At last, my world is back on its usual academic year axis, spinning on a schedule I expect to enjoy as days wane then wax. How about yours? Is everything back to normal or is the very concept of normalcy alien to you? Whether you keep a schedule or not, the birds in your life certainly do. Even now, many of them are migrating along paths laid down over countless generations of feathered forbears. Imagine the magic that might manifest if you can get your travels to intersect theirs this weekend…
What are you doing this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below?
Corey and I both grapple with the possibilities at hand. Do we chase shorebirds, songbirds, or raptors? What would you do? Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!
Enjoy seductive September sunrises, like this Appalachian aurora courtesy of Nate Swick
I’m birding in the south of Sweden. More specific Falsterbo/Skanör which is the last sliver of Swedish soil before it turns into sea. Here is one of the top spot for watching migrating birds in Europe. Last weekend we had Falsterbo Bird Show, a yearly event with birders coming from all over. They come to take part of the bird migration but also to mingle, learn and share knowledge. It was a great event due to nice weather and wonderful people. Thurday 1th September, one day before the event, we had historical figures of migrating Honey Buzzards. More than 2800 of them left Sweden that day together with Ospreys, Marsh Harriers, Kites, Pallid Harriers, Black Storks and white, Lesser spotted eagles, White tailed eagles, Hobbies and Sparrow Hawks. Needless to say it was a glorious day for a birder. I will return on Saturday not expecting anything like that but still great birding.
Brig tomorrow–our first visit since returning to NJ. Wonder whether the rain will let us get out of the car once or twice.
Heading out camping with the Boy Scout troop to Willow Park in Lehi, Utah. I’ve never been there, so I’m unsure what the birding will be like. The satellite views show it on a bend in the Jordan River with a cluster of trees, which in the desert means a migrant bird trap. Hopes are high!
Going to Rocky Knob Hawk watch on Saturday in Southwestern Virginia! Hopefully the rain will hold off for everyone.
I’m off to Serengeti this afternoon, but won’t be back ’til Monday evening, so you’ll have to wait to see… I won’t only be looking at birds though. Hoping for a few early migrants and maybe one or two wetter savannah specials…
C
Safari Ecology
I wish I was in Falsterbo like Monica! I was there for one day some years ago and birds were everywhere. Nevertheless, I cant complain because this weekend I am headed up to the dry habitats of northern Costa Rica. Its a family thing but I should still get some nice year birds and will hopefully connect with some migrants.
This weekend is the Muckrace at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge here in western NY State. My very first, in fact, a first for the other two brave members of our team. Never having done this before we are simply dipping our unwebbed toes into the waters of competitive birding with some trepidation. But it is for a good cause and we are committed to “having a blast” and seeing some good birds.
I have to confess I didn’t make it to Falsterbo this weekend. I went to Segerstad, Öland instead for a birdwatching competition, Club Yard 100 National Championship.
http://www-pp.hogia.net/bengt.stridh/Enhagen/yardbird.html
Goal to see as many birds from your yard as possible during 24 hours. This took place on Saturday all over Sweden, a truly quirky and funny idea. This is an yearly event since 1998. I went to Segerstad to hang with one of Swedens most avid birders, Christian Cederroth. He has a lighthouse and thus a slight advantage to other yard birders. Our total ended up at 103 species in one day. And this despite a really long lunch break.