Spring Has Gold Medal Winners

                                                                    Song Sparrow

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                             Slate-colored Junco


Monday, 03-28-16
0737-1020 hrs./37-54 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

With the unsettled weather that we have been having, it is necessary to take what one can get.
This prime winter examples of songbirds show that winter has not left us yet.  Warblers are
transitioning to their spring finery, but we still have some worn birds with their juvenile dress.
These are beautiful males, going for the gold.

The Song and Savannah Sparrows are still plentiful, with Song Sparrows nearly every thirty
feet.

As soon as the weather is more amiable and my schedule permits, I'll be back out there to
bring you more of spring's finer moments.

It's Hard Being Top Bird in These Parts

 
                                                                     Mallard Drake

                                                                   Northern Flicker

                                                            Black-and-White Warbler

                                                                Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                                  American Robin

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

                                               
                                                      Yellow-rumped Warbler, First Year

                                                                      Blue Jay

                                                              Yellow-rumped Warbler

Ruddy Duck 

                                                              Male Carolina Wren

                                                              Male Northern Cardinal

                                                              Male House Finch


1150-1515 hrs./46-58 degrees F/partly cloudy/18 mph NNW wind gusts


Many birds are making an appearance, as there are lovely tender green shoots for their meals.
It is hard work to shiver and keep warm, so many of these birds must take in a lot of calories.
Males are busy establishing territories, enticing a female that will find him a good choice, and
letting other males know that his territory is taken and he will tolerate no intruders.

Welcome to the world of spring, and may you enjoy it as much as I am.

032716 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-at-least-one-winter-bird-is/article_87f6feee-f395-11e5-8919-e7ba06a2b625.html

The Champions of Boomer Lake

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                     Lark Sparrow

                                                                     Song Sparrow

                                                                      Mallard Pair

                                                               Carolina Chickadee

                                                                        Fish Crow

                                                                    Swamp Sparrow

                                                           Male Northern Cardinal

                                                                Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                               Blue-winged Teal Pair

                                                                      Canada Goose

                                                            Female Downy Woodpecker

                                                   Pied-billed Grebe in Breeding Plumage


45-64 degrees F/25 mph S wind gusts/0735-1120 hrs./partly cloudy

These were photos over the three days, and a good part of them represented the deep woods of Boomer Creek.  The denizens of the creek have been getting to know me over a period of time, as this vigil is preparatory to spring when the wood warblers spend a little time with us, then
head for the northern states to breed.

Songbirds are well represented here, even on such windy days that we have experienced, today by far the worst of the past several.  I was pleasantly surprised to see so many birds out, and it was well worth the trek, especially in the northern parts of my Land of Enchantment.

Woodpeckers are working on diligently on cavities, as are many other birds, who are awaiting the strong call of spring.  I have actively been seeking out active cavities, and with any luck, I hope to find at least one that will show me some youngsters.  Wish me well, and we will hope for the best.

Here's to spring, now that it is here, and may it be bountiful for us all.

032016 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-the-time-of-year-more-birds/article_c081ad84-ee1a-11e5-b182-1f8baf6b5ba6.html

Rare Bird Alert--Lark Sparrow, and Uncommon Bird Alert--Vesper Sparrow

                                                                     Carolina Wren

                                                                       Vesper Sparrow

                                                                      Lesser Scaup

                                                                 American Robin

                                                             Male Northern Cardinal

                                                          Male Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                     Song Sparrow

                                                                     Lark Sparrow

                                                           Female Downy Woodpecker

                                                                Carolina Chickadee


35 to 54 degrees F/0740-1150 hrs./sunny/lights and variable winds

These were pictures from the 15th, 16th, and today.  By far, even though it was much cooler,
this was a much better birding day out of the week.  Sometimes the cold does out things, by bringing out a few more birds.  In general, there were many sparrows more prevalent over the week, including
the Lark Sparrow, who is easily a good month early.  This is a bird that is relatively rare to Boomer Lake, and we might see it once or twice a year if we are very fortunate.

Another somewhat uncommon bird to the area is the Vesper Sparrow, the first that I have seen, very
nearly in the same vicinity as the Lark Sparrow, but four days earlier.  It makes me wonder if I might find another new sparrow next week, but that is likely wishful thinking.

The picture for the Carolina Wren is my first, even though I have been hearing the bird call for
several years.  I happened to visit one of my hot spots and there were several there to choose from, so I was patient and waited for one to come to me.

It was a remarkable day, and perhaps tomorrow will bring even more surprises.

Turn Out the Lights For Earth Hour

Every year during Earth Hour, millions of people around the world join together to highlight the urgent need to address climate change. But this year, something is different.

For the first time in the fight against climate change, momentum is on our side. In December, leaders from 196 nations heeded the world’s collective call to act together with urgency to address climate change.

We have reached a turning point, but we still need your support to secure a low-carbon world. We know that it will take collective action from everyone—governments, businesses, communities and individuals—to turn the tide and stop the worst effects of a warming world.

Let’s keep the momentum going. On March 19 join the world in a historic lights-out display by turning off all non-essential lights at 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. your local time and recommit to the fight against climate change. Together, we can tackle climate change and create a future where people and nature thrive.

Spring Birds are Trickling In

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

                                                                    Brown Thrasher

                                                                    American Coot

                                                                   Savannah Sparrow

                                                                  Pied-billed Grebe

                                                                     Mallard Drake

                                                              Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                                  American Kestrel

                                                                           Ditto


55-65 degrees F/0800-1030 hrs. DST/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

We're finally into daylight saving time, which means that I go out later in the morning, but have
an extra hour of birding if my schedule is fortunate enough.  Needless to say, I have been silent for
quite some time due to bad weather, or a bad schedule.  Many times I have cursed under my breath, as sunlight finally came just after I got to work, or out was time to leave for work.

In any event, today was well worth waiting for, as one can see.  Evidently good things come in due time, and it surely was time for these good things to come to pass.  Al things aside, though, I have been very fortunate, even though I have not been able to be out as much.

Spring birds are trickling in, while winter birds are either getting ready to leave, or have been well on their way out of here.  I was pleased to see half a dozen Green-winged Teal on the lake, the grebes in breeding plumage, plenty of sparrows still around(the choices were good and there were plenty of Song Sparrows still available).  I wasn't able to get a good photo of a Field Sparrow, but one was available.

There were a couple of Eastern Meadowlarks, a Purple Martin, and as you can see, my first of season
Brown Thrasher.

The American Kestrel, a very colorful falcon was doing a bit of hunting in my presence, so I cannot complain.

I truly hope that your day was every bit as good as mine.