Spring Additions

Now that Spring migration is in full swing I'd like to add some color to the list. So far my favorite is Prairie Warbler at 127. There is also yellow warbler at 128 and goldfinch at 129 almost full breeding plumage. The palm warber at 130 is another yellow bird, or a yellow-y sort of brown as is the veery 131 and ovenbird 132. This bay-breasted warbler 134 was gorgeous in the sun. As was this black throated green 135 and a few common yellow throats 136, one of which flew into a window. Also had a male and female black and white warbler 136. Adding to the list are yellow shafted flicker 137, American Crow 138, Black-capped Chickadee 139, Common Snipe 149, Ruby-crowned kinglet 150, Golden Crowned Kinglet 151, purple martin 152, and barn swallow 153.

Crossing Over

Still plugging away on the Big Year list and with that I have some reflections now that Im 1/4 of the way through the year. My goal when beginning this project was not to see as many birds as I could, but rather to deepen my experience of birding. There are many vagrants popping up all over New Jersey now but I dont think burning a tank of gas chasing each of them is really what I want this experience to be about. That being said, here are a few more additions as we head into Spring 2014. Starting off with the remaining cold waterbirds such as the Red-necked Grebe #116 and Common Mergansers #117. Many nesting shorebirds are starting to return such as this American Oystercatcher #118. I've also had a Pine Warbler #119, Palm Warbler #120, American Woodcock #121, Eurasian Tree Sparrow #122, Virgina Rail #123, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher #124 and Chipping Sparrow #125. And last but never least, the powerful Osprey #126!

Peregrines 2014

So far off to a great start up at Broadway Bridge.

History Repeats Itself for the Last Time

This is the last nesting season before the Cathedral develops the St. Luke's doctor parking lot. Seeing how the birds reacted to the roof renovations in 2008, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the last year for hawks at the Cathedral. In preparation of that, I caught them copulating in a tree near the nest exactly one year from this scene. And the same scene from 2009 and again in 2007...talk about reliable. Exactly what it is that contributes to this pattern, I dont think I will ever know, but in honor of the essence we call Love, here are the St. John the Divine hawks in all their glory. Good luck to all the 2014 nesters!

Florida Crazy, Part Deux

The Everglades along I78 were the best places to bird by far. Plenty of gators, fish, water and reeds makes great habitat for tons of waterbirds including #94, White-faced Ibis, #95, Pie-billed Grebe, #96, Roseate Spoonbill #97, White Pelican and #98, Brown Pelican. Also seen were #99, Purple Gallinue #100, Wood Stork. #101, Great Egret #102, Ahinga #103, Boat-tailed Grackle #104, Limpkin #105, Cattle Egret Also adding #105 Little Blue Heron, #106 Tricolored Heron, #107 Magnificent Frigate, #108 Painted Bunting, #109 Lesser Black-backed Gull, #110 Willet, #111 Sandwich Tern and #112 Royal Terns. Also got collared dove and common ground dove #113 and #114. Last but not least is Blue Winged Teal #115, seen at the southern most point of Key West.