Northern Shrike

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Richard

One of my favorite places to exercise Ginger is off-hours at the local airport. The parking areas and taxiways are clear of snow and dog-attracting debris and tennis balls roll forever. It was freezing fog this morning but we got a good workout – but also got chilled – so it was back to the car for a little birding.

Just a quarter-mile away is a parking lot for a number of medical groups and more importantly, a good view of birds. Today, I was looking for a species I’ve seen there before — Northern Shrike, and today as I drove in I spotted one in its top of the tree spot. The photo conditions were awful but I rolled down the window, and with warmed-up hands, grabbed a shot. I suspect it will hang around so we’ll return in better lighting. The “butcher-bird” is always a nice winter find.

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Crappy Weather, Nice Backyard Birding

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Richard

One of the perks of having a puppy is that it gets you out the door numerous times a day. We live on the North Branch of the Winooski River so part of most of our outings is to stroll through the slush down to see what’s up. My first venture was early and aside from chickadees and a titmouse, not much else was awake.

Later, I spotted two Common Mergansers (likely waiting out the storm to head south) and surprisingly, a Belted Kingfisher. A bit later, I flushed a Great Blue Heron and saw another one stealthily watching us through the freezing drizzle.

Just now, on another trip, I spotted a Bald Eagle patiently perched over the river and I went back, grabbed my camera, and with the dog’s help – straining on a leash – documented this November visitor. Perhaps he’ll stick around.

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Youngsters

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Richard

Ginger and I had a birding venture the other morning which was delightful – there were dozens of young sparrows, many practicing their songs, and the lifting fog, changing colors, and warming temperature just added to the trip.

Early fall mornings in Vermont are cool and lovely.
This young Northern Flicker thought he was hidden.
Just one of probably 25 juvenile Song Sparrows.
Nearly every morning I’ve birded the reservoir, this local attorney is taking his pre-work workout.
I love hearing White Throated Sparrows trying out their voices, with varying degrees of success.

Most of these birds will head out but the woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, crows, and others will be around when we bird this winter here on snowshoes. But let’s not push it.

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Another Crowd Favorite

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Richard

Like the White Stork, this Grey Heron gets lots of attention.

No photos! Wait while I arrange things

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Margarito

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Richard

The folks who bird the Charca de Suarez refuge have named the White Stork which spends days there Margarito (Daisy). I am not sure if she is the same bird we saw last year but definitely is one of the most-photographed birds in Spain.

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Some Spain Shots

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Richard

We have been enjoying the weather, the culture, and the people this trip — birding has been just another activity, but still very enjoyable. Here are some birds and flowers from some of our outings.

Some flowers along the trail.

Little Grebes are cute but sure like to dive in the muckiest water. Time for a shower.

Here is a Northern Shoveler between and egret and a coot.

Hey, you looking at me?

Even the common House Sparrow looks pretty sharp today.

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Thursday Beach Walk

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Richard

We took a short trip this morning to check out a couple of sites, starting with the lighthouse at Cabo de Sacratif. Great views, nice breeze off the ocean and some gulls, Wheatears, and little brown jobs. (Lbj’s)

We walked the stony beach at Playa de Carchuna and saw a few more birds, several of which we couldn’t identify but no big deal. This guy is a good example.

I’m calling these juvenile Common Sandpipers.

This looks like a plover but I can’t find one that fits.

One of several Crested Larks.

We need to remember these sunny breezy beach walks when the white we see is snow, not sand. Hasta luego, amigos

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Coots, Cormorants, and friends

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Richard

It’s often interesting when sorting out images to not only relive the outing, but to look for surprises. On the forementioned trip to Charca de Suarez, we ran into these folks.

Purple Swamphens are big, colorful, and loud.

Common Moorhen

Great Cormorant and a couple of Eurasian Coots.

We saw many Red-knobbed Coots, which are fairly rare except for the group at this site. Older birds have neck bands – this was one of several juveniles.

When I saw this White Stork, I never noticed his companion, a Common Snipe.

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Hoopoe Happy

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Richard

The bird I most wanted to see this Spain trip is the Eurasian Hoopoe, one of the most striking and distinctive birds of the region. Last year, I missed a couple that were beside the road – and while our birding this week has been limited, today we went to a favorite site nearby, Charca de Suarez.

Today, after an hour of seeing a nice variety of species, many of which I couldn’t identify, a splashy bird with lot of color flushed. I thought it was a Kestrel but Sally felt otherwise, and spotted it up ahead where it perched in foliage. Sure enough, it was a Hoopoe. I had trouble getting a decent shot but we were happy, even as it flew off.

After more birding including some nice looks at a White Stork and Grey Heron, we stumbled on to a Hoopoe, perhaps the same one, in the middle of the road. Quick camera shots and off it went.

I want to see these guys again, it’s just a very cool bird. They winter in Africa but there’s a chance we’ll see more in the next week. In the meantime, we are Hoopoe Happy.

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Pushing the camera

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Richard

There are times where it seems like the combination of lousy light and long distance really push the capability of my Canon SX60, as some of these photos taken on walks this week demonstrate. Still, the document some neat birds.

This is one of the three American Kestrels hanging out at the airport.
This Merlin (?) was being mobbed by jays, crows, and a Belted Kingfisher.
Lots of juvenile Cedar Waxwings around.
Common Yellowthroats are still around.
The Great Blue Herons will head out soon.
This Bald Eagle, surveying Berlin Pond, may hang around this winter.
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