I usually find 12 -18 species and 60 - 100 birds. I'm sure there are more species and if I had enough time and patience I would find them. For example, I know there are Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers in the area. I have seen Brown creepers but only every five years or so. You hear many Warblers but they stay in the canopy and unless you're really lucky you can't see them. I am not confident enough to identify them by sound.
Today my friend Mike came with me. When I bird I find them by sound more than anything else because this area is heavily forested. Mike and I like to visit. Since we are both in our seventies and somewhat hard of hearing we talk quite loud. I'm sure the birds heard us coming from a long way off and fled to safer areas.
We did find 16 species in 2 1/2 hours. We walked about 5 km (3 mi.)
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| Red, the birder taken a long time ago. |
We are also supposed to count any plant that is in bloom. Since birds don't pose too well and my camera is limited, I do have some flower pictures. I took these last year and didn't have to repeat them again this year.
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| Buffalo Bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) |
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| Early Blue Violet (Viola adunca) |
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Saskatoon Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) |
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| Fairy Bells (Disporum trachycarpum) |
The weather was beautiful so we had a very pleasant morning.
well, at least you had a good visit and good time outside. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day.
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds like my kind of day!
ReplyDeleteMy problem with birding is that I'm always in too much of a rush. So my kind of day is to sit and let birds come to me.
DeleteYou are am amazing man, Red! I applaud your dedication to the bird count...
ReplyDeleteI'm more addicted than dedicated.
DeleteThis is what I am talking about - a WONDERFUL way to spend your time. Whether you are out birding, biking, hiking, canoeing or whatever its all out of doors and healthy. I love the fact that you identify the birds with their sound. I do know some, but probably not near your talent. Thanks for the bright, colourful flowers in bloom. Just lovely. Nice Post Red - I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteI could stay outdoors all day.
DeleteThis is early for flowers here .
Many of my friends are birders and identify many of them. Right now I can hear a robin outside, an unidentified bird call, and chickadees singing. But to think of trying to identify in a bird count, I'm not qualified at all! Congratulations to you for finding so many in such a short time, Red.
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of towards the bottom of the birding totem pole. I make sure I have a bird book with me. Yesterday Mike had his phone so we could get the Cornell birding site and see and hear the birds. That's a first for me.
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting fun time. Living in the city I don't have much opportunity to go birding.
ReplyDeletepretty Wildflowers! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand day! I love your bird list in the sidebar.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to do that.
soon!