041826 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?publink=032b2b04c_1352066&fbclid=IwY2xjawRQodlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9p0OakSCPqLysTa4H76lYbaAsEHeLrtjNDfyKT6rm0nnMI4vnQgYeZ-VwFk_aem_bCL8KcTvE-TAgWw-TM2QIQ

110924 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?publink=06b9dc1bd_134d4f9&fbclid=IwY2xjawGca-hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeh0jd23kl2EvYzcJY0Oorq8Y--qNIXVoY2eOh0Vjfq1zNjv7Wbp0JLDBg_aem_HTg2QW3JuGK3ZzpdSS8G8g 

072724 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com?selDate=20240727&goTo=C002&artid=1&editionStart=The%20Stillwater NewsPress 

041324 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com?selDate=20240413&goTo=C002&artid=1&editionStart=The%20Stillwater NewsPress 

010624 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://stwnewspress-cnhi.newsmemory.com?selDate=20240106&goTo=C002&artid=0&editionStart=The%20Stillwater NewsPress 

043023 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-tracking-birds-spring-migrations/article_370ee0d2-e48d-11ed-883a-0b4fbd7dca80.html 

041623 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-a-lot-more-birds-stopping-by/article_2bdc5736-d983-11ed-ace6-fb51eb81a3dd.html 

092522 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-heat-leaves-some-birds-hanging-around/article_d5094f5e-3a1d-11ed-80f6-87915936b379.html 

101321 Summer and Fall 2021

 052521                                                        Green Heron Adult

060321                                              Green Heron Nestlings, Clutch 1

060521                                       Green Heron Nestlings Clutch 1, View 2

All we had was one clutch of young birds this year.  If there were more, it could not be seen due to the thickness and height of the shrubbery around Heron Cove.

080321                                                            Lark Sparrow

It was somewhat of a surprise to find a group of these sparrows, but it was a nice surprise.

091521                                                         Franklin's Gull

091621                                                  Mourning Dove

101021                                                     Green-winged Teal 

                                                             American Wigeon and others

                    

                                                                 Blue-Winged Teal

                                                                   Blue-winged Teal

101121                                                     American Avocets

These were the birds from the recent bad weather.  The ducks were early and a big surprise was the Cinnamon Teal, though all of them weren't really expected yet.  Birds are resilient and know what hazards bad weather can bring.  They were safe on the water.

101221                                                    Great Blue Heron

This heron was in the company of another, which is unusual as they are solitary birds unless they are breeding.  It is very possible that the other bird was offspring, which would make sense at this time of year.

Sorry for waiting so long to post, but now everything is current.

090421 SNP Edition, Life At Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-birds-going-out-birds-coming-in/article_b60ac898-0c2a-11ec-9036-6fe45f682ec3.html 

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Lark Sparrow

A passerine common in open grassy areas with scattered trees or in shortgrass adjacent to trees, and found easily in pastures and on farmlands.  They are ground foragers, oftentimes on lawns searching for seeds and insects.  This large, thick-billed sparrow has a variegated face pattern, the best identifying feature.

Even early in the breeding season, the male will sing often, be it in flight, on the ground or perched on fenceposts.  Tail spreads are a conspicuous part of display before mating.  The male will  hold a small twig, copulate with the female, and then pass it to her, when she will fly off and possibly use it while she constructs the nests.

Females will occasionally use thrasher or mockingbird nests instead of building theirs, sometimes preferring to be in a tree or shrub.  They will frequently nest upon the ground in natural grasslands where there is a slight rise or a shallow depression in shaded and bare locations.

There are some minor issues with population growth most likely used by loss of habitat or the increase of fire frequency due to invasive grasses.  They once were plentiful in the east, but population drove them away.

One of the easiest sparrows to identify due to the distinctive facial pattern and long tail with broad white edges, the lark sparrow is found in a wide range across the US, except in the east.  This New World sparrow is a short to medium distance migrant wintering in Mexico and is also a vagrant to the United Kingdom.

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.

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.