2010 US Road Trip and Other Bird MoJo...

Complete US Bird List as of 1/1/10-

2010-06-17T10:00:00.002-04:00

After reviewing my notes from the trip, notes from home, and my in progress year list from CT, here is what I've gotten so far (you can tell which were here in CT in winter before I left, and those not. I got to see many of our winter guys up in breeding territory... really neat):

(L)- indicates a lifer

Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
RN Grebe
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe (L)
PB Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe (L)
Am. White Pelican
DC Cormorant
AM. Bittern
Least Bittern
GB Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Cattle Egret (L)
Green Heron
BC Night-Heron
YC Night-Heron
White-faced Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose (many in the middle fly-way)
Brant
GWF Goose (same as Cacklers... many migrants)
Ross's Goose
Snow Goose (blue and white)
Wood Duck
Mallard
Am. Black Duck
Gadwall
No. Pintail
Am. Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon (Stratford)
No. Shoveler
Cinnamon Teal (L)
BW Teal
GW Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
RN Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Surf Scoter
WW Scoter
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye (one female I found off Penfield late winter)
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Co. Merganser
RB Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
No. Harrier (LOTS of grey ghosts in the prairies)
SS Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
No. Goshawk (NJ)
RS Hawk
BW Hawk
Swainson's Hawks (many morphs)
RT Hawk (5 sbsps, including Kriders, and a possible 6th... maybe Harlan's... VERY dark, looked like those I've seen in AK)
Ferruginous Hawk (L)
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle (low-ball count around 15)
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Merlin
Am. Kestrel
Prairie Falcon (L)
Peregrine Falcon
California Quail (L)
Mountain Quail (L)
Chukar (L)
Gray Partridge
RN Pheasant
Blue Grouse (L)
Ruffed Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken (L)... and honor to see a bird on it's way out
Greater Sage-Grouse (L)
Wild Turkey
Common Moorhen (L)
Am. Coot
Clapper Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora (L)
Yellow Rail (L).. MAN that was hard to see!!
Sandhill Cranes... everywhere
BB Plover
AM. Golden Plover
Piping Plover
Semipal Plover
Snowy Plover (L) (Lake Taho region)
Killdeer
Am. Oystercatcher
Am. Avocet (L)
Black-necked Slilt (L)
Gr. Yellowlegs
L. Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper (abundant through some areas in the Dakotas and prairie land through IL/IN)
Long-billed Curlew (L)
Ruddy Turnstone
Purple Sandpiper
Red Knot
Sanderling
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper (L)
Western Sandpiper
Semipal Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
LB Dowitcher
SB Dowitcher
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Am. Woodcock
Snipe
Wilson's Phalarope (L)
Boneparte's Gull
Franklin's Gull
RB Gull
California Gull (L)
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Glaucous Gull
Lesser BB Gull
GBB Gull
Caspian Tern
Co. Tern
Forster's Tern
Roseate Tern
Least Tern
Black Tern
Black Skimmer
Mourning Dove
WW Dove (L)
Rock Dove
Band-tailed Pigeon (L)
Monk Parakeet
YB Cuckoo
BB Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner (L)... awesome bird
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
GH Owl
Snowy Owl
Barred Owl
No. Saw-whet Owl
Burrowing Owl (L)
W. Screech Owl
E. Screech Owl
Co. Poorwill (L)
Whip-poor-will
Co. Nighthawk
Lesser Nighthawk (L)
Vaux's Swift (L)
Chimney Swift
Black Swift (L)
White-throated Swift (L)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (L)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (L)
Rufous Hummingbird (L)
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Lewis's Woodpecker (L)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker (L)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Three-toed Woodpecker
No. Flicker ('yellow' and 'red' shafted)
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
W. Wood-Pewee (L)
E. Wood-Pewee
Cordilleran Flycatcher (L)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher (L)
E. Phoebe
Say's Phoebe (L)
Vermillion Flycatcher (L)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (L)
Great-crested Flycatcher
E. Kingbird
W. Kingbird (L)
Loggerhead Shrike (L)
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Bell's Vireo (L)
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Steller's Jay
Blue Jay
W. Scrub-Jay (L)
Gray Jay
Pinyon Jay (L)...maybe my fav of the trip
Black-billed Magpie
Co. Raven
Am. Crow
Fish Crow
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
NRW Swallow
Bank Swallow
Violet-green Swallow (L)
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Juniper Titmouse (L)
Tufted Titmouse
BC Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee (L)..really cool little birds
Bushtit (L)
RB Nuthatch
WB Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Bewick's Wren (L)
House Wren
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
Rock Wren (L)
Canyon Wren (L)
GC Kinglet
RC Kinglet
BG Gnatcatcher
Mountain Bluebird (L)
W. Bluebird (L)
E. Bluebird
Am. Robin
Wood Thrush
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
No. Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Sage Thrasher (L)
Euro. Starling
Sprague's Pipit
Am. Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
No. Parula
Orange-crowned Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Virginia's Warbler (L)
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler ('Myrtle' and 'Audubon's... latter a lifer)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (L)
Townsend's Warbler (L).... wow, gorgeous
Black-throated Green Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler ('yellow' and 'brown')
Pine Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Grace's Warbler (L)... thought YTWA until I realized I was in NV
Worm-eating Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler...still one of my fav warbs
Black-and-white Warbler
Am. Redstart
Ovenbird
No. Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler (L)
Co. Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler... dripping off the trees in Ann Arbor, MI
Hooded Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat (L)...been waiting a while for that one
W. Tanager (L)
Scarlet Tanager
No. Cardinal
Black-headed Grosbeak (L)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak (L)... seen while getting a speeding ticket
Lazuli Bunting (L)... been waiting since I got my first field guide
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel
Spotted Towhee (L)
E. Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee (L)
Sage Sparrow (L)
Black-throated Sparrow (L)
Am. Tree Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow (L)
Clay-colored Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Baird's Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow (L)
Nelson's Sparrow... weird to see in ND
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Bunting (L)
Lark Sparrow (L)
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow (2 subspecies)
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco ('pink-sided', 'oregon'. and 'slate')
McCown's Longspur (L)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (L)
Smith's Longspur (L)
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
W. Meadowlark (L)
E. Meadowlark
Bobolink
Brown-headed Cowbird
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird (L)
Co. Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle (L)... seen from airplane in Dallas
Bullock's Oriole (L)
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Scott's Oriole (L)
Purple Finch
Cassin's Finch (L)
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin... neat to see in the dessert
Lesser Goldfinch (L)
Am. Goldfinch
House Sparrow

85 lifers, added to my standing 306 gives me 391. My trip goal was to reach 400.... if only I got to the 2nd half! Perhaps I can pull 400 for the US in 2010....

-Brian-

So heres the story....

2010-06-17T09:06:00.003-04:00

I made it to California, about 6200mi of wandering our amazing country in such places like Pitsburg, NYC, Columbus and Cleveland (OH), camped in Ann Arbor (MI), saw the Sox get slammed by the Tigers in Comerica Park in Detroit (!!!! GO YANKS!!), has amazing looks at downtown Chicago from my motel window, including the Sears tower, Fargo (ND, Lewis & Clark SP (Williston, ND), Deadwood (SD), Mt. Rushmore, explored the black hills and picked up boreal species such as Mountain Chickadee and Gray Jay... as well as my first 'Audubon's butter-butt.

From Rapid City (after exploring AMAZING crystal caverns) I chugged south down the entire WY east side into Colorado... a rainbow awaited me. I stayed in a motel in Boulder (by far my favorite spot, with the Ann Arbor camping, and overall town a close second... L&P was hard to beat too!) I took a drive to Denver to see if the Rockies were playing, they weren't, though thats one more major city I visited for the first time.

During this western drive I saw hundreds of Pronghorns, wild Buffalo (not a ranch), Bighorn Sheep, several Golden Eagles, Prarie dogs, coyotes, ground squirrels, some sort of weasel, bull snakes, a prarie rattler (stayed my distance!!). For those of you who know me, and know Boulder.... I could see myself living there forever. Hopefully my job interview for the CO Dep. NFS will pan out.

After dreading leaving a town that, juxtaposed to CT.... fails with a F---. Prices, people, healthy aspect, freindly... as I plan to relocate sooner than late, Boulder sits a top, again with Ann Arbor right there. So... got off track... I chugged to Las Vegas...

..,.THE MOST OVER-RATED PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY! I put $200 aside to gamble, made $15 on Star Wars slots... then realized I might as well just hand the floor guys $500 bux then ask for a dollar change. So, I got a tattoo instead. One what would cost upwards of $300 here in CT.... $140 plus tip.

One great thing about vegas... other than the drunks, hobos, crime and dispair.... I got to see George Clinton w. P-Funk for the 6th time in my life. The show lasted until late-late night, so I didn't sleep and got out around 5:00a(pst) to head for Frisco.**

** Now here is where GPS fails... about 75% of the passes through Yosemete NP were closed due to a 12" snow blast the night before. So, I navigated using my atlas, compass, and locals to find a away around. I made it to the Caliornia (Walker, to be exact...border od CA/NE in the Sierra Nevadas), still on icey roads, and I swerve for a Jack Rabbit, 4x4 off, turned to the driver side and my baby (my green Colorado) flipped 6 times and wound up in a 6' ditch in the mountainous dessert.

Would list... broken left arm in 2 spots, 2 broken ribs, cartlidge torn between 4-5 ribs, one of the ribs pokes my lung (no better time to quit smoking, huh??, lol), a grade 2 concussion, 5 staples in the skull, and various raspberrys and deep cuts. Thank whoever is to thank that I had my seatbelt on.

I lost about 2 days due to brain trauma, only remembering someone asking if this driven over laptop was mine, off-duty parameds telling to lay down because of my head bleeding, someone asking if a globe of pure (100%, not .999%) Silver flakes taken from the Black Hills... next memory is getting stabbed in the skull 5-6 times with novacaine, and feeling every bit of each staple being inserted.

Unfortunately, my photos end at Mt. Rushmore (until I figure out how to get some from the droid), and I have many yet to upload from the Sierra Nevadas/Reno/Vegas.etc...

Let me say this right now, to anyone who reads this.... WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT!! Mine, 100% saved my life. And I had a friend who sits in a hospice going on 4 years as a veggie.... due to lack of seat-belts. PLEASE wear them.

I will do a bit of a break down in a day or so, as it kinda hurts to type with a broken arm and stupid cast!!! Someone, whoever it may be in whoever's eyes, thought I had more time on this planet.

More soon,

-MoJo-

Back in CT... tentative bird list from 3 weeks of pure America....

2010-06-06T13:13:00.003-04:00

I tallied dozens of lifers, and I didn't even make it down the south of California.... I made it there, but the Sierra Nevada mountains, and a stupid Jack-rabbit now has my baby (Colorado) as a pile of scrap metal, never to bee seen again.

I made this list on the plane ride home, I just need to positively ID a few.... this is about it though. 3-5 more at best.

*(Starting from where the Merritt turns into the Hutch)
*(L)-indicates lifer

RT Loon
Common Loon
RN Grebe
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe (L)
PB Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe (L)
Am. White Pelican
DC Cormorant
Am. Bittern
Least Bittern
GB Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret (L)
Green Heron
BC Night-heron
White-faced Ibis
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Canada Goose (including several 'cacklers')
Great-white Fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Am. Black Duck
Gadwall
No. Pintail
Am. Wigeon
No. Shovelor
Cinnamon Teal (L)
BW Teal
GW Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
RN Duck
L. Scaup
Co. Goldeneye
H. Merganser
Co. Merganser
Ruddy Duck
T. Vulture
B. Vulture
No. Harrier
SS Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
No. Goshawk (NJ)
RS Hawk
BW Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
RT Hawk (5+ sbs/morphs, including 'Krider's')
Ferruginous Hawk (L)
Golden Eagle
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Merlin
Am. Kestrel
Prairie Falcon (L)
Peregrine Falcon
California Quail (L)
Chukar (L)
Gray Partridge
RN Pheasant
Blue Grouse (L)
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Wild Turkey
Co. Moorhen (L)
Am. Coot
Virginia Rail
Sora (L)
Sandhill Crane
Am. Golden Plover
Semipal Plover
Killdeer
Am. Avocet (L)
Black-necked Stilt (L)
G. Yellowlegs
L. Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper (tons!)
Long-billed Curlew (L.... needed Sibley's for that one... amazing bird)
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Semipal Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper (L)
LB Dowitcher
Baird's Sandpiper (L)
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Am. Woodcock
Snipe
Wilson's Phalarope (L)
Boneparte's Gull
Franklin's Gull
RB Gull
California Gull (L)
Herring Gull
GBB Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove (L)
Rock Dove
YB Cuckoo
BB Cuckoo
Short-eared Owl (strange to see them over prairies and not marshes)
Long-eared Owl
GH Owl
Barred Owl
No. Saw-whet Owl
Burrowing Owl (L!!... was sitting dead center in a country road north of Vegas enjoying small mammal.... on of my target birds!)
E. Screech Owl
W. Screech Owl (L)
Co. Poorwill (L)
Whip-poor-will
Co. Nighthawk
Lesser Nighthawk (swarms around billboard lights in the dessert) (L)
Chimney Swift
White-throated Swift (L)
Black-chinned Hummer (L)
Ruby-throated Hummer
Calliope Hummer
Broad-tailed Hummer (L)
Rufous Hummer (L)
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker (numerous is some spots)
Lewis's Woodpecker (L....amazing bird...looks like water-colors)
RB Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker (L)
YB Sapsucker
Downy WP
Hairy WP
3-toed Woodpecker (L)
No. Flicker (both 'yellow' and red'-shafted')
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
W. Wood-pewee (L)
E. Wood-pewee
Cordillion Fly (L)
YB Fly
Willow Fly
Alder Fly
Least Fly
Dusky Fly (L)
E. Phoebe
Say's Phoebe (L)
Vermillion Fly (L)
Ash-throated Fly (L)
GC Fly
E. Kingbird
W. Kingbird (L)
Loggerhead Shrike (L)
RE Vireo
Warb Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
YT Vireo
BH Vireo
Steller's Jay
Blue Jay
W. Scrub Jay (L)
Gray Jay
Pinion Jay (L)
Black-billed Magpie
Co. Raven
A. Crow
F. Crow
H. Lark
P. Martin
NRW Swallow
Bank Swallow
Violet-green Swallow (L)
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Juniper Titmouse (L)
Tufted Titmouse
BC Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee (L)
Bushtit (L)
RB Nut
WB Nut
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Bewick's Wren (L)
House Wren
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
Rock Wren (L)
Canyon Wren (L)
RC Kinglet
GC Kinglet
BG Gnatcatcher
Mountain Bluebird (L)
Western Bluebird (L)
Eastern Bluebird
Am. Robin
Wood Thrush
Veery
Swaison's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
No. Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Sage Thrasher (L)
Sprague's Pipt
Am. Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
No. Parula
Orange-crowned Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
BW Warbler
Virginia's Warbler (L)
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
BTB Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (both 'myrtle' and 'audubon')
Black-thated Grey Warbler (L.... another on checked from the wish list)
Townsend's Warbler (L... striking)
BTGreen Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler (both 'yellow' & 'western')
Pine Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Grace's Warbler (L)
Worm-eating Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
B&W Warbler
Am. Redstart
Ovenbird
No. Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler (L)
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Hooded Warbler
YB Chat (L... finally!)
Euro. Starling (most numerous bird seen, 2nd to TVs)
Western Tanager (L)
Scarlet Tanager
No. Cardinal
Black-headed Grosbeak (L)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak (L)
Lazuli Bunting (L... another on the 'hitlist')
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel
Spotted Towhee (L... 'great plains')
E, Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee (L)
Sage Sparrow (L)
Black-throated Sparrow (L)
Field Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow (L)
Clay-colored Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Baird's Sparrow (L)
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow (L)
Nelson's (sharp-tailed) Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Bunting (L)
Lark Sparrow (L)
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow ('interior west')
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco ('pink-sided', 'slate', & 'Oregon sbs.)
McCown's Longspur (L)
Chestnut-naped Longspur (L)
Smith's Longspur (L)
W. Meadowlark (L)
E. Meadowlark
Bobolink
BH Cowbird
Yellow-headed Blackbirds (tons!)
RW Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird (L... once I IDed one, they seemed everywhere)
Co. Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle (L... seen from my airplane window in Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Bullock's Oriole (L)
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
Scott's Oriole (L... very, very neat bird)
Purple Finch
Cassin's Finch (L)
House Finch
Red Crossbill (I love the Black Hills... winter birds don't winter there, they stay!)
Pine Siskin ('yellow adult, in the end of May, in Nevada... cool stuff)
Lesser Goldfinch (L)
Am. Goldfinch
House Sparrow

By my tally, that is 78 lifers, jumping my life total to 387. Sucks to be home, but with staples in the brain, sprained wrist, and 2 busted ribs.... it feels great to relax.

-Brian-

Time to get a trip bird list....

2010-05-24T13:15:00.003-04:00

After camping and driving, A LOT (3900+ miles so far), plus poor weather here near Mt. Rushmore, I have time to get a updated trip list up. To put it very bluntly, these past 2 weeks have been stupid hectic, so actually resting on a bed and typing is relaxing.

Here is what I've gotten so far (again, going by Sibley's taxonomy):

Common Loon
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe (lifer)
Pied-billed Grebe
Western Grebe
Am. White Pelican
DC Cormorant
Am. Bittern
Least Bittern
GB Heron
Great Egret (seen near CT/NY border... still counts!)
Green Heron
BC Night-heron
Tundra Swan
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
GWF Goose
Snow Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Am. Black Duck
Gadwal
No. Pintail
Am. Wigeon
No. Shoveler
BW Teal
GW Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
RN Duck
Lesser Scaup (it is SO neat to see 'our' winter waterfowl up here in breeding plumage)
Co. Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Co. Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
No. Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
No. Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk (lifer)
Golden Eagle (3 so far)
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Merlin
Am. Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Gray Partridge
RN Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Wild Turkey
Common Moorhen (lifer)
American Coot
Virginia Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
Am. Golden Plover
Semipal Plover
Killdeer
Am. Avocet (lifer)
Gr. Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Semipal Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Am. Woodcock
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson's Phlarope (lifer)
Boneparte's Gull
Franklin's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
GB-backed Gull (again, still counts as I was on the road)
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster's Tern
Black Tern
Mourning Dove
Rock Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Short-eared Owl
GH Owl
Barred Owl
E. Screech Owl
Whip-poor-will
Co. Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
RT Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
RH Woodpecker
RB Woodpecker
YB Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
No. Flicker (red and yellow)
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
E. Wood-Pewee
YB Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
E. Phoebe
Say's Phoebe (lifer)
GC Flycatcher
E. Kingbird
W. Kingbird (lifer)
Loggerhead Shrike (lifer)
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
YT Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Co. Raven
Am. Crow
Fish Crow
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
NRW Swallow
Bank Swallow
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
BC Chickadee
RB Nuthatch
WB Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
RC Kinglet
BG Gnatcatcher
Mountain Bluebird (lifer)
E. Bluebird
Am. Robin
Wood Thrush
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
No. Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Euro. Starling
Sprague's Pipit
Am. Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
No. Parula
OC Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
BTB Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
YR Warbler
BTG Warbler
Palm Warbler (brown and yellow)
Pine Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
B&W Warbler
Am. Redstart
Ovenbird
No. Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Co. Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat (lifer)
Scarlet Tanager
No. Cardinal
RB Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting (lifer)
Dickcissel
Spotted Towhee (lifer... 'great plains')
E. Towhee
Field Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Baird's Sparrow (lifer)
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow (lifer)
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Bunting (lifer)
Lark Sparrow (lifer)
WT Sparrow
WC Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Chestnut-collared Longspur (lifer)
W. Meadowlark (lifer)
E. Meadowlark
Bobolink
BH Cowbird
YH Blackbird
RW Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird (lifer)
Co. Grackle
Bullock's Oriole (lifer)
Baltimore Oriole
Orchard Oriole
House Finch
Am. Goldfinch
House Sparrow

-MoJo-

Howdy from Rapid City, SD

2010-05-24T09:22:00.008-04:00

I packed up my truck Sunday morning (5/23) at Lewis & Clark S.P. after some amazing sight-seeing, camping, birding, and learning. Some new life birds I added were Mountain Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Baird's Sparrow (for real this time), Lark Bunting and Lark Sparrow, California Gull, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Bullock's Oriole (f), and Ferruginous Hawk.

I made pals with a really nice ranger who gave me a free 'pop', as they call them out here, for making a tally of the birds I saw while there. My list got to 149 species. My drive from Fargo to the park yielded my 3rd Golden eagle of the trip. The wind whipped off of the lake that laid right behind my tent. It reminded me of Long Island Sound... one morning it was glass, and I was able to scope several Western Grebes.... the next it was white-capped.

I can honestly say they only down side is driving 30 miles to get one bar of cell phone service to the closest town, Williston. Even that was alright because it drove me past a Prairie dog town.

Each night, and Elk 're-marked' his territory, right where I was during the night! Sharp-tailed Grouse and RN Pheasants called at dusk and dawn, coyotes sang out from the canyons, and my closest neighbors for the 3 nights/days were a Brown Thrasher, Orange-crowned/Yellow and Magnolia warblers, Clay-colored Sparrows, Western Kingbirds, a Screech owl, and Mr. Elk.... along with some passer-bys.

After saying my goodbyes and taking a few photos of the rising sun over the lake, I headed south to where I am now... Motel 6 in Rapid City, SD. About a half hour from Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, and the Black Hills Nat'l Forest. I drove through Sturgis to get here, which was FILLED with Harley bars, dealers, shops and the like. Before I got that far, I stopped half-way at an really neat bar called 'The No.3 Saloon' in Buffalo, SD. Coincidentally, two identical twins came in, which is interesting to me because my good friend feeding my pets my mother won't even look at is a twin. I was outside talking on my cell phone to a different friend back home, and as they left, one of them tossed me a 65,000 year old turtle shell fossil as a souvenir for my trip. It went in the cup with interesting rocks and petrified wood I found on my own.

Unfortunately the ratio of living mammals (not live-stock) to road-killed mammals is around 300:1.... Dead:Alive. I did pass a few Pronghorn Antelope on the drive, and saw a few free-roaming Bison as well. The grassland and badland roads are all lined with wired fence to keep our burgers and lamb from getting out, and birds perched on what seemed like ever 100 feet of them. So again, unfortunately, I saw many road-killed birds too. One of which was a hawk of some sort.

I've now seen 3 sub-species of Red-tailed hawks on the trip, and the drive here gave me great looks at different morphs of Swainson's and Ferruginous hawks. I have another night here, and will probably do a bird tally tonight.... or today, as it will be heavily raining and storming, with winds up to 50mph. Tomorrow will be sunny and 65, though. There are caves to see, and gold to find, and Deadwood to enjoy while I am here. A lot of the stories and characters from the HBO show 'Deadwood' are based on real people/events, and I can't wait to see Wild Bill Hickock's grave... as he was killed in Deadwood. Not sure if Calamity Jane is buried in the same cemetery. I do know I will walk where they did, as well as Wyatt Earp.

The weather for Yellowstone N.P. is NOT what I had expected.... snow and sleet for the next several days, so camping there is out. I will do a drive through and tour, take some photos, then haul to Boulder, CO... where it will be 70-80 and sunny until Friday.

It is now 7:47am (now in Mountain time.... it follows the Missouri I believe.... zig-zags like crazy) in Rapid City.

Signing off for now,

-MoJo-

The freedom of the road....

2010-05-20T09:46:00.002-04:00

It is 8:46a(central) in Fargo, and I am going to head to Lewis & Clark State Park in North Dakota for some camping/birding/hiking/photography(finally!) until Sunday morning (5/22).

The campground sits close to great walleye fishing, amazing birding (duh), and is close(relatively... CT is SMALL!) near/on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and the northern section of Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Forest.

On April 17th, 1805, the park's namesakes camped very nearby as they explored then unknown. To me, very cool.

Next WiFi probably in Salt Lake City, maybe a week or so away. Still awaiting my first Ferriginous....

From Fargo,

-MoJo-

PS:

I can't find Brainard! I want to photograph the Paul Bunyan Statue from the movie. They changed the names, due to the true events, so perhaps the town as well. I'll ask a local. =)

Off to the Dakotas...

2010-05-20T06:07:00.004-04:00

I'm in Fargo, ND now, getting ready to camp out for 3-4-5 days in Little Mizzou Nat'l Grassland (far west end, mountain time).

My drive to Fargo added a Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, an intermediate morph Red-tail, and my first Swainson's of the trip. I pulled off to check a pothole which was drying up, and filling with shorebirds... Least, Semipal Plover, and a single Pectoral Sandpiper.

I also spied two Tundra swans in a pothole with a few waterfowl.

I love the potholes.... a Pelican here, Snow goose there, waterfowl anywhere, migration shorbirds... gooood stuff.' Through Minnesota I saw several Cackling geese on their own.

Sandhill cranes fly-over and show up quite often now.

I am adding that sparrow as Henslow's, due to a lot of guide checking and note reviewing. The bird did not have the white lores of a LeConte's, a white eye ring, rusty(er) upper wings, and a big... almost seed eating bill.

Current trip count: 185 (186 if you want to count the Cacklers)

I lost, and bought a new SD card for my camera, so now I can actually take some photos of the birds from here on out!

No WiFi for a while after now...

Next stop, SW South Dakota and the Black Hills...

-MoJo-

...too add from a drive to Dunkin...

2010-05-18T11:15:00.003-04:00

(1) Olive-sided Fly perched in the only tree in the field (Madison, WI)
(2) Cackling (Richardson's) goose in field w/other Candada geese.

Sooo... that is now (178) species, and one subspecies since I left Stratford, CT.

-MoJo-

What a week....

2010-05-18T06:51:00.003-04:00

(LOTS of birds at this stop in middle Indiana)

CT to NJ, NJ to Cleveland, Cleveland to Chicago, Chicago to Columbus, Columbus to Ann Arbor... the Detroit, now typing from Madison, WI.

I camped out in an truly beautiful area about 20 minutes from the University of Michigan Campus, in a place called Pinkney Rec Area, at 'Crooked Lake' camp ground. My early morning buddies for the two days were singing Worm-eating and Magnolia warblers, Chipping and Clay-colored sparrows, YT Vireo, Common Loons, red squirrels, and dozens of catbirds.

I was in Ann Arbor, because I got to see the SOX LOSE against the Tigers @ Comerica Park in Detroit, which was about an hour away in traffic. Another hour trying to find where I parked (a frequent occurrence so far in the big cities... downtown Cleveland, Chicago, and then Detroit). Birding was done when possible (of course I'll squeeze that in!), but timing and driving length to places had me running all over. My first chance to really bird was in Ann Arbor. I set-up camp around 7:15 (est), done by 8:30p, by 1:00 I heard the loons, CanGos never shutting up all night, Barred and GH Owls, Tree frogs, bull frogs, peepers, and the sounds of calling coyotes that, to me, never gets old. The next morning I had some time to walk the area (huge, many lakes,, several many mile long trails through THICK, mature broadleaf woods, some mixed woods, HEAVILY wooded swamps, powerline cut, and the thickets along the lakes and between campsites.

I left out of Ann Arbor around 3-4p (eastern), and arrived at my Motel 6 (my new best friend when I need a good 8 hours and a shower.... $40 bux for a smoking room w/WiFi. Which bring me to now....

It is 6:15a (central time) here in Madison, and I have one day to just chillaxinate, then be outski tomorrow late morn to the Dakotas. A troop from here.... I think about 14-15 hours. My next )planned) destination is Cedar River Nat'l Grassland on the southern ND border. SD is all rain for the next few days, ND is 65-70s and sunny/partly cloudy for the next few+ days. So... easy decision when you are camping.

To the birds...

I have (not even close to joking) have seen at least 6-700 vultures driving these roads. Only Blacks were in NJ when I left out from my buddies house in Nanuet, NJ.

So far, here is my complete (relatively, I have one to nail down to an ID) trip list:

(1) Common Loon

(2) Horned Grebe

(3) Pied-billed Grebe (almost to the Western and Clark's!)

(4) Am. White Pelican (4 fly-overs)

(5) DC Cormorant

(6) Am. Bittern

(7) Least Bittern

(8) GB Heron

(9) Green Heron

(10) BC Night-heron

(11) Canada Goose (close to real ones in MI!)

(12) Snow Goose (a few fly-overs, one of about 200, and 3 loners in a restoration pool in WI)

(13) Wood Duck

(14) Mallard

(15) Northern Pintail

(16) BW Teal

(17) Ring-necked Duck (interesting sounds from these guys)

(18) Hooded Merganser

(19) Turkey Vulture

(20) Black Vulture (NJ)

(21) Northern Harrier (6 Gray ghosts in the middle of nowhere Illinois/Indiana)

(22) Sharp-shinned Hawk

(23) Cooper's hawk

(24) Northern Goshawk (through Pocono Mnts, PA)

(25) RS Hawk

(26) Broad-winged Hawk (several small kettles the whole way so far... one amazing dark adult)

(27) RT Hawk (many)

(28) Golden Eagle (2 so far)

(29) Bald Eagle

(30) Osprey

(31) Merlin

(32) Am. Kestrel (tons in the grasslands, like the harriers)

(33) Peregrine Falcon

(34) RN Pheasant

(35) Ruffed Grouse.... jamming out on the drums... but I can never track one down!

(36) Wild Turkey

(37) Am. Coot

(38) Sandhill Crane (3 separate times, one in a field, 2 fly-over groups)

(39) Killdeer

(40) Gr. Yellowlegs

(41) Solitary Sandpiper

(42) Spotted Sandpiper

(43) Dunlin (same spot as Solitary and spotted, small restoration pool in bumblescum, IN)

(44) Least Sandpiper (same as above)

(45) Am. Woodcock

(46) Wilson's Snipe

(47) Boneparte's Gull

(48) Frankin's Gull (more since the first)

(49) RB Gull

(50) Herring Gull (CT/NJ... none since.. gone north, right?)

(51) Caspian Tern (lifer)

(52) Common Tern

(53) Forster's Tern (all terns on large lakes or in CHI)

(54) Black Tern (bigger of the lakes in Ann Arbor)

(55) Mourning Dove

(56) Rock Dove

(57) Black-billed Cuckoo (TONS on tent caterpillars in my campground)

(58) GH Owl (juv. response is so neat)

(59) Barred Owl

(60) E. Screech Owl

(61) Whip-poor-will (still haven't actually seen one, heard 3 times in life... Ann Arbor)

(62) Common Nighthawk

(64) Chimney Swift

(65) RT Hummingbird

(66) Belted Kingfisher (one saved in CT very recently from Silver Sands, released next day)

(67) Red-headed Woodpecker (almost numerous in the woods of my campground)

(68) Red-bellied Woodpecker

(69) YB Sapsucker

(70) Downy Wp

(71) Hairy WP

(73) N. Flicker

(74) Pileated WP

(75) E. Wood-Peewee

(76) Yellow-bellied Fly

(77) Willow Fly

(78) Least Fly

(79) E. Phoebe

(80) GC Fly (calling all day in Ann Arbor... well, technically Pinkeny, MI)

(81) E. Kingbird

(82) RE Vireo

(83) Warbling Vireo

(84) White-eyed Vireo (2 places)

(85) YT Vireo (another morning singer at campground)

(86) Blue Jay

(87) Common Raven (leaving NJ)

(88) A. Crow

(89) Fish Crow (drive from Stratford to NJ...actually in BPT)

(90) Horned Lark

(91) Purple Martin

(92) NRW Swallow

(93) Bank Swallow

(94) Tree Swallow

(95) Cliff Swallow

(96) Barn Swallow

(97) Tufted Titmouse

(98) BC Chickadee

(99) WB Nuthatch

(100) Brown Creeper

(101) Carolina Wren

(102) House Wren

(103) Winter Wren (campground trails)

(104) Sedge Wren

(105) Marsh Wren

(106) RC Kinglet

(107) BG Gnatcatcher

(108) E. Bluebird

(109) Am. Robin

(110) Wood Thrush

(111) Veery

(112) Swainson's Thrush

(113) Hermit Thrush

(114) Gray Catbird (I had to tell them to shut up... about 5 around my site)

(115) N. Mockingbird

(116) Brown Thrasher

(117) Euro. Starling

(118) Cedar Waxwing

(119) N. Parula

(120) Orange-crowned Warbler (never heard one sing until this one)

(121) Tennessee Warbler (FOY)

(122) Blue-winged Warbler

(123) Nashville Warbler

(124) Yellow Warbler (tons, everywhere)

(125) Chestnut-sided Warbler

(126) Magnolia Warbler (morning singer at campground, both days)

(127) Cape may Warbler (Lake Shore Blvd in d/t Chicago.... excellent migrant spot)

(128) Cerulean Warbler

(129) Blackburnian Warbler

(130) Yellow-rumped Warbler

(131) BTG Warbler

(132) Palm Warbler ('brown/western')

(133) Pine Warbler

(134) Bay-breasted Warbler (same spot in Chicago)

(135) YT Warbler

(136) Worm-eating Warbler

(137) Prothonotary Warbler

(138) B&W Warbler

(139) Am. Redstart

(140) Ovenbird

(141) No. Waterthrush

(142) Mourning Warbler (Ann Arbor rec area powerline cut)

(143) Common Yelowthroat

(144) Wilson's Warbler (female)

(145) Canada Warbler

(146) Hooded Warbler

(147) Yellow-breasted Chat (lifer.. finally!!)

(148) Scarlet Tanager

(149) N. Cardinal

(150) RB Grosbeak

(151) Indigo Bunting (FOY, somehow)

(152) Dickcissel

(153) E. Towhee

(154) Field Sparrow

(155) Clay-colored Sparrow (with chippers, had to ID by song)

(156) Chipping Sparrow

(157) Grasshopper Sparrow

(158) Henslow's Sparrow ** (not Baird's, not that far west yet, my mistake)

(159) Savannah Sparrow

(160) Vesper Sparrow

(161) Lark Sparrow (lifer)

(162) WT Sparrow

(163) WC Sparrow

(164) Song Sparrow

(165) Swamp Sparrow

(166) E. Meadowlark (I was on the line... white malar)

(167) Bobolink

(168) BH Cowbird

(169) Yellow-headed Blackbird

(170) RW Blackbird

(171) Brewer's Blackbird (lifer)

(172) Common Grackle

(173) Baltimore Oriole

(174) Orchard Oriole

(175) House Finch

(176) Am. Goldfinch

(177) House Sparrow

I need to ID (think I did), but have an good idea already, was either Henslow's or LeConte's Sparrow. I am leaning towards Henslow's due to a smaller bill, rustier wings, no white/gray lores, white eye-ring, and a pretty thick bill. I'm on the fence to add it... either would be a lifer, but one thing that stood out was the lack of white tertials on the bird. So I say Henslow's.... but hey, that's birding.

3, maybe 4 lifers and few FOYs. I'd love input on my notes on the Henslow's/LeConte's

The beach along Lake Shore Blvd in Chicago must be a resting point for northern breeders, it was a GREAT stop!

Birding was done by hiking, driving, song IDs, and random pull overs in bumblescum. Waking up in my tent I IDed about 20-25 birds before I even sat up.

I am in Madison until tomorrow morning, so I think I'll look for a nice spot to bird for the day.... after I take a swim in the indoor pool (!) and shower.

So long for now,

-MoJo-

Day 3 (ish... again)... Cleveland to Chicago w/spots between....

2010-05-14T05:50:00.006-04:00

Right now it is 6:00am (central). Yet to sleep... 5+ from Cleveland to Chicago. Though before I left for downtown, I spent like 1 1/2hrs in Cleveland, mostly downtown, but was able to stay below the storm and bird Cuyahoga Falls Nat'l Forest (going back tomorrow after Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore). The normal migrants, plus a few we don't get at home. Gotta grab the notebook to get the list. Best was an amazingly striking female YT warb, with some brown on the back... normal??

I headed out of Cleveland towards Chi-Town to get my lost licence.... and I did quick stops at random 'birdy-looking spots' (like the one in PA), and had 17 Sandhill Cranes migrating north, YH Blackbirds all over like the grackles at home, about 200 Snow geese in splendid formation, my FOY Tennessee warb, several Blackburnians, Blackpolls abound (early this year, right??), a few Ceruleans (FOY), 4 bay-breasted warbs (FOY), and my favorite of the quick 2m walk through the Falls..... a migrating adult Golden Eagle (also 2 Baldies seen in the area.) A male Wilson's warb let me pish him in too.... another (FOY).

The big thing was the amount of Bonie's acting like RBGUs. Dumpster diving, picking fries from BK in the lot.

Cliff swallows nesting in MANY buildings in D/T Cleveland. Tomorrow I'll grab my licence, then head back to Cuyahoga. Also there were many RB Gros, various vireos, YB Fly, Wood-pewee, Clay-colored sparrow in with Chippers, migrating Peregrine (lots of pigeons!), S. Tanagers up the ying-yang, White-eyed vireo (FOY) in with the norms, another kettle of BWHA (6 this time) over I-80.... one the darkest of the dark morphs I've seen. Daylight Barred owl, 10+ warb species, Wood ducks... not a bad outing. It was actually sunny for a bit.

In D.T Cleveland, two Rastas (Studio Upstairs) were jammin outside, taking requests.... extreeeeeely good vibrations. They played Handsome Johnny (Richie Havens), and the best version of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' I ever heard.... they changed the key, and slowed it up. Wow. I wish my SD card hasn't been screwing up or I'd have amazing vids of them jamming out.

I skipped the R&R Hall of Fame, because I got free tickets (all free) to watch the Cavs BLOW IT on the megatron screen at Quicken Loans Arena.... game started at 8, by the time I got out of great pub clled the Rascal House, walked around taking photos, the museum would hve been closed..... me, and my music enlightenment need much more than 1-2hrs for a place like that.

The Cliff swallows (if I remember right) were also a (FOY). I also added A. Bittern and Green Heron to the trip list.

Total trip tlly has jumped to over 70 so far... day 3, didn't even make it to the Dakota's yet! Then the great beyond.

I'm checking out the CTBirds list.... good stuff going on! Especially after the storms roll through!

Best from Chicago,

-MoJo-

Tornados, 1" hail.... I'll take a detour!

2010-05-13T09:59:00.003-04:00

I am just about out the door in Cleveland to go see the R&R Hall of Fame Museum in D/T Cleveland. Afterwards, I'll swing south (away from these storms) to Cuyahoga Falls Nat'l Forest for a bit of birding, then to Chicago.

I dropped my damn licence at Bank of America in Jersey by my buddy's house, and the gracious manager sent it to Chicago for me... for free! Dope.

So after the rain starts (I'm on the bottom edge of the hard stuff... check the weather!), I'm off to Chicago for a night or two.... unless the rain clears, then I'll camp at CFNF for a couple days. Just gotta be in Detroit for the 1:05p start time of the ball game.

Right now (10:14 am, est) Chipping sparrows are singing, a Yellow warbler is singing, a female Orchard Oriole is looking slendid... even under the grey skies that have been over me since Jersey!! And another lifer..... a pair of blackbirds who required Sibley's.... Shiny Cowbirds. Their iridescence is almost MORE than a C. grackle from home. Chimney swifts, 2 male RT Hummers loving the Lilacs and some other flower I don't know. Last night a flock of maybe 2-300 C. Nighthawks made a pass north. Cliff swallows in D/T Cleveland yesterday, Bonie's flew over this morning.

I guess my Franklin's was a good find.... juuuuuuuust on the edge of their range. Size and call discerned the two.

Hopefully Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore isn't a monsoon.....

...until next time...

-MoJo-

Quick Change of Plans...

2010-05-12T15:27:00.002-04:00

I'm heading up north to see Detroit take on Boston at Comerica, Sunday @ 1:05pm. I selected visitor seats in the home run area.... plan to wear my Jeter shirt, show off my Yanks tat, Hartford Whalers hat.....

.....and cheers my balls off for Damon. I met him after a game (not taller than me!), and he was the coolest dude going.

Until next time.....

-Brian-

(AKA -MoJo-)

Day 1-2 (kinda)

2010-05-12T08:50:00.004-04:00

Day 1-2(ish):

I decided, instead of dealing with stupid NYC/NJ/CT traffic in the morn of Tuesday (check engine light went on Sunday night!!!... just a gas cap contact, whew!), I drove to Nanuet, NJ to see a good buddy Kenny who I go to festivals w/and hang out with from time to time. Arrived there (about 75min in traffic... yea, skip traffic.....) about 10:30 and we took in some jams, took in some DBs, and I crashed there.

I set out around noon, after going to the bank an buying a fireproof safe (marked as $40, night crew marked it $18... score!). And just like The Merritt and Hutch.... tree/construction/one lane shit.... so I stayed in Cleveland instead of Chicago. Especially since I would have gotten there by like 5am today (5/12). Motel 6, 5 mi from the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame and downtown Cleveland. I check out tomorrow (5/13) at noon..... on to North Dakota, with a stop at Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore in Indiana.

I was only about 3 hours in before some (some.... haha) storms rolled in (get ready CT!), so I pulled off I-80 in a place called The Village of Lighthouse. I made sure nothing would get wet, grabbed a snack, wrote in my journal/book, then heard the mojo....

This place was Cabella's, Bradely, Strong Rd, and Griswold all rolled into one. Bobolinks, Baird's Sparrow (lifer), RB Grosbeak, Field Sparrow, Yellow warbler, Catbirds abound.... but the best was a stunning..... stunning, female Prothonotary warbler who came to my pishing. She picked up my MoJo and refused not to chip and show off that blazing white undertail coverts. This was about an hour stop.

(Awesome little town......)

(Where the grassland and migrant birds were in PA)

I got back on the road, as soon as I jump back on I-80...more construction. Now in Ohio at this point, but I did see several Brewer's Blackbirds crossing the highway from grassland spot to grassland spot. A lifer for me! I noticed the smaller size of the grackles coming from the same areas. One nice point in traffic is when I watched an adult Red-tail devouring prey a top a lamp post.... going 1 mph, I got good looks!

40 Species so far... best being female Protho and HUGE 1st year Goshawk coming into a tree on the side of I-80 in the in the Poconos, PA.

Here for one more night.... off to see Cleveland!

-Brian-

Wow that came up faster than the last 4 months!!

2010-05-07T09:26:00.002-04:00

I am off and about by 5:00a Monday morning. I just hope I stay awake for Breaking Bad!!

These last few days have been chaotic/hectic/exciting/anxious, etc..... from packing, gather, yada yada.

At least my Blue-wings came home before I left! Still no Indigo Bunting!!!!

This will be my last post until stopover #1.... somewhere near Chicago.

3 days........ then 3 months of anything I want. I am going to leave a tape recorder at various spots over night to pick up historical Americans.... where Kennedy was shot, the Alamo, Gettysburg, etc.... not for me so much, my buddy is big into the ghost mojo.

See you out west!!!!

-Brian-

Oil......

2010-04-28T08:08:00.002-04:00

Unbelievable. You'd think after Alaska they would get there shit together. They can spend billions on nonsensical technology (iPad, for one....), yet not find a way to safely transport oil?

How many googles of times have ships navigated everywhere? To me, this really angers me for 3 reasons...

1) The most obvious, the wildlife of the Gulf

2) Obama thinks it's a good idea to do MORE drilling

3) My first encounter of the Gulf Coast in TX and LA will surely not be as expected.

I was in Alaska 2 years ago, and drove to Valdez. I honestly wanted to cry due to the way the locals described the disaster.

People ask me why I want to live in a cabin in the middle of an undeveloped million acre forest.... my answer is always.... 'You, and people'.

-Brian-

Lots of packing and thinking....

2010-04-27T10:07:00.002-04:00

I got a few new tats yesterday, rainy out, no plans, so I sat down and opened an excel file and just thought of everything I would need. From tent to chapstick, from plastic forks to my cell phone, from my water shoes to my lens cleaner.

In about 15 minutes, I had 228 items listed. The good thing, though, is that I already have 92% of all that.... I just have to think about where it is and find it all!! My buddy said, 'What, they don't have Walmart in bumblescum??'. Of course they do.... but being prepared is a no brainer when compared to a possibility.

It is now 10:11am (est), on April 27th, 2010. By this time on May 10th, 2010 I will be probably in Ohio. Not exactly safe.... but I made it home to Stratford from a hotel on the Illinois/Indiana border (called the Blue Heron!) in 12 hours. I am leaving at 4:00am, so 6 hours in I will be nearing Ohio most likely. People really think it takes longer to get to places than they actually do. Yea, it does take 14 hours to drive to Savannah, GE.... but from my house in Stratford it takes me 13 minutes, going the speed of traffic, to Main St. in downtown West Haven.

I can't wait for that first sunrise to enlighten my first birding spot... and myself.

T-Minus: 49min, 18hrs, 13 days......

-Brian-

Two weeks.... music

2010-04-26T10:27:00.004-04:00

Only two weeks until what will (hopefully not!!) be the trip of my lifetime. (I still need to get to Mexico again, Costa Rica, Galopagos..!!!).

One enourmous part of my life is music. I play music (guitar, keyboard, drums, harmonica, flute), I hear music (huge difference between listening and hearing!), I have musical vibes in my blood stream. I already rambled off a few bands to be heard on the trip, but because I am bored, I will list what I got on the iPod now. I listen to any and everything, so the list is quite eclectic and probably most artists are unknown to several.*

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.... how else do you find new music??* If anyone knows of a band listed, and knows of something I may like, I WILL put it in the iPOD... and give it a chance. most turn off things too qick to even know if they dig it or not.

(in no order of favorites....just what comes out of my mind......)

Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst (Conor IS Bright Eyes), Jack Johnson, Cage, Incubus, Citizen Cope, Miles Davis, Led Zepplin, The Doors, Atreyu, Air Supply (yea, I said Air Supply), Portishead, Kings of Leon, Plain White T's, Nas, Les Claypool and his many bands (Primus, Frog Brigade, etc...), Pink Floyd, Boston, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, The Wailers, 311, The Agony Scene, Alice in Chains, Arlo Guthrie, a little bit of Janis...can only take so much of her, Poison The Well, A Jealousy Issue, New Found Glory (not a bad show the other night at CCSU... too much new stuff), Marshall Tucker Band, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dave Matthews Band, Hatebreed (eh), Galactic, Ryan Montbleu Band, moe. (gotta be in my top 10 bands.... way too many to do a top 3, forget one), Tool, A Perfect Circle, Dashboard Confessinal, The Dillinger Escape Plan (coolest band name ever), Tupac, Biggie, OLD Mobb Deep, Blood for Blood, Jane's Addiction, Every Time I Die, The Grateful Dead, Ratdog (oh, Bobby, why...), Phish, Phil Lesh and Friends, Keller Williams, The String Cheese Incident, Nirvana, Widespread Panic, Muse, The Reckoning, Bob Dylan (Conor Oberst is the next BD), Eighteen Visions, Gin Blossoms, God Forbird, Radiohead, Full Blown Chaos, Hopesfall, Green Day (Dookie and prior), Metalllica (pre-Load... again, d-bag sellouts), Interpol, Damien Marley (Bob's son), Simon & Garfunkel, George Clinton and P-Funk, Deep Banana Blackout, Remembering Never, Crosby-Stills-Nash, Jethro Tull, Soundgarden, Sublime, Santana, Butthole Surfers, The Meat Puppets, Buddy Guy, a little bit of the old Ludwig Van (Beethoven... from Clockwork Orange... book better), Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Paganini (5th caprice.... wow.... link to video of best shredder EVER playing the 5th on electric guitar), Straylight Run, Lotus, The Black Crowes, A Life Once Lost, Bud and Budd- The Kind Buds, The Mars Volta, Michael Frantiw/Spearhead, Spearhead alone, Killswitch Engage, Seemless (Killswitch's original singer's new band), Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Mother Love Bone, RAQ, Senses Fail, Stome Temple Pilots, maybe some Coheed, John Gilmore solo stuff (Floyd lead guitarist), Better Than Ezra, Spin Doctors, Beach Boys, John Denver, The Bled, Johnny Cash, Candiria, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Drowning Pool (pre lead singer's death), Pantera, Superjoint Ritual, Foo Fighters, Tenecious D, From Autumn to Ashes, Fuel, Into Another, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Oasis, MxPx, NoFX (I hate the Misfits!), Live, REM, Kottonmouth Kings, Lords of Acid, The Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, OutKast, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, G. Love and Special Sauce, Perpetual Groove, Jeff Beck, Patsie Cline (my father loved her... know the songs by heart), The Bloodhound Gang, CKY, Cypress Hill, Flyleaf, System of a Down, Depeche Mode, Bootsy Collins, Cat Stevens, Edgar Winter Group, Mgmt, Trivium, Beck, Slightly Stoopid, The Roots, Silverchair, Candlebox (best band to learn on guitar), The Used, AFI (eeehhh), Eminem (I guess... I think he sucks besides his flow skills.... generic, corny and lame lyrics... Ill take Cage over him any day), The Pretenders, Blink 182 (2004 and prior), Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Portishead (needs to be mentioned twice!), The Mamas and the Papas, Roy Orbison, Ben Harper, Bens Fold Five, Matchbox 20......

....that is where my Brian brain train ended. I encourage all to check out any bands listed. how does one learn with closed eyes and ears??

-Brian-

Phone/GPS and some Sherwood photos

2010-04-25T09:00:00.002-04:00

Well I got a new phone, and I love it. I don't know how it compares to others, but I got the newest Motorola Droid w/Google. It is the one with the slide down keyboard (was a must... still working on getting better at that!).

But it indeed save me money.... I needed a new phone like crazy, and wanted/needed a GPS for my trip. The Droids maps and car navigation is amazing. Within seconds, it found where I was, I typed in San Fransisco, and had step by step directions.

Most probably know all these neat features, but this is my first 'real' phone... and I dig the hell out of it!

Anyhow... early on Friday morning (4/23), I met Tina Green at the entrance of Sherwood Island SP in Westport, CT for a look around. I had only been there once, and it was only as far in as to the conifers so see some really awesome birds (thanks go to Tina for that, also!!), so Tina was gracious enough to trot me around the park and point out the finer birding sections.

We tallied 43 species, highlights being 7 Snipe, 7-8 Willet, 4 Thrashers, and a single Yellow warbler (at most, 5 minutes after Tina left for work.. bummer!). That was our ONLY warbler of the walk. The Mill pond and LIS were quite dead.

Nonetheless, it was a gorgeous day (a bit breezy) to be out in nature. And I agree with Tina when she says that Sherwood could, and maybe more importantly should, be the Hammo of Fairfield county. Maybe not as big, but the habitats are all the same... just not maintained as much as they should be.

Below are a few photos I snagged of the few I snagged in total.

-One of many Willet who have returned to Sherwood Island and the CT coast-

-A crap photo of one of the 4 Thrashers we found-

-My favorite.... as I was leaving the point on the shore to head out and home, this amazing little guy landed and was very photogenic. I raised Black Swallowtails before, and I think they are just amazing. This was my first encounter this year with any swallowtail, though the next day I saw two Tiger Swallowtails.-

After today only 2 weeks!!!

(I can't say that Alex's FL birdlist didn't get me a bit jealous that I am not out now!! I'll be down there around July 1st... if AZ doesn't hold me down!)

-Brian-

We're getting there!!

2010-04-22T06:27:00.002-04:00

Less than three weeks to go!! (anxious scream). Just got my truck totally done up for my trip (after 2 dyas without.... but I have an amazing mechanic and a ton of stuff only ran me $600!)

Luke, Nick, Alex... I lost my phone (using an even crappier back up now), so Saturday I am going to Verizon to pick up a Droid, or the newest Droid. Whichever has REAL buttons. But either has GPS, and the latter has a GPS tracker. Two birds in one stone, hopefully!!

A few new birds have been ever so slowly coming into CT. I had my first BWWA (2) and Wood thrush yesterday.

There has got to be warblers around, weather was perfect for birds to be found yesterday. Frank Mantlik pulled the first Parula of CT yesterday, a willet was at Stratford Point, Cattle egrets were upstate, and an Am. Golden Plover.

Kepp those eyes peeled nd your necks strained to the tree tops! Yellow has been seen in CT as of 4/17.

-Brian-

The dump....

2010-04-17T14:53:00.003-04:00

One reason I LOVE birds is that they are everywhere. Whether stupid (in my opinion) Starlings or House sparrows, or just backyarders, or good stuff... anything can be anywhere, anytime.

I have been working a bunch to get stuff done and make as much cash as possible for my American Adventure, which brought me to the dump in Stratford. This dump (refuse/recycling place as the like to call it) is only a couple blocks down from the ever-popular Stratford unit of McKinney Refuge, mostly 'Great Meadows'. All the same habitat is near, but warehouses and whatnot make the 1/2m drive down the road seem less impressive (the winter 'western' Willet didn't think to seem so!!).

The last 2 times I have been to this dump, I had a gorgeous White-crowned sparrow working the large brush pile the town has residents pile into (4/10). This early afternoon, I was waiting in a looooong line to clean out the many (MANY) bags of trash from cleaning an apt and I was lucky to sore another First Of Year bird (FOY) in the form of 3 active Barn Swallows.

I guess the moral of this short story.... KEEP BINOCULARS IN YOUR CAR AT ALL TIMES!!

Enjoy birds, and get out there!! The migrants are slowly dripping in. White-eyed Vireos have been seen in the SW corner, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are around in small numbers, Palms are back, I had an early Baltimore Oriole a few weeks ago, and a Blue-headed Vireo on 4/06.

Vermont has already reported RB Grosbeaks and Wood thrush. Not my real deal here... but it seems once the weather breaks we should have some migrant songbirds. If they are up there... they have to be around here somewhere!!! Luke pulling a YTWA gives a good feeling. =) (Great spot Luke and the group!).

-Brian-

The Home Stretch...

2010-04-15T08:54:00.004-04:00

My original departure date was May 1st, but I've pushed it back to May 10th to be home for Mother's Day. At this time on May 10th I will be somewhere in PA, on my way to the Dakotas. I've taken a few road trips, some short, some ridiculously long.... common element for me... leave before daybreak. After sleep, of course (if possible that night). Driving west with the rising sun in the rear-view is an experience hard to duplicate. It gets even better as the sun and my eyes paint over landscapes unseen in front of me.

I don't like making stretches longer than 12 hours, if only because I can't stand driving for 12 minutes. People....

One of my favorite things to do on a long trip is to find a secluded rest-stop or park, grab a pillow and sheet, and nap in the sun for about an hour or two. On a trip to AK, I did just that on the WI/MN border. When I woke up, the sun was setting and a snake was stretching and squirming it's way south in the form of thousands upon thousands of Common Nighthawks. It went on forever... I stood still, just watching, for about 15 minutes before something else caught my eye, this time much bigger. A flock of 15 Sandhill Cranes managed to move their massive bodies silently over the rocks and hills to warmer climes. Once the cranes were out of sight, the Nighthawks were still going strong. I finally convinced myself I needed to get going, jumped in the truck, and was then presented with a stunning view of a feeding American Bittern in a small pool just past the rest-stop. It's colors felt so warm in the fading sunlight. All 3 of the species were life birds. All in about 30 minutes, by accident, after a nap.

25 days. 25 days and I am on my way. To wherever I want to go. Anywhere. And I plan to do just that. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling one gets with an entire country in front of them, pulling and tugging in every direction to see America's beauty. The cities, the towns with 1 stoplight, the 6 hour drives of nothing but sunflowers, antelope in the fields, Golden eagles patrolling the plains, the locals, the bars, the history.... I want it all.

Main cities that will be at least driven through (if not visited):

NYC, Cleveland, Chicago, Madison, the Twin Cities, Rapid City (SD), Fargo, Great Falls and Helena (WY), Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Boulder and Denver, Vegas, Reno, San Francisco (back tracking a bit by here... can't pass up a chance to cruise south along the Pacific in Cali), Monteray, LA, San Diego, (still on the fence about Baja... to keep it in the US or not, hmm....) Phoenix, Tuscon, Santa Fe, Roswell (and small towns from Natural Born Killers), Carlsbad, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mobile, Tallahassee, Daytona, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Laudy, The Keys, Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah (that is going to be amazing....), Charleston, Cape Hatteras, Richmond, DC, Annapolis, Philly, Trenton.... argg... Stratford.

I have from May 10th until July 27th to go wherever. I know going in that there is a distinct possibility I miss some planned destinations. Whether it be because the funds are dry, I can't leave one place, weather... it happens. I only have to be home for the Gathering of the Vibes at Seaside Park in BPT, CT. This will be, I believe, my 6th straight, since it was in upstate NY in Mariahville. Those that have seen me know I fit into the 'hippy' category, though I don't really subscribe to that label. Musically, absolutely. Music will be an integral and intense part of this whole trip. There is a song for every moment, place, person, thing, feeling and state of mind. My 2 iPods are already filled. Some bands that are absolutely needed:

Tool, Plain White T's, Jack Johnson, Citizen Cope, moe (the song Big Country fits so well), The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, Keller Williams, Radiohead, The String Cheese Incident, Gin Blossoms, Floyd, Zep, The Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends (I'll take them over Phish anyday.... too bad Bobby can't get it right with Ratdog), Peter Tosh/Marley/The Wailers, Remembering Never, Hopesfall, Cage, Jethro Tull, Widespread Panic (Space Wrangler... man), Pearl Jam, DMB, Senses Fail, Dashboard, the Blow soundtrack, 311, Santana, Alice 'n Chains, Metallica (STRICTLY pre-Load... sellout jerk tools... they are horrible now), Ryan Montbleu Band, Poison the Well..... off the top of my head.

I want to thank any and everyone who helped/is helping me with my trip. Everything helps. From spare jumper cables to feeding my reptiles.

The countdown continues......

FOYs continue.....

2010-04-03T17:56:00.003-04:00

I made a trip down to Milford Point today to say hey to a few people (used to volunteer there). and to check on the Piping Plover situation.

I found two separate pairs of Piping Plovers (no Bermuda leg bands.... yet!!!), and 7 American Oystercatchers. Birds were pretty plentiful today there. A decent sized flock of about 100(+) Dunlin along the LIS sound, 3 Opsreys hanging about.... 2 residents and one intruder, good sized numbers of gulls plankton feeder... one of which was a probable Lesser Black-backed gull... too far and too bright to be sure, but I could make out the nape streaking of the adult bird, 2 Tree swallows, a Red-necked Grebe close to breeding best, 3 Horned grebes in breeding best, and the usual suspects. There were also several Killdeer, a half dozen Black-bellied plovers, several Greater yellowlegs, and a single (probable) Lesser yellowlegs. Not good enough lighting or visibliliy of field marks to make it a FOY yet. I'd like to think I'll get one before I leave!!

My next stop was just down the road (and beach) to Silver Sands SP, also in Milford. I stopping quickly to say 'HEY!' to a good friend who is an ACO at the Milford Animal Control center building there, and he actually pointed out a few birds he had been seeing. One of which he told me about yesterday and I IDed for him in the form of 2 Glossy Isis, and some fast flying green-ness, as so described. They were a few Tree swallows.

We walked out to then end of the board walk so I can show how far my new scope can go, and there were perfect subjects about (not the females... wow, they flock on the first nice weekend!!). There were 3 Snowy egrets and a single Great egret in the trees of nearby Charles Island. Other notable birds were 3 Osprey and a single Peregrine falcon. More gull plankot feeding here as well.

FOYS for today:

Piping Plovers
American Oystercatchers
Snowy Egret
Glossy Ibis (reported, didn't see until today)
Red-necked Grebe (didn't see Larry's on the boat in early March)
Black-bellied Plovers (didn't do too much winter shorebirding, obviously!)

Nice two day total for me in the FOY category. 11 in 2 days. I also had a FOY Palm warbler this morning.

-Brian-

Finally... the sun!

2010-04-02T07:27:00.002-04:00

When I left my house yesterday morning, I was a little peeved to see it was still cloudy. But by 9:00a I was going blind! I hadn't seen the sun in like 4 days, and my bedroom is in the basement. When the sun came out I started sneezing, eyes watering and closing... but it felt great!

I had just gotten home when Tina Green called me to say she had found a Eurasian Wigeon in the 'warehouse pool' at the Great Meadows unit of the McKinney refuge in Stratford. I didn't see any last year, so I jumped on this one... also since I didn't go see one that was in Stratford this winter. Tina also let me know that the Northern Shoveler were still present as well.

I got down there, first day in a t-shirt and shorts, and was excited to score 4 first-of-year birds. In addition, birds were singing and Spring was showing itself. A phoebe worked the edge of the pond, Tree swallows flew by in pairs a couple times (Tina also had a NRW swallow), Swamp sparrows were looking nice and rusty, the Boat-tails were singing as loud as possible, Mute swans on their nest and bonding, Yellowlegs calling as it flew overhead, Killdeer calling from somewhere....

My 4 FOYs were Greater yellowlegs, Northern Shovelor, Eurasian Wigeon, and Great egret. Tina was awaiting Sara Zagorski's arrival when I got there, then Charlie Barnard came too. The 4 of us walked the railroad trail in hopes of Blue-winged teals (which were the other way!!), enjoyed the wigeon, and took in some sun.

It was a very nice day to be out, and nice to see my first EUWI since '08. Thanks, Tina! The Trumpeter swans took advantage of the great weather and took to the wing yesterday. I was thinking that may happen. All in all, it has been a sweet way to end the monsoon season and bring in April.

Lapwing, anyone??? ;)

Trumpeter Swans in Stratford...

2010-03-28T18:31:00.005-04:00

Finally, I found birds worth looking at! Hopefully, these will hold up and not be escapees.

I was driving to pick up a pizza, which took me past a small pond on the Stratford/Shelton line (actually in Stratford), when I noticed two non-Mute swans. I figured they were Tundras, based only on location. I quickly called a few people, and we agreed that these two swans were indeed Trumpeter swans.

No tags or bands were seen to indicate they are escapees, but like I said on CTbirds... that is not my field.

Frank Mantlik has some better shots, but here are two out of the bunch I took. We noted the red gape, long and straight bill, black legs, and overall huge-ness.

(click on photos for larger version)

-Brian-

FOY...

2010-03-22T11:35:00.021-04:00

....the three letters that get birders more and more excited for the upcoming migrant blast. Just three letters that denote change in weather, give info on early arrival dates when compared to previous data, and force those of us (like me!!) who eventually get stuck inside when winter is winding down just before those three letters emerge.

FOY... First of Year. 9 times out of 10 the FOY bird any birder will see is a common migrant, seen before, if not several, several times (if not, It'd be a lifer and not FOY!). But it is still so awesome.

The beginning of my FOYs (as far as birds go) started on March 11th, with an early, and singing Pine Warbler on the opposite side of a powerline cut that runs through my woods behind my house. Though early, it is not at all unheard of... they winter as far north as the Carolinas and maybe even Cape May (similar in that regard to Yellow-rumps who hang out on the coast, mostly Hammonasset SP, in CT during winter). As soon as I heard that classic, almost Chipping Sparrow like trill coming from the woods (which, for whatever reason, is a early Spring PIWA hotspot) near another Stratford birder's house, it was instantaneous.... Spring is close!!

(I'm wondering if Scott picked that up? I know he had them at his feeders for a long time last early season, which is VERY close to the 'hotspot'. *See photo below*)

(Spring plumage male Pine Warbler in the aforementioned 'hotspot'. Photo taken: 04/09/09

Below is a list of my 2010 FOYs with dates (not all birds):

Mourning Cloak butterfly (3/08) - Stratford
Pine Warbler (3/11) - Stratford
American Woodcock (3/13) - Stratford
Spring Peepers (3/13) - Stratford
Wood Frogs (3/13) - Stratford
Red-backed Salamander & 'Lead-backed' form (3/13) - Stratford
Tree Swallows (3/18) - Stratford
Garter Snake (3/19) - Stratford
Eastern Phoebe (3/20) - Shelton
Osprey (3/20) - Guilford
Eastern Comma butterfly (3/20) - Guilford
Spring Azure butterfly (3/20) - Guilford (one of my favs)
Black Racer snake (3/20) - Guilford
Pickerel Frog (3/20) - Guilford
Yellow-rumped Warbler (3/22) - Stratford

I am anxiously awaiting the early passerine/warbler migrants!! Especially since I am leaving between May 1-7th for two months!!!! 39 DAYS!!!! I'm going to miss late guys like Mourning warbs =( However, Palms will be here in a feeks. My early date (in my giant anthology of 3 years birding) for 'yellow' Palm warbler is April 19th. Which, as of today, is only a month away!

Further, I have an exact date for when both Indigo Buntings and White-crowned Sparrows return to my feeders, then off to close breeding locales (Indigo) or off to the far north (WC sparrow). That date is April 21st. Then they stay until about the first week of May, before they take to the wing. Thankfully, I'll be here in CT for that event. If it happens this year, it will be 3 years in a row... all three years of my birding obsession. Both species always arrive on the same date, just like Larry Flynn has in Norwalk with his Opsrey and Oystercatchers. =)

I have textbook habitat for Buntings to nest in the cut.wood edges in my woods, but I've yet to find a breeding pair. You'd think if it was good enough for the OK amount of cool birds that do call that area their temporary home, that the Indigos would at least give it a go (for all I know they have!!). Though we all know how different birds can be from species to species... even in the same habitat. There is a similar cut (thing nice mixed deciduous forests on either side, and thick, thick brush/scrub/shrubs inside), though multiplied by about 15, less than 5 miles from my house that sustains a nice breeding population of Indigos. As well as Prairie and Blue-winged Warbs, Towhees, Catbirds and Phoebes. It is called Shelton Lakes in Shelton, CT.... an amazing place tucked in all the development in that town. Breeding population of Pine, Black-and-white, Worm-eating, Prairie, Blue-winged, and Yellow warblers exist there. (Thanks to Charlie B. for adding a few to my verified list!) I think one reason the Buntings nest there and they don't near me is because of the stage of re-growth in the cut. The Shelton lakes cut is further along with established pockets and groves of Mountain Laural (?) and other thicker, taller shrub/scrub plants. Maybe that could be the difference.(?)

OK! back on track.... Below is a (terrible) shot under my feeders that shows an interesting group of birds, all migrants. The photo was taken on May 2nd, and contains Indigo Buntings, White-crowned Sparrows, and White-THROATED sparrows (May 2nd)... a species which is a winter visitor (and maybe northern CT breeder????) in CT. Winter and Spring migrants together, all feeding together. I thought it was really neat.

(White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows and Indigo Buntings feeding under my feeder tree in Stratford, CT yard. Photo taken: 05/02/09)

**Anyone can click on any photo throughout my blog to view a larger image**

-Brian-

My Backyard Woodpeckers...

2010-03-16T07:36:00.007-04:00

After days of mostly staying inside due to a 5-day rain storm (I admit it feels great to see the sun this morning.... first time since at least Friday), I did a lot of watching the birds in my yard. Then I got to thinking about woodpeckers.

I personally don't think they get the credit they deserve for being so intricately evolved to actually 'cling' to trees. All birds evolved in their own environments and habitats, created a huge diversity of bird species. The same goes for woodpeckers... some go for wood boring bugs, some go for sap and smaller insects, some are evolved to be dessert cactus fliers, others eat seeds and fruits, some will feed on the ground, and the biggest is the hardest to find (in CT, and besides Red-headed, of course).

Woodpeckers have evolved extremely thick and strong tail feathers which act as a prop when clinging to the side of a tree. They have long bills that slam into wood and chip away to find food, and bore out a nesting hole. Most fly in an undulating pattern, dipping and flapping their wings as their altitude varies. And for the purposes of my blog, I'm only going to speak of those I have, or see, in my yard and the woods behind it.

Throughout the year, and in migration times, I have been able to pull all but a Red-headed in one day in my immediate area (within 1/10mi.). Those species are, from smallest to largest... Downy WP, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (mostly in migrations, sometimes later into winter), Hairy WP, Red-bellied WP (the former and later are similar in size... only), the Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted ssps), and the huge Pileated WP.

(all photos were taken by me in my yard or woods...I have better photos of all but one of the species, but not from my yard/woods)

(male Red-bellied Woodpecker eating a basic seed mixture during a snow storm)

Just these 6 species have dramatic differences in their appearance and behavior... but all can be in the same woods at the same time. The Downy WP is basically a miniature of the Hairy WP, with defining characteristics being the longer bill of the Hairy, the often obvious difference in size, Hairies have completely white outer tail feathers while Downies have slight black spots/barring on their outer tail feathers... and I've seen the subtle black 'spur' that slightly creeps downwards into the white breast of the Hairy. In the males of both species, they have red coloring in the back of their white supercillium towards the back of the head. This red is absent in females.

Both species show a lot of white on the breast and in the barring, and sometimes can become 'stained' by the sap when boring out nesting cavities in the Spring.

(female Downy Woodpecker eating a finch blend once the suet was kicked)

(female Hairy Woodpecker, showing the yellow stains from creating it's nesting cavity. She was named 'Dirty Hairy'.)

After the Downy and Hairy, the next closest look-alike would be the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.... but only at a far distance without optical aid. The YB Sapsucker has a mainly black back with slight white barring, which varies from male to female and from individual to individual. The YB Sapsucker has a black breast, while Hairy and Downies have white. The wingtips of the Sapsuckers (not just the YB) extend much closer to the tip of the tail than in the 'twins'. Though called the Yellow-bellied, it isn't a bright yellow, and can be washed out in certain angles and light. The sure-fire field mark I go by is the red forehead in both sexes, and the red throat of the male. YB Sapsuckers also have large and obvious white wing patch.

(male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker)

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers do (I believe) breed in the northern climes of CT... as I've seen a male in Kent, CT in mid-July. However, that range is limited and does not extend to my town (which is both coastal and in-land due to a tall skinny outline). Though they do indeed pass through my area in Spring and Fall migrations. As a matter of fact, there should be a few around as I creep up to my departure date (45 days!!!!!!!) and the Spring migration gets into full swing.

Up next is an often confusing woodpecker for the common backyard birder who doesn't know the rarity of what they are often mistaken for. The Red-bellied woodpecker does indeed have a red head, though the entire side of it's face is grey, and females only have red present on the nape and the feathers juuuust before the bill... the much rarer Red-headed WP has an entirely red head, and has much more solid black than the Red-bellied. The Red-bellied WP doesn't have an intense red belly (another reason why this species can be incorrectly identified) when seen, though some have a heavier hue than others. This color variation and it's ease of viewing is very similar to the yellow of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

(male Red-bellied Woodpecker)

The Red-belly, as opposed to the solid black and solid whites of the Red-headed, are mostly grayish with black and white barring on the entire back and it's central tail feathers. When scrutinized together, the difference between the Red-bellied and Red-headed woodpeckers is quite measurable.

Next in line, and in size, is the Northern Flicker. Here in CT we have the 'yellow-shafted' ssps of the Northern Flicker. Among others, the main differences are the color of the underside of the wings (hence, yellow or red shafted), and the mustacial face stripe in males... yellow-shafted Flickers have a black stripe, while male red-shafted have red. Also, the yellow-shafted has a red crescent on the nape that is absent in the red-shafted race. Hybrids have been seen in CT, and are not uncommon in middle American and the Great Plains (same thing?).

(Northern Flicker from behind at suet feeder... I think this was a female)

Last, but certainly not least, is the large and imposing Pileated Woodpecker. This species is the closest to Woody Woodpecker you're gonna get....

(female Pileated Woodpecker)

The Pileated is a huge Woodpecker, and large backyard bird in general at 16-19" in length. The birds loud calls are somewhat similar to the Northern Flicker, but once you have heard one... you can't make the mistake again. My very first sighting of a Pileated, anywhere, was in my woods. I was sitting cross-legged in a powerline cut that runs through the woods behind my house and being amazed at the bird species I was seeing. I had only been birding for barely a month (first notebook entry March 16th, 2008.... bird seen on April 20, 2008), and I was loving my first encounters with Catbirds and Towhees. Out of nowhere, the loudest and most raucous call I had ever heard sounded off directly behind me. I turned around, and was treated to my lifer Pileated Woodpecker, a female working on a dead limb. I snagged a few photos... and they remain my only since... though I've had several more encounters with this species in several different locations in a few different states.

(female Pileated Woodpecker...notice BLACK mustacial stripe... males show red.)

Even though no one can mistake a Pileated for another woodpecker (unless you live in Louisiana!!), some identifying marks are it's entirely black back, wings, and tail... huge amounts of white on the underside of the wings... an obvious white stripe running up the side of the neck to the auricular area, and then shooting out to the bill below the birds black eye-line. Both sexes have large red crests on the head, though the female has a black forehead and mustacial stripe... the male has red down to the bill, and a red mustacial stripe. Both have white throats... so the lines, going from throat to crest are white, red, white, black (eyeline), white (supercillium), red (crest) in the male.... and white, black, white, black (eyeline), white (supercillium), to red and black (as mentioned, the females red crest does not cover the forehead like in males).

Woodpeckers are a common backyard feeder visitor, feeding on a range of things offered to them.... mostly suet cakes, but also apples, seeds, peanut butter mixtures, and bugs on the ground (Flickers are pretty much the only woodpecker I get that will actually feed, and forage, on the ground and lawns). The most common, and bravest, is the smallest... the Downy. When I open the back door, everyone leaves except the Downies. And the reason that brought me to write a post about woodpeckers, is the ferocity in which the Red-belly defends it's chosen suet cake from other woodpeckers, blackbirds, house sparrows, or any other feathered intruder. They are the only ones who refuse to leave... this morning a lone female came to the 3 cake linked chain, and successfully fended off about 8 Starlings.... who are notorious for devouring suet cakes in minutes.

All but one of the 6 species mentioned has fed in my yard at my suet... the only one who hasn't is the Pileated, though they certainly will go to them. I believe my problem is that the cages, and the tree they are on (a 3 year old Maple) may be too small for this huge bird.

Woodpeckers are amazing examples of evolution, and are always interesting to watch. I like to equate the Pileated Woodpecker with the Bald Eagle.... no matter how many times you see it, it remains an awesome sight.

-Brian-

Norwalk Islands, 3/09

2010-03-10T09:46:00.011-05:00

-Longitail ducks starting to change into summer plumage-

Yesterday (03/09/10), Larry Flynn invited Dennis Varza and myself on his boat to both check out the feeding habits (what they are eating, where they were eating, and finding what they are eating) and numbers of gulls, and to survey the wildlife around the Norwalk Islands. The Norwalk Islands are made up of something like 25 small bodies of land in a several mile stretch from the far eastern end of Westport into Norwalk. The islands range from big enough to have a quite decent sized summer home with several trees and some docks on it.... to some that seem like just rocks or small beaches. It is an amazing stretch of landscape, especially on a gorgeous day like we had.

Temps when we docked back in were in the mid 50's, somewhere in the low 40's when we left. The sun was glaring (Larry and I got a slight facial sun burn... you're right! It does feel good!) We got out going around 10:30am, and docked right around 1:45pm. The wind was very calm, though picked up a bit by the time we were done. The Sound was nice and calm and visibility was also good.

All added together = A great day to be out!

I'm not familiar with the name of the Islands themselves, but I do know we covered 22.1 (right, Larry?) nautical miles, and saw a lot of water and island shoreline. We also cruised past the Maritime Aquarium up the river to the sewage treatment plant, where were found out ONLY SHOREBIRD of the entire 3 hour trip in the form of a Killdeer call. I only heard it, I'm not sure if the guys saw him.

Notable birds seen include a fly-by Red-necked Grebe Larry snared as it moved through, A tight ball of (6) Northern Pintails in a super busy waterfowl area (I had them in the binocs too, and over-looked them!!) and Dennis was able to recognize the body shape and flying patterns, a 1st winter Iceland Gull Dennis found mid-air among a bunch of Herrings, a single Peregrine Falcon, and a single American Kestrel. At least I found the Falcons!!

We were out during low tide, and this isn't my specialty at all, but the recent plankton feeding gulls were not plankton feeding as intensely, or really at all, as they do during the high tides at a full moon. There were a big number of gulls, but the vast majority were along the shores of the islands, or (thanks to Dennis for this info) scraping the low-tide submerged rocks for food. Dennis and Larry mentioned something about the large number of gulls could possibly be them waiting out until the next high-tide with a full moon. Gull Numbers, as compiled by Dennis, are as follows:

Ring-billed Gull: 38

Herring Gull: 1600

Greater Black-backed Gull: 22

Iceland Gull: 1 (1st winter)

I was the trips compiler for the trip, and here are my numbers for our whole trip. Dennis' thing is the gulls, and I have really just started my gulls this winter, (I'm a songbird and Raptor guy) so we established in the beginning that he'd keep the gull count.

Brant: 135

Canada Goose: 37

Mute Swan: 4

Gadwall: 1

American Wigeon: 13

American Black Duck: 62

Mallard: 44

Northern Pintail: 6

Greater Scaup: 3

White-winged Scoter: 5 (instead of 5,000...)

Long-tailed Duck: 152 (some really changing into summer plumage)

Bufflehead: 98

Common Goldeneye: 110

Red-breasted Merganser: 237

Red-throated Loon: 5

Common Loon: 5 (one showing a bit or breeding plumage)

Red-Necked Grebe: 1

Great Cormorant: 17

Turkey Vulture: 1

American Kestrel: 1

Peregrine Falcon: 1

American Coot: 1*

Killdeer: 1

Iceland Gull: 1 (1st winter)

American Crow: 2

Fish Crow: 25

* The Coot is a resident at the marina there, and Larry tells me he is unable to leave for whatever reason.*

In addition to the birds, we had at least (10) Harbor seals, and at least (2) Gray seals. I say at least, because sometimes the scuttle off before you get close enough to count the whole group, or a head will pop up randomly without giving time to give an ID. We did have two or three unidentified seal species as well.

Below are some photos I took on that nice day. Some better than others, like always, but there are a few that give good comparisons at the differences between seal species. Some are cropped, and I had the ISO on my camera on auto (AAARRRGGG!!), but I hope you enjoy:

-BIG male Gray seal (left) barking at two Harbors (right, and head poking out of water on the far right) who got juust a bit too close.-

-Two Great Cormorants taking off of one of the many boulders in the Norwalk Islands area. Long Island is visible in the background-

-The mid-day sun shining on the wake of Larry's boat-

-The same big poppa Gray seal. Notice the longer face, big eyes, and somewhat ugly face of the Gray-

-Two Harbor seals enjoying the sun. Notice the shorter face, with smaller eyes and a puppy dog/'cute' face.-

-A club/pod (is that what a group of seals are called?) of eight Harbor seals.-

I'd like the thank Larry, again, for inviting me out on his boat on such a nice WINTER day. Spring hasn't started yet! =)

-Brian-

Penfield Reef, 03/05/10-

2010-03-06T09:44:00.005-05:00

I managed to wade through the water to get to the end of Penfield Reef to watch the Harbor seals out there.... and maybe a Gray (not yet...).

Waterfowl numbers were great, with 900+ Goldeneye (including a single female BARROW'S), about 600+ Greater Scaup (pulled 2 Lesser... probably more), 500+ Brant, 90+ Long-tailed Ducks, and 13 Horned Grebes. Other birds were a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, an adult Iceland Gull (I think Alex Burdo had one here very recently), 3 Great Cormorants, 3 Common Loons and a single Red-throated Loon.

At the end of the reef were 6 Harbor seals, 3 of which didn't haul up until I was back on the beach. I did manage some photos. The ducks were too far for my 300mm lens, and I don't have a point and shoot yet for my scope, so you guys will just have to settle for a couple seals and some other Brian-likey photos.

There is one neat series of a Great Black-backed gull trying to (and eventually succeeding) in gulping down a nice flounder:

-Brian-

A quick round-about this morning....

2010-03-02T16:20:00.014-05:00

I was without a car all day Sunday, and Monday, due to a blowout that happened on Saturday night. This was after my windshield began growing a root from the lower-left corner after being hit by a rock kicker up by an SUV. Soooo... today, I put some time aside this morning to check a few spots and watch some really neat birds. It was a great day outside, but I only had time for stop and jump out, and 'car-birding'.

It also wasn't overwhelmingly birdy out there, so I added a couple random nature shots I took this morning. The one below, being one of them. It is the stand alone Birch on the north side of the marsh behind the warehouses in the Great Meadows Marsh in Stratford.

('Stand-Alone'-Birch Tree)

My first stop was to look for the 'western' subspecies of the Willet that has been hanging out on the Stratford/Bridgeport, border at a body of water called Johnson's Creek. Johnson's Creek is a river/brook/creek that eventually runs into Lewis's Gut, then eventually into Long Island Sound (right??). The tide was rising, which eliminated most of my chances at seeing him closer up on the mudflats, but I did manage to find him tuckered down at the very end of a pier down the creek at a marina. The bird is often on top of the piers and ramps.

Unfortunately, my camera lens is only so big... and my photography skills are only so good... that I missed out on a photo. I did manage to snag a few shots of a pair of adult Red-tailed Hawks interacting and.. maybe courting?? It was clear that it was a pair because one was certainly larger, and they were both adults. I was under the impression that adult Red-tail (and other raptors or birds.. and whatever, really) females were bigger than the males. I know this to be true in accipiters.

Other birds seen at Johnson's Creek was the same chatty female Belted Kingfisher that was present during my last visit, 11 Hooded Mergansers, and a single male Boat-tailed Grackle calling in a tree on the est side of the creek. Moved from tree to tree a bit, probably because of the crows and gulls everywhere.

(Pair of adult Red-tailed Hawks)

My next stop, which is on the loop (hence the 'round-about'), was the marshes and trees behind the warehouses at the end of Long Beach Blvd in Stratford, which is a part of the Great Meadow Marsh. It was very dead there... including whatever a female Harrier was eating on the ground when I arrived. She flew away, prey in talons, and flew in a bit of a circle... towards Long Beach in Stratford, then back around across the water (the end of where Johnson's Creek is) towards Bridgeport and out of sight. VERY shortly after she vanished into industry, a pumpkin-orange breasted juvenile Harrier appeared out of the sunbeams in the trees across the marsh, and flew towards Long Beach and the extensive marshes across from Sikorsky Airport in Stratford.

I got awful photos of both, and on the juvenile I was able to see the pale bar across the 'back shoulders' of the bird. They were almost as orange as the front of the bird. Perhaps the 9:00m sunlight enhanced the colors, but it looked so cool either way.

Other than nothing, the pool there behind the warehouses had 3 male Boat-tailed Grackles int the reeds in the back of it.

Next on the route is sometimes the pools on either side of the intersection of Access Rd. and Lordship Blvd in Stratford. One of which is usually referred to as the Access Pool. In the pool on the south side there were 4 Hooded Mergansers and a small flock of Black Ducks. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but as I drove along the Blvd, EVERY little pool had Hoodies and Blacks in it. I found myself creating a long line of cars behind me as I was hoping for something else too!!

On deck was Long Beach in Stratford, where a 2nd cycle Glaucous Gull has been found (for the 2nd winter in a row). As soon as I pulled in I noticed the amount of gulls, and amount of heavy machinery. The job has begun to demo the cottages at the end of Long Beach West in Stratford. Nonetheless, I had a nice conversation with one of the workers, and they allowed me to scoot on past a bit to scope out the gulls on the other side of the jetty where the Glaucous usually is seen. Sure enough, about 1/4 of the way down, there he was!! A big boy too! A Bobcat-type machine spooked him and he flew to 'his' Jetty, and was near a Brant. I never new Brant were that small!!

Again, my photos of this big flash of white were quite sub par (I don't get that term... in golf, sub par is good. Over par is bad. Hmmm....) so not much to go by. I will add a couple photos of last years 1st cycle... taken in the same spot where I stood and watched him today. Maybe some of those who got usable photos of the current bird could compare these, and the giant amount of others from last year's. I also got a photo of a Ring-billed Gull in breeding plumage, mouth open, showing a stunning red gape.*

(1st cycle Glaucous, Long Beach in Stratford '09)

(1st cycle Glaucous Gull, Long Beach-Stratford, 2009)

(breeding-plumage Ring-billed Gull)

*Not trying to top yours, Larry!!*

After scanning and (finally, thanks Jim and Carol!!) scoping the Sound very briefly, I came up with these birds:

(+/-50) Common Goldeneye
(2) Horned Grebe
(2) Great Cormorants
(2) Red-throated Loons
(1) 2nd cycle GLAUCOUS GULL
(1) young LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL**

**I couldn't tell age other than not adult with the sun and the streaking and my lack of larid skills... so I wasn't comfortable with calling it. Thankfully Frank Mantlik showed up as I was on my way out and found it later. He knows the age/cycle).

And while we were talking, the Glauco flew right over us, giving great looks at everything. Very cool bird, indeed.

Other than that listed above were the usual Brant and Black Ducks. I wasn't able to get a chance to see the jetty or further down, so no shorebirds... =)

Kinda back-tracking, but next up usually is Frash Pond if I skip Stratford Point, which I did, because this day's birding was 98% in-car. This pond has what Canvasback want. I do not know what it is, but my small depth of knowledge doesn't know of too many other places as reliable for the big duck. Due to recent warm weather, and a lot of snow melt, the whole pond was open, and the birds were in their normal spot in the back by the cement spout (forgot the word). There were also Lesser Scaup reported there recently so I was hoping for them... which I did see.

I also had a female Scaup species that seemed kinda Greater than Lesser. But again, my skills aren't up there yet to be totally sure. It's white spot behind it's bill and on the front of it's cheeks was much larger and more prominent than the female Lessers that were there. Also, when the small group of Lessers moved along and started diving elsewhere, the unidentified stayed in with the Canvasbacks. Who knows... not me, obviously.

Below are some numbers from Frash Pond in Stratford:

(26) Canvasbacks
(5) Lesser Scaup (3 male, 2 female)
(1) Scaup sp. (grrrr...)
(1) Pied-billed Grebe
(8) Bufflehead
(1) awesome fly-over of sub-adult Bald Eagle heading S/SE

By now, The Fat Robin Wild Bird Shop run by Jim and Carol Zipp was open, and I drove up there to Hamden to get my new tripod head, and return Jim's. (A long story in itself!!) On My ride home (going Southbound), I had a Black Vulture flying along the rock ledges just before the tunnel on RT-15 at 12:15pm. Then just down the road at 12:19pm, I had a Raven flying low over RT-15.... I forget the exit, but it was directly over the Mile 46 marker.

I then came home and looked for Tucker the male Towhee who has spent the winter (sometimes with friends) at my house/feeders, with no luck. And that was the day.... birding, that is. Stuff around the house is still being pursued.....

-Brian

Hybrid Ducks are cool...

2010-03-01T00:44:00.009-05:00

Back in the end of November, early December, fellow Stratford birder Frank Mantlik located a drake Mallard x Pintail hybrid. I think it is actually a Pintail x Mallard, based on field marks and features. The inset photo below, and photo further below were taken during it's first appearance on December 1st, '09.

The bird eventually vanished, only to reappear this week.... found again by Frank. The bird is at Wooster Pond in Stratford, CT... part of a park and Middle School.

Wooster Pond is also known for producing good waterfowl, in a less than clean and less than 'wild' area. This winter season, the pond has produced numerous Green-winged Teal (often over 20 at times), Northern shoveler, Northern Pintail, Pintail x Mallard, Black Duck x Mallard, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Snow Goose, and Cackling goose.

It is an easy place to access, park, and bird. And during migrations, the wood edges and thickets/trees around the streams,and woodland trails in the back, produce nice songbirds.... especially warblers. Definitely worth a trip there when doing the Stratford rounds in winter or during migrations. Often a reliable spot for waterthrush, as I ahd both species there this past summer.

-Brian-

Penfield Reef- Fairfield, CT

2010-02-23T08:33:00.009-05:00

-Yesterday (2/22) in the late morning, Charlie Barnard and I took a walk out onto Penfield Reef in Fairfield in hopes of some shorebirds, ducks, and seals. All were present in OK numbers except the former. Only a few Sanderlings.

-The water level was higher than normal, and the whole reef didn't become exposed, so we scoped from the 'half-way point'. I suspect that it was this mess of winter weather moving from the west that altered the tides. What was interesting, the west side of the reef was much choppier than the east.... and it was getting windier by the minute. We both had a feeling there were more shorebirds further out, but scopes only go so far!

-Another interesting aspect was the Horned Grebes. We counted (probably tentative) 42 Horned Grebes to the west of the reef. Zero on the east. And a grand total of zero Common and zero RT Loons. A fellow birder from Stratford, Frank Mantlik counted 20+ during his scouting of the Stratford shores. Good day for the Horned Grebes!! Thanks to my more experienced birder buddy, Charlie, I just learned that in February the Horned Grebes grow in numbers and stage here in L.I.S. before moving along to continue their legacy and create new generations of this really neat bird.

Below is our tally for the hour or so we spent out there:

(15) Brant (I expected to see more)

(350) Greater Scaup... very well could have been Lesser mixed in, but conditions and distance made it hard to ID

(36) Long-tailed Duck

(400) Goldeneye (a huge flock came up and there were at least 200 in just that one)

(6) Red-breasted Mergansers

(42) Horned Grebes (again... ALL west of the reef)

(3) Great Cormorants

(4) Sanderling

-We also saw about 6 Harbor seals looking quite content and lazy off the reef. A few were just floating on the water. One of which was clearly an adult bull Harbor. Another male, floating on the water, was laying on his side with a fin in the air... reminded me of Humpback Whale behavior. Perhaps courting??

-After Penfield Reef we scanned a few other local Spots like St. Mary's by the Sea and Captains Cove. Other than 2 Ring-necked Ducks at Captains Cove, and a single Great Cormorant near St.Mary's (out on the lighthouse/rock island thingy), there was nothing of note out of the norm.

Below are a few of the few photos I shot while on the reef.

(Sanderling pair)

(Common Goldeneye flock in flight)

(Sanderlings)

(Two Harbor seals being lazy out past the gull flock. Both are Harbor seals, you can see the one big'un on the right and another on the left)

-Brian-

Prairie Hawk ID and a Little of Leg #1

2010-02-20T06:55:00.007-05:00

I am going stir crazy!!!!! I can not wait to ramble on..............

So far, planned stops on my first leg will be Bald Eagle State Park and spots along the Delaware Water Gap in PA, Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore in Indiana, Wrigley Field in Chicago (only drove past it last time... even that was a mistake... Chicago highways are TOUGH to know where the hell you are, or going), Buffalo Gap Nat'l Grassland in North Dakota (on SD/ND border), Black Hills Nat'l Forest, Wind Cave Nat'l Park, Deadwood (town of, in SD), Mt. Rushmore, and a day or two in Rapid City, SD.

This first leg will be quicker than the others, mostly because I want to get to SoCal and AZ while the bird migration is still moving. And secondly because my drive to Alaska had the SAME route until I reach the Dakotas. I will certainly stop at the places I know of from last time on that leg (there was an awesome little inland wetlands spot at the Wisconsin Welcome Center on I-90), but I am a rambler and I love driving past something and thinking...

"Man that looks like a neat spot to hike"..... or 'Wow. I just saw a Swainson's Hawk!! Gotta stop here!"

I found a few cool spots like that. One of which led me to a hawk that I have still yet to have 100% confirmation of whether it is a juvenile Krider's Red-tail, light-morph Ferrigenous, or something else.

See for yourself, and you decide.... the white on the head leads me to think a young Krider's. Which is prairie subspecies of the Red-tailed Hawk. The bird was seen just south of Des Lacs NWR in (pretty far up) NW North Dakota.

I'd love to hear some thoughts on the raptor from some of my fellow birders.... as I still call it a 'possible Krider's'.

-Brian-

Truckin'

2010-02-17T08:08:00.004-05:00

I am a huge Grateful Dead fan. Well, just a rather sizable deadhead in general. I firmly believe I was born in the incorrect decade for my views, likes and dislikes. I would MUCH rather jam out to some Dead or throw on some old Peter Tosh (who, in my opinion... has just as good, if not a better voice than his ex-band mate, Bob Marley) than listen to about 99% of EVERYTHING released since maybe, 1998.... well, that is pushing it. Maybe '93.

Regardless, one thing I plan to do on this road-trip, which will involve only one detour, is visit all locations mentioned in the song, 'Truckin' by the Grateful Dead. Those locations, in order as they come up in the song, are:

Chicago, New York, Detroit (it's all the same)... Dallas, Houston (too close to New Orleans), New York... up to Buffalo... and finally, Bourbon Street. Very much hopefully, sans getting busted on said street.

There are an incredible number of aspects that I hope to enjoy on this trip.... not just birds. Not just nature in general. I plan to star gaze in the darkest spots of Arizona (man one of those 'star-gazing city' houses would be amazing... they COME WITH observatories), view some of our nation's historical locales such as The Alamo, Deadwood, South Dakota, Washington D.C., etc....

I am a giant fan of history, especially my personal history and American. Even more specifically, Native American history.... and art... and folklore.... and life.

Often times when I am hiking, regardless of the location, I sit on a rock or stump, off trail, and just look. I take a mental photograph of my immediate surroundings.... then I close my eyes. In one of my favorite local spots, Roosevelt Forest in Stratford, CT, I imagine the road I drove in on is gone. The mile or so of neighborhoods that shattered the once continuous mixed deciduous forest have disappeared. The several mile long powerline cut no longer divides woods from scrub. The only thing that breaks up these woods are the waterways.

I picture how far south these woods stretch until they approach, then battle the winds of Long Island Sound, become sparse, and open up into an unmeasurable shore habitat. Barrier beaches and brackish marshes for as far as the eye can see.... not as far as to the start of the next neighborhood, or new development.

I imagine these things, and it makes me think of when the TRUE Americans were thriving. When Stratford, CT encompassed all of Shelton, Monroe, Trumbull, and half of Bridgeport. When they saw the first 'bird' that can 'fly over the waves' coming over the horizon.

I have no problems understanding why some tribes became aggressive... well, intolerant is a better word. It was theirs to begin with. Crazy thoughts by some see a world-wide nuclear holocaust, with only the jungle tribes surviving. With no 'civilization'..... in the naive sense of the word, these secluded tribes will take over, bringing us back 2000+ years when tribes battled. Not for oil. Not for resources. And certainly not because a Presidnet son wanted revenge for his father's miscues. It will be battles based on territory and survival. Tribes that those of the day called, 'Barbarians'. They already knwo how to live off the land and how to weather to weather of such dramtica places at the monsoons of the Amazon, or frigin temps at Tierra del Fuego.

I HIGHLY suggest reading, 'The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin'. It is his personal joural of his time spent of HMS The Beagle... several years before The Origin of Species.

I think of these things, and any other thing that flows into my head, and they have soundtracks. Music fills my life and I would deflate without it. I think of these things I mentioned I can only hear one band.... The Grateful Dead. Maybe The Doors for more of the Indian aspect.... =) Thinking of the crazy-theories (which, to me, aren't that far fetched.... unless the earth's atmosphere becomes cloudy and creates another Ice Age. My soundtrack to that would be be Beethoven's 5th Symphony, and 'The End' by The Doors.

Coming up next will be my plans for Leg 1 of my trip: Stratford, CT to Rapid City, South Dakota. Including my planned route, which will be mostly a straight through.... other than hitting up Chicago (got in the wrong lane 2 years ago and took the CHI loop route.... nice views. I got to see Wrigley Field) and Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore (would be nice to see some Piping Plovers out of CT). On my trip to AK, I barely did anything in South Dakota, and spent a lot of time in North Dakota. So I am only giving me 2-3 days for that leg.... if only to get to Utah, Vegas and deserts, Sand Diego and LA, and Arizona faster.

But, my last road-trip was set up the same way... chug through until I reach a planned refuge/IBA.... and time was an issue. At least I have a minimum of 40 days out. I'm hoping to stretch my budget to 60 days by doing as much camping as possible.

However, I'd be willing to lose a week to stop at some of the MLB's ballparks.... San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Arizona D'Backs, FL Marlins, etc.... the new Yankee Stadium is WAAAY to expensive. I have a Yankee logo tattooed on my leg, and I still refuse to become a stupid consumer and pay a minimum of like $80 for nose-bleeds. Thank goodness for bleacher seats!!

I can already tell.... I will never want to come home until I a done birding Cape May. Then once I get home, I'll dream (night or day) about my next trip!! That is what happened after my my '08 drive to AK.

-MoJo-

(AKA Brian)

Welcoming spring with a Haiku

2010-02-14T11:47:00.003-05:00

A male Goldfinch sings.

The snow melts, but will return.

Spring is almost here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stepped outside this morning to see a small group of Waxwings going to town on some berries, and I got that feeling... the feeling of Spring trying to battle Winter. I heard my first Goldfinch sing this morning. So far, I've heard Cardinals, Juncos, White-throated/Song/Am. Tree sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Screech Owl, Titmice, Chickadees, Woodpeckers drumming.... now the Goldfinch.

Other than the fall, this is my favorite time of the year.... as Spring slowly creeps up from the earth and gracefully falls from the sky.

-Brian-

The Snow Birds... After Watching the Feeders.

2010-02-10T17:37:00.007-05:00

(-My route to the passerine flock in Roosevelt Forest in Stratford, about 2-300 yards off a blazed trail-)

I used my truck as a 'pseudo-blind' to get close(er) to my feeders and wood edges to get some snowy bird photos, specifically of the Towhees and maybe a Field sparrow that comes by on and off. I also went to a local town owned forest called Roosevelt Forest for quick hike and look for more conifer based species such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Kinglets, Creepers to a certain extent, etc...

(-LEFT: White throated sparrow; RIGHT- male Eastern Towhee in some thickets-)

Instead of going over the whole day, which was quick, I'll just post a bunch of photos I took today during a pretty good snow storm. I stayed close to home, because they are forecasting a ton of snow. (though like always, many different numbers on many different stations) By the time I got home it was picking up and there was maybe 5" on the ground already..... dead-on with the 12" and 24". Right now I still only have about 5.5" in my Stratford yard. We'll see. I hear (again... hearing every possible scenario) e are in for more tonight, with possible bursts of 1-3" an hour. The kind of snow I go outside and take a night-hike in!!

Hope you enjoy the 'Freezing February Photos'!

(-This male Red-bellied Woodpecker took about two weeks to figure out how to get onto it well to get to the delicious seed mix inside. This individual, I've named Rusty, has been coming to my yard for over a year with it's mate, Ruby. I don't know if the male is the same one, but the female is because she has a distinct shaped and sized tuft of red feathers just above the eyes... a bit different looking than most female RBWPs.-)

(Disclaimer... all were taken at my house except the photo of the Golden-crowned Kinglet which was at Roosevelt. And that photo is very poor.) One of my favorites shows underneath the fanned out tail of a White-breasted Nuthatch showing the classic chestnut blotches on the undertail coverts. Red-breasted Nuthatches have a uniform light red/rusty-ish color underneath (perhaps... Red-breasted has something to do with that??)

(Golden-Crowned Kinglet in Roosevelt Forest, Stratford. Seen in a large flock of passerines moving through a tall pine grove. The first RCKI I've seen in a few months. -)

(-White-breasted Nuthatch showing the chestnut/brown blotchy vent/belly/undertail coverts, and the white outer tail feathers of the underside of the fanned tail.-)

(-White-breasted Nuthatch waiting his turn (Titmice trump many at the tree feeder!)-)

(-Gorgeous Song Sparrow hanging out in a thistle row on the edge of the woods behind my house. This row is a spot where several birds hide from predators and wind, and to roost.-)

-Brian-

Watch the feeders tomorrow (today!)!!!!!!

2010-02-09T23:27:00.019-05:00

With this nice snow storm moving on in tonight (now), it should bring good numbers of birds to feeders. Especially just after dawn, when the snow hasn't really piled up yet... that's when the sparrows dig out their little patches. Then the woodpeckers come... then the juncos... then everyone else.

(-Male Northern Cardinal braving a pretty rough snow storm in my yard on 12/19/2008-)

(-A Dark-eyed Junco debating whether or not to enjoy some snow storm enhanced New Year's Eve suet, 12/31/2009-)

Good feeder days can often bring in a less common visitor, though not unheard of. Flickers seems to show up more often on these days, and the chances of finding an American Tree or Fox sparrow scratching through the grass seems to increase. And though this year has been very poor for winter finches, ya always gotta keep your fingers crossed for a Siskin in with the Goldfinch.... or dare I say a Redpoll!!???!

(-Wouldn't this be nice again?!?! Photo taken 03/01/2009-)

(-An American Tree Sparrow in my yard during a storm on (kinda weird) New Year's Eve, 12/31/08-)

All these birds on a snowy day can assist in calling the attention of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks. And sometimes, well the one time I was lucky, maybe a falcon (or how about a Goshawk!!!) may stop by to see if anything is worth the effort.

Which is what happened to me last winter when I found a Merlin perched in a dead tree that on the edge of a chunk of woods behind my house. I have been told it is somewhat uncommon to see them inland during the winter, and this photo was taken on 01/02/2009. At that time last year, there was a consistent minimum of 25 finches (Goldies and Siskins) at the feeders, usually near 50, topping out close to 120. I thought maybe it somehow got the word on the buffet and came to get a seat.

I love watching the different raptors swooping and diving around and then perch and watch....

....then on the flip side, it amazes me that over often over 100 birds of 10+ different species can somehow communicate to one another than danger is in the area. Or maybe one species picks up the threat first, gives a 'we got a problem' call, and then everyone else just (meaning all the other species at/near the feeders) takes advantage of one's good detection skills. Or maybe they all have good detection skills and it is just the first bird to spy the threat gets the word out. I do not know, but I'm sure someone does.

(-Merlin perched on the edge of the woods behind my house, 01/02/2009-)

Other birds in CT that have shown up at or near my feeders, and will show up elsewhere are Eastern Towhees and Gray Catbirds. This winter I have had up to 3 Towhees at or near my feeders... for a couple months now. Another visitor I really enjoy are Field Sparrows. They seem to come alone, but for several day stretches... then nothing. Another is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. These species are pretty much at the most northern climes of their winter ranges here in southern Connecticut. Last year I made friends with an RC Kinglet who came to my feeders about bi-weekly in December (present every time it snowed!), and then sporadically after that into very early February.

(-Ruby-crowned Kinglet eating suet in the same 12/312008 New Year's Eve snow storm as the Tree sparrow from above.-)

(-Male Eastern Towhee in a bush next to my dining room window. Photo taken through the window about 18' from my face!-)

This individual Towhee (above photo) actually took bites of snow, about 7-8, while perched in the bush. Earlier in the winter I watched a Goldfinch do the same thing in the same bush. My bird bath is frozen, and I can't seem to keep up wit the hot water to keep it open, so I was thinking maybe they were 'drinking'. Has anyone seen/heard/know of this behavior in passerines (or other birds for that matter)??? It was very interesting to watch.

Enjoy the snow everyone!! Even if you hate it, you have to admit.... it is a pretty amazing part of nature.

-Brian-

Finally!!!!

2010-02-08T09:54:00.005-05:00

I finally purchased an item which is almost a must on my upcoming trip, not to mention birding down by the shore.

I finally purchased a scope. I don't have the cash to pay for those Swarovski or Leica or Nikon, so Jim Zipp helped me out in choosing a scope in my price range, that would be a quality one. (Jim owns the Fat Robin Wild Bird and Nature Shop in Hamden, CT).

The one I got, which, in my opinion, is the coolest thing ever, is the Vortex Skyline 80mm. It's zoom range is 20-60x.

I bought it yesterday (Sunday), and tried it out on a flicker.... amazing. Then once the night divided the day, I aimed it at the universe. The Orion Nebula's (M42) gorgeous blue emission nebula clouds stood out so well. I then moved up to M45, the Pleiades Cluster, and was able to make out well over 20 stars!! The naked eye shows about 7-8.

Quick little info.... the Pleiades Cluster is the logo for Subaru Auto.

So my gear so far is as follows:

-Vortex Skyline 80mm, 20-60x zoom (mounted on Celestron tripod)
-Celestron 20x80 Skymaster binoculars (why I got the tripod!)
-my trusty Bushnell 8x42s (I think thats the magn.)
-Canon Digi Rebel xS w/ a Canon EFS 18-55mm lens w/Image Stabilizer, and a Canon Ultrasonic EF 70-300mm zoom lens w/Image Stabilizer

I should have started the blog later.... I get myself all excited.... then I look at the calender =(

At least we are actually getting a snow storm mid-week.... now I can use my scope down at Stratford Point!!! (And stop borrowing Twans!)

-Brian-

a Freezing Day Outdoors...

2010-02-06T07:09:00.001-05:00

Ya gotta love 'em. My absolute favorite time of the day is when the dark skies of the east begin to give way to the sun and start to show the palette of colors that is a sunrise.

This past Friday, February 5th, I woke up well before the alarm (even though I had the day off, I always want to be awake by 6:00am) and decided to go out for some early owling and to bring in the sun.

I was able to call in the Eastern Screech Owl that frequents the habitats near my house, immediately making me wonder why he wasn't around a week ago to give me 104 for BG! Next stop was to go say 'hey' to a resident Barred Owl at Roosevelt Forest in Stratford. He was calling as I walked in (the gate was locked, so I jumped it wand trooped it), so I didn't want to disturb him any further. And for those who know this owl... is he the fattest Barred ever, or what??

By the time I reached my truck it was still at least and hour before sunrise, so I headed for the shore... specifically to see if I can watch for some Boat-tailed Grackles leaving their roost at the Sikorsky Airport. I saw 3 in 'their' tree, but that was it.

As the sun began to rise, and as I began to see my surroundings, the trip became a small photo documentation of a winter marsh.

(ABOVE-> Black ducks in one of several chanels that keep some water open; BOTTOM-> dawn at the start of the 'Railroad Trail')

My morning began at the beginning of what is as 'The Rail Road Trail' at The Great Meadow Marsh unit of the Stewart B McKinney Rufuge in Stratford. Right away it was obvious there were a lot of sparrows about, because a Tree sparrow landed on the back of my pick-up and they were all over the paths. I 'pished' out a very nice looking Fox sparrow about 10 yards into the trail, and found many Swamp sparrows along the first stretch of the trail. In total, 6 sparrow species were present... Song, Swamp, Fox, American Tree, White-throat, and Savannah. (Technically 7 if you wanna count the House sparrows).

Nothing crazy there, though an adult light-morphed Rough-legged hawk was very nice to see. It was in a spot that last year, for me, was where I usually found them... in the vicinity of a small pool on Access Rd. in Stratford, then across the adjacent intersection and near that pool also. There are some deciduous trees (birches?) in a row facing almost due south, and this is where Friday's bird was.

Other birds were two adult Red-tailed hawks and a few Boat-tailed grackles in the reeds of the pond at Great Meadows.

(Photos: TOP-> Song Sparrow in the frozen marsh; MIDDLE-> adult Red-tailed hawk; BOTTOM-> adult Red-tailed hawk across the marsh)

After Great Meadows I did a quick peek at Johnson's Creek on the Bridgeport/Stratford line for the 'western' Willet that was present recently which was not that day. Though a sleeping Black-crowned Night-heron, and a very active female Belted Kingfisher (below).

Afterwards I swung by Frash Pond and then Birdseye Boat ramp in Stratford. Frash Pond held the usual Hooded mergansers, Bufflehead, Black ducks and Canvasback. The water source for this pond either enters or exits in a way that, when freezing/frozen, on small area of open water remains open near a good viewing point on Access Rd. I was able to get a few photos of the Canvasbacks.

The resident American Coot continued at the boat ramp, as did the Wilson's Snipe that has been hanging around (as one did last winter). The Coot are always a cool bird to watch with their 'non-duck-like' behavior. Especially when they walk up on the ground. The usual group of 8 was there this day, and for once, they were all within the range of a single photo. Unfortunately, the snipe was further down the the river on the mudflats, out of reach of my lens. (Standing on the fishing platform, looking at the river, the snipe was on the Stratford side down towards Stratford Marina).

When I was pulling out, a Peregrine falcon zoomed over the parking lot and headed over the beach towards Stratford Point.

(group of Canvasback)

(female Canvasback

(American Coot)

(the whole clan of Coots at the boat ramp)

After Birdseye, I headed home and stopped very quickly at Peck's Mill Pond which is just down the road from my house. It was about 90% frozen, with only a small brook keeping some cold muddy areas open. In this area in the back were 4 mallards and 6 Wood ducks. This pond (usually...!!!) is a great spot for Wood ducks. I had the pleasure of watching 5 ducklings grow up this summer.

It was a very cold day, and not overly birdy either. Though it was just one of those days when it feels great to be outside.

-Brian-

To GPS or not to GPS....

2010-01-30T07:05:00.000-05:00

Another decision I need to make is whether or not to purchase a navigation system for my pick-up truck. I have a good sense of direction, and have maps and atlas' coming out the wazoo.

I drove from Stratford, CT to Fairbanks, Alaska using just one Atlas... one that had roads for Mexico, the US, and Canada. That atlas and a compass. I actually prefer to do it 'old school', if you will.

But when I was doing this year's CBC, my driver (Chris Loscalzo of CT) had an awesome GPS unit in his car. I doubt I'd use the audio functions, but it is pretty cool to be able to see what is what.

So, since I just found out that one of my blog's 'gadgets' is a poll, I am going to set one up asking the single digit number of readers what they think...

-Should I do it freely and just follow my atlas and my nature-loving desires??

-Or should I get the GPS??

With the GPS I may be able to find refuges or birding locales that I may drive past, or may not be on my edition of the atlas.

Without it, it will make finding those spots that much cooler. Example: Potter Marsh in Alaska.

My 2010 January List

2010-01-29T10:48:00.001-05:00

Many people participate in a very fun and challenging project which entails seeing as many different species of bird in the single month of January.

I didn't chase rare birds, or really leave Stratford/Milford areas this January. Below is my list of 2010. 100 species seems to be the goal, though I know some birder who hit 100 by mid-January (Tina Green must be up over 115 by now!!)

And since I don't see myself chasing a few misses in the next 2 days... especially with this hardcore cold-front that made it's way into the area this morning. My Oregon Weather Station said it was 18 when I woke up!! So unless a rare bird is in Stratford, I feel comfortable in posting my finalized list of 2010 CT State birds seen in January. The list is below... in my opinion, the highlights were Rough-legged hawk (slow this winter), Snowy Owl, juvenile Goshawk, and a rather reliable (based on the individuals ambitions to walk about a mile in windy cold shore weather to find it!) and Orange-crowned Warbler at Long Beach Stratford.

Scot Kruitbosch and I agreed that the normal surveys and random birding would pull the Big Jan 100. I only went searching for species once (OCWA/Longspur/Snowy), and I feel good to know that I could pull 100+ species while kinda, 'lackadaisically' birding this month.

1- Red-throated Loon
2- Common Loon
3- Pied-billed Grebe
4- Great Cormorant
5- Double-crested Cormorant
6- Great Blue Heron
7- Black-crowned Night-heron
8- Mute Swan
9- Canada Goose
10- Brant
11- Wood Duck
12- Mallard
13- American Black Duck
14- Gadwall
15- Northern Pintail
16- American Wigeon
17- Green-winged Teal
18- Canvasback
19- Ring-necked Duck
20- Long-tailed Duck
21- White-winged Scotor
22- Common Goldeneye
23- Bufflhead
24- Hooded Merganser
25- Common Merganser
26- Red-breasted Merganser
27- Turkey Vulture
28- Northern Harrier
29- Sharp-shinned Hawk
30- Cooper's Hawk
31- Northern Goshawk
32- Red-shouldered Hawk
33- Red-tailed Hawk
34- Rough-legged Hawk
35- Bald Eagle
36- Merlin
37- American Kestrel
38- Peregrine Falcon
39- Wild Turkey
40- American Coot
41- Killdeer
42- Willet ('Western')
43- Purple Sandpiper
44- Sanderling
45- Dunlin
46- Boneparte's Gull
47- Ring-billed Gull
48- Herring Gull
49- Iceland Gull
50-Great Black-backed Gull
51- Mourning Dove
52- Rock Dove
53- Monk Pakakeet
54- Great Horned Owl
55- Snowy Owl
56- Barred Owl
57- Belted Kingfisher
58- Red-bellied Woodpecker
59- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
60- Downy Woodpecker
61- Hairy Woodpecker
62- Northern Flicker
63- Pileated Woodpecker
64- Blue Jay
65- Common Raven
66- American Crow
67- Fish Crow
68- Horned Lark
69- Tufted Titmouse
70-Black-capped Chickadee
71- Red-breasted Nuthatch
72- White-breasted Nuthatch
73- Brown Creeper
74- Carolina Wren
75- Winter Wren
76- Golden-crowned Kinglet
77- Eastern Bluebird
78- American Robin
79- Gray Catbird
80- Northern Mockingbird
81- European Starling
82- American Pipit
83- Cedar Waxwing
84- Orange-crowned Warbler
85- Northern Cardinal
86- Eastern Towhee
87- American Tree Sparrow
88- Field Sparrow
89- Savannah Sparrow (including 'Ipswich' ssps
90- White-throated Sparrow
91- Fox Sparrow
92- Song Sparrow
93- Dark-eyed Junco
94- Lapland Longspur
95- Snow Bunting
96- Brown-headed Cowbird
97- Red-winged Blackbird
98- Common Grackle
99- Boat-tailed Grackle
100- Purple Finch
101- House Finch
102- American Goldfinch
103- House Sparrow

Total as of 1/29/201O)

Any Ideas??

2010-01-26T10:04:00.000-05:00

For the 1 or 2 people who may read this, I would love some great birding spots on my 'loop'. Those other than the obvious.

My route is from Stratford, CT to Rapid City, SD.... to Yellowstone NP.... to Vegas.... to SoCal... to Tuscon... to Corpus Christi... to The Keys... to Cape Hatteras... to Cape May... back to Stratford, and any and everywhere inbetween.

I love finding my own spots to explore, like when I found a Great Horned Owl at Mt. Rushmore.... or an American Bittern and Solitary Sandpiper in a man-made pond at the IL/WI border interstate welcome center (I wanna say I-90)... or the mile+ long Common Nighthawk swarm flying over a rest-stop near Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore.

I am stuck on 304 lifers, and my goal is to be at 400 by the time I complete the loop.

Good birding, all!

-Brian-

Planning is agony!!

2010-01-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

(adult White Ibis, FL-top; Sandhill Crane, FL-bottom)

Man I wish I can just get up and go now!! My sister, who lives in central Florida (Lake Mary) has been sending me photos of birds she see from her desk outside her work window.

There are rentention ponds within 1/4m of her work, and in the last month she sent me 2 photos, asking what species. One was a Sandhill Crane, the other, a White Ibis. What is really funny to me, is that she sent me the photo of the crane MINUTES after negative reports started coming in about a Sandhill hanging out in Durham, CT. I know birds are amazing travelers, but 1000+ miles in 15 minutes!!

Both species are year-round residents in her area, so I can expect to see both when I visit on my trip (probably later-May). The Ibis will be a lifer! I didn't go see the single crane in CT, although a state list bird for me, because it would fail in comparison to the several hundred I saw in a single flock migrating overhead in Girdwood, Alaska in 09/08. (inset photo). Less than one hour after the crane flock, an even larger flock of Greater White-fronted Geese.

( Thousands of Snow Geese, ND-top; Sandhill Cranes, AK-bottom)

Is it just me, or is everything cool OUTSIDE of Connecticut?? No, that is not true at all. I've just exhausted CT. Perhaps I just keep thinking of thousand+ flocks of geese and cranes!! I uploaded the GWFG flock, SACR flock, a SNGO flock from the Crosby Wetland Management District in far NW North Dakota (actually in Crosby), and my sister's cell phone shots of her mystery birds.

(Greater White-fronted Geese, AK)

Future posts, before I leave, will cover places I plan to go to bird/camp/hike/photograph/etc..., a recap of my last road-trip from Stratford, CT to Fairbanks (and other spots, Alaska, and aspects of the planning involved for such a trip.

-Brian-

Getting ready....

2010-01-24T09:41:00.001-05:00

This will be first post on my recently changed blog, geared towards documenting my time wandering and exploring our wonderful country. I plan to do some hardcore birding/nature viewing/camping/hiking/backpacking/loving the life you live and living the life you love (Hooked Productions Clothing slogan).

I figured the best thing to do first would be a quick overhaul of my plans and ideals for this trip...

Back in September of '08, I drove from Connecticut to Alaska... and I still can not stop thinking about it. Though a decent amount of my driving was in Canada, my time driving under the Great Lakes and jumping up into North dakota, then over the border, was breath taking. Tens of thousands of Snow geese in the Prairie potholes. Swainson's hawks on every other hay barrel (and there are A LOT of hay barrels!!). Migrating Whooping Cranes in North Dakota!! American Bittern and Solitary SPs in a pond at the Wisconsin welcome center!!

The feeling of freedom that comes with a 'by myself' cross-country drive can not be doubled. If you see an interesting place on your way... why not stop??? I found several amazing birding/nature locales that way... Des Lac NWR/Crosby WMD/Lostwood NWR/Audubon Lake in North Dakota, Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore, Bald Eagle SP in PA, Buffalo Gap Nat'l Grassland (oh the pronghorns!!).

My trip consists of main location points that will serve as a multi day base of operation... Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore... Rapid City, SD... Yellowstone NP... Las Vegas... SoCal... Tuscon, AZ... Corpus Christi... Lake Mary, FL (my sister lives there)... Cape Hatteras... Cape May/Jones Beach/Jamaica Bay/Central park.

I am a huge camping fanatic, and will be doing muuuuuch more camping that motel/hotel staying. First, it saves a ridiculous amount of money, and second... who in the world doesn't want to camp in some of the most amazing places in the US??

A few main materials/assests for my trip are my 2005 Chevy Colorado 4x4 pick-up, brand new Black Diamond 4-season tent, Canon Digi Rebel xS w/55mm and 300mm lenses, my new Dell Inspirion laptop, the good old Bushnells, and of course... my bookcase filled with field guides.

Before I end the first of what I hope to be worthwhile and entertaining/interesing posts, I would like to rattle off a few places/towns/parks/etc that I will be visiting on this trip... (not in order)

Deadwood, SD, Mt. Rushmore, Prarie Potholes of ND, Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore, Hawk Mountain and Bald Eagle SP in PA, Yellowstone NP, Salt Lake City and the badlans of Utah, Badlands NP and The Black Hills NF in South Dakota, Las Vegas and surrounding desert habitat, anywhere in SoCal, anywhere and everywhere in SE AZ from the MX border up, Flagstaff, Pheonix, San Antonio, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Galveston, Santa Ana/Mustang Isle/Laguna Atascosa (spelling??) refuges, New Orleans, Orlando/Lake Mary, Miami, FL Keys, Savannah Georgia, Charleston and Hilton Head, SC, Durham, NC, Washington DC, etc...etc...etc... and absolutely anywhere in between that tickles me fancy.

I am torn on one aspect... to go to CO and CA, or to not. This trip encompasses a TON of amazing locales... as do both states. My thinking is that I'd like to make a trip in the future to JUST do Coloardo, or JUST to CA or the Pac Coast.

I will leave somewhere between April 21st and May 1st. Another big decision is which way to start the loop... should I go south to catch migrants on their way up, then loop back to the NW/Mid-west and catch more migrants. I feel like if I go west right away that I may miss several migrants (I am a raptor and passerine freak) not yet arrived... and when I reach the southern border of the country, the birds have left to go to where I missed them up north.

Stay tuned for more developments and more fun and interesting places to add to the itinerary as my plan starts evolving into reality.

See you guys soon!!

-B-

Before and after Migration....

2009-05-28T09:04:00.001-04:00

(male Hooded Warbler)

(male Hooded Warbler)

(male Hooded Warbler)

It is now May 28th, and this year's Spring migration is coming to a close. For me, personally, it was amazing. I began seriously birding in March of '08... which is just in time for migration. However, I was too enthrawled with Juncos and White-throated Sparrows and Brown Creepers to even realize what was beginning to happen around me. (I didn't learn what a FOY was until I had a FOY (first of the year bird))! And what was that, you ask? The mass migration of hundreds of bird species flying thousands of miles to their summer breeding grounds. Colorful warblers fliter and bug catch in habitats they wouldn't breed in. Uncommon ducks begin to be seen in local ponds and bays. And they skies become spotted as large amounts of hawks lazily list north on high altitude thermals.

Don't get me wrong, I saw tons of great migrants that year. Though it was all by luck and accident. This year I had somewhat of a game plan: Stay focused on my yard/woods/powerline cut to get an idea of what moves through, pay attention to reports on the local e-mail listservs, try to get to as many migrant traps as possible, and focus my efforts on learning the seemingly unlimited number of bird songs so I can ID birds quicker, find them faster, and be more certain about the ID.

Here in southwestern coastal Connecticut, certain migrants begin to be seen in mid to late-March. The very first of these bird are Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebes. The near the end of March, the Ospreys return to their fishing grounds and start refurbishing last years nest. Or if a young'un, they find their own locale to start their own nest. At this time you also begin to notice birds molting into breeding plumage. Common and Red-throated Loons, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes various gull species begin their annual transformation into, quite often, an entirely different appearance. This process coincides with the departure of our wintering species. Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, Scoters, sea ducks, Rough-legged hawks, Snowy Owlsm Snow Buntings and Longspurs begin their trek north and are seen less frequently.

By the beginnig of April, random shore birds begin to be seen more often, such as Black-bellied Plovers and Great and Snowy Egrets, followed soon by Night-herons and Yellowlegs. The earliest warblers are Pine and Palm warblers, showing up in mid-April. Some Pines, as well as Yellow-rumped warblers overwinter on the eastern seaboard as far north as Rhode Island. So many of the first and early Pine and Wellow-rumps, even some Palms, are over-wintering birds who don't travel as far as their true migratory relatives.

By the time May rolls in warbler, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, ducks and shorebirds begin to be seen in numbers. Now, many species begin to court and start the process of nesting. Most winter species are gone and on their way to the northermost territories of Canada. The Pine and Palm warblers than were common in April are now becoming more scarce, while the mid-level migration warblers are starting to be seen more often. Black-throated Blue and Green, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Common Yellowthroats, Blue-winged, Black-and-white warbler and American Redstarts can be seen in almost any habitat during their journey to the breeding grounds. Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and White-crowned Sparrows begin to show up at feeders, only the latter continuing through CT to its northern breeding grounds.

Species that over winter, and those who don't now show their striking breeding plumages. Swamp and Chipping sparrows who wear drab plumage during the winter transform into contrasting little bundles of color. Gulls are transforming into the next level of their plumage/age cycles. For example, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull spent the winter at a local beach in Stratford, Connecticut. During the winter it had it's pearled and somewhat mottled white and light grey plumage going. He is still present, in the same spot (as of 5/27/09) and is now almost entirely in his glowing white plumage.

As May rolls along and June starts to peak around the corner, migration slows and numbers of warblers and other migrants slow. Those who breed here get right into the thick of breeding, if the haven't already. Later migrants like Eastern Wood-Pewee and Mourning warbler are now seen and late stragglers can still be found in several habitats.

So now, sitting here on May 27th, the bulk of the spring migration is over. But for me, that just signals that it is time to learn about the birds who breed near me. One of which was a life bird for me no more than a month ago.

The Hooded Warbler is a new world wood warbler who breeds in mature mixed hardwood forests with a vey thick understory. The male is brigtht yellow, with a striking dark black 'hood' that circles his face.

I had gone to a sanctary about 40 minutes from my house here in CT to see one of these amazing birds. I had never seen or heard one before and I was very excited. Even more so when I actualy found him! I heard him sing a few times, got some photos, then went on my way. At that point I didn't think I would see another one this year... without going back to the sanctuary where they breed.

But sure enough, about a week ago I heard a very loud, and very confident song coming from the dark thickness of the woods behing my house. I had only heard the Hooded sing once earlier in the month, and I didn't know what was singing from my woods. It remined me of a Hooded, but I wasn't sure. I sent out an e-mail to the CTBirds listserv for assistance. I said that I thought it was a Hooded warbler, but the song was somewhat shorter. Most people suggested a Magnolia warbler. So I listened to some sound files for both Magnolia and Hooded, and Hooded fit well. The song of the Magnolia warbler is somewhat similar (personally, I don't think it really is), but it is quieter, longer and slower. The song of the Hooded warbler is very pronounced, loud, and conifident.

So after people telling me it could be something else, I had to find out for sure. Three days after first hearing the bird, I heard him sing again. So I went out into the woods, found the thickest area and what seemed to be exactly the Hooded's breeding habitat requirements, found a rock and sat and waited. He was singing all over the place, but I couldn't locate him. This went on for about 2 hours before I decided to call it quits. On the way out I didn't take the trail, instead I moved through the thickness where the bird had been singing for 3 days. At this point, it wasn't singing, but I had high hopes.

As I approached a very wet area (several spots of wetlands back there and a few streams) I saw a quick flash of yellow jump into a low bush. Common Yellowthroats are everywhere in my woods and powerline cut, so that is what I thought it was at first. A few seconds later it flew out in front of my face and landed on a low branch no more than 10' in front of me. It was a male Hooded warbler!!! Vindication! I was right! Man I can't explain how good of a feeling that is. For one, the excitement of finding an awesome bird is running strong. Then add to that the excitement of seeing a bird for only the 2nd time ever. Add on the fact that it was in my woods, and that I correclty identified it by song. Now throw in a little bit of people not believing you, and you got a great feeling.

The Hooded warbler's breeding range extends from the Florida panhandle, west to just past the Texas/Louisiana border, north to the southern Missouri border, then east to the Atlantic shore. The range spreads north along the eastern shore the south-central Connecticut and southern Rhode Island. It's range goes much further north in the east and on the coast that it does in the mid-west. There are random pockets of populations in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, half of Ohio and Missouri... while the range covers most of West Virginia, Viginia and Pennsylvania. My woods are just about at the northernmost part of their breeding grounds.

The Hooded warbler's habitat requirements vary from thier wintering grounds, breeding grounds, and habitats frequented while in migration. In migration they are usually found in dense, low thickets and the thick understory of mature woodlands. The breeding habitat requirements are similar... they breed in both up and bottomland woods, with the most important ingredient being well-developed scrubby thickets/undergrowth beneath extensive, mature, shaded woods. This habitat description could have been describing my woods.

I have yet to see and sure-fire signs of breeding, but I have high hopes. For one, this male is just about at the northermost tip of his breeding range.... although there are certainly perfect breeding habitats for the Hooded north of my location, according to breeding range maps he doesn't have much more breeding grounds to his north. Second, there were 2 males yesterday, and I heard 3-4 when they stopped singing and started making their single, short note metallic 'chip' call. Third, and most important is the habitat.... all descriptions I've read of the Hooded warblers breeding habitat describe the habitat he is in now to a T. So hopefully he will stay to leave his mark on the world, and hopefully bring more back next year!

The spring migration of birds is an amaing thing. There are several aspects and periods throughout. IN addition to the possibility of seeing a great quantity of species, it is the best time of year to hone up on ones birding skills (spotting, IDing, songs) and to learn more about birds in general.

(photos shown are of a male Hooded warbler seen in the woods behind my house in Stratford, Connecticut)

VT Camping Trip

2009-05-24T07:44:00.000-04:00

Being a huge fan of nature and camping and the outdoors in general, I was elated to finally get out on a camping trip this season.

One of my favorite places to camp, bird, hike, swim.... everything.... is Silver Lake Campground inside the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. The closest town is Goshen, and the closest town with anything in it is Forest Dale, Vermont.

I've come to enjoy learning how the migration process spreads up the coast and northward bound into Canada. As the spring migrations slowed here in Connecticut, it was still booming in north-central Vermont.

Last year, granted while still rather green, I managed 61 species of birds on my Sat-Mon camping trip to Silver Lake. The obvious highlight of the trip was when my buddy and I were very lazily floating around the lake on our tubes and a majestic adult Bald Eagle soared over head. I had thought I missed him on this trip, until I noticed him and two Turkey Vultures hitting up the thermals created by the mountains and lake.

Silver Lake sits between two low rolling mountains (Chandler Ridge to the west) in a very pristine, and primitive habitat. According to legends, there are Native American artifacts sprinkled all over the area. My friend, and summer host Lenny, informed me of a hidden cave said to be filled with arrowheads, spear tips and other native tools. On the far south end of the lake there are two sunken canoes that were made by carving out the bulk of a tree.

Just thinking about the ingenuity and dexterity of Native Americans (or any native people for that matter) makes me think how lazy we humans really are. Imagine cutting down a tree with a trunk big enough to fit 2-3 adults.... without any power tools, or even steel hand tools. Now imagine burning out the inside, then chipping and chiseling away the charred insides to make a canoe. Even further, now imagine shoving off in that canoe with a spear to catch fish. No $300 dollar open-face crank reels or graphite shafts. No spinner baits or bobbers. No knives, metal hooks.... just you, nature, and what you can create with you natural surroundings. It truly makes me want to live that life. Obviously it is more than do-able.

Silver Lake is part of the Green Mountain National Forest, and is protected by several miles of wooded padding. Once one drives through the town of Forest Dale and reaches the first forest road in Goshen (FR-32), it is apparent you are in the mix of a beautiful place. The trees begin to hug the corners as the road hugs a parallel river. There are homes scattered every couple miles or so, and once you get to FR-27, you are in the wilderness. It is about a 2.2 mile drive on a dirt road to reach Silver Lake road. Then, it is another 1-2 mile drive on a dirt road to the parking lot. Home free?? Not even close. From the parking lot, one has to chose a 0.6m windy, rocky trail to reach the campsites.... or take the 1.2m hilly dirt road to the campsites. Either way... there is no driving in and everything that goes in, must come out. No running water, shelter, garbage cans.... just you and the wilderness (and anything you can muscle in!!).

This year I arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed until noon on Monday, instead of arriving on Saturday afternoon. This allowed for more birding time, and as a direct result, more species seen. My species tally for the weekend (entering VT on I-91, throughout the trip, and back to the VT/MA border) made it to a surprising 86. (see list below).

Other wildlife seen were Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, Red Efts (juv. Eastern Newts), Red-backed Salamanders, Garter snakes, voles, and several signs of very recent moose activity. Purple and Painted Trillium, violet/yellow/white colored Violets, Canada Mayflower, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Pink Ladies Slipper were among the blooming wildflowers.

I did a lot of fishing (nothing crazy...just classic worm and bobber from the shore) and a lot of fishing meant a lot of fish. In the beginning of the season, Silver Lake is stocked with Brook and Rainbow Trout (neither a native species of VT). Species of fish caught were Black Crappie, Dace (new for me... never caught, seen, or even heard of), Bluegill, Brook Trout and Yellow Perch. By far the most abundant (and tasty!!!) were the Brook Trout.... we stopped counting when we went over 30 individual Brook Trout. The next most common catch was then Crappie.

One of the most memorable moments of this trip was when my camping partner and I decided to make the .6m hike out the lot and drive to get some coffee. While driving out on Silver Lake Rd. (FR-27), a stunning Barred Owl (photo above) flew low across the road and landed near-by in a tree. I have heard and seen Barred Owls before, but never in such good light or with such a trusting subject. These owls can be heard all over Silver Lake.

Another highlight of the weekend was hearing the classic ghostly wail of a breeding Common Loon. I had yet to hear one as they breed at more northern climes and one has to get the timing right to hear them in migration here in CT. His breeding plumage was striking and his large size put the Common Mergansers, also a pretty waterfowl, in their place.

Silver Lake campground is not at all for the inexperienced. First off, everything you bring has to be carried/hauled in (I can't begin to explain how helpful hand-trucks are). Further, there are zero amenities on-site. The only thing of convenience is an outhouse that has an actual toilet over the hole.... it's still an outhouse, but it has a lid! But nonetheless.... if you can handle it, it is well worth the work. It is a quiet, very clean, gorgeous campground set in an amazing area. And the town of Woodstock and the VT Country Store are very nice stops along the way.

BIRDS:

Location: Silver Lake, spots in Forest Dale
Total Species: 86
Dates: 5/15-18/2009

1- Common Loon
2- Great Blue Heron
3- Canada Goose
4- Wood Duck
5- Mallard
6- Common Merganser
7- Turkey Vulture
8-Cooper's Hawk
9- Broad-winged Hawk
10- Red-tailed Hawk
11- Bald Eagle
12- Osprey
13- American Kestrels
14- Wild Turkeys
15- Solitary Sandpiper
16- Ring-billed Gull
17- Mourning Dove
18- Barred Owl
19- Chimney Swift
20- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
21- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
22- Downy Woodpecker
23- Hairy Woodpecker
24- Northern Flicker
25- Pileated Woodpecker
26- Least Flycathcer
27- Eastern Phoebe
28- Great Crested Flycatcher
29- Eastern Kingbird
30- Red-eyed Vireo
31- Warbling Vireo
32- Yellow-throated Vireo
33- Blue-headed Vireo
34- Blue Jay
35- Common Raven
36- American Crow
37- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
38- Bank Swallow
39- Tree Swallow
40- Barn Swallow
41- Tufted Titmouse
42- Black-capped Chickadee
43- Red-breasted Nuthatch
44- White-breasted Nuthatch
45- Brown Creeper
46- Winter Wren
47- American Robin
48- Wood Thrush
49- Veery
50- Swainson's Thrush
51- Hermit Thrush
52- Gray Catbird
53- European Starlings
54- Northern Parula
55- Yellow Warbler
56- Chestnut-sided Warbler
57- Magnolia Warbler
58- Black-throated Blue Warbler
59- Blackburnian Warbler
60- Yellow-rumped Warbler
61- Black-throated Green Warbler
62- Pine Warbler
63- Blackpoll Warbler
64- Black-and-white Warbler
65- American Redstart
66- Ovenbird
67- Northern Waterthrush
68- Common Yellowthroat
69- Canada Warbler
70- Scarlet Tanager
71- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
72- Indigo Bunting
73- Chipping Sparrow
74- Savannah Sparrow
75- White-throated Sparrow
76- Song Sparrow
77- Lincoln's Sparrow
78- Dark-eyed Junco
79- Red-winged Blackbird
80- Rusty Blackbird
81- Common Grackle
82- Baltimore Oriole
83- Purple Finch
84- House Finch
85- Pine Siskin
86- American Goldfinch

Time to slide down to freedom!

2009-05-22T08:28:00.001-04:00

This time of year is when those puffy, wafer-like blobs on your bushes begin to spew tiny little insects. These amazing insects are extremely beneficial to ones garden. Who are these insects you ask?? Of course I am talking about the elusive, and deadly, Praying Mantis.

Here in Connecticut, we only have one species of mantis, Mantis religiosa, or the European Manits. The European mantis is not native to Connecticut. Its original habitat is in Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and some parts of Asia. There are roughly 2,000 different species of mantis in the world, ranging from a tiny 2/5" to a massive 6+"! Our mantids only grow to around 2-3".

The female mantis will lay her eggs in a frothy foam called and ootheca. The ootheca hardens, trapping each egg in a foam bubble to keep safe until the next spring. Females lay these oothecas in fall, before they die from the impending frosts, and they hatch the next spring. A single ootheca can hold anywhere from 30 to 300 larvae.

When the time comes, each individual larvae slides down from the ootheca on a miniscule stand of silk to its new life eating the aphids that mutate the new growth on my Rose of Sharon! The photos above show a baby mantis on May 23th of 2008. The photo on the left gives one an idea of the size... it is sitting on the end of a cone flower leaf. This particular little guy was no bigger than my pinkie fingernail.

Interesting Combos

2009-05-22T08:06:00.000-04:00

I've only enjoyed two migrations in my short time birding, but I've been lucky enough to come across some very interesting combinations of migrants that one wouldn't expect to see everyday.

On May 2nd of this year I was suprised, and delighted to see two male Indigo Buntings foraging under my feeders next to 3 or 4 White-crowned Sparrows and a few White-throats. Indigo Buntings are breeders here in CT, but White-crowns breed far to the north in Canada.

To me, one reason to love the bird migrations (especially Spring when they are in their breeding best) is the chance to see species intermingling with others species that breed in entirely different habitats and parts of the country. I like to compare it to a music festival.... everyone comes from all over for one, beneficial reason. Hippies have the music and peace, and birds have uncrowded breeding grounds and fresh crops of food.