These are dark times, when the most I can muster for my best bird of the weekend is a mere Black-capped Chickadee. Even worse, Corey could only come up with a Northern Mockingbird chasing a Northern Cardinal, as if two common birds might add up to one more unusual sighting. Take pity on us, oh gods of birding, and deliver unto us warm weather and hot birds in abundance!
How about you? Did you do any better this weekend? 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.
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.
On Saturday at around 10 AM I found a flock of about 20 Horned Larks and 3 Snowbuntings roosting in the middle of snow-covered field. Some had burrowed into the snow so deep that just their heads were sticking out. The sun was shining and the temperature a balmy 30 F – that was before a blast of icy air struck the Northeast – and it looked like the birds were sunbathing. Here is a link to my blog post: http://tinyurl.com/5uwtoj5
We had a 1st winter White-crowned Sparrow on Saturday, that were able to relocate again yesterday. I know this bird is widespread throughout North America, but here in South Florida it’s a rarity! The Northern Waterthrush wasn’t bad either! http://bit.ly/hpPYgx
My best birds of the weekend are two male Wood Ducks at a half-frozen pond in Central Park. They were so beautiful against white snow color in chilly yet sunny morning.
I didn’t make it all the way down to the Gulf Coast, I stopped at El Franco Lee Park to see if anything was around, it turned out to be a good spur of the moment decision. I recorded 67 species in a little over 2 hours walking around a park of around 300 acres. best birds were Vermillion Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, Bald Eagle catching and eating a Wood Duck, and an Osprey. The park is located on the south side of Houston Tx.
I don’t know how you are suppose to pick your “best bird” of the weekend? I got some great looks at several birds at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge both Saturday and Sunday. Do I choose the Peregrine Falcon because of its great comeback story or the beautiful Lincoln Sparrow peering at me from the brush a few feet away? I guess considering the rarity of seeing a dark morph Snow Goose (a “Blue” Goose), I would have to pick the goose!
My best bird just isn’t supposed to be around. Here in Eastern Massachusetts we’ve had a cold snap this week, with near record lows and record snow depth, yet at Great Meadows NWR there is a tiny area between the impoundments where there is running water and two active, cooperative Marsh Wrens, busily making a living through a harsh winter.
Gee Larry, decisions, decisions….all great birds from my point of view. I had a very quiet birding weekend but I suppose the African Paradise Flycatchers that were flitting around the garden on saturday morning have to be the winners.