Birding

[Cedars]

Info on the progress of the Necedah Whooper Reintro:

 

2007 has been a troubled year for the birds.

 

Updates - Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin

[Cedars]

This video was shown on local news yesterday. Some divers were accompanied by a curious loon and got some pretty good film of the bird.

 

http://wm.kare.gannett.edgestreams.net/news/news/62607_258619_loon_swimming.wmv?213436524624

 

Original Story in case above link doesnt work:

 

http://www.kare11.com/news/ts_article.aspx?storyid=258619

[freeztar]

Here's a new report issued by Wisconsin that identifies conservation strategies for important bird sites throughout the state. Unfortunately, no online version exists. ;)

 

First IBA - Wisconsin Important Bird Areas

[Cedars]

The days I spent on the St. Croix allowed for some good birding.

 

An osprey spent much of the day hollering at people in boats and chasing eagles. This would start soon after sun rise and last until dark. He chittered at me for a while before going back to eating a small fish he had taken, when I first arrived near the site I would choose to camp at. I saw this bird alot, everyday.

 

Belted Kingfishers were present all along my canoe route. They also protested loudly, at the presence of any people.

 

Several types of birds seem to be exhibiting the same behavior and I am beginning to believe many of the adult birds I observed were males defending their territory and the mothers and young are moving away or very detached from the nesting territory.

 

Many warblers were moving along the banks. I forgot my binoculars (gotta forget something every trip) which hindered my birding alot. A few went thru my campsite. Yellow-rumped were the most common there. I saw many yellow colored warblers across the river from me and during the float to the camp. Indigo buntings abounded north of me. I also spotted some sandpipers (guessing least sandpipers from their size).

 

Great blue herons were abundant on the trip down river, but as people began arriving, they dissapeared into the backwater areas. I heard their calls (or should I say croaks) often, regardless of their being hidden.

 

Pleasantly, the Trumpeter swans which have been nesting on the backwaters behind my camp are still there. I would hear them usually honking a bit right at dark from behind me (east). Sandhill cranes were present south of me at first, then spent the last two days in the same backwaters as the swans. On different occasions both of these types of birds would launch and head downstream during the early night hours, allowing me to listen to their calls fading, fading as they got further and further away.

 

Owls were calling to each other along the river at night. The first night I clearly heard Barred owls and Great horned owls. A bird last night I will have to research a bit before I can ID it for sure. It could be one of the above or a different type.

 

Other birds I heard but did not see include Rose breasted Grosbeak, Northern (baltimore) Oriole, Eastern Towhee. Several calls I simply could not ID.

 

Found an eagle nest behind my camp (east again). Its location was probably 200 feet from the campsite on the banks of the river. The lighting was early morning sun so its not the best pic. The location may provide for some good baby pics next summer though.

[freeztar]

Here's an interesting study I came across that links dog-walking to birdless areas.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22373324-30417,00.html

[Cedars]

Here's an interesting study I came across that links dog-walking to birdless areas.

The Australian, News from Australia's National Newspaper

 

I wonder if it has to do with the amount of urine dogs out on walks tend to spray around.

[freeztar]

I wonder if it has to do with the amount of urine dogs out on walks tend to spray around.

 

I doubt it. I would suspect that birds see dogs as predators (which they are) that used to eat birds (still do).

 

A dog will chase after a bird, barking. A human will stay quiet and observe.

 

What I found most interesting is that the birds will actually move nests and territory if constantly disturbed:

"If birds are constantly disturbed they'll abandon that particular spot," said Dr Banks. He suggested that ultimately birds may desert their nests or relocate to a less favourable spot.

 

I don't blame 'em. If my house was constantly surrounded by bears that wanted to eat me if given the chance, then I'd probably move too. :)

[Turtle]

Just went kiking along Lacamas Lake trail and thanks to Ruby's sharp eyes I photographed and video taped an American Bald Eagle roosting in a tall Doug Fir. Here's the first still and more to come as soon as Ace gets things edited for us. Enjoy.

[Turtle]

Here we go thens! My thanks to Rosy, the round-headed kid, Ace Banyon, and the Eagle. :coffee_n_pc:

 

American Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus

YouTube - American Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcW7UNGqybw

[Turtle]

also sighted & videographed at Lacamas Lake, a Canvasback Duck - Aythya valisineria. >>

 

YouTube - Canvasback Duck - Aythya valisineria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSlaZ0vtPpU

[Hill]

also sighted & videographed at Lacamas Lake, a Canvasback Duck - Aythya valisineria. >>

 

 

Tortuga, Mallards hybridize with lots of other species and this one is a product of one of those chance meetings. The givaway? that little curl on the back right in front of the tail. Ducks with a Mallard in their family tree all have that curl.

[Cedars]

Everything Hill said plus this:

 

Anas hybridize with other anas so that would include the Green-winged and Blue-winged teal, Cinnamon Teal (juvenile form is very similar to the video), Wigeons and Gadwalls (plus a few others).

 

Looking thru my Sibleys Guide to birds the Domestic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) description includes "often all-white with orange bill and legs (also called Pekin Duck). So it could be a combo of one wild and one domestic.

 

Your camera hand is becoming much more steady! Great shots of the Eagle!

[Peregrine]

We have a large number of cats near by, so fewer birds. I hate cats.

 

Woof,

Buffy

 

I have cats(strictly house) and I am a birder. I hate to see roaming cats outside but until people get the right attitude about cats and have pets spayed and neutered so they don't multiple outside...we will always have the dilemma..I keep bird counts and enter them at Ebird. com. We have robins, sparrows(junco in the winter) house sparrows, mockingbirds, finches(red&yellow)mourning doves, cowbirds, common grackles, sterlings, crows, cardinals, egrets, herons, cormarants, ducks, etc. I am sure there are many more varieties in other parts of delaware. I am now just setting up for winter and looking forward to my birds.

[Turtle]

Tortuga, Mallards hybridize with lots of other species and this one is a product of one of those chance meetings. The givaway? that little curl on the back right in front of the tail. Ducks with a Mallard in their family tree all have that curl.

 

:hihi: Glad to see you found the Birding thread Hill! If you have read much of it, you know I'm an amateur in spite of my enthusiam. :D The water birds make for a new group to me, and I won't be forgetting soon to look for the Mallard 'curl'.

 

Everything Hill said plus this:

 

Anas hybridize with other anas so that would include the Green-winged and Blue-winged teal, Cinnamon Teal (juvenile form is very similar to the video), Wigeons and Gadwalls (plus a few others).

 

Looking thru my Sibleys Guide to birds the Domestic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) description includes "often all-white with orange bill and legs (also called Pekin Duck). So it could be a combo of one wild and one domestic.

 

Great stuff Cedars. :) Everything I said to Hill plus this; "How do you recommend I tag the video now?"

 

Your camera hand is becoming much more steady! Great shots of the Eagle!

 

I have taken the tripod & used it the last two outings. The Eagle shot gave me some problems with the lighting as the Sun -hidden in all that gray- was behind the bird. :( Gotta take 'em as you get 'em though. :)

 

I have still to master the new camera, and I had it it set to a 'Sports' setting intended for scenes with fast movement on the lake trip. I think the exposure would have been better with a different setting. The camera has only a screen and no eyecup which is a challenge for my vision :eek:; I have to take my reading glasses always now just to take a photo. :evil:

 

I'm thinking of setting up a feeder station again this year; how 'bought you all? :P

[Cedars]

Great stuff Cedars. :) Everything I said to Hill plus this; "How do you recommend I tag the video now?"

Depends. If you mean tag it for youtube, you could have fun and call it Sasquatch sighting.....

 

If you mean for this site, how about Mallard Hybrid

 

 

The camera has only a screen and no eyecup which is a challenge for my vision :eek:; I have to take my reading glasses always now just to take a photo. :rolleyes:

 

I feel your pain there! The kids camera has a 1"x 1" viewer (or so it seems) and I am having a time of it myself with my built in autofocus failing greatly over the last couple years.

I'm thinking of setting up a feeder station again this year; how 'bought you all? :smart:

ummm... I never took mine down ;)

[Cedars]

I have cats(strictly house) and I am a birder. I hate to see roaming cats outside but until people get the right attitude about cats and have pets spayed and neutered so they don't multiple outside...we will always have the dilemma..I keep bird counts and enter them at Ebird. com. We have robins, sparrows(junco in the winter) house sparrows, mockingbirds, finches(red&yellow)mourning doves, cowbirds, common grackles, sterlings, crows, cardinals, egrets, herons, cormarants, ducks, etc. I am sure there are many more varieties in other parts of delaware. I am now just setting up for winter and looking forward to my birds.

 

I did the backyard bird count via ebird last winter (didnt know it existed before this). I had planned on doing more this summer but I got busy with other projects and didnt log the birds on my outings. I do plan on participating in either the xmas bird count or the backyard count this winter. Pretty great idea where people can get involved and contribute data.

 

Sounds like you have a pretty good variety where you are.

[Peregrine]

I did the backyard bird count via ebird last winter (didnt know it existed before this). I had planned on doing more this summer but I got busy with other projects and didnt log the birds on my outings. I do plan on participating in either the xmas bird count or the backyard count this winter. Pretty great idea where people can get involved and contribute data.

 

Sounds like you have a pretty good variety where you are.

 

We do have a good variety but there are so many more i don't get to see..but I keep looking for that special bird!!! I love to do the counts. Glad I was able to find that site. I am looking into joining a birding club if I can find one close enough. Would love to do a walk. Good luck with your birding.