You are browsing the archives of 2006 December.

Patrick of The Hawk Owl’s Nest and I met up this weekend for a spot of winter birding at the incomparable Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Sticklers among you might point out that winter hasn’t officially arrived yet, but that frigid wind blowing off the bay says otherwise. Patrick, a denizen of New Jersey, had never [...]

The 3 Bs of birding, those items without which this activity just cannot be enjoyed fully, are Bins, Books, and Birds. That last B probably goes without saying, while the first one can be considered the least essential of the three, though still mighty important. Books, on the other hand, are almost as essential to [...]

Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea
Cape Town, South Africa

The beautiful Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea is endemic to the fynbos of southwestern South Africa, but also occurs in parks and gardens. Often tame and quite approachable (especially in eg Botanic Gardens), the Orange-breasted Sunbird is a common breeder across its limited range, and an altitudinal migrant moving to [...]

American Robin Turdus migratorius
North America. Various dates 2004/05/06
 
The most abundant and widespread North American thrush, American Robins are - as the name suggests - native to the Nearctic region. They occur year-round in southern Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia, throughout most of the United States and along the Sierra Madre into southern Mexico. They [...]

Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer
South Africa, December 2006

The small and unobtrusive Bushveld Pipit is an African endemic found from south-central Ethiopia down through the savanna biomes to Zimbabwe and south-west South Africa. Usually found in pairs, the species responds enthusiastically to the call of the Pearl-spotted Owl when the distinctive, soft, and unpipit-like “tzeet” call the [...]

Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
USA and Mexico. Various dates 2004/05
 
The Cactus Wren is the largest North American wren, and is 18-23 cm (7-9 inches) long. Native to the south-western United States southwards (southern California, southern Nevada, Utah, Arizona - it’s Arizona’s State bird, and western Texas) to central Mexico it is as might be expected a [...]

or something like that at the splendid 15th edition of the Circus of the Spineless presented at Words & Pictures. Bug out!

Reading a book is usually the closest we’ll ever come to interacting with its author. The experience of reading some books is akin to meeting a new friend; other times, it’s like becoming reacquainted with an old one. Many publications take a didactic tone, seeming to the reader a professor by proxy. More regrettable texts, [...]

There’s more to bird watching than watching birds. Attempting to bird by eye alone is like driving home with only half your gears: even if you get where you’re going, the trip is going to take a lot more time than it has to. Knowledge of bird song makes birding more complete. It also makes [...]

Don’t you just love Julie Zickefoose? If your answer is “no” it probably means that you’re not acquainted with Julie Zickefoose, haven’t read any of her books or articles, seen her artwork, heard her lectures or monthly National Public Radio spots, or even read her eponymous blog. Your loss. Ms. Zickefoose is a naturalist’s naturalist, [...]