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.

Turn Out the Lights For Earth Hour

Every year during Earth Hour, millions of people around the world join together to highlight the urgent need to address climate change. But this year, something is different.

For the first time in the fight against climate change, momentum is on our side. In December, leaders from 196 nations heeded the world’s collective call to act together with urgency to address climate change.

We have reached a turning point, but we still need your support to secure a low-carbon world. We know that it will take collective action from everyone—governments, businesses, communities and individuals—to turn the tide and stop the worst effects of a warming world.

Let’s keep the momentum going. On March 19 join the world in a historic lights-out display by turning off all non-essential lights at 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. your local time and recommit to the fight against climate change. Together, we can tackle climate change and create a future where people and nature thrive.

Spring Birds are Trickling In

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

                                                                    Brown Thrasher

                                                                    American Coot

                                                                   Savannah Sparrow

                                                                  Pied-billed Grebe

                                                                     Mallard Drake

                                                              Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                                  American Kestrel

                                                                           Ditto


55-65 degrees F/0800-1030 hrs. DST/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

We're finally into daylight saving time, which means that I go out later in the morning, but have
an extra hour of birding if my schedule is fortunate enough.  Needless to say, I have been silent for
quite some time due to bad weather, or a bad schedule.  Many times I have cursed under my breath, as sunlight finally came just after I got to work, or out was time to leave for work.

In any event, today was well worth waiting for, as one can see.  Evidently good things come in due time, and it surely was time for these good things to come to pass.  Al things aside, though, I have been very fortunate, even though I have not been able to be out as much.

Spring birds are trickling in, while winter birds are either getting ready to leave, or have been well on their way out of here.  I was pleased to see half a dozen Green-winged Teal on the lake, the grebes in breeding plumage, plenty of sparrows still around(the choices were good and there were plenty of Song Sparrows still available).  I wasn't able to get a good photo of a Field Sparrow, but one was available.

There were a couple of Eastern Meadowlarks, a Purple Martin, and as you can see, my first of season
Brown Thrasher.

The American Kestrel, a very colorful falcon was doing a bit of hunting in my presence, so I cannot complain.

I truly hope that your day was every bit as good as mine.

031316 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-weather-permitting-a-new-bunch-of/article_39fb6f3c-e89f-11e5-b1df-df628e9a4199.html

Greater Prairie Chickens and a Barn Owl, Oh, My!

                                                               White-throated Sparrow

                                                                   Great Blue Heron

                                                                Red-winged Blackbird

                                                              Greater Prairie Chickens

                                                                       Barn Owl



This set of photos encompasses three days, and covers material in two counties.

The White-throated Sparrow, the spring variant, was taken on March 5 in the late afternoon.

Great Blue Heron and the Red-winged Blackbird were done on March 1st, a day with 20 mph
wind gusts.

Lastly, the final two were made in Osage County on March 5.  The Greater Prairie Chickens, the
first of the last two photos, was done shortly after sunrise.  The high count of these birds was
eighteen and most of them were observed flying into the leks.  The males were displaying for the females and were a great distance away on the sun side, to make matters even worse.  I had one
shot come out relatively decently, and here it is, with a male displaying his tail feathers for the female, who is behind him.

About a half hour after we left Shidler, this beautiful Barn Owl was located on this creek bank.
Just prior to this sighting, we had investigated an old, abandoned barn, in hopes that a wonderful
bird like this would be found.  As you can see, wishes DO come true.

030616 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-spring-birds-begin-to-arrive/article_c22a1cc8-e34a-11e5-9065-f342c0b58c06.html

How to Save Birds From Residential Window Strikes

http://abcbirds.org/get-involved/bird-smart-glass/