White-winged Crossbills in the Catskills

A small flock of singing White-winged Crossbills was reported from Sullivan County, New York in the middle of August, in the same locale as the Pine Grosbeak last winter.  They are one of the life birds that I have been trying to get for years.  With their erratic wandering though; finding them has not been easy.  Since [...]

SkyWatch

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Crows Never Forget a Face

Quick put on lipstick, crows can tell us apart.  Did you see the article in the New York Times about a study using masks for banding crows and the ruckus they put up after the fact?  It is fascinating–go read it.

Birding Jamaica Bay

Having heard stories of how wonderful birding was and then reading about the recent rarities being reported on the ListServ; when I saw the notice about the Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival, I decided to go. I even convinced a few friends to go too.
Never having been to the refuge, of course we got lost, arriving [...]

SkyWatch

I do not often see swans flying.  But when I do, it is a sight to behold.  
To see other skies around the world check out SkyWatch

Snake in a tree

Thinking some kids had thrown an old bicycle inner tube up in a tree, I only gave it a passing glance until my friend yelled over, “Hey.  What’s that in that tree?  Is it a snake?”  I looked away from a promising woodpecker hole to throw a glance in the direction they were looking.  Huh!  [...]

Wordless Wednesday

Shorebird Migration

I saw a Greater Yellowlegs at the Liberty Loop at the Wallkill a few days ago.  Migration is starting.  Shorebirds are starting to move down from the north and are on a beach or lake or marsh near you.  Go check it out and let me know what is happening.  The Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival [...]

Rooster Whippoorwill duet

Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill…
Cock-a-doodle-do.
Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill….
COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!
The cats ears twitch and I stop to listen.
Some minutes go by then he lets ‘er rip again.
Cock-a-doodle-do.
But the Whippoorwill has given it up in the strengthening light.
Smiling I go back to whatever I am doing, which very well might be sleeping.  Someone nearby has chickens.  Or at least a rooster.  With all [...]

Roadrunner vs. Flammulated Owl

I am pulling together an Arizona birding weekend after a business trip in October.  I am going to go out with Melody Kehl, hoping to score some life birds.  I certainly did last time I was in Phoenix.
This is a repost from my other blog (before I spun off the birds) if you read it [...]