Showing posts with label Eastern Kingbird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eastern Kingbird. Show all posts
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Monday, May 18, 2020
051820 Immature Birds of Boomer and Summer Neotropical Residents
051720 Male Orchard Oriole
Eastern Kingbird
This was an average day with a little over two miles covered, about as far as the rest area. The most noteworthy item was the Bald Eagle. Three Eastern and five Western Kingbirds were counted, as well as the Bell's Vireo around the Cove. Winds were from the NNW at 14 mph and the forty-two Cedar Waxwings were picking mulberries like fiends. There are several more trees and bushes producing fruit this year, feeding more birds than last year. One Green Heron was counted, just passing and eyeballing The Cove with no real time spent trying to find Green Heron nests. One immature American Robin was found in a bald cypress, and all the common birds are nesting.
It was ironic that the Eastern and Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (all flycatchers) were actually not perching far from one another. They are behaving like non-breeders at this point, like they would be on their wintering grounds. If they had eggs and young, they would not be this social!
Immature American Robin
Traill's Flycatcher #1
Traill's Flycatcher #3
Yellow Warbler
Double-crested Cormorant
Female Orchard Oriole
Great Crested Flycatcher
Immature American Robin #2
Today started off very well, a little cooler than the day before, winds from the north at 8 mph with a flat barometer. Expecting to see activity, I was not disappointed. A pair of Eastern Kingbirds were found at Heron Cove, along with a few Yellow Warblers, a couple of Barn Swallows were moving through the area, and there were a handful of Cliff Swallows. Looking at the side of the Lakeview Road Bridge, there were few mud nests, which is unusual. No Green Herons were seen or heard today. On the return trip home, writer even went to the waters edge, but saw none of the Green Herons.
Cedar Waxwings mostly picked all ripe mulberries, but there were a forgotten few that immature American Robins ate. Usually they are on a strict protein diet, but the three that I have seen are well flighted, and at least two birds (one above) are losing their juvenal plumage. This bird is a good five weeks old.
There are still several Least Flycatchers still with us, as well as three Black Terns that were found well before 0700. Four Turkey Vultures were riding early thermals, and both European Starlings and Great-tailed Grackles have young that are successfully making their way in the world foraging for their own food. Five Fish Crows had their morning meeting, splitting into two groups. Both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles have been represented in their new trees. The Baltimore Oriole used to nest in the large oak by the east restrooms, but now it appears that the Orchard Orioles are there now, and one pair of Western Kingbirds are possibly not going to nest on a wooden telephone pole this year.
Today we had four Bell's Vireos! One at Heron Cove, a pair just north of the culvert drainoff to Boomer Lake across from the Kicker offices. These two were performing the chase ritual, and the historic male (who could also be paired, as he is usually the first to be as well as the eldest with the best territory). There is a bit of a story with that. Last year the tall metal power poles were put in, which destroyed some of the original territory. This pair then moved over to west of the Kicker offices. The assumption is that the original pair returned to the main territory, while the young male returned to to his birthplace and just found himself a mate and is now courting her.
Also within this active area today was a traditional Warbling Vireo pair, a pair of Common Yellowthroats with a very active female today, multiple Yellow Warblers, a late Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Least Flycatcher. I believe there was another flycatcher in the top of the cottonwoods, but he didn't call and my view wasn't good enough to be able to get a halfway decent glance. Therefore, I was unable to count an assumption.
A trip was also made to the wooded area north of Airport Road. No Swainson's Thrushes were found, but a late Eastern Towhee was sounding off, though unseen. There were also Northern Cardinals, Yellow Warblers, Great-tailed Grackles, and European Starlings in the wood, as well as a Mallard Drake. It was pretty quiet out there this morning.
Flycatchers can be so confusing, especially if they don't vocalize. Today there are three photos posted as I wasn't sure which flycatcher I had and it was necessary to get shots from as many angles as possible to try to determine what the bird was. It was either a Willow or an Alder Flycatcher, which are both in this area now. It was last year (I think) that I photographed the willow, which was south of this location at the beginning of this two acre land plot. It made sense. This year, I finally was able to capture the Traill's, which is what both species were once called, until they were renamed Willow and Alder Flycatchers. As of now, I'm still trying to get a photograph of the Alder Flycatcher, which will happen sooner or later. Unless these species vocalize, it is impossible to determine what they are.
On the return trip, there was a nice male Double-crested Cormorant with his crests that was photographed.
Monday, April 27, 2020
042720 Migrants of Central Oklahoma and Resident Raptor
Yellow-headed Blackbird, View 2
Yellow-headed Blackbird, View 3
Cackling Goose, View 1
Canada (L) and Cackling Goose (R)
Eastern Kingbird
Red-shouldered Hawk
Saturday, 042520 was another excellent birding day. There is a possibility that there are three Green Herons at The Cove. It is suspected that we're looking at the patriarch male and two females, both to be nesting in different trees. The nest, if there is one or more, hasn't been established yet, as writer wishes to give the birds adequate space this early in the season. One of the usual Northern Flickers was heard just below the berm east of there around the mulberry/Bradford pear tree cluster.
Several Spotted Sandpipers were observed on Shorebird Jetty. South of the jetty, five Lesser Scaups were discovered and a few American Coots closer to the west side of Heron Cove. On the west side of the jetty was a lone Yellow-headed Blackbird with a suspected wing and foot injury. The area rehabilitator was contacted, but it was learned a short time later that the blackbird disappeared. Possibly it was really well enough to fly or a predator took care of the situation, though none was observed while at location. There are still two or three Savannah Sparrows connected to this area.
Two Orchard Orioles are still in the area (males) and one Baltimore Oriole has been in the large oak by the east side restrooms, as well as a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. The other two Baltimore Orioles had relocated themselves at my residence and the next door neighbor's oak tree. There are still two or three singing Warbling Vireos at Boomer Lake, along with another near writer's location.
A possible Richardson's Cackling x Canada Goose was discovered on Memorial Jetty with what might be its Canada Goose mate. It is possible that this might be the same individual that another birder had seen within the past several days. Looking at the photo, the small bill and smaller stature is seen, but there is clearly a mix of Canada in there.
It has also been noticed that more than one pair of Canada Geese had nests on all three east side jetties. It appears that all eggs are either dead or had been addled. A Mallard may still be brooding eggs, but we did see a trail of eleven ducklings earlier in the week with some that could have easily been adopted. I have not seen the family since that initial finding.
There were two Western Kingbirds across from the Kicker plant, as well as a pair of Mourning Doves and what may be a lone Eurasian Collared-Dove. A pair used to nest in a small tree once near the large oak beside the restrooms, but that area has been cleaned up to allow the storm drain appropriate function. A lone Eastern Kingbird, who has been vascillating around the northeast jetty, along with two more Scissor-tailed Flycatchers whose territory runs to the Kicker field, and two more Savannah Sparrows are temporarily residing there. Many more birds felt comfortable at the marsh grass before the old rotten snag collapsed into several pieces. A male Eastern Bluebird was found on the Boomer Lake side of Kicker this morning. The Orchard Oriole has been patrolling that area as far as the large oak south of there.
We're still finding interesting things around Goose Island, like Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal. Cormorants are still roosting in the tree, mostly by the lilac on The Island.
The wooded area has still been providing many interesting species, including Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Black-and-White Warblers, as well as Swainson's Thrush, Red and White-eyed Vireos, and even the Pileated Woodpecker stopped by from Boomer Creek for a short time. The Clay-colored Sparrows were also close by with Harris's and Field Sparrows, and Carolina Chickadees. There's likely still more in the area that haven't yet been discovered. It is a nice treasure trove of bustling activity in the midst of migration. A Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher was also heard, as well as an Eastern Phoebe out around the Kicker Field, along with an Eastern Meadowlark and Killdeer.
Since our American Kestrel has been attending to nesting and feeding duties, he has not been on the north end of the Kicker fence on the electrical lines. When the youngster(s) fledge, he will return, possibly with his mate and the young until they are ready to depart for the season.
On the return trip, coming around the stretch bordering Kicker's north and approaching the west gates, a Red-shouldered Hawk blew past me, no more than seven feet away. It was not overhead, it was directly in front of me. It was so close, it could see the red shoulder patch and see the yellow nares, which determined that this was a first year bird. It landed in a cottonwood tree, which was where this photo was made. A nice end to a glorious birding day!
Too bad there was no Bald Eagle nor Osprey today. They were getting to be a great habit. Now I'm looking for their presence. Many times the eagle is atop the new metal electrical poles just surveying its territory. The Osprey was getting to be familiar, too, as it was found three or four days riding the air currents while it was peering into the lake looking for fish. Both of these familiar denizens were missed.
Today gave us a respectable 64 species.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Boomer's Best For Spring Migration 2018
Male Bell's Vireo
Male Orchard Oriole
Female Summer Tanager
Lincoln's Sparrow
Mallard First Family 2018
Neotropic Cormorants
Common Yellowthroat
Green Heron Adult
Least Flycatcher
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Kingbird
May 2018
No sooner did I return from southeast Arizona, sleep overtook for a few hours, then it was back at
Boomer Lake to record summer residents, as well as neotropical migrants.
Fortunately, we have had a good showing for the migratory season. We will still gain a few birds, lose a few birds, and perhaps get some surprises as a result.
I'm sure that the Neotropic Cormorants are breeding somewhere nearby, but as yet, the mystery
remains unsolved.
Since our Green Herons set up a little early, perhaps an early clutch or two will be in order.
Even though spring migration will be slowing down for a while, there are bound to be a few more
late adventurers. Stay tuned for more news as it breaks.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
The Birds Say That Summer is Nearly Over
Juvenile Brown Thrasher
Green Heron, Clutch 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Green Herons, Clutch 6
Sunday 08-21-16 through Wednesday 08-24-16
There birds generally indicate that summer is over and things are soon about to change. The
days have been cooling down, and the length of the daylight is shortening. Migration has
already begun with a light to medium shorebird movement, and songbirds have started to take to
the air.
Here is our last clutch of Green Herons that are growing up and still in the area, even though
their birthplace had been taken over by other herons and they were left on the sidelines. They managed to raise themselves and persevere, while the parents went elsewhere, but that is quite normal this late in the season. Many of the other Green Herons from various clutches remained in various locations on Boomer Lake, Boomer Creek, and even in smaller western waterways in the vicinity.
This was quite the year for Green Herons, and next year will help us fill in the story even more.
We also saw plenty of juvenile birds, like Brown Thrashers, Northern Mockingbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, and many, many more.
Many of the Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets came out and settled on the lake from the Boomer Creek Rookery and are still in our presence.
1st Summer Broad-winged Hawk
Great Egret
"Making a Withdrawal"
Tuesday, August 30
0728-0954 hrs./70 to 80 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable S winds
A beautiful first summer Broad-winged Hawk came looking for breakfast, stayed a while in a few different area locations, and was escorted off by three brave American Goldfinches when they had
enough. Even young hawks can raise alarm calls with songbirds, and they will even brave the odds
in order to protect each other. The young Green Herons watched and waited, not even paying the hawk any mind. Hawk watch has begun, and a few visitors have been in our midst. Turkey vultures
are also returning to the area, and soon it will be Songbird Central for the southern push of warblers,
vireos, and other familiar faces that we just saw heading north just a few short months ago.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Pass Out the Cigars, We Are Parents!
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbird
Great Blue Heron
"Silent Sentinel Series"
Great-tailed Grackles(parent on left)
Male Baltimore Oriole
Green Heron
Great Egret
Red Eared Slider
Great Egret in Flight
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker
Great Egret
Juvenile Mallard
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow Form
Fledgling Green Heron
June 6 through June 9, 2016 photos
mean temperature average 71-83 degrees F/0650-0945 hrs./partly cloudy/10 mph S winds
The past several days were worth their weight in gold. There are plenty of young birds on the east
side of the lake, as well as Boomer Creek. An educated guess regarding youngsters is one hundred
to one hundred twenty birds, and that is a very conservative estimate. Everywhere one turns, the
sounds of food demands is heard. All one must do is look around and it isn't hard to see the bird
that belongs to the voice being heard.
The most prevalent fledges at the moment are those of the woodpecker family, which I had a grave
concern about over the winter, due to the European Starlings that tend to kill woodpeckers and take
over their cavities. I'm certain that some of this did occur, but there are good numbers of young
woodpeckers this year. It is a pleasure to report three Red-bellied Woodpeckers and six Taiga Northern Flickers on Boomer Creek alone, and that is without venturing into the wooded area.
Great Egrets have emerged from the rookery and are fishing on the main part of the lake. All of
these shots were obtained over a two day period with many more to follow as these birds are used
to me as a permanent fixture.
It is generally hard to find an Eastern Kingbird that will look you in the eye, but it can be done, as
photographed here.
This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail followed me at the creek until I photographed it, and it gave me
the perfect scenery for that. Butterflies have their time with my lens, too.
The best news I saved for last. We are parents again with young Green Herons! Pictures for the
second youngster, who fledged this morning will be coming soon. Congratulations to Green Heron
family #1!
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