After a slow start the first week in February things did pick up! In January I finished up with 55 species. (my Feb tics are in Bold) I had 3 new species at the beginning of the month the Wild Turkey and the Loggerhead Shrike..and the Hairy Woodpecker I almost forgot to list! I haven't done too well with taking photos for the challenge, but I sure have enjoyed the search. I have sought out the soggiest, swampiest, and wettest areas in my patch and it helped get my numbers up...also got some gnat bites...and soon it's going to be mosquitoes as we have standing water everywhere thanks to the wet winter we had.
I have been taking nature walks about every day...and that's because I need the exercise, and to clear my head of rust. Im about half way through the month...and I know that migration has already begun here in my area...it's not in full swing but it has started! Got the Cooper's Hawk he flew right across my path as I drove down the road, then 2 Great Egrets were spotted in one of the private wetlands where I have found a decent viewpoint from the highway, along with the Ring Neck Duck!! He is not real close to the edge so not a great photo...But I will take it. And he was there everyday since. That marked up 6 additions since Feb 1st, then another wetland that straddles a road got me some great birds and some really fine behavior.
I did not get a photo of him stay tuned to the video at the bottom to hear him....he was too quick for me. I pulled a photo out of my archives for the video...and Literally hundreds... no thousands of Common Grackles!
I also heard a chip call and on the other side of the road and found...
the Swamp Sparrow. He really blends in with the reeds.
The next species I found in my 5 MR was also a common bird but one I rarely see since Im in such a rural area and this bird tends to like more populated areas, but I found the House Sparrow! Got one really awful shot through the windshield of the car, since I was pulling out onto a highway when I spotted the bird.
I headed back over to the wetland on Memory Lane...parked, got out and started phishing. Didn't take but a moment to get 2 Blue Headed Vireo's chipped at me...one took off immediately and one let me get some not so clear shots of him UP so high in the tops of the big trees...
And at first I thought I had white eyed...and my photo is not too good, but when I finally got it up on the screen... I saw the little dark patch below the wing bar, and no yellow on face. And today passing by a private pond just down the road, a pair of Wood Duck drake and hen...love is in the air!
I've been trying like crazy to find a rock dove! Hope to see some around cattle but so far; nope...yesterday almost got the turkey's displaying...
Really hope I can ride by at just the right time...
down at the clear cut area there is a yellow eyed Eastern Towhee...so that's been fun to find, and he has a mate with him...she is very aloof so have not gotten a decent photo of her so I can study her up close.
if you enjoy videos, here is my morning at the Thoroughfare Branch.
Oops I missed an O in the video title spelling ...I will do a month wrap up at the end...hope to add several more species.
PEACE
Every day is a new Adventure.
Hello, I agree nature walks are great for exercise and clearing our minds. Seeing some beautiful birds is a bonus. The Swamp Sparrow is sweet, I love the Towhee, Ring-neck Duck and the Wood Duck pair. The turkeys are a great sighting too. I do not keep list of my monthly sightings, just my lifers. Happy Birding! Enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen...I was happy to see that swamp sparrow...Im keeping my monthly totals as part of the year long 5 Mile Radius Birding Challenge...its just for fun tho.
DeleteThat swamp sparrow is hard to spot. Although they are not native we get wood ducks over here, beautiful markings on them. I still find the wild turkeys fascinating though. That's a great shot of the terrapins all lined up.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, it seems like the turtles line up on order of size...lol they are so clever!
DeleteA walk in nature is therapeutic for so many reasons. You have also gotten off to a good start to your bird list. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks David! I know I will hit the brick wall once they start nesting and it gets hot...so Im trying to get out daily for now.
DeleteThe birds you found are pretty cool the ducks are really beautifully marked but I love the last bird before the video is that the eastern towhee?
ReplyDeleteThat is the E. Towhee...he was so gracious to let me take his photo.
DeleteYou find every wonderful bird there is to find wherever you are! Thanks for sharing with this amateur! Love the wood duck pair.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to find that pair I needed a shot in the arm that day and they gave it to me. :o)
DeleteIsn't it good to have a walk every day, I love my 40 minute walk to work, it sets me up for the day! Good spots with the Sparrows and lovely to see a Wood Duck, their colours are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, Im trying to get out there every day nearly, we have some rain coming again, so that will be a challenge to get through.
DeleteHa, I feel ya! Every year I learn new songs and by the next season I've forgotten many of them. Glad you're getting out so often, that's awesome.
ReplyDelete..and I realized I spent the past 2 springs in other states so it's been 3 years since my spring birding happened here!
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