Sunday, April 12, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
041120 Spring and Migration Is Feeling More Seasonable
041020 Pied-billed Grebe
This had been a group of ten migrant grebes that was observed from Heron Cove, a group of three a short distance from the rest. Hoping to obtain a better photo, writer began to respond to location. Halfway there, a Bald Eagle flew overhead, not in their direction. Upon arrival the remains of one of these birds had been freshly killed. Knowing that the eagle was not responsible, there was no clue, other than it was not a Cooper's Hawk.
Red-shouldered Hawk
This bird was observed flying in from the south, and the Purple Martins were not happy as it was too close for comfort. They rarely had been in the area in the past, as the house was too close to trees. Ten of them were overhead calling vociferously. This is where the hawk was captured, most likely looking for a meal of coot, which had been found on land a hundred feet east of this location. Someone even sweetly put a daffodil under one of the coot's wings. The unknown suspect had it removed by the next day.
The hawk moved a little further south on the date of this photo, eventually drawing attention to itself. It was soon followed by three Fish Crows to Boomer Creek.
Eastern Phoebe
This little flycatcher was hawking insects in the area and managed to settle here for a a moment.
041120 Least Sandpiper
It appears that the same bird that has been around for about a week is molting. Its feathers appear to be more colorful.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Our State Bird seems to be warming up to the area and being less flighty around people. This was the first early bird of the years, and has since been joined by three others in the area. Two of them tend to travel from the west side of the lake across the water to the east side, and vice versa.
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.
Monday, April 6, 2020
040620 Spring Migrants and More at Boomer Lake
032920 Abatement Team
I had seen small orange flags on metal wires in the ground at Goose Island over the years, but never knew that it was for egg addling by licensed abatement teams. Having observed what appeared to be biologists banding Canada Geese, I never gave it a second thought, as there were usual several large families of Canada Geese in some instances. This is how we keep birds from getting too overpopulated, since these geese are residents. Canada Geese are known as pest birds in many communities, and there are federally licensed abatement teams that perform this service. The geese are uninjured, while their eggs are no longer fertile. The geese try to hatch dead eggs and nobody is killed.
033020 Ruddy Ducks
The lead bird is a beautifully fully plumaged duck. Note his bright coloration and bright blue bill. This animal is a show stopper in breeding plumage. The rest of the birds are female. They should be heading north to breed soon.
040220 Lesser Scaup
The Lesser Scaup winters in the southern part of the country as well as in the west. Some of them are already in their way to the boreal forest and northern parts of the US to breed. This is a lovely example of the adult male. The species favors fresh water and smaller lakes, and is a common and widespread duck.
Ditto, View 2
040520 Baird's Sandpiper
This High Boreal breeder has long, tapered wings making it well adapted for lengthy flights. They usually complete their migration from Tierra del Fuego to the High Arctic in as little as five weeks! Known as the "grasspiper," they forage in drier, more vegetated habitats than most other sandpipers.
Lesser Yellowlegs
This thin, long-legged shorebird is unable to hide those bright legs, which is its namesake. It will run after prey on land, usually found walking in shallow water picking up food either at or just below the surface.
040620 American Avocets in Flight
One of the most beautiful of birds, the American Avocet is sometimes involved as a brood parasite, laying their eggs even in the nests of other species. Other shorebirds will sometimes to the same to the avocet. They often place their nests on the ground with nothing to provide shade. However, they will dip the bellies in water in water during incubation.
American Avocet, View 2
American Avocet, Detail
Northern Cardinal
Isn't she lovely?
Sunday, April 5, 2020
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