When You Go With a Pro

     This has been far and away the best birding week of my life.  Wednesday I joined my mom and several other enthusiasts for a walk with Early Bird Nature Tours, which is run by her friend Larry.  We went hunting for loons.  Though we didn't see any, we did get several other really great birds, several of which were life birds for me, and even a Peregrine Falcon.  The next day I killed a lot of time out in the backyard and had my highest species tally for my yard to date, including a flock of blue birds, 5 different woodpeckers, ruby and golden crowned kinglets, and a yellow rumped warbler, apparently also known as a "butter butt".  The kids love that one.  After that day my back yard species count is up to 39.  Not bad for only 4 months.  Today though, today was the best day yet.  My oldest so joined my mom and I on another walk with Larry, this time at Longwood Gardens.  Our count for the walk wasn't as good as Wednesday's but we had a fabulous look at a Golden Eagle!  It circled about 40 feet over our heads for several minutes giving everyone a stellar view.  If I had been on my own I probably would have thought it was an immature Bald Eagle but the pros whipped out their books and confirmed it as a golden.  We were all pretty physched.  It was gorgeous.  Then at home I headed out back and it was a feeding frenzy.  The birds were going nuts over the fall berries.  The Red Belly was flying back and forth like mad, I got a great sighting of yet another sapsucker but then right before I was about to head in the Pileated swooped in to join the show.  It flew closer and closer, at one point only about 15 feet away.  I couldn't tear myself away.  Unfortunately it got dark, but you can bet I'll be back out there tomorrow. 
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jondavidnelson/14489162235/">Jon David Nelson</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

Double Vision

     So, the other day I was out in the yard trying to close in on my Red Bellied friend with my binoculars.  I aimed at the spot I thought I'd seen him and thought Wait a minute, that's not a Red Belly.  It was in fact another Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, this time a male, but the super cool thing was I also had the Red in my sights as well.  They were right next to each other.  I'd been having a crummy day up until that point but what a turn around.  That double sighting perked me right up.  My mom told me I had "the woodpeckeriest woods" she'd ever seen.  I'm not sure that's a word but I think she might be right.  Thankfully we don't live in a log cabin or we'd be in trouble. 
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/manjithkaini/2510622604/">Manjith Kainickara *manjithkaini.net*</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

Patience Rewarded

    

     I think the woodpeckers are my favorite.  Aside from Hortense of course.  Today they were especially active.  I'm not sure why some days are better than others but I'm convinced the birds know more than I do.  It rained over night so maybe the bugs were out.  Whatever the reason, within five minutes of walking out my back door I'd seen four different species of woodpecker.  The Northern Flicker was making quite a racket, while the Red Belly went to town on my back fence much to my chagrin.  Later while I was watching a downy and stalking what may have been a house wren, I saw the one I'd been waiting for.  A female Yellow Bellied Sapsucker!  I knew seeing one was a possibility around here, but until this morning it hadn't happened.  Every Hairy I saw I scrutinized to make sure that wasn't what it was.  I'm fairly certain this was a sapsucker though.  It was bigger than the nearby Downy and the pattern on it's back was more mottled than the Hairy and more conclusively it did not have a white belly.  Now all I need for the day to be complete would be to see a Pileated.  Though I'm pretty stoked even if I don't.
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/normtownsend/4421284478/">Norm Townsend</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

Another Notch On My Belt

     There are certain birds I can usually be sure of seeing when I head out my back door.  My Red Bellied Woodpecker and White Breasted Nuthatch friends being two of my favorites.  But it's that chance of seeing something extra special that has me captivated.  An occasional warbler or the Pileated Woodpecker.  And there's always the possibility of a new life bird. Since I'm still new to bird watching there are several I haven't seen before and last week I was thrilled to add another bird to my ever growing list.  The Brown Creeper.  They can be difficult to spot because they're well camouflaged, looking rather like tree bark, but this one stood out clearly against the lichen covered tree he was on and I got quite a good look at him.  What a cute bird!  They're small and they creep up the tree as their name suggests like a nuthatch but with a curved beak.  He brought my backyard species tally up to 29! Not to shabby for only 3 months.  I can't wait to see who I'll spot tomorrow. 
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/11484264106/">skersting66</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

Fencing Flickers

     I heard a lot of commotion out back this morning so I went to see who was making all the racket and I got to see something pretty cool.  Almost half a dozen Northern Flickers were cavorting from tree to tree and a couple were even battling each other.  They continued for a bit and then two of them faced off on a branch zigzagging their heads back and forth, clashing over territory.  I've seen lot's of birds defending their territory, Hortense the hummingbird was a mighty warrior over hers, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, nuthatches.  But the Flickers were mesmerizing. They seemed almost gentlemanly about it, bobbing and weaving like duelers at dawn.  If you want to watch a video of what it looked like click here.  My son is taking fencing at school.  Maybe the Flickers could give him a few pointers.

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougevans/6167106784/">hulio82</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

A Vexing Hobby

     First let me say, vexing is on of my favorite words I've learned from reading Jane Austen and I'm thrilled to have an opportunity to use it.  Yes, I know I'm a nerd.  But moving on.  Bird watching for those not familiar with it, may sound relaxing and it can be.  However, lately I've found it frustrating at times.  I'm quite new to the venture and there is a lot I don't know.  I can identify a few birds by call but not many, and I still can't do a long distance ID.  I can't usually tell what type of hawk I'm looking at unless it flashes it's red tail at me.  In short, I'm quite the novice.  I wish I could carry around an expert in my pocket, and yes, I've heard there's an app for that but I'm not phone savvy either.  Sometimes I swear the birds are taunting me.  I know they're in the trees.  I can see them flitting about, out of range, or hear them call, but I have no idea what they are.  Sometimes it's easy.  I got a great look at a Pileated woodpecker today.  That was terrific. It's those times that keep me at it.  And the few times I see a new bird and am actually able to ID it.  As for the other exasperating moments, I guess I'll just have to study and remember to carry my binoculars with me where ever I go.  
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/proimos/8618362879/">Alex E. Proimos</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>

A New Life Bird!

     I'm finding it very hard to tear myself away from the entertainment in the woods behind our house.  I've been enjoying my morning coffee on the back porch each day watching and listening to the cacophony of bird calls and I find my self so entranced that I can't even read!  I'm afraid I might miss something.  That is saying a lot if you know how much I love books. This new found source of enjoyment is just so exhilarating, as many more experienced birders have known for ages.  Today was especially exciting because I was able to add at least one new bird to my life list. Lot's of people love Warblers and it's easy to see why.  They're cute and colorful and not often seen, so when I spied an American Redstart I was super stoked.  But when the Pileated Woodpecker flew over my head right after I actually jumped up and down and pumped my fist.  Yeah, I know, I'm kind of a dork, but it was really exciting. I think I also saw a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, which would be another one to add to my life list, but I can't be sure so I'm holding off.  All in all a great start to the morning with 16 species before 11am. 

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/38983646@N06/7190990592/">Putneypics</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>

Woodpeckers Galore!

   

     Some of my favorite birds that we've seen at the house are woodpeckers. We've had flocks of Flickers, a Hairy or two, quite a few Red Bellies, a Downy, and this weekend I was thrilled to see the granddaddy of them all a Pileated, right from my own back porch!  I knew they were in the woods behind our house because I'd heard them a few times, but never was able to catch a glimpse.  But Saturday morning I basically stalked one for the better part of the morning, running outside with my binoculars every time I heard that distinctive call, so much like the infamous Woody Woodpecker himself, whom my kids love by the way.  Finally I just decided to stay outside until I spied him and my luck paid off.  I was able to get a peek of that  distinguishing pointed red head through the trees.  What a gorgeous bird.  It made my whole day!  Now I'm on the look out for a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.  Wish me luck!

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/infiniteciel/14155534105/">infiniteciel</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

Blue Jays, and Titmice, and Hawks, Oh My!

     I've always enjoyed birds, it's in my blood.  My parents raised us with a sincere interest in the natural world and my mother is an avid birder.  But it wasn't until we moved to a new house, out in the country, partially surrounded by woods, that I first felt the total exhilaration that comes from bird watching. We only have a couple feeders, but I plan to get more. I think my favorite part is sharing the excitement with the kids.  Our best day we counted 22 different species in our own backyard.  Now, I am a complete novice. I'm sure I misidentified one or two but we were only counting for fun.  And we got some pretty impressive visitors on our list, including a Pileated Woodpecker and a Broad Winged Hawk.  Though the family favorite was the feisty female Ruby Throated Hummingbird.  I've named her Hortense and will probably devote at least one post just to her.  I won't list every bird we saw but there were four different types of woodpecker and lot's of little ones at the Finch feeder.  We've yet to have another day quite like that one but to be sure, I'm out there for at least some part of each day with my bird book and binoculars.  I'm learning more everyday, matching calls to their owner, and I've bookmarked the Cornell website to help with Id's.  It's a great sight.  If you've never used it and you're a beginning birder like me it's your go to identification page, with sounds and all.
Here's the link: All About Birds. 
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pmillera4/13963984847/">PMillera4</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>