Blackburnian Warbler - May 3rd, 2008 @ Garrett Mountain

Blackburnian Warbler - May 2008
Although the day was overcast and slightly cool the birding sure wasn’t! Warblers were everywhere as there had obviously been a good flight the night before (possible aided by that mentioned bad weather). We walked into Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green and Northern Parula, and glided right through Common Yellow-throat, Northern Waterthrush, Black and White and Prairie Warblers. A single Nashville and 2 male Blackburnians stole the show as it was Jeanette and my first good “Spring” look at the orange-throated beauties. Some other birds seen were Black-throated Blue and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue-winged and Magnolia Warblers and American Redstart. Ovenbird, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and Scarlet Tanagers rounded up what was an amazing morning of Spring birding at Garrett Mt.

Birding in New Jersey Goes to Florida!- April 2008

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Florida, April 2008
Jeanette and I needed to spend a few days in Florida with relatives and of course I found a way to squeeze in a “little” birding. So three and a half days worth of a little time = 15 Life birds and two of my most wanted US birds! We got to see the amazing Burrowing Owls (although at our distance picture quality suffered) and a vibrant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher! This was an opportunity for me to use birding skills I have built over the last year to track down local “specialties” on my own. With help from Jeanette’s “eagle eyes” we saw some additional Florida beauties like Anhinga, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret, White Ibis, Swallow-tailed Kite, Wood Stork, Mottled Duck and Magnificent Frigatebird. Throw in Loggerhead Shrike and Grey Kingbird and it was a very productive birding trip and a very enjoyable step away from everyday life. Can’t wait to go back for more!
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite - Florida, April 2008

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker - Florida, April 2008

White Ibis
White Ibis - Florida, April 2008

Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Crane - Florida, April 2008

Magnificent Frigatebird
Magnificent Frigatebird - Florida, April 2008

Barred Owl
Barred Owl - Florida, April 2008

Brown Pelicans
Brown Pelicans - Florida, April 2008

Short-eared Owls - March 30th, 2008 @ The Pole Farm

Short-eared Owl - March 2008
I never grow tired of seeing the hunting Short-eared Owls at the Pole Farm near Princeton New Jersey. These two were hunting and must have come too close to one another’s territory! If you live in NJ and have not been here you need to. Seriously. :)

Eastern Meadowlark - March 30th, 2008 @ The Pole Farm

Eastern Meadowlark - March 2008
The Pole Farm is a great New Jersey spot for Eastern Meadowlark and Short-eared Owls. The Meadowlarks were calling their hearts out and chasing each other around. This was my first decent shot of an Eastern Meadowlark so I was a happy camper. :)

Evening Grosbeaks - March 2008 @ Assunpink WMA

Evening Grosbeak - March 2008
The Evening Grosbeaks of Assunpink WMA fame didn’t disappoint. The male sat out for 5 minutes basking in the sun. The females were close by and afforded nice views as well. The males call was an interesting one as it sounded like someone swallowing water while trying to whistle. Great Birds and a New Jersey first for me!

Saw-whet Owls - March 22nd, 2008 @ Somerset County

Saw-whet Owl - March 2008
Had a fun day in Somerset county seeing not one but two different Saw-whet Owls! These two were much smaller than the previous bird I had seen as it had been all relaxed and puffed up. They just sat and let us watch them for a short amount of time (as to not disturb them).

Red-Necked Grebe - March 18th, 2008 @ Spruce Run

Red-necked Grebe - March 2008
Went to Spruce Run hoping to find the reported Franklin’s Gull. While I didn’t see the Gull I did get to see three different species of Grebe. Pied-Billed, Horned and the Red-necked (shown above).

Common Redpolls - February 17th, 2008 @ Plainsboro Preserve

Common Redpoll - Feb 2008
One of our favorite local spots, the Plainsboro Preserve has been hosting at least four Common Redpolls recently. This was my second time going to see them here and third time overall seeing the bird. This was Jeanette’s first look at Redpoll which made it all the more satisfying. Today the Sharpy I saw hunting the area last time was absent. This in turn meant long, good looks at the birds and even some nice pictures. A fun day of Winter birding. *Side note: We did however strike out again (our 6th excursion to see them) on two Greater White-fronted Geese in Cranford NJ.

Scott’s Oriole - January 27th, 2008 @ Union Square Park NYC

Scott's Oriole - Jan 2008
Slightly out of New Jersey a Scott’s Oriole was reported in Union Square Park in NYC. I arrived and after paying 20 dollars for parking was greeted quickly by the bird sitting comfortably in a tall tree right above a subway platform exit. Oblivious to all the action below, he sat an preened for some time before dropping down into a bush line for better viewing. People were gathered around to see what the 20 or so people with bins and camera’s were watching. I wonder how many future birders were hatched today as kids and their parents learned of this rare bird from the Midwest visiting their most unlikely location. It was great to “see” the bird but the highlight was definitely “sharing” it with others.

Our Trip to Oregon - January, 2008 @ Redmond and John Day

Costa’s Hummingbird

Costa's Hummingbird - Oregon, Jan 2008
What a great time we had visiting with family on the other side of the country! Along with that came some great Central Oregon birding! We had invigorating morning walks in the Dry Canyons near my parents house that produced some of the common species of the area (most new to me :)). Some that we saw were Mountain Chickadee and Bluebird, Canyon and Rock Wren, Black-billed Magpie and Western Scrub Jay. Red Shafted Flicker were everywhere and we saw two different Northern Shrike during our stay. We made it to majestic Smith Rock with its collection of serious looking rock face and climbing surfaces as well as a stream full of Barrow’s Goldeneye. A trip to John Day during the week produced beautiful looks at resting Bald Eagles and weary Rough legged Hawks. On our last day we stopped in the nearby town of Bend at local birder David Tracy’s house. There he had visiting Anna’s Hummingbirds as well as a less common female Costa’s Hummingbird. As a parting gift, we saw an awesome little Pygmy Nuthatch feeding nearby. Thanks to my family for accepting us and putting up with (and actually taking part in!) my “habit” and I can’t wait to get out there in some warm weather! Here are some of my favorites:

Rough Legged Hawk

Rough Legged Hawk - Oregon, Jan 2008
Mountain Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee - Oregon, Jan 2008
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird - Oregon, Jan 2008
Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike - Oregon, Jan 2008
Pygmy Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch - Oregon, Jan 2008

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