Showing posts with label Lincoln's Sparrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lincoln's Sparrow. Show all posts
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Monday, May 2, 2022
050222 Migratory Action in the Heat of 2022
Warbling Vireo
042722 Clay-colored Sparrow
042922 Lincoln's Sparrow
Green Heron, First of Season
There was also a second one in the area.
042122 Gray Catbird
Every year a pair come to breed.
042022 Snow Goose
At the end of March, this bird who was a juvenile at the time, and in the company of 19-20 Canada Geese remained at Boomer Lake until close to the end of April. It simply disappeared, even though it went everywhere with its Canada Goose entourage. Writer believes that nature finally struck and it reached the time when Zugunruh made it restless. It could easily be in its northern breeding area now doing what comes naturally.
Brown Thrasher
Several thrashers appeared in the area all calling for mates, which was fine for a day or two, but even nest mates will become angered and expect the others to move on, even if they must be forced to do so. This is the male that is left and he has a mate. As a matter of fact, just on May 4, one was seen collecting nesting material.
041522 Yellow-rumped Warbler
We still have a sparse amount of Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers that hatched later than the first group, which should be in breeding territory now. As one can observe, this male was in breeding plumage when this photo was taken.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Monday, September 7, 2020
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Monday, April 29, 2019
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.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Fall Migration Still Waiting to Top Out or World of Birds On the Rise
Dark-eyed Junco (slate-colored)
Field Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Field Sparrow
Field Sparrow, View 2
Lincoln's Sparrow
American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch, View 2
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Goldfinch, View 3
American Goldfinch, View 4
10-20 - 10-23-18
Last weekend and the first couple of weekdays brought two expected fallouts to Boomer Lake. This turned into the sparrow capital of the world, as well as songbird numbers increased. Being conservative, my opinion was in the neighborhood of a dozen winter Yellow-rumped warblers, but I believe it was close to twenty-five.
Also visiting were Orange-crowned and Nashville Warblers. Making attempts to get from one habitat change to another proved interesting, but just listening to the sounds of the birds that came in together, it was easy to tell what was near. However, finding each species was definitely another story.
After the Palm Warbler find, which was Boomer Lake's first recorded sighting, my spirits were high, and we did manage either a late migrating Gray Catbird, or the breeding catbird from these parts just decided to stay longer.
The Dark-eyed Juncos only stayed for a day, but the American Goldfinches and sparrows were eating every seed in sight.
After a brief sighting of about sixty Franklin's Gulls, Lady Luck asked me to settle down and enjoy the sights. So I did.
What I bring to you was just a basic representation of what I was able to find or at least be in view. The sounds of the Spotted Towhee rang through, it was briefly spotted once, but it has been staying put.
After a couple of days rain, it will be time to see what else flew in. Stand by for more information as soon as possible.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Monday, October 1, 2018
Birds of Fall, Migration, and Falconry Birds
Juvenile Carolina Chickadee
Ditto, View 2
Both Juvenile Males Fighting
Ditto, View 2
One Carolina Chickadee Recovering
From the Battle
From the Battle
Immature Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile American Kestrel
Juvenile Northern Goshawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Northern Cardinal
Lincoln's Sparrow
Brown Thrasher
09-15 through 09-30-18
This material is the second half of September, which started out with an interesting chain of events with juvenile Carolina Chickadees. The group came to Heron Cove while I was there, comprised of two males and two females, possibly a family unit.
The males were both singing on their perches, then began fighting on the ground. It appeared that the juvenile males were feeling their oats and showing off. Getting closer to them for photos netted these
and it appeared necessary to end the battle, as it lasted between five and ten minutes. It was feared that one was going to kill the other bird. One bird was photographed tending to his soaking wet disheveled state.
On 09-22, a group of us went to a get together for hawk trapping at Great Salt Plains State Park and these were some of the beautiful falconry birds on display. One of the Red-tails had been caught, along with a couple of Peregrine Falcons that were not there on that date.
We finished up with the earlier photos, which included a late hatch Northern Cardinal. There is at least one more in a second nest. Later discovered was the Lincoln's Sparrow pictured above and a lovely Brown Thrasher.
This material is the second half of September, which started out with an interesting chain of events with juvenile Carolina Chickadees. The group came to Heron Cove while I was there, comprised of two males and two females, possibly a family unit.
The males were both singing on their perches, then began fighting on the ground. It appeared that the juvenile males were feeling their oats and showing off. Getting closer to them for photos netted these
and it appeared necessary to end the battle, as it lasted between five and ten minutes. It was feared that one was going to kill the other bird. One bird was photographed tending to his soaking wet disheveled state.
On 09-22, a group of us went to a get together for hawk trapping at Great Salt Plains State Park and these were some of the beautiful falconry birds on display. One of the Red-tails had been caught, along with a couple of Peregrine Falcons that were not there on that date.
We finished up with the earlier photos, which included a late hatch Northern Cardinal. There is at least one more in a second nest. Later discovered was the Lincoln's Sparrow pictured above and a lovely Brown Thrasher.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Lincoln's Sparrow
Often a mild winter resident of Oklahoma in dense thickets and overgrown fields, some of the Lincoln's Sparrows are already moving in from northern US and Boreal Forest breeding grounds. These sparrows tend to like grassy patches around trees and brush near water sources. Generally solitary, they will mix with other flocks of sparrows.
This streaked brown and buff sparrow clearly shows malted-milk sides with a black streaked breast and white belly and throat. The buffy mustache stripe is bordered with brown lines. The crest commonly moves up and down when the bird is intrigued or alarmed, but is not a clear delineator of the species.
The medium sized sparrow is not as dainty as it appears and is a skulker. It often is missed in migration, so tune your ears to its sound. Pishing will draw it out, but never do that to any bird in the winter so they may conserve energy when they need it the most.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, Winter 2017
This New World sparrow covers most of North and Central America in subalpine woods, thickets, and even subarctic streams, fens, swamps, wet meadows, and mountain meadows of the western US. Alders, willows, spruce, tamarack and thick ground vegetation will draw it within.
If one hears the characteristic double scratch of a sparrow, look carefully for the source on the ground, as it could well be the shy migrant. Flitting from one spot to another, Lincoln's will incessantly chip when faced with an intruder's approach.
Enjoying grasses, weeds, insects, seeds, grains, and invertebrates, they can be expected in September or October as migrants. Expect it for Christmas Bird Count if in the appropriate area in Oklahoma.
This bird was named by John James Audubon for his friend, Thomas Lincoln of Dennysville, Maine. It was originally called Tom's Finch after the man that shot it for Audubon.
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.
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