You are browsing the archives of 2006 April.

The first wave of the vernal avian invasion has the New York area in a vise. Bold Palm Warbler field generals are currently preparing local woodlands for the massive passerine push to follow. Winter soldiers are most definitely on the wane, but I spotted a few White-throated Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers hanging back this weekend, [...]

Everyone knows that the difference between good birding and truly great birding often depends on one’s ability to identify birdsong. Unfortunately, many bird watchers, myself included, are fairly skilled at the watching part but not so hot with the listening and identifying. Help has finally arrived in the form of a brilliant piece of birding [...]

This weekend’s birding activities began with our foray to Central Park, but hardly ended there. On Saturday night, Sara and I, accompanied once again by Seth and Christine, visited Ward Pound Ridge Reservation to observe the mysterious dance of the woodcock. The bizarre breeding display of the American Woodcock is clearly a big draw; over [...]

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Seth, flush with success over his star turn as host of I and the Bird #21, decided to take a victory lap from Rochester to New York this weekend. Charlie was so impressed with Seth that he hopped on a plane straightaway to commend his hosting panache. Both of them might claim different [...]

My good friend Eran just returned from a visit to Israel. Eran belongs to that surprisingly large segment of the population that looks on birding with bemusement rather than interest, but he is a generous soul. Since I couldn’t be with him to appreciate the birds of Israel, he brought some back to me in [...]

Yesterday, April 9, was my birthday, an occasion that allotted me an array of indulgences, from Pecan-Raisin French Toast for breakfast (with real maple syrup, naturally) to an assortment of festive physiological pollutants throughout the day. I like to share my special day with family and with friends, but whatever the itinerary, part of it [...]

While sitting at my desk yesterday, I gazed out the window, as is my habit, just as a large black bird flew by. I don’t usually pay attention to passing crows, but this bird had that something special that made me sit up and take notice. It was bigger than a crow, heavier, and sported [...]

Sara and I realized our interest in birding just three scant years ago, and what a time it’s been. We have, as regular readers of this blog know, learned a lot in that time. However, this spring is the first in which I feel attuned to the rhythms of returning birds. The knowledge of which [...]