Showing posts with label Savannah Sparrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savannah Sparrow. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Monday, August 8, 2022
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Monday, June 8, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
042120 Here We Are At Migrant Central
041920 Bonaparte's Gulls
042020 Orchard Oriole
First day at the lake. Baltimore Orioles were right behind, one of which was here near my residence before this oriole.
042120 Blue-winged Teal
There was a total of eleven of these at Boomer this morning.
Savannah Sparrow
There were three on Shorebird Jetty alone. There were five or six spotted.
Least Sandpiper
Two on Shorebird Jetty. Migration is quite active active with a lot to offer today.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Six were fueling up on Shorebird Jetty, while these three took their time.
Lesser Scaup
Still coming through the area. The scaup were not far off the point of Shorebird Jetty when they took to the air. They preferred settling on the east side of the jetty and were much closer by choice.
American Avocet
This group of 35 arrived shortly before 0800 and as is their habit they made around six passes over the lake. They were flushed a few times, by both a Bald Eagle and an Osprey, which you'll see shortly.
Lesser Scaup
As can be seen, their plumage is very striking. They were only twelve feet from the shore.
Mallard Ducklings
First of the Year
This is the first group that we've observe this year, obviously some were adopted. There were eleven. Mother and father are not far.
Mallard Ducklings
View 2
Grasshopper Sparrow
It was surprising to see this sparrow up in a cottonwood tree near the water, a typical riparian area.
It must have been desperate for a rest and sustenance.
Great Blue Heron (Rear)
Double-crested Cormorants (Front)
Writer considered this a striking pose, something not seen every day. The Great Blue Heron is a second year individual.
Osprey
Pretty close, eh? This raptor was in the area the entire morning. It was spotted on the return trip.
Green Heron
"The Patriarch"
Before we called it a day, it was in order to check The Cove to see if Green Heron was here yet. It was not disappointing. Also made a swing by to see if the Summer Tanager arrived, but not quite yet.
The mulberry bush near here has berries just starting that were pollinated over the past ten days or so.
Overall this was an excellent birding day with 56 species in a four hour day.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
041820 Boomer Lake Migrants and Residents Make the Sky the Limit
Savannah Sparrow
This bird has been living here for a few weeks now. It is usually a lot shyer.
American Robin
More nest material, most likely due to yesterday's windy weather. A bird's work is never done.
Lesser Yellowlegs
This shorebird has been here since yesterday's challenging weather, making several birds batten down the hatches.
Osprey
As can be seen, this individual was somewhat distant. The sun's rays didn't help capturing it, either.
Savannah Sparrow #2
Note differences in coloration.
Today was a far cry from the front that came through yesterday. It was quite a bit warmer and more
songbirds were in the open. We shared time and space with two Common Loons first thing in the morning. Sadly, they left with no goodbyes. Soon discovered were three Blue-winged Teal, two males and a female. Just south of Shorebird Jetty, three Pied-billed Grebes were lazily swimming, three more later discovered by Goose Island near three American Coots. Sleeping in the sun were a pair of Northern Shovelers, the male's coloration being intensified by the lighting. Wafting overhead, an Osprey proved the health of the lake.
Four Franklin's Gulls, three of which rested upon the southern part of the lake, while eight Spotted Sandpipers moved from one location to another in search of sustenance. Three or four Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were heard before they were seen, then four Great Blue Herons flew off with a distinct purpose. The Warbling Vireo called in the distance to remind us that spring is here. One American Crow passed overhead with the sound of three Fish Crows denying its presence. Nearly three dozen Barn and Cliff Swallows rose up near the Lakeview Road Bridge gobbling up insects until their bulging crops refused them more. Harris's Sparrows crept along the ground near the sidewalk until they were flushed by by human presence, who completely ignored them. The male Common Yellowthroat probed the leaf litter and stayed within the brambles near shore, while the Purple Martins remained astute for possible intruders.
There were considerably less shorebirds and ducks that stayed and hunkered down until yesterday's storm system passed. Hopefully they are winging their way near and far to mate and raise families, while we watch the Circle of Life begin once again..
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
040820. Migrants Continue to Trickle In
040720 Neotropic Cormorant
This small cormorants will breed here, but it is just a matter of time. The species has been coming to the area for five years, and though there are not many, it's more than just a vagrant at this point. Will you get a load of the pose?
040820 Savannah Sparrow
This beauty was a surprise and we're looking at some lovely breeding plumage. This is a northern breeder in the US, as well as the boreal forest. My thanks go to the many species that stop over in our fair state on the way to the north.
American Robin
I had to snap this shot, as this little lady kept coming beside me while I was on the way to check for shorebirds. It's remarkable how she could see to fly with all of this nest material in her area of vision.
Canada Gosling
"I'm Late!"
An area resident told me that she saw a gosling last week, but this was my first sighting. There were four in this clutch. The male knew me, as he gave me the head bob greeting, and the First Family brought them closer and let me take my shots.
Canada Gosling
"Who, Me?"
It really does seem little this little one really DID have that on his mind with this shot.
Least Sandpiper
The smallest of sandpipers, this peep breeds on the tundra. It is common, though declining.
It is believed that the eastern populations on their southbound migration fly from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to wintering ground in northeast South American, which is from 1800 to 2500 miles. Shorebirds are amazing animals.
Lesser Scaup
These birds came from the south and are winging their way to their breeding grounds. Some breeding nearer in the US, and others may make it to Alaska and just below the tundra.
Double-crested Cormorant
If you look hard, you can see the double crests on the dark male on the far right. We can see them as far ahead as the third week of May, and they are steadily increasing the time in the south before they head to their northern breeding grounds.
A Warbling Vireo was heard at Heron Cove this morning, but had no interest in showing itself, also today. It was early. Usually the Baltimore Oriole arrives with the Warbling Vireo mid-April.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
033120 Migratory and Unusual Spring Photos at Boomer Lake
03-18-20
Ruddy Shelduck vs. Canada Goose
Double-crested Cormorant
03-19-20
Blue-winged Teal
Savannah Sparrow
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
More American Toads
View #2
American Toad #4 out of 11
Top picture of the Ruddy Shelduck includes a Canada Goose in the shot. The shelduck had been strutting around the area seemingly in an aggressive manner. Unknown what affront occurred or with whom, but it appeared to be enticing aggression. At this point, it mixed it up with the goose. The shelduck left a few minutes later.
Most of the winter, the Double-crested Cormorant males were much darker than normal, which made me believe that they were in breeding plumage most of the time. They were much closer in the second photo, and the tufts on the head or "crests," were definitely showing. but not in that photo. I got to a better vantage point, as north as I could get from Goose Island, and snapped a photo of the head, which proved my assumption.
The Song Sparrow photo was a singing bird, and as we now know, "Singing Male" designations in eBird have been replaced with "Singing Bird," since so many female birds have been proven to sing, as well. We are now out of the "male only" norm. It took a century to prove that point.
Hanging in the lowlands at the southeast corner of Boomer Lake, it took an hour to get photos of the American Toad. I'd been hearing them for years but never photographed them until the date these shots were made.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Pre- and Post Flood Natural Birding Wonders
Dickcissel
051919
One of many of these birds found at Sooner Lake. This was one of the few days that it didn't rain, providing a wonderful day birding.
Swainson's Thrush
Savannah Sparrow
052319
This was a couple of days after the flood. This beautiful Swainson's Thrush sat out in the open in the current swampy area, where I also located a late-migrating Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a singing male Common Yellowthroat, and both Alder and Least Flycatchers.
The Savannah Sparrow is known as a later sparrow migrant, providing a couple of nice shots in a drier area.
The lake had receded slightly, but it still was not completely back within its banks.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Oklahoma Winter Bird Profile: Savannah Sparrow
Similar to some subspecies of Song Sparrow, the usual yellow wash on the lores of the Savannah Sparrow is usually present. The eyebrow also shows paler tones, the bill is pinkish and smaller, and there is evidence of a crest. Savannah is usually thinner and less robust, and will form loose flocks in winter, away from other sparrow species. It is generally available in open fields, perched upon weeds or fences, perhaps atop the ground. They are also less likely seen in brushy habitat, enjoying marshes and fields.
One of the first species of this bird was found in Savannah, Georgia, hence its name. Pacific and Mexican breeders are resident, and the remainder are migratory birds. Oddly Alaskan and interior races are the palest, and coastal southwest birds are the darkest of all species.
Savannah Sparrow
Boomer Lake Park, 2015
There are many regional variations of this bird, both subspecies and forms. The Ipswich is larger with pink-brown streaks, and very pale gray. They winter on the east coast and breed in Maritime Canada.
Belding's is a Mexican/Southern California bird with a very thin median crown stripe and darker overall with heavier streaking.
The Large-billed is a Mexican subspecies that rarely crosses the border, and has a heavy, large bill.
Forms include the grayish typical adult with fine streaking, a streaked back minus the scaled pattern, and a short notched tail. The reddish typical adult has a small bill with reddish streaking on the sides.
There are and were other subspecies, which we will not cover, as the likeliness of seeing them will generally be a moot point unless one intends to become a sparrow specialist.
Due to the fact that these birds nest on or near the ground, most farmers in the north or west will do a late mow of their fields in order to keep these populations as least concern.
I mention all subspecies and forms as they are so varied, and it would be wise to record their images if possible to aid in identification. This sparrow will not be cut and dry, so next discussed will be the Song Sparrow in the series.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Lake Thunderbird, Eastland, Texas Falconry, and Lake Hefner
Red-necked Grebe
11-24-17
This was the day that my birding friend called and wanted to do something in way of birds. No matter how I feel, even after six weeks post hand surgery, I said that I wanted to go. We knew about the rare Red-eared Grebe and hoped for a sighting and a photo, if we were lucky. The closest report was at Lake Carl Blackwell, Payne County, but it was not there. We went to the second reporting sight, and there it was, at the local grebe convention. Many birders have seen it, but I never thought that I would be so lucky.
Needless to say, I could not carry my camera, nor could I use my left hand after the hand surgery. I relied on help, so that was the only way that this shot could happen. Thanks to Sylvias Serpentine, who saved my day!
Barred Owl
12-02-17
We were due for another adventure, so The Three Musketeers went to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Vian, OK, for more action. There was plenty there, but I was not able to do anything yet, other than hit the shutter button and change ISO. At least I got this beautiful Barred Owl. My comrades managed both Ruby- and Red-crowned Kinglets, but they were too fast for me. Thanks for setting up my camera several times, dear friends.
12-07 through 12-10-17
To the hunt, to the hunt, to the hunt! This was the famous Ryan Vance memorial Hunt and what a turnout for the events. Everyone with a raptor came to hunt prey or show their birds at the educational show at the Eastland, TX Museum.
I got myself another trophy or three, which included photos of some gorgeous Harlan's Hawks, which I had never seen before. Believe it or not, the first rabbit kill was done by a dog, not a raptor. To the victor belongs the spoils and did we have a fantastic weekend.
The best part for me was the fact that my doctor cleared me to bring my camera, but I had to follow certain restrictions.
JD and his Red-tailed Hawk
JD's Red-tail solo
Savannah Sparrow
CS's Red-tail at a kill
CS and her Red-tail, who got a rabbit
Wild American Kestrel
Harris's Hawk
Harlan's Hawk #1
Harlan's Hawk #2 (Female)
Harlan's Hawks #2 (on right - female)
and #3 (Male on left)
JD's Red-tail in flight
JD's Red-tail banking
Two Yellow-billed Loons
The last photo was on on return trip after the hunting trip where we observed Yellow-billed Loons on
Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. What a trip!
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