migrants starting to move!
It is great finding Trilliums again!
Migrants are starting to move through the area! Yesterday evening I heard and saw my first Yellow-rumped Warbler (CHECK) for 2007. When I had first heard the butter butt, I had thought it could have been a Yellow-throated Warbler since they do have a some what similar song!! It appears the YTWA’s have not made it back yet and will be my next quest in locating!! I was happy to have followed many Pine Warblers around yesterday (although they wouldn’t let me photograph them so high up along the tree tops). So many places to go, so many bird sounds around me and yesterday I found myself taking my truck to the shop for some work! Uggg!
This morning while heading to work I had a Brown Thrasher lurking around the shrubs. It wasn’t too cooperative in letting me photograph it and only wish I had more time for a better shot (was starting to run late for work)!! Followed it around and then realized that I wasn’t following one but two thrashers (very cool)! Coming home in the evening, I had found both birds hanging out in the same shrubs! But… wait that’s not the sound of a thrasher! 1 … 2 … 3!! There had been only two Thrashers here in morning, looking closer and hearing the towheeee call again! Sweet a female Eastern Towhee (also brown), first for 2007 (CHECK).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet hiding in the shadows!
Before heading home after work, I made a short detour for a quick hike up towards Bridal Falls. I hiked up the road and thinking to my self “hmm, hadn’t heard any Blue-headed Vireos yet”!! Stopped walking and started listening to all the bird songs around me!! Sure enough, there is one!! CHECK, Blue-headed Vireo!! Guess sometimes we need to stop what we are doing and just listen to what is around us. Lucky I heard not only one but 4 different Blue-headed Vireos today. I waited at bridal falls for about 10 minutes in the area where I have heard the Louisiana Waterthrush so many times before; (CHECK) finally heard my Waterthrush and also the vireo that I have been after for the past week. I just love this time of the year! About time they arrive!!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Beautiful pictures Mon@rch. I noticed how much you use a bird’s call to identify it. I have to get better at that, I don’t know very many at all.
Thanks for the comment on the Goldfinch post at my blog.
24 April 2007 at 10:49 pm
Lovely images, esp. the thrasher. It’s as if everything is coming out at the same time. They must know it’s really spring again. Yea!!!
25 April 2007 at 6:52 am
Spring is rolling in like a huge wave up in the northeast! You might want to take some time off from work to get your CHECKlist complete :o)
25 April 2007 at 8:23 am
Wonderful finds! I’m in awe of your ability to id birds by their songs. I’d really like to work on that. Any suggestions?
25 April 2007 at 9:32 am
Oh yeah! We’re doing the dance of joy and it’s only just beginning. Love your Thrasher picture – I’ve not had my Thrasher, yet. When you find your first morel, let me know :0)
25 April 2007 at 11:08 am
We just don’t get thrashers in our neck of the woods. They are such pretty birds. I have a hard time identifying birds by their song. There are some songs that are unforgettable, like the Swainson’s Thrush, but other songs elude me.
25 April 2007 at 11:47 am
@ Barb – Without a doubt that I use bird song a good majority of the time! Start listening to the tapes!
@ Jayne – Thanks and spring is coming quickly!
@ Mary – I plan on taking a few days in May when we head up to the banding station! Can’t take time off right now!
@ Lynne – get stokes birding CD!! Their are also some peterson’s birding by ear CD’s that are very helpful! Anytime you are driving, hit play an listen! You would be amazed how much you would pick up out in the field!
@ Cathy – I really like that shot also! But was the only shot I was able to get of it!
@ Robin – We only see a few breeders in the area but most are migrants! Would be ace if these guys stuck around! Its hard work but you need to listen to the tapes all the time or chase the birds down to learn their local song!
25 April 2007 at 2:27 pm
Well now I’m jealous – been looking for trilliums all week but haven’t found any yet. No ovenbirds or thrashers either – but I hear they’re on their way. Nice photos!
25 April 2007 at 5:25 pm
I have to get better at my ID’ing by voice/song. I can ID several, but sometimes get myself confused, particularly with ones like titmice and cardinals which can really mix their songs up a bit. Guess I should listen to the song field guides I got 3 years ago to practice!
Can’t wait to go out looking for migrants soon.
25 April 2007 at 7:23 pm
@ Laura – can’t wait all the birdies are on their way! Hang on, they should be coming soon!
@ Marty – Yes, listen to the CD’s, they really do help! I enjoy the birding by ear CD’s best! Hope you are able to get out! I just know you will take stunning photos!
26 April 2007 at 8:08 am
Birding by Ear hmmmm since I still haven’t got one and I’m running out of time, I better get that one! YAY it’s the most wonderful time of the year, (oh that’s suppose to be Christmas isn’t it?) 😉
26 April 2007 at 7:52 pm
You are seeing some great birds and taking some great photos.-I guess you deserve a check!
28 April 2007 at 3:47 pm