Greater Snow Goose at Chincoteague
Greater Snow Goose in flight
Chincoteague Refuge was originally established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds (with an emphasis on conserving Greater Snow Goose), today it provides habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and song birds, as well as other species of wildlife and plants. (Taken from the Chincoteague brochure)
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My Birds at Chincoteague
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Below is the list of birds that I observed at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge last weekend. I ended up with 70 different species, 23 first of the year (FOY) birds and 7 Lifers.
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Greater Yellowlegs at Chincoteague
Greater Yellowlegs!
These Greater Yellowlegs had truly put on a show for me while visiting Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge last weekend. I had many opportunities for photographing them and these were my favorites!
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Afternoon in France Brook
Colt’s Foot
Woke up to the sound of the irregular drumming of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (CHECK)! I love waking up to first of the year birds without even getting out of bed! I continued the day with the Eastern Phoebe’s singing most everywhere I visited. I even had one vocalizing next to my little platform on the side of the house where they use to nest!! Maybe we will have some baby Phoebes this year?
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Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
It appeared that the Great Blue Heron were in abundance at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge last weekend. They were not like my local heron that are very skittish when approaching with a vehicle . . . these guys were very cooperative.
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More Spring Arrivers
Eastern Phoebe
Since returning from Chincoteague Island, the birds have been quickly following me northward into the Western New York area. Yesterday while assisting with the stocking of Trout along some of the Steams, I finally heard my first of the year Winter Wren (CHECK) who was singing its beautiful complex song. Later in the evening I observed the American Kestrel (CHECK first of the year) as it was wagging its tail at me! Finally this morning I got my first of the year Eastern Phoebe (CHECK) was proudly yelling fee-bee . . . . fee-bee around the office! (((SMILE))) I just love this time of the year! (more…)
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge [Day 2]
Foggy Lighthouse Showing the Way
Saturday morning started with Marg and I showing up to the 6:30am bird walk and the walk being obviously canceled due to the down pouring rain. Quickly the heavy fog rolled in for most of the day and I struggled with spending my available birding time capturing photos in the fog. It was still a great bird day with many first of the years birds and another lifer to add to my list!
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The Osprey have returned
Osprey photo from 2008
Sometime this morning our first Osprey for 2009 (CHECK) finally arrived. I have been looking for these guys along the Allegheny River for days and so excited that they finally arrived.
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Salamander Migration 2009
Wednesday night was about the Salamanders with the blue-black body and distinct overlaid rows of yellow spots along its sides, back and tail. Its scientific name is Ambystoma maculatum and since “maculatum” means spotted . . . . . we call these guys the “Spotted Salamander”. But predicting the movement from their wintering holes to their breeding pools can be sometimes is a little tricky.
Smiling Spotted Salamander
Bluebirds are in the yard!
Female Eastern Bluebird from my 2008 photos!
I heard my first Eastern Bluebird singing around the nest boxes in the backyard today. It is amazing how a simple little song can get someone so excited! I suddenly went into dream-land thinking about what I should be expecting throughout the summer in my boxes . . . .
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Cootest Wordless Wednesday Ever
American Coot
This fun American Coot was walking the runway for me on Saturday and I thought it would be the Cootest Wordless Wednesday to publish!
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back to birding
Common Goldeneye
I took advantage of the sunny day on Saturday with a great day of birding with 51 different species observed! I have been a little busy the past few weeks and this birding adventure was very much needed (what can I say, I am a birder!)! I started the morning over at Chautauqua Lake outlet in Celoron and ran into a few birding friends (great seeing Bob and Jim).
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CHECK [Wordless Wednesday]
Tundra Swans (CHECK) 3/10/09
Just catching up with my first of the years for 2009 (all older photos)!
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Balls of Fuzz
Muskrat
It was such a beautiful day out today with warmer sun-rays striking my face! I enjoyed a spectacular walk around Red House Lake and it seemed like the Chipmunks were dancing around their holes saying hello!! This was my first of the year Eastern Chipmunk for me (CHECK) . . . . about time they wake up!
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Addicted to Spring
Waterfowl and Gulls at Chautauqua Lake
I am addicted to this spring time sunshine and ended up with 7 first of the years birds to report this weekend! CHEERS! Patty has been showing me all of the hot spots around Chautauqua Lake and although we were not successful in relocating the Tundra Swan she had earlier in the day . . . . . we still had a great time together on the outlet!
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Where is my Red-breasted Nuthatch?
Red-breasted Nuthatch
I find myself accustom to certain species of birds being at my feeders and take pride in finding them each day. Many of these birds are my neighbors that live here year-round and I know that because they have bands placed on their legs. One of these regulars was a family of Red-breasted Nuthatches that I could always rely on squeaking its way to the sunflower seeds.
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Nothing new along the Allegheny
Hooded Merganser photo from 2008
I made a quick stop for ducks along the Allegheny River today. Still waiting for many of the migrants to arrive but I did get some Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, and Black Ducks.
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Happy Valentines Day
Tree Swallows
Happy Valentines Day everyone . . . . This is a day for spending time with your love ones!
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Friday the 13th
Snow covered woods!
Yesterday we had some mixed rain/ice/snow that blanked the area which might have resulted in the crash of Flight 3407! What a tragic event and my heart go out to the families of the victims.
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Grebe and Crossbill weekend!
Horned Grebe photo from 2007
This warm weekend had me attempting to do a little birding! Was able to find my first of the year Horned Grebe (CHECK) on the Allegheny River while in town yesterday! Many Black Ducks, Mallards and Common Mergansers were also found in the area! (more…)
Nature Haikus – Ducks
By Young Naturalist C
Ducks
Take-off formation
Flap, flapping in the daytime
Quaking all day long
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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 