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.

End of Summer Birding Fun in Central Oklahoma

                                                                      Bald Eagle

                                                                 Neotropic Cormorant

                                                  One of this year's young Green Herons

                                                            Juvenile Belted Kingfisher

                                                           Hovering Belted Kingfisher

                                                              Same Belted Kingfisher

                                                               Molting Mallard Drakes


August 31 - September 14, 2018

It was a cooler, cloudier, and wetter month, mostly due to Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms, namely Gordon, which caused a lot of damage on the east coast.  Sadly, Florence reared her ugly head and caused some deaths before she turned into a tropical storm.  May the people there recover from that devastating event.

Let this bring you all joy from the people of Oklahoma.  There is a lot of beauty that we have to offer, and our birds are some of the birds that you also see during this time of year.

Migration is still happening, though slowly in these parts.  It is suspected that some birds are taking a slightly different flight pattern, and there are some still raising young, as can be evidenced here at Boomer Lake Park with eggshells on the ground.

One of our Green Herons that was hatched this year is pictured above.  It has grown into a good, healthy bird from what can be observed.  There should still be another one or two around somewhere, unless they have already gone elsewhere.  Since they are nomadic birds, it is possible that they have already headed south.

In the meanwhile, keep your feeders filled, as birds are moving south, including warblers and water and shorebirds.  There is still much to be seen if you're in the right place at the right time.

It is true that much of the wild fruit on trees and shrubs has already been consumed.  There are plenty of insects for food sources, as well as some wonderful fishing opportunities for birds that require sustenance.

Happy birding!

Fall Migration Is Appearing At Your Local Hotspots

                                                              Mississippi Kite

                                                                    Forster's Tern

                                                             Mallard Pair, Male on Right
                                                                        "The Guardian"

                                                          Mississippi Kite in a Stoop

                                                           First Year Great Blue Heron

                                                                           Ditto

                                                                           Ditto


August 2018

This is material from the first half of the month.  As you can see, the stars of the show are the Mississippi Kites, some of whom in Oklahoma lost fledglings out of various nests due to several violent storms over the past few weeks.  It is also believed that excessive heat was also a factor, perhaps causing some of the birds to vacate the nests whether or not they were ready.  A number of Blue Darters have been in the care of our local rehabilitator in Perkins.  To learn more about the Mississippi Kite, read the species profile here:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/07/oklahoma-breeding-bird-species-profile_21.html

A few days ago, after another round of storms, one also with sixty mph wind gusts, brought us seven
Forster's Terns.  The one above is a breeding adult.  Granted the photo is not the best, but you should note the trailing edges on the wings.  Not only is this beautiful, you can distinguish breeding terns by this characteristic.

The Mallard pair also struck me as a beautiful scene, so I also bring you that photo.  I shall later refer to it as The Guardian.  I believe it appears that the male is guarding the female.

The Great Blue Heron is a first year bird, hatched at our local rookery.  One can observe the dark blue coloring coming in, as well as dappled tan and white shoulder patches, or epaulets.  The chest and belly are also lightly streaked, and the legs are gray and green, also a juvenile characteristic.

Migration is upon us, so dust off those binoculars and share your migrants through eBird.

051318 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-which-birds-will-settle-in-for/image_1fda5dca-74a3-5358-b87a-474054635a1b.html

We Are Ready For the Fall Migratory Birds

                                                                        Mallards

                                                          Adult Mississippi Kite

                                                                     Ditto

                                                         Juvenile Mississippi Kite

                                                                           Ditto

               
                                                                Adult Mississippi Kite



08-20 through 08-25-17

The Mississippi Kites are pulling out of all the area neighborhoods to catch dragonflies and cicadas at Boomer Lake.  They are teaching the youngsters how to survive, and they know that the perfect place to do it is in the throes of our greatest body of water.

Several fine examples of both juvenal and adult birds are quietly hunting from the tallest bald cypress
and oak trees on the southeast corner of the property.  Since young birds have difficulty staying silent for too long, they manage to announce themselves, which makes it easy for me to find them.  There are at least three young birds that were hatched in this area.

Large numbers of Mallards are also in residence at the lake, and young Red-shouldered Hawks are also hunting here.  Plenty of Turkey Vultures are gracing the skies on thermals, and there are several Northern Flickers, Downy and Red-headed Woodpeckers, and the Yellow Warblers are coming through the area now.

The web worms are all over the deciduous trees, which means plenty of potential food with protein and we are well on our way with large numbers of rough-leafed dogwood for the migratory birds that will soon be at Boomer Lake and the creek on a well-deserved rest stop.

Keep your eyes on the skies and may the birds be in your sights...

The Birds Say that Spring is Here

                                                                    Bewick's Wren

Brown Creeper 

                                                                   Cedar Waxwing

                                                                 Dark-eyed Junco

                                                                American Robin

                                                              Buffleheads Mating

                                                                  Male Bufflehead
                                                             "Landing Gear Down 2"

                                                                   Bufflehead Pair

                                                                    Canada Geese

                                                               Male Northern Cardinal

                                                             Female Northern Cardinal

                                                                       Beaver

                                                                Dark-eyed Junco

                                                                     Mallard Pair

                                                                     Brown Creeper

Another week in the life of the illustrious denizens of Boomer Lake.  Spring is here early, which
was indicated by the animals.  A calendar holds them to no set dates.  When animals are ready,
they make it so.  Several birds have been located at the Tree of Life, which is on the water and provides the insectivores like the Brown Creeper, the Carolina Chickadee, the White-breasted Nuthatch, and the Red-bellied and Downy Woodpecker with sustenance.  There is even a nesting
sight being made ready by a pair of Carolina Chickadees, which will be monitored by Yours Truly.
Spring is both alive and well and in the Oklahoma area, so enjoy.  Trees are not only budding, but some are even flowering.