2019 Birds – (April-June)
Posted in Backyard birds, best birds of year, Birding_trips, CA birds, Vermont Birding
Comments Off on 2019 Birds – (April-June)
2019 Birds – (Jan-March)
It’s getting to that time when listings of the best of the year come out for many things. Here are some of my best birds of the first quarter of 2019 – nice to remember on a cold December spitting snow day.
We took an abbreviated trip to Florida and later spent several weeks in Arizona.
Posted in 2019 SE Trip, best birds of year, Birding_trips, Louisiana State Parks, Photography, Vermont Birding
Comments Off on 2019 Birds – (Jan-March)
Northern Shrike
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.
Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County
Comments Off on Northern Shrike
Crappy Weather, Nice Backyard Birding
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.
Posted in Birding With Ginger, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Winter Birds
Comments Off on Crappy Weather, Nice Backyard Birding
Youngsters
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.
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.
Posted in Birding With Ginger, Labradoodle, Local Birding, Vermont Birding
Comments Off on Youngsters
Another Crowd Favorite
Like the White Stork, this Grey Heron gets lots of attention. 
Posted in Grey Stork, Spain Birding
Comments Off on Another Crowd Favorite
Margarito
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. 
Posted in Spain Birding, Winter Birds
Comments Off on Margarito
Some Spain Shots
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.
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.
Even the common House Sparrow looks pretty sharp today.
Posted in nature, Spain Birding, Vacation birding, Wildlife Watching
Comments Off on Some Spain Shots
Thursday Beach Walk
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.
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
Posted in Spain Birding
Comments Off on Thursday Beach Walk
Coots, Cormorants, and friends
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.
Posted in Spain Birding
Comments Off on Coots, Cormorants, and friends