was fascinating.
I have a question though. There was this grey bird--a hawk?--and a wild turkey. The turkey first was walking in the woods and then it started walking on the path ahead of us. The grey bird was flying over the turkey and at times dive bombing it--both when the turkey was in the woods and when it was on the path.
What was the grey bird and why was it dive bombing the poor turkey? Is this what birds do?
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
What you may have been seeing is a Northern Mockingbird - also happens to be the state bird of Tennessee. They are famous 'dive-bombers' when protecting nests/territory.
A Grey Catbird would be another possibility.
David
"Money will not make you happy. And happy will not make you money." - Groucho Marx
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
My money is on the mocker. I've seen them beat back a large black snake while a small flock of Robins stood around clutching their pearls. When I was growing up, Mockers and Bluejays tormented our cat (who was a pretty ruthless animal in his own right).
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
- JAZZISCOOL
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Thanks. I heard about that from an Audubon webinar I attended last year. Very interesting.brandy wrote: ↑Wed Apr 19, 2023 8:03 pm I came across this site just now. Some of you might be interested in it, for migration info:
https://birdcast.info/
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... -dashboard and
https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/m ... cast-maps/
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Migration is underway on Delmarva. 11 warbler species in the swamps of Wicomico County yesterday. Orchard Oriole showed up in the back yard today.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I’ve lived in Seattle for 15 years and had never seen a western scrub jay in the city until the past two weeks when I’ve seen three.
Not sure if I’ve just been oblivious or they’re invading suddenly.
Not sure if I’ve just been oblivious or they’re invading suddenly.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
The first batch of Goslings appeared here last weekend at the reservoir park I frequently walk at. Overall, a lot fewer geese in the park this year, as food pickings is good everywhere for them this year in the SF Bay Area.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
My kitchen window hummingbird just arrived and said hello. The midlands of SC. It feeds on bugs entrapped by spiderwebs in a camellia tree. Mourning doves have built a nest in same tree this year.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
We have been seeing a male Eastern Towhee in our yard for the past week or so. We only usually see them this time of year, I assume they are migrating through to somewhere else. In the past we've seen females as well as the males, but I haven't seen any females yet this year. I haven't had time to do much watching this spring though.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
I'm not a birder, but my wife and I have really enjoyed watching a pair of doves rear two hatchlings(???) in a nest just outside our family room. They took advantage of a plastic flower pot filled with some old plant matter to build the nest. The two eggs hatched about three weeks ago; it's amazing how quickly the two hatchlings have grown. They seem to tolerate our coming and going through the French door 3 feet away from their nest, which is perched on a 6" wide railing around the side ramp entrance to our house. I hope we see a similar pair nest there next breeding season.
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Northern goshawk somehow committed suicide across the road, but I have a Canada goose nesting in my backyard. This will be presumably her second nest as she raised five goslings last year. I say presumably because I can’t prove she was the same goose as 2022.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
FYI, mourning doves nest multiple times a year, as weather permits, so you might see the pair again this year. They don't always nest in the same locations though, even if it was a successful location.FCM wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:49 am I'm not a birder, but my wife and I have really enjoyed watching a pair of doves rear two hatchlings(???) in a nest just outside our family room. They took advantage of a plastic flower pot filled with some old plant matter to build the nest. The two eggs hatched about three weeks ago; it's amazing how quickly the two hatchlings have grown. They seem to tolerate our coming and going through the French door 3 feet away from their nest, which is perched on a 6" wide railing around the side ramp entrance to our house. I hope we see a similar pair nest there next breeding season.
- JAZZISCOOL
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- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
We got about 5-6 inches of snow last night and I saw a couple large flocks of American Robins loving it today. Not sure if they were looking for worms or water.
Other sightings: Mountain Bluebirds, Spotted Towhees, Goldfinches, White Crowned Sparrows, RW Blackbirds, Kestrels, Northern Flicker and a single American White Pelican yesterday.
The Juncos and Townsend's Solitaires have left for higher elevations.
The House Finches have built another nest in the exhaust vent outside a gas fireplace. They do this every year so I have to clean it out in the fall.
Other sightings: Mountain Bluebirds, Spotted Towhees, Goldfinches, White Crowned Sparrows, RW Blackbirds, Kestrels, Northern Flicker and a single American White Pelican yesterday.
The Juncos and Townsend's Solitaires have left for higher elevations.
The House Finches have built another nest in the exhaust vent outside a gas fireplace. They do this every year so I have to clean it out in the fall.
- JAZZISCOOL
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
- Location: Colorado - 5,700 ft.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Ring-necked ducks, Mallards, Double-crested Cormorant, Ravens dive-bombing a Red-tailed Hawk, Juvenile RT Hawk on a cliff-side nest, Scrub Jay.
Also heard a few Western Meadowlarks today. Love their cheerful song.
Also heard a few Western Meadowlarks today. Love their cheerful song.
- Random Musings
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Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
A robin with leucism - predominantly at the rectrices (tail feathers) - almost all white there.
RM
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak at the feeder today sucking down safflower seeds. Baltimore Oriole has been singing for a few days in the Oak canopy - but orange slices haven't seemed to enticed the bird down.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Red breasted nuthatch, rose breasted grossbeak, and white throated sparrows are new this week for us. (Well, the sparrows may have been here a while already, not sure.) Also finally seeing some female redwing blackbirds, it's only been the males until this week.
- JAZZISCOOL
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 11:49 am
- Location: Colorado - 5,700 ft.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Yesterday, I saw a Bald Eagle and a Red-tailed Hawk have an "encounter" mid-air. It looked like another RT Hawk was about 20-50 yards away.
Today I saw an awesome landing by a Great Blue Heron on a nearby roof. That was cool.
Today I saw an awesome landing by a Great Blue Heron on a nearby roof. That was cool.
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH, I know it's nature but again the first tragedy of year for me.
Angel the Leucistic Red Tailed Hawk, hatched #1 yesterday, dad comes in and with back covering camera, you see him bending down moving a bit and when he moves baby's dead...... Angel comes in squawking and not understand what's going on, goes and moves dead baby under her and continues incubating.... Then later she eats baby. Good news is #2 pipped...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqpPcRAvtk&t=35s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ0mCowoEUI
Angel the Leucistic Red Tailed Hawk, hatched #1 yesterday, dad comes in and with back covering camera, you see him bending down moving a bit and when he moves baby's dead...... Angel comes in squawking and not understand what's going on, goes and moves dead baby under her and continues incubating.... Then later she eats baby. Good news is #2 pipped...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqpPcRAvtk&t=35s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ0mCowoEUI
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
#2 Hatch happened at 1:22:43 )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
And Dad has not been around since yesterday ~330, Angels got to be getting HANGERY!!!!
And Dad has not been around since yesterday ~330, Angels got to be getting HANGERY!!!!
Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Not seeing, but hearing, the barred owls living in the neighborhood. They are literally hooting and hollering it up.