Showing posts with label Eastern Meadowlark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eastern Meadowlark. Show all posts
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Monday, November 20, 2023
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Friday, May 22, 2020
052220 Post-Rain Comes, More Good Birds
052120 American Robin in Nest
A couple of Ruddy Ducks were seen upon distant water at Boomer Lake in the morning, late birds for the season. We may have seen our last four Spotted Sandpipers. My figure of 145 Cedar Waxwings was conservative, there were likely more. There were chances for an impending storm later in the day, and if that occurs, we can expect good birds on the morrow.
052220 Eastern Meadowlark
Franklin's Gull
Willet
Neotropic Cormorant
Juvenile Hooded Merganser
052220
There was an early morning rain/thunderstorm with wind gusts between 26 and 44 mph between 0553-0753, and we received 0.83" of precipitation. The strongest winds were west and south of Stillwater, which were even worse with straightline storms some of which prompted winds up to 81 mph and wreaked a lot of devastation in several locales.
However, much of Payne county experienced very good birding, as birds are generally down before a storm unless they are within the wrong cell at the wrong time. With this time period and migration waning, we were still going to get a drop before the storm. When the storm was over, most birders were out, writer included.
We noticed more Canada Geese than usual that were either on Boomer Lake or upon the property, along with some downed trees, limbs, and branches. The downed tree that was noticed on the east side was a deciduous tree that came out of the ground at water's edge, due to extreme saturation.
The nests on Heron Cove seemed to be intact and everything was normal, save for the above notation. Females usually spend the night on their nests and are relieved in the morning.
Meridian had a response early and there was a Whimbrel, female Hooded Merganser, Baird's, White-rumped and Spotted Sandpipers, and a Least Tern.
First unusual item noticed on Boomer Lake was a notable Least Tern and a Ruddy Duck, a late bird for the season. Another birder was already at Shorebird Jetty to count several Franklin's Gulls, two Willow Flycatchers, and a Willet. There were no Spotted Sandpipers located, yet only one Cedar Waxwing.
There was also an Eastern Meadowlark, Least Flycatchers, and Yellow Warblers.
Continuing on, Turkey Vultures were riding thermals, as were Mississippi Kites. We also encountered a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a couple of Great Crested Flycatchers, and a juvenile Hooded Merganser. The merganser came close enough to permit a nice photograph, but the nearby Pied-billed Grebe noticed writer's location, whereas the young merganser did not.
Nothing else was noteworthy at Boomer Lake. Throughout the morning, many other locations were checked throughout the county.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
040220 Starring Eared Grebe and American White Pelican Convention
03-21-20
American Crow
Neotropic Cormorant
American White Pelicans
032420
Eastern Meadowlark
Double-crested Cormorant nearly
in full breeding plumage
032520
American Robin
03-26-20
Downy Woodpecker (female)
03-27-20
Eared Grebe nearing
full breeding plumage
Migration is clearly an event with several movements, including our late ducks and breeding plumage waterbirds. The one that I refer to especially in this arrival is the Eared Grebe, one of which I personally have never observed in breeding plumage. It was sleeping among a raft of Ruddy Ducks, including two others that I later spied. This grebe had rudely been awakened by a couple of American Coots that rudely ran noisily in front of it. The Eared Grebe made the attempt to return to sleep, but the ruddies awakened and decided to move. To my good fortune, the group swam closer to me and paraded right across me at a reasonable distance and I managed to get a fairly decent shot. At least it was enough to give a good look, since my observations in the past only included winter birds.
The Neotropic Cormorant has also been a fixture in the spring, having been visiting since at least 2015, when my original shots were obtained. We're hoping that it is breeding somewhere in OK.
The Eastern Meadowlark cannot be overlooked, as it is an iconic prairie bird in the great plains. Even though it has been losing population due to loss of habitat and pesticide use, perhaps we can manage to bring some of the numbers back with proper land management.
As of late, the Fish Crows have been more prevalent than the American Crow, and seem to be expanding their range more than the Black Vulture, which is being sighted in OK, too.
Several days prior to this photo there were nearly two dozen American White Pelicans around the Goose Island area. They stayed about four days, though numbers dropped. At one point, they were observed sleeping on the island. The Canada Geese didn't feel threatened, even with eggs in their ground nests.
Migration is clearly an event with several movements, including our late ducks and breeding plumage waterbirds. The one that I refer to especially in this arrival is the Eared Grebe, one of which I personally have never observed in breeding plumage. It was sleeping among a raft of Ruddy Ducks, including two others that I later spied. This grebe had rudely been awakened by a couple of American Coots that rudely ran noisily in front of it. The Eared Grebe made the attempt to return to sleep, but the ruddies awakened and decided to move. To my good fortune, the group swam closer to me and paraded right across me at a reasonable distance and I managed to get a fairly decent shot. At least it was enough to give a good look, since my observations in the past only included winter birds.
The Neotropic Cormorant has also been a fixture in the spring, having been visiting since at least 2015, when my original shots were obtained. We're hoping that it is breeding somewhere in OK.
The Eastern Meadowlark cannot be overlooked, as it is an iconic prairie bird in the great plains. Even though it has been losing population due to loss of habitat and pesticide use, perhaps we can manage to bring some of the numbers back with proper land management.
As of late, the Fish Crows have been more prevalent than the American Crow, and seem to be expanding their range more than the Black Vulture, which is being sighted in OK, too.
Several days prior to this photo there were nearly two dozen American White Pelicans around the Goose Island area. They stayed about four days, though numbers dropped. At one point, they were observed sleeping on the island. The Canada Geese didn't feel threatened, even with eggs in their ground nests.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Saturday, April 15, 2017
The Pre-Storm Impetus
One of Three Eastern Meadowlarks
Male Yellow-rumped Warbler
One of Three Migratory Savannah Sparrows
Migratory American White Pelicans
04-13/04-15-17
The winds have definitely been sweeping down the plains with a good southern push and trying to get the birds through the area before the rains come rushing down again.
Today was by far the best migratory movement that I have observed in the past two days.
Two days ago brought a group of three Savannah Sparrows that landed in this tree right in front of me.
Today brought two hundred American White Pelicans through the area, which was a sight to behold. I was in awe watching those birds wheeling through the air with the sun hitting their feathers and causing an explosion of white. They were also circling in different directions, which provided a show that was better than a flat three dimensional image, since they were in different planes in front of me. Fortunately, I saw them coming, but the group was so large, I could not get them all in one image.
Both Eastern and Western Kingbirds sported one member each, and a very early Baltimore Oriole female sang to me from on high.
These are the kinds of memories that show the true beauty of migration at its finest hours before the storm.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Babies and a Bird's Circle of Life
Juvenile(juvenal) American Robin
Recently Fledged Red-winged Blackbird
Immature Great-tailed Grackle
Bell's Vireo
Eastern Meadowlark
67-82 degrees F/0738-1018 hrs./12-15 mph wind gusts/partly cloudy
The weather has not been very co-operative over the past couple of weeks, for there has been
heavy cloud cover in the early morning or rain. The sun poked through the clouds relatively early,
so I ran out the door in hopes of getting a few photos.
As luck would have it, several of my first-seen of the day were young birds, which I have been
hoping for. For those of you that have never seen a young American Robin, this is a good example
of the spotted breast, which clearly shows that it is in the thrush family.
This recently fledged(not long out of the nest) Red-winged Blackbird was seen hiding in the weeds,
waiting for a parent to return with food.
This Great-tailed Grackle is an immature bird with feathers that denote it still as a young bird, but it still doesn't have the feathers of an adult. Note the bill, which is a good clue on the fact that this is
a bird in the grackle family. The tail is still a little short for an adult, the gape(mouth) still shows some yellow, and it is out in the open awaiting a parent to provide food. This bird is old enough not to draw attention to itself in order to attract a predator, like a hawk.
This lovely example of a Bell's Vireo is a singing male. Normally these birds remain in a dense shrub
or in the leaves of a tree, which tells me that this bird is actively seeking a mate or doesn't yet have
any offspring. This vireo was observed at the tops of trees at three different short-spaced occasions
on this morning.
This Eastern Meadowlark has been singing in the vicinity for quite some time. He had attracted a female several weeks ago, but the field where he and his mate had been trying to nest had been mowed once already. Either something happened to her, or she simply disappeared for whatever
reason, so he is still trying to find a female to mate with.
This is the time to be aware of young birds on the ground, so do watch where you step, even if on a
sidewalk. Also be aware that an adult bird is watching the young bird, so please don't take it away
thinking that it has been abandoned. Unless you are certain that this bird has been unattended for several hours, do NOT intervene. If you see the young bird covered with ants, DO take action and seek the help of a licensed rehabilitator. The ants will eat that bird alive.
For assistance in locating a rehabilitation, contact your local veterinarian or a warden.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Meet the Rare Grassland Prairie Lesser Prairie Chicken
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
in lichen nest
Wild Turkey
Ditto
Lesser Prairie Chicken
Horned Lark
Male Prairie Chicken
Ditto
Eastern Meadowlark
Male Prairie Chicken
Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel
Male Prairie Chicken
Ditto
Deflated Sac of Displaying
Male Lesser Prairie Chicken
Sac Filled with Air
Ditto
Full Display
At Rest
Jumping Display
Displaying and Calling
Territory Face-off Between Two Males
"In Your Face"
Most Likely Owner of this Lek Territory
04-15-16
50-52 degrees F/partly cloudy/27-34 mph winds/45 degrees wind chill
Today was the best of all three days that I was attending the Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival.
It had been extremely arid, so much so that wildfires have been fought all over the dry
grasslands in the OK and TX area. It did not rain today, but it was predicted for tomorrow
and Sunday. Fire is not always negative for these birds, but it isn't particularly helpful at
their critical mating season.
At approximately 0545 hrs., just prior to sunrise, we were set up in a permanent metal
blind and within a half hour, we could hear approaching male Lesser Prairie Chickens
approaching the lek, which is an area where males gather to display to entice prospective
female partners.
It was most likely that females were on these grounds prior to sunrise, as the males were in a
state of frenzy. No females were on the grounds during daylight, and we saw approximately
ten males. They performed various rituals trying to entice females to come around and were
calling and cackling, as well as fighting with each other for the top position. One male was
the owner of this territory, and was not prepared to give it up.
This is a very rare bird, even in its home states of both Oklahoma and Texas in the arid
grasslands with low shrubs, including sandsage and shin oak, as well as other natural growth.
They form flocks in the winter and may be found in agricultural land as well as natural native
prairie.
However, humanity is the boon of this beautiful bird, which is rapidly losing ground, due to
oilfields, wind turbines, and construction of homes and businesses. An already rare, local and
declining bird like this will not be available for future generations if we keep taking their homes.
These birds have been a threatened species since March of 2014, and their population decreased
25% from 2014 to 2015 alone. Help me help them through the National Prairie Chicken Initiative
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=nrcsdev11_023912
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
First of Season Early Birds Are Not Shy
American White Pelican
Turkey Vulture
Male Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Meadowlark
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Savannah Sparrow
Canada Gosling
Savannah Sparrow
0720-1035 hrs./55-73 degrees F/sunny/light and variable winds to 22 mph gusts
These are photos from the past two days, some of which are first of season or first ever made.
As an example, the Wood Duck was up in a tree, which I knew that the hens raised their young in
a tree, and they literally jumped in the water from the tree for their first water voyage. However, I
did not expect to see a Wood Duck staring down at me. Due to the bright sunlight, I tried to get the best shot that I could, and this was passable, even though it was a good distance away.
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was the first of season(year), and was in the company of another male,
which he got for me to view. These are birds that I have known from last year, now all grown up, and I suspect that this was two from the nest of seven that I found last year and photographed. Birds
usually return where they were born, which makes me believe that this was the case, and if fact, some
of these birds practiced their flight in this vicinity.
The Canada gosling was one of five. Mother and father goose met me on a bank to show off the first born of the season, a strapping young group, I might add. Don't you think?
This Turkey Vulture was waiting for me at shortly after sunrise over the berm on the southeast side
of the lake on the north end of the Southern Cove. I shot this bird from both front and back, each
photo equally as good.
Believe it or not, this Savannah Sparrow was feeding in the same area where I met the Lark and the Vesper Sparrows a couple of weeks ago. It makes sense, as they all like short, savannah-like areas.
The Brown Thrasher is one of a family of three born here two years ago, and they are staking out their claim.
This American White Pelican has been here on-and-off for the past several weeks. He is a young
bird, and he has been doing a lot of preening, taking care of those new feathers that are coming in. His clothing is a bit old and worn, but as new feathers come in, he will look a lot better, and remove those old juvenile feathers that he was born with.
Most of the Great Blue Heron are at the rookery, but Buddy is an older bird that I have known for the past five years. As an incidental, three Great Egrets came through the area yesterday, so we should
be in for a nice surprise. It will be interesting to see what youngsters are born here the year, as we have had both a Little Blue Heron last year and a Snowy Egret from the year prior to last. If the Little Blue Heron makes it back this year, he will be in a pied coat, which is a mix of blue and white.
The Eastern Meadowlarks are courting, and I observed some rare mating rituals. This photo was
a meadowlark that actually was walking up to me, a lovely male. There are two pair here now.
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