Birding

Where Are You Birding This Fourth Weekend of November 2011?

November 24, 2011 by Mike 3 Comments

I know of no other day of the year when a larger percentage of Americans are likely to be eating the same foods, unless Halloween candy or Independence Day barbecue counts. Too many of us focus on the turkey, but bird watchers know that Meleagris gallopavo means so much more than a meal, no matter how stuffed and savory. By the same token, Thanksgiving and this weekend represent much more than food and football (unless, like me, those are what you’re really looking forward to!)

Corey and I will both be spending long weekends with our respective families and the avifauna in their respective areas. While Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November is a uniquely American observance, everyone around the world can play along by answering these questions:

1. What are you doing this weekend and will you be birding?

2. What birds or bird sightings this year have you been most thankful for?

Share your plans in the comments below. And whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!

Some say that autumn sunsets are the best…

November weekend

Written by Mike

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.

3 Comments

Patrick O'Donnell November 25, 2011 at 11:11 am
Cool November sky. I will probably be checking out a few reservoirs near San Jose, Costa Rica to look for wintering waterfowl. Ducks are kind of uncommon this far south but this year looks to be a good one for ducks-there have already been 2 sightings of Redhead- a new bird for the country.
Bill (birdman42) November 25, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Started my weekend early; went out yesterday to Little Seneca Lake in central MD. It’s a reliable stopover for migrating waterbirds. Saw about 200 Buffleheads, a dozen Ruddy Ducks, 100 Ring-Necked Ducks, a single Greater Scaup, 3 Pied-Billed Grebes, a Horned Grebe, and a juvenile Tundra Swan, plus of course the required CAGO flock.
I’m most thankful for a Dickcissel, which has been a nemesis bird for me. Finally saw one alight on an overhead speaker wire as I sat having breakfast outdoors in Ocean City, MD this fall.
Actually, I’m thankful for just about every bird. My Dad’s been birding for decades, and says that where he volunteers (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) it seems like there are a lot fewer birds now than in years past.
Jennifer November 30, 2011 at 11:24 am
I know exactly who says autumn sunsets are the best. 🙂