Signs of spring are evident everywhere winter once held sway. Actually, signs that winter won’t release its icy grip so readily are also apparent… my traditional Easter family hike was canceled on account of snow. Sure, we could have survived the blustery flurry, but I’d rather hide until the last remnants of winter blow away!
Our travels this weekend took us on the New York State Thruway, which passes through Montezuma NWR. The refuge is the most reliable place I know in the Empire State to spot Sandhill Cranes, so I always keep an eye open. This time, we spotted two shaggy cranes flying across the wetlands. Corey had quite a few species to choose from this weekend but decided that his Best Bird of the Weekend was the simple Tree Swallow. In particular, he picked one of the many that has already staked out a claim to a nest box at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Spring is here!
How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed. If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment.
Finaally we are back in the tropics, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Best of the weekend would be Northern Screamer, Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-winged Sparrow and Chestnut Piculet.
Best for me was close looks at a Brown-capped Tyrannulet while exploring a site in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. I also had really close looks at several Shiny Cowbirds but being a cowbird, they aren’t allowed for my best bird of the weekend.
I took two Canadian visitors to Werribee Treatment Plant on Sunday, and they were most excited by a beautiful adult White-bellied Sea-eagle and Brolgas. nearly all the migratory shore-birds have flown north.
My best was Tundra Swans in flocks on their way north. I think they make the flight from the Atlantic seaboard to Lake Erie in one hop and We’re lucky enough to live under their flyway. A flock of Tundras beats almost anything for stop-me-in-me-tracks-ability. I wrote about them and other (not quite so) good sightings in my blog. Read it by clicking on my name above
I managed 2 lifers from Beijing on Easter Saturday. A Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker and a Yellow-bellied Tit.