My Yellow Warbler review
I have been banding birds for 18 years and I would like to start a series on my recapture birds that I have encountered during my banding carrier. The first bird that I would like to share is the Yellow Warbler.
The “Warbler Guide” [App Review]
I have been giving the opportunity to review the “Warbler Guide” App that is available with my iPhone/iPad. The Warbler Guide “book” that this app follows is not something you would carry with you on every birding adventure. However the two together complement each other really well. The book gives you more of a text book description of each species; the app appears to be a more field identification guide. My favorite feature of the App is that it’s always accessible when needed and then look up the other info in the book later when you get home. (more…)
Groundhogs Day 2014 in Allegany State Park
To all my blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2014, did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning (actually had snow falling and was a whiteout). I predict that spring will come early this year.
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Eastern Mole
Found an Eastern Mole dead in the road today. I forgot how big these guys are. It has been a few years since I can remember seeing one.
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Red Crossbill (LIFER)
3 Red Crossbill’s in the road.
Today while driving along the roads near Quaker Lake (Allegany State Park) . . . . I saw a some larger birds feeding on the salt in the road. I slowed the vehicle down and needed to take a closer look at these guys. I realized they were crossbill’s and quickly grabbed my binoculars (which I luckily had in the truck) to discover they were Red Crossbill’s (CHECK) 45 species for 2013. This wasn’t any ordinary check this was a LIFER CHECK!!!
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Snow Buntings, Gulls and Ducks
Snow Bunting
Had a great bird day today. Where I was working, had a huge flock (~25) of Snow Buntings in the grape vines. (CHECK) They would fly in a group to another spot in the grapes and then 10 mins later do it all over again.
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Birdwatchers Movie Review: The Big Year
I took Patty on a date to see the new movie “The Big Year” that was recently released in the movie theaters on the 14th of October. Not going to lie to you . . . . I totally expected it to be kind of corny. Hollywood portraying birdwatchers? To my surprise they threw in three big names, Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson as birdwatchers working towards seeing the most number of birds within a years time. Hands down . . . this movie was well researched and did an outstanding job in keeping me entertained throughout the movie.
Steve Martin’s character was absolutely amazing with his struggle of retiring from a big corporate job and the decisions he makes with his supportive family in completing his life long dream (doing a big year). He has many hard decisions that could possibly jeopardize him seeing important birds on his quest.
Owen Wilson’s character was the experienced birder that knew what needed to be done for winning the big year title. He risked a great deal with his family in making sure he keeps this title and was always a bit sneaky with misleading the guys away from seeing the birds.
Jack Black’s character was marvelous in doing the big year while holding a steady job. Every birdwatcher has a boss who doesn’t understand the importance of migration fallout!! Seriously . . . . his boss ROCKED!! He also struggles with his father not understanding his love for the birds and then coming up with the finances for paying for the year. Unexpectedly he meets the girl of his dreams . . . Ok, I will not spoil the ending but I am glad how it ends.
I asked Patty which part was her favorite and she liked the beginning where Jack Black’s coworker ask to hear the song he’s listening to and he was playing bird calls. Honestly . . . what birder doesn’t spend hours and hours reviewing bird songs? My favorite part was the Great Gray Owl find with Jack Black’s father. Birds can seriously do amazing things when people finally find the amazing beauty in them.
Ok . . . . so hands down this will be a DVD that will end up on my shelf and I am really glad I had an opportunity to supporting the movie during opening weekend. I doubt it will beat footloose movie in ticket sales but “The Big Year” is a must for every birdwatcher and or nature enthusiast. Please support this movie in seeing . . . Patty and I both give it two thumbs up!
The CROSSLEY ID GUIDE [Book Review]
I was surprised this week with a copy of the new “The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds” sitting at my door step. I remember when Sibley came out with his new guide and everyone thought “it’s too big and it could never replace the Peterson’s guide”!! Instantly we find ourselves buying not one but multiple copies (one for the house, car, office, banding bag . . . etc.). Could the same thing happen with this guide?? My first impression of the Crossley ID Guide is WOW and I know for sure it will be used in my library but I have doubt it will replace Sibley or any of my iPhone apps. It is a “BIG” guide and probably why they are not calling it a Field Guide!! To the right birder, it is possible The Crossley ID Guide will be grabbed for help before the more traditional “painted” guides but it is defiantly a picture reference guide more than our traditional “Field Guides”.
My Christmas Bird Count 2010
Snow Bunting
Patty and I participated in the Saint Bonaventure Christmas Bird Count for the Cattaraugus County Bird Club in section 3 today as we do every year. Since I have moved over to Chautauqua County . . . . I had the opportunity to show my territory to Lisa who is new to the area and looking for a count spot to do. This probably will not be my last CBC with Catt. Co but this will give me the chance to explore other areas with other counters. Having an area that doesn’t include much water . . . I thought we had a great day with 21 species of birds!
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Banded Junco in the Administration Building
Dark-eyed Junco
You never know when something unexpected will happen. I got a phone call this morning saying “A bird is in the building”!! Down the steps I go . . . . . hmm it’s Junco!! Took about 10 minutes and we got the bird in the corner!! I realized holding it that it had a band on its leg . . . . 2400 series!! I think to myself “I did have bands in that series”. Sure enough it was a bird that I banded back on 11th of December 2005. I never would have expected five years and five days later this bird would end up in my hand again. Guess that is why bird banders band birds . . . . get recaptures that tell us that this girl loves the winter in Allegany State Park!
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Red-bellied Woodpecker
I was shocked when this Red-bellied Woodpecker rolled into the feeders yesterday! Little skittish but still not afraid to take control of those feeds . . . maybe not as bold as the Blue Jays!!
Tree Sparrow
My first Tree Sparrows arrived at the new house just last week and they have already taken hold at the feeders! They are such stunning LBJ’s!!
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Rooster Tail
Whenever water levels are high in Allegany State Park . . . I always make it a point to see how high the Rooster Tail is over on the Quaker Lake Overspill. Many years ago, I had seen the Rooster Tail higher than the lake.
Bufflehead on Red House Lake
Had some Buffleheads out on Red House Lake today here in Allegany State Park. It is great seeing these cute little duckies visiting the park!!
Wildgame Innovations x6c
Been using my newer trail camera out behind the house this fall. The question is always . . . . “do the deer see the camera” . . . . without a doubt they do and I am sure many deer are camera shy!! Will not upload every video I capture but from time to time I will let people see the good ones!!!
Neighbors Problem Dogs
I have been having a hard time at the new house with the neighbors hound dogs hunting rabbits behind the house. Almost two weeks ago they were yelping and howling for almost 8 hours before I captured them and called the neighbor. Sunday night they returned howling and barking around 3:30am getting my dog all worked up where we couldn’t even sleep because of all the activity. Yesterday I observed a few Red-tailed Hawks hovering above the scrub shrub area probably searching for the same Eastern Cotton Tails that those dumb ass hound dogs have been chasing. I do know bunnies are back there because yesterday Patty and I watched two Eastern Cotton Tails hopping around the barn/shrubs for a short bit!! I even captured on the trail-cam Sunday morning those dogs running around on my property! Would love to hear suggestions on what you would do to stop the neighbor’s dogs!!!
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Field
Photo I took just before fall time.
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Thanks for an amazing 500,000 views
Thanks Everyone for an outstanding 500,000 views on the Monarch Nature Blog!!! I would have never believe that so many people would enjoy this site on July 2006 once this blog started!
THANKS to EVERYONE!
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Sisters, Sun and Pelicans
Myrtle Beach with my sisters
me, Vicki, Kathy, Lynda
By: Pat Coate
I recently spent a weekend in Myrtle Beach for an annual get together with my sisters (our 10th such outing). We packed a full weekend in with lots of eating, little sleep, walks on the beach, hiking and birding at Huntington State Park and Murrells Inlet, zip lines, shopping, laughing, and just a bit of brother bashing.
The non-birding sisters were pretty tolerant with the birding sisters and we saw some good birds and bird behavior. One of the birding highlights was the brown pelicans we saw flying low over the ocean, diving down to feed, and perched on the docks at the salt marshes in Murrels Inlet.
Bald Eagles
My drive home from work today had 3 adult eagles circling above the Allegheny River! Wish I wasn’t driving 65mph on the highway and had a chance to see what they were doing!!
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Two Fluffballs Tonight
Had Thomas and Mckenzie wanting to band an owl tonight!! Instead we
caught two for them!!
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Pied Billed Grebe
Had a Pied Billed Grebe out on Red House Lake this morning!
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Micro Frozen Grass
Cold Mornings are fun!
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