Rufous-necked Wood Rail! – Bosque Del Apache – New Mexico
July 15, 2013 In Summer Birding No Comment

Rufous-necked Wood Rail

Rufous-necked Wood Rail

A coming home of sorts. I spent a good deal of the first 12 years of my life in Los Chavez New Mexico, and would come with my parents every New Year’s Day to Bosque Del Apache to see the Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes (although there also were plenty to be seen in winters around my house in the surrounding fields). I am certain these formative trips and others to the Rio Grande Nature Center helped shape my love for nature, and in particular birds. I got “lost” for 15 years in the highly populated central New Jersey cities and High School, but a re-connection with nature as we moved to the suburbs, also rekindled my love for birds. So it was appropriate that I made it back to Bosque Del Apache for a special bird many years later for the recently found Rufous-necked Wood Rail!

Rufous-necked Wood Rail

There is a great video that Matt Daw (who found the bird) took while taking video of a Least Bittern and the Wood Rail walks right on through behind it completely unexpected! It was as if (to birders that is :)) Elvis had just photo-bombed your family Christmas photo! A special moment indeed. You can see it HERE.

So, with this wonderful sighting by Matt, and the amazing excitement it caused in the birding community, I hatched plans to work my way back to the Bosque.

As luck would have it (and birders no calling this “luck” is certainly appropriate) it worked out that, after being on the board walk for about 5 minutes, out popped the Rufous-necked Wood Rail! Enjoying the bird with all of the local and “migrant” birders was great too. They had all made their pilgrimage to New Mexico for the Wood Rail too. Everyone got to see the bird in the hour + that I was there, and its such a great thing to share in the experience with happy birders! Like opening Christmas presents with kids!

So, I wanted to try to get a few pictures of today and then maybe some better ones over the next 2 days. The pictures aren’t great as they are cropped from the significant distance it was away. What a bird and what a homecoming to an amazing place for birds at the Bosque Del Apache in the Land of Enchantment.

Sunday Wood Rail Waiting Crew!

The Sunday Wood Rail Waiting Crew!

A few More Pics at our Flickr Site!

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Book Review – The Warbler Guide
July 8, 2013 In Uncategorized No Comment

Time for another Bird Book review! I was excited about this one as it detailed one of my favorite bird species the Warblers! As a relatively newer birder, the process of working through which Bird Guide best suited me and allowed me to identify birds most accurately is still fresh in my mind. With all of the selections available today (to say nothing of the wonderful online/app choices) this process is loaded with options. As you progress in your birding, so too does the need for advanced clues to the tougher identification challenges that present themselves. The single colorful picture you sought to eliminate possibilities early, turns into a disadvantage as bird plumage and age make themselves known to you. This usually calls for multiple guides or, like in the case of The Warbler Guide, a single reference point packed with valuable information about a target set of species.

When I personally dove into Warbler identification (the species that helped bring me to birding in the first place! Could those colorful birds really be in my backyard in Central New Jersey?!) I pieced together multiple guides that had information on undertail covert colors and tail patterns, as well as song detail and plumage specification. I had to use multiple sources then for what this guide accomplishes itself. That, to be honest, is putting it mildly.

The first thing you come across is the standard (yet much more colorful and advanced overall) Parts of a Bird or “Topography” of a Bird. The “real” pictures of actual birds are well suited for this examination and new birders would be well to learn the lingo and terminology referenced within. The following sections start to “bake” out the basics of thoughts on identification with references to things like color, size, shape and behavior (Peterson has a similar, and I think valuable, introduction prior to the plates or bird pictures). Again, the use of real bird pictures provides wonderful examples to drive the ideas home. Specific references to the head, body, top of head, bill color, necklaces, side stripes and rump give the birder tons of identification points that other guides glaze over (or don’t go into as much detail) and this would again provide newer birders with key points of focus to add to their mental playbook.

I mentioned the undertail area earlier and once mastered (or for newer birders with photographs) the next section, combined with the Quick Finder shots of the undertail covert and tail patterns, surpass even the Peterson “Warblers” Guide in usefulness. (In my humble opinion of course) I often went to the pictures of the underside of different warblers all lined up together to differentiate a tough species that I wasn’t initially sure about. I’ll get into the usefulness of the Quick Finder in a bit.

A section on aging and sexing warblers is next and while I thought this expressed the concepts fine, it could have been even more beneficial had it included Fall pictures of Blackpoll and Bay-breasted to hammer the point home. (A nit-pick to be sure)

 photo Warbler_Guide_03_zps2907e6d9.jpg
Princeton University Press info on The Warbler Guide

The next section I found fascinating. As the specialized aspects of birding evolve quickly with technology, so too should the guides evolve that we use to interact with birds. Understanding Warbler song structure and Sonograms has it own, significantly long, section with harmonic details and structure references. This part has been the section I have read myself a few times as I have dabbled in song recording and identification of tough to ID birds (A possible Pine Flycatcher in Texas for example). I am curious how useful the birding community finds this as our hobby makes its way into the technological future.

After the hefty info on bird vocalization we come to the Quick Finder I mentioned earlier. These 16 pages (including the two on Western and Easter Undertails) alone should be greatly appreciated for those working through their Warbler ID fine tuning skills. I really liked the tough Fall Warblers and views of some of the odd positions you often view Warblers in. (A case of Warbler neck can often lead to unsatisfactory views of the bottom of the birds which is considered here!) Another quick reference grouping of some warbler song classification (Buzz/Trill/Rising and Falling) leads us to the meat of the guide and the individual Warbler species.

The spread given to each species (as can be done in specialized guides) is outstanding and it would be hard to come away from a review wanting for detail. Many views and photos, comparison species (I really liked this) and highly detailed age and plumage information hit their mark. I could see this being a lot to process for newer birders but again, if you have sought out a specialized guide for Warblers, you are probably looking for that edge to sharpen on to your identification tool kit. The plates and bird details are about as solid as it gets and the enhanced images of bird positions (similar to, but less thought out than the Crossley guide-type strategy to show mass viewing angles) further adds to the function of picking these guys out from whatever vantage point you’re in.

I also appreciated the detail on some of the more rare vagrants that show up occasionally on our side of the US border as this is often overlooked. I would look to others on the accuracy of the Range information, but from my perspective it seems sufficient and I like the attempt to display when in a migration band the bird would show up. (early in Spring and then late in Fall for example) The book closes with information on hybrids, highly useful flight shots (maybe these could have been with the main birds in their section?), and even a quiz and review! I love that the entire purpose of the book to identify Warblers is tied up with a bow in the delivery of a quiz to assess your comprehension of the wonderful information you have been provided. Perfect.

I obviously recommend this guide about as highly as I could and I look forward to utilizing it in my future birding adventures! Check it out!

Check back soon for more birding book reviews!

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Garret Mountain – May 15th – 17th, 2013
May 17, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher

A really nice week of birding this week at Garret! I had 26 different Warbler species and had Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, and Cape May almost daily (in my experience these are all tough to get). Although not the big fallout days where birds were dripping off all the trees, there have been strong large flocks of birds that can be found and then identified. I am sure my improved song recognition has helped this year as many were found after hearing them sing and then tracking them down. On Thursday, a pair of Wilson’s Warblers and finally a Lincoln’s Sparrow. On Friday, nice looks at Tennessee and an Olive-sided Flycatcher!

Always fun seeing the birds and birders at Garret in the Spring! Also, at the end of this post I am including a map of Garret with suggested birding routes for people new to the park. I know I would have like to have this information starting out as the big park can be frustrating when the part you are at is quite yet people keep reporting great birds! Just keep on moving along through the park and you are bound to come across singing flocks. The green, haphazardly done lines are for morning (I like to start at the top of Garret if you are there early) and then the red if you get there in the mid-day or afternoon. Of course it is always variable and any part of the park can be amazing but this is based on my experience and the places I like to bird. I will put up another post next week with a final list of the Garret birds seen. For today just some pictures from the week and the map. Good Spring Birding All!

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

And below finally just some of my suggestions on Garret Mountain birding routes: (Green if you start in the morning and then do Red.  If you start in the afternoon/mid-day I usually just do the Red)

 photo GarretPath_zpse3858f8f.jpg

 More Pics at our Flickr Site!

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Garret Mountain – Picture Day! May 10th, 2013
May 11, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler
You know its a good day of birding when you get home and still hear bird song in your head. I was watching the Rangers swearing there was a Black-throated Blue Warbler at the game. Anyways, it was another good day at Garret! 17 Warbler species and 4 Vireo! Picked up a singing Hooded Warbler 2 calling Blue-winged Warbler and multiple Magnolia Warbler that I didn’t see yesterday. It must have been picture day because there was an amazing Magnolia on Wilson who wanted his picture taken and a super cooperative Black-throated Green Warbler near the pond where the Warbling Vireo and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers hang out.  My favorites of the day were two towards the end of the day in a single Bay-breasted Warbler (on the hill on Wilson) and a Yellow-throated Vireo (behind the Boat House building on the pond up the stream a ways).  If the weather holds it should be another good day for the World Series of Birding at Garret! Will probably see many teams starting there tomorrow morning.

Black-throated Green WarblerBlack-throated Green Warbler

Some of the numbers:

Nashville Warbler (1), Blue-winged Warbler (2), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Northern Parula (10+), Yellow Warbler (2), Prairie Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (4), Yellow-rumped Warbler (10+), Black-throated Green Warbler (10+), Black-throated Blue Warbler (10+), Bay-breasted Warbler (1), Blackpoll Warbler (1), Black-and-white Warbler (10+), American Redstart (10+), Common Yellowthroat (5+) , Ovenbird (10+), Hooded Warbler (1).

Yellow-throated Vireo (1), Blue-headed Vireo (3), Red-eyed Vireo (5), Warbling Vireo (5)

Both Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Many Veery and Wood Thrush a single Swainson’s Thrush.

Scarlet TanagerScarlet Tanager

Black-throated Blue WarblerBlack-throated Blue Warbler

Bay-breasted WarblerBay-breasted Warbler

 More Pics at our Flickr Site!

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Migration…Finally…
May 10, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
It has been a very slow start to the expected heavier migration into the Northeast this year.  The big movements of birds usually kicks off in the waning days of April or the first week of May. Unfavorable conditions (a migration sucking high pressure system and inclement weather in the southeast), had diverted birds west (based on discussions by much more qualified people than myself) or had them staged waiting in the southern half of the country.  The story can be seen unfolding over @ Woodcreeper.com (check my previous year’s recommendations of David La Puma’s excellent work) and Tom Auer’s contribution to the Migration via Radar forecast, at his personal blog covering the Northeast.  I check these regularly and was ecstatic to see today hope for a big push finally come to release the birds into our waiting migrant “traps.”

Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
I was optimistic even with the possibility of rain. It has been so slow I had reserved to bird from the car if need be to finally get a look at some new travelers! Not long did I wait as I drove into Garret.

Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
I like entering the park at the high side and then driving down and around the mountain, listening for the participants that may be in store for the day.  For the last week and a half I was met with Robins and a whole lot of silence on this drive in.  Today was different (admittedly the build up here is a bit theatrical but its two weeks late! :)), and I heard Black-throated Green Warbler and Northern Parula along with Baltimore Orioles welcoming me in. YES. I started out on Wilson Ave to a huge flock of birds that were on the slope at the end of the main road. I heard Black-throated Blue Warblers and more Parula and many Ovenbird. I got on the Blues and the aforementioned  Black-throated Green Warblers along with a surprising multiple Blackpoll Warblers (usually a later warbler, but with this years pattern tough to say) singing  away. Palm Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Redstart and Yellow Warblers were present here.

Prairie Warbler
Prairie Warbler
The rest of the walk around Garret was full of birds with the Baltimore Orioles in in force and a pair of Orchard Orioles.  We had Scarlet Tanagers and Great-crested Flycatchers and the pond held a Yellowlegs a Spotted Sandpiper and a Solitary Sandpiper.  The resident Killdeer parents ushered around 4 babies that escaped all the water and the Common Yellowthroat seemed just fine with the conditions. (Mostly males only 1 female seen all day).  Further up above the tiered lot we had multiple male Scarlet Tanagers and the GC Flycatcher along with my only Chestnut-sided Warbler of the day and a Nashville Warbler. A final pass around Barbours pond produced a single male Prairie Warbler along with more Veery and Wood Thrush also moving in heavier. Notable misses were no Rose-breasted Grosbeak for me (other reported) and no Northern Waterthrush (others had) or Magnolia Warbler which would be expected. I am sure they will be soon found in the days to come as the weather should keep the park busy and the weekends forecast looks bright. My favorite time of year has arrived and although late, as the saying goes, better late than never!

Some pics from this past week and today:

Orchard Oriole
Orchard Oriole
American Redstart
American Redstart

 More Pics at our Flickr Site!

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April 26th, 2013 – Garret Mountain
April 27, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Black-and-White Warbler

 Black-and-White Warbler

Another nice day at Garret. Still waiting for the next big push of migrants to bring in the variety of Warbler and Orioles and Grosbeaks. With some southern winds coming after days of northern winds (presumably a warm front coming in after a semi-cold front) I am hoping this weekend should bring some new migrants in.  Today had a FOS (First of Spring) Baltimore Oriole (1) and Louisiana Waterthrush (I missed the early weeks at Garret when they are regular). Also had quite a few Black-and-White Warblers again along with Palm Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Had Warbling Vireo singing (yesterday was FOS) and quite a few Blue-headed Vireo still around. Had a great look at a Broad-winged Hawk near the top of Garret which was awesome. Reports of single Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warbler are as expected (I missed these) and I hope to see them this weekend too!

A few more pics from today.

Broad-winged Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk
 
Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush

Swamp Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

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Spring is Back…Garret Mountain – April 24th, 2013
April 25, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

Nice grouping of the usual’s for this time. I had two Blue-headed Vireo and a number of Palm, Yellow-rumped and Black-and-White Warblers and heard an Ovenbird. There were reports of Black-throated Green that I did not see. Winter Wren, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Pileated Woodpecker were also seen. Over the next 14 days Garret Mounting will turn into migration super highway and this calm before the storm is exciting! My absolute favorite migration trap in New Jersey in the Spring! Happy its back again.

Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo

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Info Post – The World’s Rarest Birds
April 13, 2013 In Uncategorized No Comment

 photo 0a3565d5-88c4-4961-87c3-02d288896cf9_zpsbc51fbbb.jpg

With the arrival of Spring my mind once again returns to thoughts of tracking down wonderful and elusive birds.  While often those birds are local, I have allowed my mind to start wandering to places beyond.  Inevitably, the more experience one gets as a “birder” the more one yearns to learn about birds from around the world.  As you start to gain knowledge of these rare birds, you begin to understand the threats they face for survival and the amazing conservation efforts in place to help support them and their habitat. Threatened birds all over the world face similar challenges, and the best of us rise to face these challenges in the any way we can. To that end, Princeton Wild Guides (publisher), to help support BirdLife International‘s Preventing Extinctions Programme, have produced an outstanding book by Erik Hirschfeld, Andy Swash, and Robert Still entitled The World’s Rarest Birds.  The book highlights over 500 of the most critically endangered birds globally and is a dramatic collection of pictures, statistics (endemic densities, localized and global threats, and most impressively QRC codes for each bird that route you to the relevant species factsheet on BirdLife International’s website) and population information.

While I found the book amazingly detailed, I personally have little experience with most of the birds described (I did see one of the North American representatives in the highly localized Golden-cheeked Warbler in my trip to Texas in 2011).  I hope, over the rest of my life, to rectify that problem.  Jeanette and I took part in such an activity this past Fall in a trip to Hawaii.  Hawaii has an amazing ecosystem and its endemic birds are incredibly threatened by dwindling habitat and disease from Mosquitoes and human introduced animals to the archipelago.  It was an amazing experience for us and we were lucky enough to see and photograph two stellar representatives of this highly threatened group in the ‘Akikiki on Kaua’i and the Akiapola’au on the Big Island.  I was happy to find them listed and sad to be reminded of their plight.

If you are like me, it is hard not to get attached to the birds we seek out and it is impossible to avoid the predicament they face in the modern developing world.  Do yourself a favor, and become personally aware of the conservation priorities associated with the birds we have such a passion for. Learn not only more about the threats they face, but also more about the amazing birds themselves each at the edge of a dwindling populace around the globe.  Its a great read and a exceptional contribution the the global Ornithological community. Check it out!

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Tufted Duck – Thundergust Lake, Pavin State Park – New Jersey
March 23, 2013 In Spring Birding No Comment

Went down for the reported Tufted Duck and was not disappointed.  The duck was easily visible from the path that circles it although the lighting made viewing tough at some points.  My interpretation throughout was the Tuft was obvious and the all white flanks separated it from the surrounding Ducks. It seemed to me to sit a little lower in the water too.  Awesome bird!

Tufted Duck

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Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose – East Windsor, New Jersey
January 16, 2013 In Winter Birding No Comment

Pink-footed Goose

I decided for lunch, to see if I could get to the Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Geese in East Windsor, New Jersey.  These guys aren’t too far from my house and with the opportunity for these rarities after the Northern Lapwings yesterday I had to give it a shot. With many birders in the area for the Lapwings there were a lot of eyes reporting their findings this morning so I knew I had a good shot if I got there in decent time.

Sure enough, 2 Barnacle Geese were together in a corn field on a corner with Birders watching and I was directed right around a tree row to the waiting Pink-footed Goose! Not a bad week of Birding in New Jersey.

Barnacle Geese

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

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