04-05-15 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/community/local_columnists/life-at-boomer-lake-budding-trees-provide-privacy-for-songbirds/article_0e36a74c-db15-11e4-b46c-bb885f4f15b8.html

Just Singin' The Blues (and the Whites)

                                                                Little Blue Heron

                                                              Mallard Drake in Flight

                                                         Female Brown-headed Cowbird

                                                              "A Canada Goose Melee"

                                                               Male Eastern Bluebird

                                                          Male Downy Woodpecker

                                                       Great Egret in Breeding Plumage

                                                                           Ditto

                                                                 Great Egret in Flight

                                                                 Song Sparrow
                                                          "Just Singin' the Blues"

                                                          Female Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                     European Starling

0730-1110/partly cloudy/37-59 degrees/light and variable winds

There was a chill in the air due to a cold front band going through, but it didn't dissuade some
from making an appearance, like the Little Blue Heron.  I have never seen this bird at the lake,
but it is well within its range.  Our ducks are still holding over, and a couple of breeding Great Egrets are in the area.  There is much more to come, as migration is just beginning.  There will be a lot
more to see, so dust off that copy of your birding guide, and get ready to travel in my wake.

Stunning Superlative Show

                                                              White-throated Sparrow

                                                                   Pied-billed Grebe

                                                              American Wigeon Pair

                                                             Blue-winged Teal Pair

                                                                 European Starling

                                                                   Painted Turtle

Life on the Platte River with Deb at Kearney, Nebraska

http://aviannovice.hubpages.com/hub/Life-on-The-Platte-River-with-Deb-at-Kearney-Nebraska

Spring and Things Have Sprung

                                                         Blue-winged Teal Pair in Flight

                                                             Male Eastern Bluebird

                                                                 Northern Cardinal

                                                          Great Blue Heron in Flight

                                                                   Ditto, Overhead

                                                                   Pied-billed Grebe

                                                      Red-winged Blackbird, First Year

                                                                   Tufted Titmouse

                                                                 American Robin

                                                                    Mallard Drake

                                                             Female Northern Cardinal

                                                        Bell's Vireo Nest From Last Year

                                                              Female Eastern Bluebird

                                                                Male Eastern Bluebird

These are basically "Best of Show" over the past two days, both prime days for seeing some of
the finest birds of the current season.  End of March denizens appear to be a week or two early,
depending inherently upon the weather fluctuations.  Northern Cardinals and Eastern Bluebirds
are giving a strong species showing for the season.

032915 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/community/local_columnists/life-at-boomer-lake-seasons-change-and-so-do-birds/article_9e3b361c-d5a9-11e4-96d0-a3bdd65a3d31.html

Stars of the South

                                                        Female Red-winged Blackbird

                                                         Great Blue Heron in Flight

                                                                     Canada Goose

                                                           Male Red-winged Blackbird

                                                          Female Northern Shoveler

                                                             Male Northern Shoveler

                                                            Northern Shoveler Pair

                                                                Male Song Sparrow

                                                                 Male Mallard(Drake)

                                                                Male Eastern Bluebird

                                                                    Eastern Phoebe

0745-0920 hrs./44-45 degrees/15-20 mph wind/full sun

Even though the morning was cool due to the unsettled weather front that moved in yesterday, it was no deterrent for these birds to hold over at Boomer Lake.  There were four Northern Shovelers, the first of the season for me at the lake.  The Song Sparrow was with his mate near their nest site, belting out his "my territory" vocalization.  Also proudly at attention was the male Eastern Bluebird, but if you look closely, you'll notice his deformed beak, which doesn't interfere with his getting plenty of sustenance.  The Eastern Phoebe was first of season for me, and I also heard the Eastern Meadowlark, also first of season for me at the lake, in the field on the east side of Husband St. just north of Kicker.

Generally, there will be birds holding over in the area during inclement or unsettled weather, so that is an excellent time for birding.  Happy birding!