102322 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-birds-belting-their-classic-calls/article_1d0526ac-50b7-11ed-8a72-2f1815b6864f.html 

123121. SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-where-are-all-the-songbirds/article_7d010a18-68fe-11ec-a58f-433ea5b732dd.html 

112021 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-finding-winter-birds-and-hot-spots/article_e02bb460-48b2-11ec-89b1-b7db9859097d.html 

012421 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-always-learning-new-exciting-things/article_6fdd2de4-5c3e-11eb-814f-0f0cf4e0d5bb.html 

012121 Boomer Lake's Winter Bounty

   
 011321                                                        Harris's Sparrow

I have seen one, but not the second bird that was here last winter.  It could even be a different bird and the other two went elsewhere or just are not here yet.

011621                                                       American Robin

This seed came up and was regurgitated before I even realized what was happening when I snapped the shot.  Sometimes it pays to take an innocent pose.

Both of these birds were located just matter-of-factly doing what they do best, simply being birds in the cold.  Enjoy this odd winter and stay alert for unusual birds that just don't belong here at this time of year, like the Gray Catbird, Red-necked Grebe, and many others out of the county.

There has not been a lot seen during this time of year, but let's keep trying to photograph what we can.

010921 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-avians-still-active-with-recent-wintry-weather/article_2eec9bb0-5155-11eb-9046-0f6aa1998f74.html 

December 2019, Northwest Payne County Christmas Bird Count, and a Bald Eagle Vigil at Sooner Lake

                                                                    Dark-eyed Junco


120219

0750-0833/33-36 F (28 wind chill)/partly cloudy/W-3/68-67% RH/30.15-30.12 Hg and rising


Plenty was going on, as much in the water as on land.  The Red-shouldered Hawk was on a telephone pole, two Northern Flickers were looking for ants, jays were vocalizing, robins were triangulating as is popular this year, both Harris's Sparrows were on the Cove, while one Song Sparrow kept itself in seed.  One Northern Cardinal was near the water's edge at the Cove and a Carolina Wren claimed its territory.

A single Pied-billed Grebe and an American Coot were on the water, while four Killdeer searched for sustenance on Shorebird Jetty.  Four Great Blue Herons were either in or just off the water, while a few Herring and several hundred Ring-billed Gulls flew between the water and their private jetty.

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

120519

0800-0853/51-54 F (48 wind chill)/clear/SE-6/56-55%/29.76 Hg and steady

Here's one of the two Harris's Sparrows that could well be making Heron Cove their home for the winter.  This is the cluster of trees on the west side of the area, where the Northern Cardinal nest is still visible and intact.  Three Song Sparrows also were making their way around gleaning food.  They have scoured just about every inch of the earth and the shore in this small area.

Ruddy Ducks are still in migration with a high number of ten birds, just lazily floating upon the water, half the eyes still open while they temporarily rest.

Canada Geese numbers are still at a low, and some of them are migratory.  Near three dozen Mallards seek rest and food, while two Pied-billed Grebes rise and fall as much as some of the waves.

We've been averaging three Double-crested Cormorants and Great Blue Herons pre-winter, and the Heron numbers will increase as the weather chills.  Dark-eyed Juncos are still sparse, though their numbers were also increase.  If we get lucky, we may come up with an Oregon Junco from time-to-time over the dead of winter.

While robins are still few and far between, we'll get American Goldfinches passing through, and perhaps the occasional Purple Finch will come in with them.  Yellow-rumped Warblers are around already and their numbers will also grow later on.

                                                                  American Robin

120719

0815-0904/33-36 F/clear/calm73% RH/30.13 Hg and steady to 30.11 Hg and falling

                                                                     Loggerhead Shrike


122119
0800-1500-40s/cloudy

Christmas Bird Count was done in Payne County centered upon Redlands Rd., just east of Lake Carl Blackwell on this date. 

A few uncommon birds were observed, which included the Black Vulture and Common Yellowthroat.  Second recordings were listed for Orange-crowned and Pine Warblers, as well as Marsh Wren increases. Writer's count area was in the northwest fifteen-mile circle with two other companions and tallied 59 species.  There were more ducks than usual, most likely because there were more streams and ponds due to rainfall during the later part of the year instead of simply dry areas in our count area. 

                                                                 Doe and Fawns

122119

About seven deer including a buck, a spike, a couple of does and several female fawns crossed our path during the count, and we stopped to observe and photograph them.  There are certainly more photos than this, so the best were chosen.  Observations were made for about twenty minutes.

                                                                       Doe and Fawn

212119

                                                                           Buck

122119

                                                                          Doe

122119

                                                               Savannah Sparrow

122119

                                                              Spider web, Backlit

122619

0856-0934/46-48 F/early dense fog to partly cloudy conditions/W-3/76-77% RH/29.87-29.91 Hg and rising

                                                          Savannah Sparrow, Backlit

010520

0730-1050/40-54 F/clear/N-15/63-50% RH/30.04 Hg and falling to 30.13 Hg and steady

Sooner Lake, Pawnee County area with 39 species observed

A few scant ducks were observed, which included Redheads, Northern Shovelers, Bufflehead, and Mallards. 

The raptor representation was exceptional, which included four Bald Eagles, one of which was on a nest.  Three additional juveniles were seen two from last year's clutch and one from the previous year.  The second adult was not observed.  Also seen were Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, a Harlan's Hawk, Northern Harrier,  and American Kestrel, Merlin, and Prairie Falcons.  Only one kestrel was located.

Seven sparrow species were found in scant numbers, mostly Dark-eyed Juncos.  Eastern Bluebirds were not prevalent, either.

Better numbers of Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, Mallards, American Robins, Eastern Meadowlarks, and European Starlings were noted.

Larger numbers of species were expected.

                                                               Juvenile Bald Eagle #1

010519

                                                               Juvenile Bald Eagle #2

122219 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-waiting-on-winter-birds/image_852ebc55-f09d-55f6-a129-0d842d932ff7.html

121519 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-seeing-a-somewhat-new-cast-of/article_ae51ce40-1e28-11ea-a1be-c3a1731efd66.html

120819 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-boomer-lake-a-hotbed-of-activity/article_192d2682-188f-11ea-8386-af1c1ac7843d.html

111719 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-bitter-weather-but-beautiful-birds/article_2f948dea-0730-11ea-ac5e-bf5fd9401d39.html

Migrant and Nesting Birds of the Southern Great Plains

                                                                       Green Heron

                                                                   American Robin

                                                                    Lincoln's Sparrow

                                                                 Great-tailed Grackle

                                                             Yellow-headed Blackbird

                                                                   Lincoln's Sparrow

                                                               Harris's Sparrow

                                                                 Western Kingbird

                                                                Mallards in Flight



04-15 through 04-19-2019

Migration is and has been very good this year due to plenty of natural resources for all animals.  The bottom photo of the Mallards included some very unusual activity with these migrant birds, who wheeled around the sky over a dozen times before they settled in a private spot just north of Heron Cove.  While the males exercised their breeding behavior and aggressive nature due to raging hormones, the female kept away from the pack.

This was one of the early Western Kingbirds, who normally grace a telephone pole across from Kicker.  There is what appears to be at least one pair in this vicinity.  As we recall last year, most of this species settled in my own residential area permitting me wonderful viewing of the young birds as they made their way around the local skies.

The youthful Harris's Sparrow is receiving its basic adult plumage.  The senior adults have more black upon their heads than the subadults.

Several Lincoln's Sparrows have been located around the area, usually around riparian and quiet areas.

Two male Yellow-headed Blackbirds were a real treat, usually remaining upon the ground seeking insects.  The two later took to the trees to survey the area and call while they preyed upon the delicacies on the cottonwoods.  They will gather in reeds and around cattails in more suitable habitat unless they are around dairies to take advantage of the insects that cattle stir up for them.

Many individuals consider the Great-tailed Grackle a pest, but they also travel in icteric packs, so it is best not to judge all "black birds" as one.  Many times the Brewer's and Rusty Blackbird will be mixed in, so scan those flocks.

The American Robin is usually in the area during the spring raising young.  Not all of them are created equally, especially those that are nesting for the first time.  An experienced robin will build a weak nest that might fall apart while it is being observed.

Green Heron came to Heron Cove, but as we recall, last year they vacated the area six weeks early.  Perhaps the best way to handle this is to nest early before the oppressive heat arrives like it did last year when young perished in the nest.  Hopefully, the colony will not leave the area.

Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Harris's Sparrow

This is the largest sparrow in the US with a pink bill, white belly and the adult has a strikingly lovely black face and throat.  One of the easiest sparrows to identify, and a common Oklahoma winter bird, this is just a small part of the inclusive Great Plains wintering venues.  While here during the coldest of the seasons, it will be in brushy areas, near riparian corridors at woodland edges and will sometimes be in the presence of Dark-eyed Juncos, Song, White-throated, or White-crowned Sparrows.

This beautiful bird was named after Edward Harris, an amateur ornithologist, by none other than Audubon, who did not realize that this same bird was named by Thomas Nuttall.  It was designated by him as the Mourning Finch.

Harris's usually sings from a high perch, which will immediately differentiate it from the also wintering area Lapland Longspur, which stays strictly on the ground and shows rufous greater coverts.  The migrant sparrow will usually arrive in the Great Plains as early as late October, but most commonly in November or December, then depart in late February for northern areas as high as the Grand Boreal Forest.

                                                                Harris's Sparrow
                                                          Boomer Lake Park, 2016

These ground feeders will forage for seeds and leftover fruit while they are visiting our grassland ecological regions.  The males will still retain some dominance even during the winter, and it will be noted that the eldest males have the largest facial masks and bibs and are most at home exercising their authority over females and younger males.

Not as frequent a visitor to feeders as some winter sparrows, it will investigate human food sources on the edges of town.  It can be drawn in with protective brush piles, and its sheer size will help it to stand out among the other sparrows, as it will often show itself in the open.   Since this is the only songbird that breeds just in Canada, its range is becoming somewhat restricted, possibly due to logging and degradation of soil caused by fire.

Our own George Miksch Sutton found the first nest of Harris's Sparrow in Manitoba in 1931.

A gathering of Harris's Sparrows is collectively called a poll.

Learn Sparrows with Photos:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/12/sparrowing-along.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-little-action-between-purple-martins.html

Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Harris's Sparrow

Uncommon and local, the wintering flock chooses brushy areas around riparian corridors near water.  The species tends to mix well with other sparrows and stands out for its size as our largest sparrow.

Adult songbirds have a lovely color, including the characteristic white face and belly, as well as light gray or brown cheeks.  Only breeding in central Northern Canada in the Nunavet and Northwest Territories of the Boreal Forest, this sparrow is definitely one to be noticed, with the pink bill setting off its good looks.

As a lover of the grassland ecology, it is no surprise that this perching bird chooses to winter in the southern Great Plains through central Texas with open woods and brush piles, as well as the edges of bordering states.  Harsh weather tends to force them from the prairie provinces of Canada.

                                                                Harris's Sparrow
                                                          Boomer Lake Park 2016

Named by John James Audubon after amateur American ornithologist and naturalist Edward Harris, its song will usually be carried from a high perch.  They are expected to arrive in the Great Plains commonly through the month of November and early December, though early migrants have been recorded.  It will sometimes visit feeders for outstanding views of its countenance.  A group of Harris's Sparrows is known as a poll.

Immature birds will show a brown striped head, with a more orange toned bill.  This species will likely be affected by climate change due to logging, fires, and soil change on the breeding grounds, which will influence its preferred brushy habitat.

This bird only breeds in Canada, and is only native there and in the US.

A Little Action Between the Purple Martins and a Cooper's Hawk

                                                             American White Pelicans

                                                                    Cooper's Hawk

                                                                       Turkey Vulture

                                                                   Brown Thrasher

                                                             Neotropic Cormorants

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

                                                           American White Pelicans


03-20 to 04-01-17

Quite a storm came in several days ago and with it, came a number of water birds and shore
birds, all distributed in a number of areas in Payne County.  Some of them are still hanging on
and it is POSSIBLE that we might be in for another storm tonight.  We shall see, as we don't
always get the bad weather since we are in a valley.

The pelican population has been growing since the storm.  All of these beautiful birds appear
to be in breeding plumage, but I have not been able to see all their lovely faces.  Some have
managed to sleep during some tumultuous Canada Goose uproars.

We could have more than seven Purple Martins on the east side of Boomer Lake, but it seems
that many of these birds have been exhibiting more kingbird behavior than their usual manners.
Some of their houses had been infiltrated by European Starlings and House Sparrows.  They
have graciously allowed these birds to stay, but they forced their way in to their settlements.

What few of the martins there are, they are also patrolling an additional house, so they each
have two homes.  Imagine that!

Now here's the kicker (sorry).  The house across from Kicker (Stillwater Designs), has been the most active and the most watched by a Cooper's Hawk.  Yesterday, I had a group of four martins over my head carrying on, and they were following me.  A quarter of a mile later, I found out why, as you can see in the above photo.  Their home was being used as a lookout post by this Cooper's Hawk, who didn't like the fact that I was photographing his transgression.  The hawk then settled in the trees west of the martin house, whom I again photographed on my return trip from Boomer Creek.  He then flew across the lake and the martins returned home from where they were sitting on the electric wires just east of their home.

Today, our brave heroes were in hot pursuit of the Cooper's Hawk, which I noticed upon my return
from Boomer Creek.  These birds are relentless and apparently, fear very little.

The Brown Thrasher was my first of year bird a couple of days ago, and now there are two.

These three Neotropic Cormorants were from last month, and they were conveniently all seated together.

Tomorrow, I will see you in the paper with Life at Boomer Lake.  Happy birding!

The Pre-Christmas Surprises of the Season

Greater White-fronted Geese

                                                                   Bewick's Wren

                                                                     Brown Pelican

                                                                           Ditto

                                                                Flying In From Dam
                                                           

                                                                     American Robin

                                                                  Northern Cardinal

                                                      Dark-eyed Junco (Slate Colored)

                                                                     Harris's Sparrow


12-05 - 12-17-16

This assortment was taken both before and after the Deep Freeze of 2016.  With the freeze
came the first photo, the Greater White-fronted Geese.  They were in the company of Canada and Cackling Geese, as well as a Wood Duck, Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, and a
handful of domestics.

It wasn't as cold as it had been for that shot, it was just coming out of sub-zero wind chills, some of which were a little above zero.  I'd been out during those days and it wasn't pleasant, but good shots came with the territory.  Birds still must eat no matter what the temperature is, and they will come
nearer the colder that it gets.

Harris's Sparrow, the Dark-eyed Junco, and Bewick's Wren were braving the wind just as I was, so
that was my reward for those endeavors.

The birds and I wish you the happiest of holidays and we'll still be seeing you after Christmas.

Getting in the Groove of Spring with the Neotropical Migrants

                                                                 Baird's Sandpiper

                                                               Kansas Glossy Snake

                                                                   Barred Owl

                                                                  White-faced Ibis

                                                        Yellow-rumped Warbler(Myrtle)

                                                                      Green Heron

                                                                 Cedar Waxwing

                                                                    Female Gadwall

                                                                       Blue Jay

                                                                  Harris's Sparrow

                                                                Blue-gray Gnatcatcher


55-67 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

The first four photos are a carry over from my time spent in the western part of Oklahoma.  Sadly,
I was unable to capture a Cassin's Sparrow, which was in the area and the prairie dogs and Burrowing Owls were staying undercover.

Upon my return home, I was still greeted with rain, which came from a front that infiltrated Texas
and western Oklahoma first.

As you can see, I still was able to get some good photos over the past couple of days, which made the wait well worth it.   A Neotropic Cormorant has been at Boomer Lake for several days.  The Baltimore Oriole and Warbling Vireo are now home as well as one member of my Green Heron family, the eldest.  I believe this one is a grandparent, one of the original settlers of the Southern Cove.  Last year, that art of the lake hosted two families.  So we shall see what this summer brings
us.

The female Gadwall pictured here was all by herself, taking up with an American Wigeon, some Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, and some American Coot.  Observed yesterday was another male Wood Duck, so perhaps he will get used to my presence and maybe I'll be fortunate enough to see some young on the creek.

There are plenty of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, at least a couple of Orange-crowned Warblers, and at
least one Yellow Warbler on the lake proper.  A Common Loon was spotted, which I thought I saw a couple of days ago with a raft of Double-crested Cormorant, but dismissed that thought.  I guess I was right after all!

Onward and upward!