Tufted Titmouse on my railing

My fav feeder bird

The Birding Survey

So, there's a survey going around on the various birding blogs out there and I decided to post my responses here. It was kind of fun to do it. Go ahead - try it yourself!

What state (or country) do you live in? Indiana
How long have you been birding? 22 years
Are you a "lister"? Yes ABA Life List: 261 Overall Life List: 261
Favorite Birding Spots: Rio Grande Valley, Cape May NJ, Sanibel Island FL
Favorite birding spot outside your home country: Never been but dream of the Galapagos
Farthest you've traveled to chase a rare bird: Florida
Nemesis bird: Red Breasted Nuthatch
"Best" bird sighting: Painted Bunting
Most wanted trip: Point Pelee
Most wanted bird: Magnificent Hummer
What model and brand of bins do you use?: Eagle Optics Ranger 10x42
What model and brand of scope do you use?: Pentax
What was the last lifer you added to your list?: American Oystercatcher
Where did you see your last lifer?: Provincetown Mass
What's the last bird you saw today?: Blue Jay
Best bird song you've heard ever: Carolina wren
Favorite birding moment: My first time at Ding Darling
Least favorite thing about birding: Bugs!!! Mosquitos!!!
Favorite thing about birding: The exhilaration of seeing a new species for the first time.
Favorite field guide for the US: Sibley
Favorite non-field guide bird book: Kingbird Highway
Who is your birder icon?: Pete Dunne
Do you have a bird feeder(s)? Only 8 of them!
Favorite feeder bird? Tufted Titmouse

I heard the unmistakable call of a great horned owl while watching tv. Quickly, I turned down the volume and listened again. Sure enough! It was the sound of a great horned all right. I grabbed the bino's and tried to find it. It was dark outside. Focusing on what looked like a lump in the tree, as the image became clear I was thrilled! Not one but a pair of great horned owls were sitting in the cottonwood tree. One was pruning itself while the other was turning its head 180 degrees in typical owl fashion. I dropped my glasses briefly to walk to another window for a better view and "POOF" they were gone!

What a wonderful treat it was!

Fantasy Birding Thoughts

So I was thinking....what if...what if I were to win the lottery someday!

How would that affect the birding aspect of my life? Oh sure, it would mean I could pay off the mortgage, pay off the car, all that boring crap...but just for a moment let's all allow ourselves to attach this kind of dream to our birding life! What would it mean? What would you do that you aren't now? Money isn't an object, so what does that do to ones birding opportunities? How does one prioritize when to go and where to go?

It's an interesting concept, no?

Heck, my birding fantasy nowadays is pretty much wrapped around my thoughts of retiring and what I might be able to do at that point. I'm hoping to be able to take a couple of ambitious birding trips a year - maybe to the ABA convention or a couple of festivals. But the majority of my retirement bird thoughts center around birding within my local area due to economics. So it's fun to fantasize about what one might do.

Any ideas out there??

Red Headed Woodpecker

Last Saturday, on a trip to McCormicks Creek State Park, I saw a Red Headed woodpecker up high in the white branches of a sycamore tree. I was happy to see it since this is one of our declining species and it is truly one of the most beautiful birds on the planet.

The red headed is one of only 4 woodpeckers known to store food and is the only one known to cover the food with wood or bark.

I used to see Red Heads all the time in Indiana as a youngster growing up. Now they are rare. The Red-bellied is much more prevalent around here now. Too bad, not that I don't like the Red-bellies. They are equally beautiful.

Have been reading quite a few birding blogs out there in cyberland. Will probably provide links to them on my page later on. Thank goodness for the Birdchick. I have attended both Cape May and the Rio Grande Valley bird festivals vicariously through her this year. Sounds like she has the life that a lot of birders dream of! DAMN! Why didn't I become an ornithologist.

Juncos Arrive!

I guess winter is nearly upon us. For me the first sign is the return of the junco's. True "snowbirds", they usually show up here in early November. They seem to be a little early this year - arriving before Halloween. I hope this isn't a sign of an early winter!

Even though they remind me of winter, I still always enjoy watching the junco's at the feeders and in the woods edge. Here are some facts on juncos from the Cornell Lab. I can always id them in flight by their white outer tail feathers. They look like little birds in tuxedos to me.

Unexpected Benefit

Saturday was the big day! Seven glorious new trees finally were delivered and planted in our yard. For awhile we have been wanting to add trees to our "new housing addition look" landscape, so last weekend we made some decisions and got a red maple (Autumn Blaze), a Winter King Hawthorn, 2 Norway Spruces, 1 White pine and 2 Blue Spruces. Almost immediately after the trees were planted, an exponentially larger number of birds were noticeable. It was wonderul! The back yard had the feel of a park like setting.

Interestingly enough, one of the unexpected benefits to the tree planting turned out to be the dirt. You see, all the birds around us had evidently been dying for places to take dust baths. So, all the fresh turned earth around the newly planted trees provided a dust bath oasis for all the birds in the neighborhood. Sparrows, Finches. Doves, Cardinals - they all were finding their special spot in the dirt and rolling in it over and over again. What a treat to watch these guys. Several of them followed their dust bath with a trip to the water bath for a little wet time afterwards. Watching them enjoy the dirt so much kept us entertained for hours.

If you would like to provide a dust bath for the birds in your yard, here is a nice article on how to do so.

Preparing for Cape Cod

In less than 4 weeks, I'll be heading to Cape Cod and Provincetown Mass for what should be a memorable birthday. My 50th! I wanted to combine some birding opportunities among some gay friendly locale sprinkled with some ocean time for the big event. Mostly, I just need a vacation having not had one since February 2005.

In preparation for the journey, I have been studying shorebirds through the new Shorebird Guide book and also by watching a couple of DVD's at night as I fall asleep. Admittedly, I am weak on shorebird identification, having not spent as much time as I would like birding along the coast, but I am determined to at least make a valiant attempt this time of adding some new species to my life list.

Common Nighthawk

Last night we were treated to a small group of Common Nighthawks soaring over the house in search of insects. I counted a total of 8 of these guys soaring around, but I was having a hard time keeping my eye on them as they would occasionally disappear over the neighbors rooftops and out of my sight line. It seems we always see them in August and September in our area right at dusk, but I hardly ever see them at other times of the year in the neighborhood. Kat and I figured it was the start of their migration since they are thought to be some of the earliest migrants. I love watching them soar and their unmistakable white wing bars are visible even to the naked eye. (But are really beautiful when viewed through the binoculars)

In doing a little research on Nighthawk I found some valuable information regarding them through the Project Nighthawk site. So, be on the lookout for these wonderful creatures on their migration path during the period of August 17th to September 5. Watch the sky during the last two hours of daylight.

Baby Bird Time!

There have been several baby bird sightings at the feeders at our house this year. Last year it seemed the only babies around were cardinals and house sparrows, but this year, a whole cast of babies has been observed.
So far we have seen baby....
House Finches
Cardinals
Carolina Wrens
Ruby throated Hummer
White Breasted Nuthatch
Red Shouldered Hawks (2 being taught to hunt by their parents)
Mourning Dove
House Sparrows
And more to come.......!

White-Throated Sparrow

Had a new visitor at the feeder this weekend and it was new for my yard - a white-throated sparrow. It seems that these birds summer in Canada and only pass through Indiana on their way there. How nice of them to stop and munch on the seeds in my feeders! According to Birdweb, despite still being fairly common, the numbers of these birds are declining. How sad. I love the little yellow spot on them that really glistens in the spring as they prepare for breeding. Known as one of the handsomest sparrows, I certainly hope we see a rebound in their numbers. I love to hear their Peabody Peabody call.

Signs of Spring!

Ahhhh March...the month when spring finally starts to arrive in the midwest. Already I am seeing some of our feathered friends starting to arrive signifying the impending change of seasons.

The first signs of spring arriving for me are the increase in waterfowl. During the winter months we are pretty much stuck with Canada Geese and Mallards around here, but in March the water birds are the first to come back from their winter migration. Wood ducks, American Coots, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, Green winged teal, etc. have all been spotted at the local lakes and rivers. I have also spotted the Red Winged Blackbirds and, to me, these are the true harbingers of spring! Most people think it is the robin, but since so many robins are not migrating anymore, for me it is definitely the red-wings.

I was driving to the mall Sunday and I passed a housing addition with some cat tails and as I looked over, perched on the top of a cat tail was a beautiful male red winged, spreading his wings and giving his tell-tale "Konk la deee" call. Across from him on another cat tail stem was a female. I couldn't help but smile knowing that these were the first I had seen for 2006.

"Nuisance Birds"

One of the most common questions I receive from people who are not avid birders like me, is how to deal with so called "nuisance birds" at feeders. My first response is always the same. "Why do you consider the bird undesirable?" The answers are mixed but mostly refer to the fact that they scare away the "pretty birds", or that they eat too much seed, or that they are too noisy and come in large numbers. So, I thought I would talk about some of these birds that are referred to as a nuisance by bird feeding enthusiasts.

Probably the most common bird that people wish to discourage from their feeders is the European Starling. Even as much as I love birds, I always have ambivalent feelings regarding this species. These birds are everywhere in the USA and are truly a global bird, found in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa as well as Europe. Rumor has it that 100 of these birds were released in Central Park in 1890 and that the population in North America is now 150-200 million birds. These birds are considered to be a nuisance because they are flocking birds and they roost in great numbers in trees and man made structures resulting in noisy chattering and high volumes of waste concentration. In Indianapolis last year, the city council approved a plan of killing several European Starlings as they were wintering over at a local power plant and were creating perceived unsafe conditions for workers and residents. In fact, several cities are taking similar measures. And there are some web sites with instructions on how to kill them.

Any time a suet feeder is hung around here, you can count on Starlings to invade it. They love suet! So, are these birds absolutely of no value? Depends on who you ask. The evidence suggests that they do provide an agricultural benefit by consuming crop damaging insects. However, they also are aggressive competitors for nesting sites with other birds. Their abundance and existence are the fault of man interfering with their lives and now they are paying for it.

In Memory of John - my Dad.

Today would have been my fathers birthday, had he not passed away in 1965. It gives me cause to think of him and appreciate his love for nature which he passed on to me. Dad loved to fish. He loved being out in nature and loved taking my brothers, my mother and me with him. Some of my fondest memories in life involve all of us hopping in the car heading out to Cutsinger bridge - Dad's favorite local fishin hole. Mom packed a picnic basket with some sandwiches, and Dad would stick 5 cane poles in the back window of the car with the tips hanging out the front drivers side. He would bait my hook (and my moms) and we'd throw our lines out in the water and we'd sit and watch the bobbers float along with the current. Being a little antsy, I was soon bored if the fish weren't biting and that's when my Dad would call my attention to the nature around us.

I remember one such occasion on a spring morning. I was bored and Dad was calling my attention to the blossoms on the dogwood trees and we would watch them fall and land on the water and float away. As we were looking at the blooming trees, he pointed out some movement. At first I didn't see it, but then the flittering of the bright green leaves was unmistakable. I asked him what it was, and he said to me, "Babe, that's a Brown Thrasher." I was amazed that he knew the name of the bird! So, I started asking him the names of any bird I saw - he knew most of them, or at least he recited names to me. Mallard ducks, Buzzard, Crow, Tree Swallow, Robin, Woodpecker, Bluebird, he knew so many! I asked him what his favorite bird was and he told me it was the Brown Thrasher because it was the first bird he had ever looked up in a book.

To this day, when I see a brown thrasher, I always think of Dad. Happy Birthday, John H Smith. Thank you!

Cedar Waxwings

I spotted a small flock (about 25) Cedar Waxwings in the woods yesterday. From far away, I wasn't sure what they were as the flittered from tree top to tree top, but after putting the binoculars on them, it was obvious! Their black masked faces always make me smile. The first thought I had was, are these Bohemian waxwings instead of Cedars? Doing a little research though, it was obvious these were Cedars. Bohemian waxwings are more northern and western in their distribution. Also, the Cedar is slightly smaller and has different plumage markings. Waxwings main diet consists of wild berries - almost 80% of thier intake. But, that is also one of their biggest vulnerabilities. Sometimes, particularly when warm days follow a frost, the berries can become toxic and the poor waxwings eat them anyway and succumb to alcohol poisoning. Some fun facts...they got their name 'Cedar' waxwing because of their attraction to the blue berries produced by red cedar trees. The name "waxwing" comes from the waxy red appendages found on the tips of the wings. Waxwings nest in late summer when berries are abundant to feed their young. Waxwings are frugivorous (fruit eaters) and are often seen passing berries via their beaks from one bird to the next down the line on a branch - quite friendly!

Kingfishers

Yesterday, Kat and I took a trip to Summit Lake State Park for some birding. On the way there, after our customary stop at the home made donut shop in Pendleton, we talked about what we hoped to see there. Kat was hopeful to spot a kingfisher, as she had not seen one yet this year. Sure enough, on our drive around the lake we came across one sitting atop a branch over a drainage ditch. Of course, in our area we only have the belted kingfisher and so I wondered how many varieties of kingfisher there are in the world. From some internet research, I gathered that there are 93 different kingfishers in the world. BUT....in North America there are only three present and two of those seem to be specialists in the south. While in Texas last year, I got to see a Green Kingfisher, which was truly one of the more fun sightings I have had.

Some interesting facts...the belted kingfisher is one of the few species whose females are more colorful than the males. And, did you know that the image of the belted kingfisher is on the back of a Canada's five dollar bill? Their nest tunnels, built in the banks of waterways will be 3 to 7 feet long when completed and the eggs will be laid in total darkness.

One of the more enjoyable things to watch anytime out in the field, is when you come across a kingfisher actually fishing. They are highly skilled and the sight of them diving in the water is quite entertaining.

Pileated visit

One of the advantages of living adjacent to a wooded area is the constant variety of birds that actually live near you. Yesterday, I was graced by the presence of a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. One was on a snag in the back yard, the other sat nearby on fencepost. So far, they haven't been brave enough to come to the feeders - at least not yet. I remember the first time I ever saw a Pileated up close. It was perched on the side of a tree in Atterbury near my home town. I was young and not an experienced birder at all. It kind of startled me when I realized how large it was.

Some interesting facts about this bird. Drumming on trees is done at 14.5-16.8 beats per second. Although monogamous, Pileateds sleep at night in nest cavities separately, each in its own roost. Their favorite food is carpenter ants. These birds are not migratory and they defend their territory year round, although they are somewhat tolerant of other species in the winter. The female lays 3-5 eggs that both adults incubate for 15-18 days, the male incubates at night and the female during the day.

Northern Mockingbird

This winter there has been a larger than normal number of mockingbirds seen in my area. Seems like you can always find some around but I see several almost every day in my travels to and from work. Also, the feeders have been visited by four individuals that hang out in our housing addition. This caused me to wonder about winter distribution of this species in central Indiana. Judging from this map, we are very near the northern edge of the winter range. Perhaps the milder winter temperatures have encouraged them to stick around instead of heading further south. Perhaps their range is expanding. Who knows!

I always find the mockingbirds interesting though. Every spring the office where I work is graced by the presence of a pair that nest in the tree lined barrier near the parking lot. As I walk in to the back entrance to the office, I am graced by their songs. They used to fool me. I would hear the songs and think another bird was around, but then I would look up and see them singing away on the top corner of the building in the early morning sun. Mockingbirds can sing up to 200 songs. Have you ever been fooled when birding by one of their mimics? I didn't know they also imitated songs of insects and amphibians as well. What a diverse little creature!