If I were to describe this year’s spring migration in one word, it would be “outstanding.” Especially in my very own yard. Within a couple of months, my yard bird list went from below forty to over eighty – EIGHTY – species of birds (84 to be exact, and 80 total in 2014 so far). All of these birds were either seen or heard from my house – not from acres of land, but from either one of my decks on my [less than] .4 acres of property. This far exceeded my expectations – especially after leaving such a great hotspot in New York. As of today, I have 15 species of birds on my PA yard list that I did not have on my NY yard list and I am a little over 20 species away in matching my NY list, which had a final count of 106 over three years.
This spring marked the return of breeding birds that grace many people’s backyards such as Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and our tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The Hummingbirds continue to visit daily.
Baltimore Oriole chattering at me from my deck
Adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
One of my female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
These were expected yard birds; the unexpected birds came in waves – very large waves. And they kept on coming. The best part is that there were no leaves on the trees, so I could actually SEE the birds. Many of them even came close enough to my deck for photo ops.
One of my most common migrant visitors were Black-throated Green Warblers. I had them singing for a few weeks before they completely moved on.
Black-throated Green Warblers were very common during migration
Yellow-rumped Warblers were my other most common migrant. I could see them at any time of the day foraging high and low, near and far. They were everywhere!
Yellow-rumped Warbler at eye level
My best Warbler surprises were Blackburnian males and tons of Northern Parulas. I even had a surprise Canada Warbler singing from further in the woods.
Blackburnian Warbler, right after he perched about 5 feet away from me (no, I did not get a photo of THAT)
Other Warblers included American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Nashville, Palm, and Pine Warblers.
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler, after leaves came in
During this migration madness, I had an addition built onto my house – a large deck that comes off of my renovated porch (now sunroom). I was able to enjoy the birds at eye level from this deck and my (already existing) balcony.
Scarlet Tanager at eye level from my deck
In fact, some days, I did not need the extra elevation because the birds seemed to prefer to feed down low. I had at least four male Scarlet Tanagers feeding on the ground at once, along with a few females. This is a bird that is usually seen high up in the tree tops. What a treat!
One of at least four male Scarlet Tanagers foraging on the ground
Now that migration has slowed down, I have other breeders who sing every day. This includes the very first bird that I heard in my yard before I actually owned it last June – the Eastern Wood-Pewee.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee was technically my first yard bird
Another bird that I hear throughout the day is also a flycatcher who sing early with the Robins and are calling as late as 9PM! Great Crested Flycatchers are fun to watch. I often see the local pair hawking insects together.
I love hearing Great Crested Flycatchers calling all day
Red-eyed Vireo and Wood Thrushes continue to serenade me with their songs, just as they did in New York. I love hearing both of them!
Red-eyed Vireo at eye level from my deck
Some other notable migrants that I’ve had are Indigo Buntings, Willow Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, both Kinglets, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes (I finally heard the Swainson’s sing!), Blue-headed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, Common Ravens, Osprey and Broad-winged Hawks. Oh! And how can I forget my most recent yard bird, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, who I heard calling multiple mornings!
This Yellow-billed Cuckoo was not my yard bird, but I wanted to show it anyway!
Migration was awesome this year. I hope that this sets the tone for what my yard will be like every spring. In New York, I only had a good fall migrations – it was nice getting the spring colors and songs. Too bad peak migration only lasts about a month – I already miss waking up to the songs of Blackburnians, Parulas, Black-throated Greens…
This Northern Parula serenaded me with his beautiful song
Last Sunday, two of my friends and I drove west to Ohio for the Biggest Week in American Birding. This was my third year going to the festival and it just keeps getting better! We tortured ourselves during the drive by following the tweets coming in from guides about the great birds they were seeing. In the prior years, we went to Magee Marsh on arrival, but a certain tweet changed our minds.
Least Bittern and White-faced Ibis currently being seen at Metzger Marsh. – Rob Ripma
We ended up heading to Metzger Marsh instead and were instantly greeted by three White-faced Ibises foraging out in the open. This was a life bird for all three of us and the scope views were amazing. What a way to begin our tip!
White-faced Ibis life birds to start our festivities!
After exploring Metzger for a bit, we headed to Magee so that we could stretch our legs some more on the boardwalk. I don’t think we got past the loop at 7a because the birds were too good to pass up. My friend, Jon, was racking up life birds like crazy – not only that, but they were great views. I had a Prothonotary Warbler within an arm’s reach; he was so close that I had trouble focusing on him at times. He even landed on the bench that I was sitting on with no mind to me or the other birders going crazy around him.
This Prothonotary Warbler was too busy eating to care about his paparazzi
It was hard to leave, but we had to pick up a few groceries, check into our hotel and eventually eat dinner (at 10PM…). I also really wanted to get my hands on Athena, Leica’s Wandering Ultravids, so that I could be one of many people honored to see birds through a pair of binoculars who is on a big year.
I will get more into what Athena is, my experience with “her” and that day’s trip in a future post. One highlight from that day that I will mention now is the extremely rare bird that we chased after lunch.
Five of eight Black-bellied Whistling Ducks who were way out of range.
These eight Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (plus two more) showed up the same day we did, but we chose to see the Ibises on our way in instead. Thankfully, they hung around and were re-found the next day in an excellent spot. You did not need a scope to appreciate the beauty of these birds! I saw one of these in Costa Rica a few years ago, but this was a much better look and my US-lifer.
The next day, we started at the Magee Marsh boardwalk and the good birds just kept on coming with more excellent views of them. Every time we tried to go somewhere else, something good kept us from leaving. We walked the boardwalk from the west end to the east end and back again.
Bay-breasted Warblers were everywhere in all plumages!
Chestnut-sided Warbler posing beautifully
I always get good views of the Cape May Warblers at Magee
I got some of my best looks at some birds that I’ve only seen briefly, very high in trees or hidden behind brush and vines.
A very cooperative Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
This Mourning Warbler was constantly foraging near the west entrance
My best looks at a Yellow-billed Cuckoo
On our way to chase another bird, we passed by a group of people who were looking at what turned out to be a life bird for me – an Olive-sided Flycatcher. What a treat!
Other birders were looking at this Olive-sided Flycatcher that we happened to walk by
Just as we were about to leave the boardwalk to chase a Black-necked Stilt, a tweet came in that turned us right around.
Henslow's Sparrow is back out and walking around on the south side of the boardwalk # 19B – Raymond/BRANTTours
A Henslow’s Sparrow in the middle of the woods? Another life bird for the three of us? We’ll take it!
A Henslow’s Sparrow way out of place in the woods
We finally left the boardwalk after 2PM and looked for the Black-necked Stilt that was reported on the Magee causeway. Other birders said that it flew off, so that is one bird that we did not have luck with. You can’t get them all, but you can certainly try to.
After visiting friends on our way out and being convinced to get some ice cream, we ended up driving through the Ottawa NWR Auto Tour – birds and ice cream? Score!! The water was high, so there was not much to see aside from some waterfowl and this very cooperative Dunlin who was right off the road.
This Dunlin in breeding plumage made the tour worth it!
The following morning, we were invited to join our friends from Leica on the east beach to see if the night’s storms blew in a Kirtland’s Warbler. We did not get the bird, however, the experience was something to be remembered. We birded with the authors of The Warbler Guide and were also joined by actress, and birder, Lili Taylor (click her name for a great article by her in the New York Times). It’s a different experience getting ID tips from guys who really know the field marks on these birds. Thanks to them, I have mastered the Blackpoll Warbler’s song – one that I get mixed up with other high pitched Warbler calls.
We went back to the boardwalk where we photographed birds from the famous boardwalk tower and wandered around in search of other cooperative subjects. Rain started to threaten the skies so we decided to hop into the car and chase another tweet to get my friends a new life bird.
Red-necked Phalarope spinning at Pearson Park Wetland complex. Look from picnic table between cabins-Lpeyton
We arrived at Pearson Metropark and parked the car to eat our lunch. We strategically parked next to the marsh where we saw a Sora two days prior. The bird was seen within seconds, but it scooted back into the reeds. We kept an eye out as we ate our sandwiches and the bird came back out for a great showing. The three of us were able to take amazing photos of this elusive bird!
A Sora out in the open
The rain let up and we got out to look for the reported Phalarope. The bird was almost at the feet of the people who were already looking at it. I got down low on the wet rocks and waited for the bird to come near me.
Red-necked Phalarope foraging very close to the path
This. Bird. Was. Close.
See the Red-necked Phalarope in the frame with me?
That evening, like every other night, we joined up with the event’s socials to meet new people and see everyone who we’ve stayed in touch with over the years. This year, I really wanted to take a photo with Kim and Kenn Kaufman because I always forget to get photos with people. As busy as they were, they stepped aside and posed with me.
Honored to take a photo with Kim and Kenn Kaufman
I also took a photo with another birding celebrity (though, he is so modest about it) – Greg Miller, you know, the guy who Jack Black plays on The Big Year (in the movie, his name is Brad). I have to say, Jack’s fun personality fits Greg perfectly.
Me with Gregg Miller
On our last day, we woke up to heavy rain and decided to go to the boardwalk anyway. We were not surprised to see a decent amount of people wearing raincoats, umbrellas and waterproof optics enjoying the birds.
A little (ok.. a lot of) rain does not stop the birders!
All-in-all, it was another great trip. We got together with friends who we only see once a year, made some new ones along the way and saw some awesome birds. I’m already looking forward to next year!
On Saturday, my friend Jon and I visited what I now believe to be the best Warbler hotspot in the area – the Delaware Water Gap NRA Headquarters in Bushkill and Freeman Tract Road, which is nearby and follows the Delaware River. I’ve been reading previous eBird reports from this area and they were loaded with Northern Parulas, Cerulean Warblers, Hooded Warblers and more really good birds. We had to go check it out during prime migration. The trees are tall and the birds stayed up high for the most part, but that did not stop us from seeing good birds and having a great time.
We knew that it would be a good day when the very first bird we heard when we stepped out of the car was a Golden-winged Warbler. A life bird for Jon and my first time seeing one outside of Ohio.
This was another Golden-winged Warbler that we spotted later on
We birded around the Water Gap Headquarters waiting for the sun to peak through the clouds. The building overlooks a really nice marsh that is full of birds.
Blackbirds, Grackles, Swamp Sparrows and Rails love this habitat
Tree Swallows, Ducks and Warblers seem to be around this part
We found a couple of hot spots that provided loads of birds moving through the trees and brush around the water. Some of them came down low, but for the most part they were distant. We saw and heard 50 species around the marsh.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are abundant
Tree Swallows in a natural nest
Yellow Warbler near the marsh
Red-winged Blackbird displaying
American Robin on a log
Green Heron hunting in the reeds
After exploring a bit up the hill, we made our way down to Freeman Tract Road, with our windows opened. On our way down, we heard a bird sing in the trees and I instantly knew that is was one of our target birds – the Cerulean Warbler. We had a few of them singing in the one spot.
One of many Cerulean Warblers
Down the road, we stopped for a singing Hooded Warbler – another lifer for Jon. He was difficult to find, but we finally spotted singing at the treetops.
Hooded Warbler singing up high
Even though the birds were mostly up high and moving quickly, it was a great time. We had many great birds and really took our time getting down the road. Every time we stopped the car, there was something exciting to see.
Black-and-white Warbler going up a trunk
Blue-winged Warbler singing in the distance
The best photo I could get of this Northern Parula who was foraging off the road
We even caught a glimpse of a snake making its way through the leaves.
Garter Snake in the leaves
Best subject of the day goes to an Ovenbird that Jon found posing down low, showing off his crest.
Our best subject from the trip, an Ovenbird
I also finally got some decent photos of a male Parula.
One of the few Northern Parulas who posed
My bird of the day was still the Cerulean Warbler. It’s my favorite little Warbler and I was so happy to see so many of them in one place!
Does the Purple Sandpiper really have purple plumage? The answer is no… and yes. In breeding colors, the bird shows no purple at all. In the winter months, however, you can see a slight purple gloss on the feathers… that is, if you look carefully – and if the sun is shining on the feathers in the perfect angle. If there is no sun, you won’t see it.
No sun? No gloss.
Even if there is sun, it has to hit the feathers at the right angle.
The sun is shining on this Sandpiper, but I don’t see the purple.
I finally saw the purple sheen on one of my more recent trips to Barnegat. The light was perfect. It made a believer out of me!
You can see the purple on this one!
The purple is even more apparent here.
And for a photo that is cropped in…
A close up of the purple sheen.
I hope this convinced you. Really though, I just needed an excuse to show some Purple Sandpiper photos, so at the very least, I hope you enjoyed the imagery!
My friend, Jon, and I think a great name for a drink would be “Harley on the Rocks” – especially after seeing multiple Harlequin Ducks posing on the jetty for us during our last couple of trips. Who wouldn’t want to name a drink after this gorgeous bird?
My first Harlequins on the jetty!
I feel like I’ve been working my way up to the perfect Harlequin photo (though, I believe that my friend is the one who got it – see the very last photos in this set). I had great looks at them the first time that they were up on the jetty, but it was a bit overcast and lighting was only decent. Their bills seem to get a bit lost in the dull-water color.
Drake Harlequin on an overcast day
Male and female posing together on an overcast day
This past weekend, however, the sun was out and it made a huge difference in both the colors on the ducks and the blue water behind them.
Drake Harlequin on a sunny day
Male and female posing together on a sunny day
I’d like to get a bit of a lower angle next time, but for now, this will do!
Harlequin trio – one of my favorite photos
It can be difficult trying to get close while the ducks stay in place. We try to move while they are preening and not paying attention, however, sometimes they are spooked by other people who are walking by. This time, I was ready…
A Diving Duck diving into the water
Sometimes, they do stay in place and pose very nicely!
Drake Harlequin posing for me
Next time I go to Barnegat, I’ll be sure to order another Harley on the Rocks.
My friend and I took a trip to Delaware to go to Bombay Hook and Cape Henlopen State Park on Sunday. One of our goals was to both get a life bird in its northern-most range, the Brown-headed Nuthatch.
The day started off with a bang as we were exiting a highway in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I spotted a raptor perched on a utility pole and IDed it as a possible Peregrine Falcon. We pulled into a parking lot to confirm the ID and take some photos.
Spotting a Peregrine Falcon from the road
We then started our long drive to Delaware. This was the first time I visited the state for birding. After my total of a three-and-a-half hour drive, we arrived at the Nature Center at Cape Henlopen to watch the feeders.
Red-winged Blackbirds dominated the area and were extremely loud at times.
One of many loud Red-winged Blackbird
When they quieted down, we could hear a Great Horned Owl hooting in the woods. We did not want to step off trail to find it and instead enjoyed the feeder birds. I took this chance to photograph a bird that I do not see in my new yard anymore.
The Northern Cardinal was common in my NY yard, but not in my PA yard
I also remembered that I have no good photos of Carolina Chickadees and snapped a few of them too.
I only see Black-capped Chickadees near me, not Carolinas
After a little while more of waiting, the bird we were waiting for finally showed up.
Brown-headed Nuthatch at the feeders
We stuck around to try to get photos of them in a more natural setting, but that proved to be difficult since they would go directly to the thick of trees from the feeders. We had up to six of these birds in sight and calling back and forth at the same time. If you’ve never heard their call, I highly suggest you listen to it on Allaboutbirds.org. It is the cutest call!!
This Brown-headed Nuthatch kept posing for us
After a couple of hours, we left to go back up to Bombay Hook in search of waterfowl, shorebirds and possible owls. This part of our trip was a little quiet as far as photo ops went. We did see seventeen species of waterfowl and an early shorebird migrant.
Greater Yellowlegs with a bill that is covered in mud – it is longer than it looks from this photo.
Other notable sightings include a Red Fox, multiple Harriers, our first-of-year Gray Catbird and a couple of Bald Eagles flying in the distance.
Red Fox on the road
Bald Eagle flying over-head
I won’t leave out some of the more common birds that seem to pose nicer than the waterfowl, which I did not take any photos of due to over-bright lighting and distance.
I often participate in Project FeederWatch’s BirdSpotter photo contests, keeping in mind that my chances of winning were probably were low. The main reason why I submitted photos was to hopefully get recognized, like I did last year when my colorful backyard bird photo made it on Cornell’s Facebook page and caught the eye of an editor from the National Wildlife Magazine. That photo ended up getting published in the NWF Magazine.
This past December, I had another photo recognized as an Eyecatcher by Cornell with the theme of Natural Foods.
American Kestrel eating a crab in Cape May Meadows, New Jersey
Later that month I submitted a newly captured photo for the theme Hints of Red. I was surprised that it won first place for the week!
House Finch looking ay my camera at the right moment
Last week, voting took place between all twelve winners for the grand prize, which includes a three-day trip to Oregon. I was convinced that there was no way I could win it because some of the other photos seemed a bit more “fun” than mine.
It turns out that I was wrong! My little curious finch WON!
This is the first time one of my photos won anything! I aim for getting unique photos that show emotion rather than photos that are perfect in a technical sense, and I think that is exactly what this photo shows.
The European Starling is one of the United State’s most hated birds. They were brought here in the late nineteenth century and have grown to be one of our most abundant songbirds. They are an invasive species and compete with our native birds for prime nesting spots. They are one of the few resident birds that can be taken in as a pet.
Meet Piasa.
Piasa in Winter plumage
My friend raised him from when he was just days old. You have to be very attentive when raising a baby bird because they eat… often. The good thing is that they also sleep through the night so it is not a 24-hour job. Two years later, she needed someone to take over his care because she will soon be moving across the country. This would be a very stressful ride for a small bird. Even though the thought of having five cats and one bird in the house worried me, I happily volunteered. Besides, he grew up with two cats, a very large dog and Birds-of-Prey living under the same roof.
Don’t worry, they only look with curiosity and are more interested in the birds outside.
After spending some time with this bird, I have come to respect Starlings a lot more than I used to. They are actually quite beautiful, very interesting and pretty smart! It’s no wonder they are doing so well in their non-native land.
Piasa after a bath.
They mimic extremely well. Piasa learned many words and sounds from his original house and is picking up some things from me too. I’ve successfully taught him a few other bird sounds, such as the Wood Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Prairie Warbler, Hooded Warbler and more.
Note that the bare parts on his chest are just from a bad molt, I am working on fixing this.
Piasa’s cage is in my loft, next to my desk. I keep his door opened while I work so that he can fly freely. He really is not a great flier, but he loves perching either right outside his cage or on my hands and shoulders. I honestly would have never thought a wild songbird would be so personable.
This did not hurt as much as it looks like it did…
He is also very curious and will poke around, like Starlings do. Unfortunately, he will sometimes try to look around my eyelids or pick at a birth mark. He will also jump to my desk and poke around at my mouse and keyboard.
When the sun is out, he enjoys sunbathing.
Piasa loves to sunbath on my hand
His preferred place to do this is on my hand, however, the other day, I caught him on my desk alone.
Piasa sunning on my desk
I’ve learned to live with the fact that bird poop will show up pretty much all over my desk area, on my chair, on my keyboard, on me… but I am OK with that. At least I know that he is healthy and, to be honest, songbird poop is not that gross or smelly. Besides, he eats a mixture of cat food and poultry layer mash, along with various fruits and veggies.
Despite the poop, he is a great feather-kid to have. I’ve learned a lot from him and he certainly knows how to show his appreciation. I can see him growing closer to me every day – I never thought I would have such a bond with a wild Starling!
My township is less than two inches away from the being the snowiest February ever recorded set back in 1958. This coming Tuesday snowfall will most likely surpass the record. I am at my wits end with all of this snow!! There is still one thing (and one thing only) that I enjoy about it. That is, of course, the amount of birds that utilize my feeders and the photo ops they bring.
Let’s just say that my feeders were pretty busy…
Busy bird feeders
My most abundant guest is the Goldfinch… I lost count at 40 the other day when counting them for the GBBC. The only other finches I have been getting this year are House Finches.
American Goldfinch
Male House Finch with ice
Female House Finch
I live in the woods, so I also have tons of Woodpeckers.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Along all of my other regulars…
Mourning Dove braving the storm
White-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
The snow was so heavy on Thursday that it quickly accumulated on birds if they stayed still for a moment.
Dark-eyed Junco with snow accumulation
Mourning Dove with snow accumulation
Some birds took cover in the Christmas tree I have set up under the feeders.
Black-capped Chickadee in my Christmas tree
Dark-eyed Junco in my Christmas tree
I think, overall, the birds are as sick of all of this snow as I am.
If you put out bird feeders for the seed- and nut-eating birds, you are also going to attract the bird-eating birds. Accipiters are known for stalking feeder-birds and I enjoy their visits, even though they could get one of my songbirds. I always had problems getting photos of them because they would fly off at even the slightest motion from inside the house. This was the case earlier last week when a Sharp-shinned Hawk was right outside my window: As soon as I grabbed the camera, he flew off. Disappointed that I only got a photo where his head was behind a tree-trunk, all I could do was hope that he returned for more ops.
Yesterday, he visited again. I just happened to look out my window when my sister pointed out something on a squirrel who was foraging on my deck. The Sharp-shinned Hawk was right above the squirrel.
“DON’T MOVE!” I exclaimed.
I slowly grabbed my camera and started snapping away at the bird through the glass.
Sharp-shinned Hawk through my sliding glass doors
The bird moved to another branch – one that was a really great perch, but I could only take photos at an angle through my window…
This photo was shot through my window at a poor angle. Post processing cleared it up.
…so I slowly opened the sliding door and stuck my camera out. The bird did not move.
I stuck my camera out the sliding glass door for this one.
I moved myself all the way out the door and closed it behind me so that my cats would not get out and scare the bird. He was on the perfect perch, feet away and still did not move.
This photo is not cropped much – he was close!
He continued to look for the birds who were chirping around the trees and moved to another branch a bit further away, but still good for photos.
All fluffed up – it was cold outside!
It was a nice treat to actually be able to watch an adult Sharpie who did not seem to mind my presence.
Stretching after taking a poop (hey! birds poop!)
I went back inside and later came out again only to find that the songbirds were all over the trees calling in alarm. I took a short video of this – sorry about the motion – it was hand held and I stabilized it using Youtube’s built in tools. Hint: look at all of the birds in the background.
He knew the birds were around and continued to look for one that he could grab.
Looking for a meal
He eventually went after a bird and flew to another tree over my deck. The bird must have been hungry so I left him to hunt in peace.
Looking at me, comfortable, with one leg tucked
On a side note – the Hawk returned today and caught what I believe to be a Junco. Unfortunately, not long after he caught it, I saw Crows flying away with his meal. They stole his breakfast and the poor Sharpie has to start over.
