Your experience of the month so far may differ from mine, but around these parts, March roared in like a lion filled with tiger blood. I suspect though that once we get past the Ides of March (beware!) we might have a shot at another spring. And isn’t that an inspiring thought?
Moved by an unseasonable bout of optimism, I went owl-chasing this weekend and actually encountered what has been a true nemesis bird for me: Northern Saw-whet Owl! Enjoy the details and proof here. For Corey, this was a weekend without a single standout species but with many birds that were pretty darn neat. The Snow Geese at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge will soon be winging their way north, so he spent some quality time with them, his best birds of the 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.
Takahe in Karori Sanctuary! They’ve recently been moved in, and this is the first time I’ve seen them there. Very cool.
Common Ringed Plover – I was out to find some waders as they have been eluding me so far this year and managed to find a few at Marievale, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff/Reeve, Little Stint, Common Greenshank and of course the Common Ringed Plover which is not that common inland. Water levels are right but the waders are still very scarce. Perhaps they have left early because of the high water conditions..Warblers were very vocal, I got Lesser Swamp, Little Rush, African Reed and European Sedge (good numbers). Have a great week!!
White-throated dipper in Nyfors waterfall of Sweden. It is cool to see them feeding underwater.
Check out the photo and movie in my blog:
http://kwbirding.blogspot.com/
After a busy week in Jakarta and Singapore, I stayed on for Saturday to do some intensive birding. Highlight was probably a White Throated Rock Thrush, but I’m regretting that I didnt try harder to see a Red Jungle Fowl that I heard. Blue Tailed BeeEater, White Bellied Sea Eagle, White Rumped Shama were other ones I particularly enjoyed.
An apparent American x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid at Boundary Bay, BC. I’m generally suspicious when people say they’ve seen one, but this bird looked pretty good to us.
http://birdaz.com/blog
Sometimes, everything just works out. A MacGillivray’s Warbler was found in southern Florida on Saturday, the day I flew in to Ft. Lauderdale. The friends I were scheduled to bird with the next day (not in the area of Oporornis tolmiei), canceled. My parents and sister realized I could not be counted on for rational conversation and said, “Go birding.” I did. I got the bird.
I always choose a target bird for my trips to Florida, which are mainly to visit with family, but I never ever dreamed that one of my FL Life Birds would be a MacGillivray’s.
The return of the twilight chorus of Eurasian Blackbirds. Being able to fully appreciate this is one of the most important aspects of being a birder.
My best bird was a pine warbler in Forest Park Queens NYC. It was my first warbler of the year. Spring can’t be too far away!
Every single answer this week leaves me feeling very jealous.
Just found this great site! Best bird for my weekend was African Pygmy Kingfisher I think – just love seeing them and we had one around the campsite we were in all Sunday am. (Though I only managed a rather poor photo for the blog!) http://weaversandwhatnot.blogspot.com
Corey, I am jealous of your Red-breasted Merganser experience at JBWR and the flight shots. I love it when local birding gives a wonderful payoff.