This Weeks Bird Updates
Scaup Pair (Greater-Lesser I have no clue)
This was such a wonderful bird week that I needed to catch everyone up with my first for 2008 finds! With spring being only a month away . . . it was very apparent that birds are starting to work there way through the area.
Canvasback
First for 2008 (CHECK)
Merlin – Tuesday (19 Feb)
Canvasback – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Redhead – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Scaup Species – Wednesday (20 Feb)
American Coot – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Greater Black-backed Gull – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Double-crested Cormorant – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Long-eared Owl – Wednesday (20 Feb)
Red-winged Blackbird – Thursday (21 Feb)
Merlin (Photo from April 2007)
Tuesday while traveling through the park . . . I observed a falcon following beside my vehicle and although my first guess was Kestrel it was actually a Merlin!! I was able to follow it for about 3 minutes until it disappeared from what my vision allows. I so love watching how quick these guys can fly and a great find for sure.
Redhead
Wednesday while taking Young Naturalist J up to see the Short-eared Owl banding (but ended up catching a Long-eared Owl) . . . . I was able to locate many great waterfowl species along Lake Erie. Highlights were of course the Redheads and Canvasbacks (which I will do separate post with more of there photos here soon) but was great seeing many of these waterfowl up close. I did chase a possible Great Gray Owl that has been reported but never did end up locating it (nor has anyone else)!
Raft of Ducks
I have been waiting all winter to report this but on Wednesday . . . . I had my first singing birds! Dark-eyed Juncos and Northern Cardinals were singing up a storm in the morning. Was the best thing I have heard in a VERY long time! Then on Thursday there was a Tufted Titmouse singing up in the tree (which I think he just wanted to hear about the Long-eared Owl). Look out . . . spring is on its way! (CHECK)
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Juncos, cardinals, chickadees and house finches have all been singing this week and last. In’t it a glorious sound? Love your canvasback photo. Cool about the merlin- that would be a lifer for me!
22 February 2008 at 10:17 pm
Singing birds?! Oh…..so very lucky. We have no singing birds, at least none that I can over the wind.
22 February 2008 at 10:42 pm
Hi Tom, I’ve got a great link on my blog to a picture on Jim McCormac’s blog that shows two female scaups- a greater and a lesser- right next to each other. Great shots, especially the canvasback.
Tom
22 February 2008 at 10:54 pm
I’ve been listening but haven’t heard any singing birds, yet. Unless crows count 🙂
22 February 2008 at 11:43 pm
Looks like this year is off to a good start!
23 February 2008 at 1:39 am
Mine aren’t singing yet. That is a beautiful picture of the canvasback. I didn’t know they were such beautiful birds.
23 February 2008 at 1:39 am
Oh, would you point the singing birds toward Maine? It’s true that the sunflower seeds are frozen into the bird feeders and the ground is under four feet of snow, but we miss the pretty birds and their voices.
23 February 2008 at 4:54 am
Just this morning when going out to get the paper, I noticed much more singing here too. Dare I say, “it” is just around the corner? :c)
23 February 2008 at 8:20 am
There was birdie singing here last week, too!! I’m so excited to see all of the birdies coming through! Yay!!
23 February 2008 at 9:00 am
Tom, I enjoy your advance reports. I am anxious to see the annual arrivals.
23 February 2008 at 9:34 am
Apostrophe…sorry, but it’s bothering me.
Nice report however. Looks like you have lots to do down there.
23 February 2008 at 10:26 am
Makes me want to go out and look for ducks–even with the gloomy weather. Great picture of the Merlin.
23 February 2008 at 2:46 pm
Awesome Canvasback shot Tom-I was looking to see when I first saw a Red Winged last year and was wondering about looking for one tomorrow we shall see- Yay Spring is coming!
23 February 2008 at 3:42 pm
@ Lynne – it is glorious sound for sure, thanks!
@ Trixie – yep and is only a matter of time, thanks!
@ Tom – thanks and will have to check that out!
@ Grace – they just started and is only a matter of time before they all start singing! Thanks
@ Heather – it sure is and I should add up how many year birds I have already!
@ Linda – shouldn’t be too long! Thanks and you should see tonight’s Canvasback photos!
@ Beth – I sure will and will not be that long before they are singing in Maine also! Thanks and have never head that before!
@ Jayne – It sure is and can’t wait for it to arrive!
@ Pam – It is such a pleasing sound to hear! Yay for sure!
@ Barb – thanks and will not be too long!
@ Scienceguy – thanks and always things to do with the birdies!
@ Joan – I think you should and was glad to have sun today!
@ Marg – as I told you, wait till todays post! Hope you find one! Spring yay!
23 February 2008 at 6:17 pm
OH, I’m late! Can I say that the birds here are deafening??? LOL! Lots of activity and song. Love it.
A Merlin. You lucky duck.
23 February 2008 at 8:10 pm
Thanks and love noisy birds! Thanks Mary
24 February 2008 at 11:40 am
Mary’s not late i am 🙂
Don and I have been hearing robins. Sounds wonderful.
24 February 2008 at 8:48 pm
LOL, none of you are late! These post will be here for a long time! Thanks for stopping by! Congrats on the Robin!
24 February 2008 at 10:09 pm
Nice list. I do envy you the long-eared owl. It does appear that spring is trying to make its way into the world.
25 February 2008 at 7:04 am
Scaup are hard to ID for sure! I only try if I have a close, head-on look, and then only for males 🙂 Male Greater Scaup have a large triangular black tip to their bill which on male Lesser Scaup is much smaller and less pronounced. I’ve never had much luck using head shape to say anything definitive, although all the field guides mention it.
25 February 2008 at 12:07 pm
Nice set of additions to your list – and spring is just around the corner (HOPEFULLY!)
25 February 2008 at 5:20 pm
@ Lisa – thanks and it was such a great bird for sure!
@ Adam – ugg, they are a horror! Thanks for your help though!
@ Marty – it is great adding birds . . makes it feel like spring!
25 February 2008 at 6:42 pm
Well, I’m happy that the birds know spring is coming! I’ll believe them and keep the faith too (especially since all those house finches and cardinals singing in my yard are trying to give me the same message)
29 February 2008 at 7:56 am