Today was the first time I went birding with the group since Nov. of 2020. We had 13 birders. It was a treat to get out with people and bird together.
We went to a site that is very good bird habitat. Half of it is old growth never been logged forest. With so many old trees we find many woodpeckers and one day saw four species. The black backed woodpecker is very hard to see but we've seen them in this area. The brown creeper is also hard to spot but we were lucky enough to see a pair in breeding season and watch them chase each other around the tree.
Today we saw 19 species and 4 other species that we could not identify. A real treat was to have two flocks of swans fly over. Another treat was to see an owl on the nest with owlets.
Many species are just beginning to return to the north. Water species like swans, geese and ducks are here. Crows are also back but the song birds have not arrived. We saw one tree sparrow today but they are early migrants.
It's good to be birding after two years. So you say, "Where are the photos?" I alternate between field glasses and camera as I don't like to carry very much. So maybe next week end I'll have a few photos.
I'm happy to hear that you and your birding group got back together! I'm sure that was a long two years. You saw a wonderful selection of birds too.
ReplyDeletethere were short times we could have been out but then it's shut down and we organize for nothing.
DeleteIt's always good to get out, especially at this time of year when, if it's like it is here, odd unexpected species occasionally turn up.
ReplyDeleteIt's just nice to see the regular species come back.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great outing and great bird sightings. I would be thrilled to see the Owl and Owlets on the nest. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!
there's no camera on this nest but there should be a camera on the Ellis bird farm . Two famous owls are there ...Albert and Ellie!
DeleteYay! How wonderful to get out with a group again and share a love of birds. I have never seen an owl in nature and to see owlets who be incredible. Photos would be nice.
ReplyDeleteYa have to be a "night owl" to see owls.
DeleteI've been out all winter, walking and such, and I find that I enjoy the birds much more when I do not bring my camera! In fact, I enjoy everything more when I don't bring it. Sure, some selfies now and then with whom I am walking, but by and large, I leave that damn heavy camera at home and have had more fun than ever finding the birds, listening to them - rather than having my face in a view finder. I've even left the binoculars at home!
ReplyDeleteWell, I just have a little camera so not much to carry. thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteI imagine that you appreciated it very much, maybe more than ever before.
ReplyDeleteI'll say again, "It was really nice to get out" better than I thought!
DeleteI'm not a birder myself, but I can certainly understand the pleasures of going outside and spending time with a group of friends. May be all hope that Covid has lost its grip on us!
ReplyDeletewE HAVE A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC AND FUN GROUP!
DeleteHow wonderful to be able to gather with your birding group again. Perfect time to head out and watch the spring emerge. Looking forward to your next birding adventure and photos.
ReplyDeleteyES, IT'S GREAT NEW START. sOME SPRING MIGRATION HAS OCCURRED BUT MOST OF THE BIRDS ARE YET TO COME.
DeleteSounds like you had a great outing and saw many birds
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun group to go out with.
DeleteLovely! Birding sounds like a good activity for these days when we don't want to be inside with a larger group. I watched a red-headed woodpecker from my back door a week or so ago. He was going to town on a fallen tree in my yard. With the red head he was easy to keep track of but I couldn't get a good picture because he was moving so much :)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we don't have red headed woodpeckers here.
DeleteGood for you, not taking pictures and just going for the experience! I take a lot of bird pictures too, but part of me always thinks, "Doesn't the world already have ENOUGH pictures of this particular kind of bird?"
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point but the world probably has enough of many photos!
DeleteEnjoy each opportunity you have to get out there.
ReplyDeleteI've spent much of my life outdoors so I'm ahead of the game.
DeleteGlad to hear you are getting back out there. Is this going to be a weekly event?
ReplyDeleteWe go out every week.
DeleteThat would be wonderful! I used to really enjoy thise sorts of outings.
ReplyDeleteOutdoor people are very supportive of each other and the birding is just an extra.
DeleteHow great to get back to this good old activity.
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't realize how much I missed it.
ReplyDelete20+ species is a good day birding. I would be very excited about seeing a nest with eaglets!
ReplyDeleteOh, what fun! After so long, I can just imagine how much you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteWow! It was so good to get out birding again. I'm glad you were able to do so with a bunch of fellow birders.
ReplyDeleteWe have the kolea (Pacific Golden Plover) that comes to us in winter. I wonder if they return to Canada also in warmer weather. Right now, we have pigeons roosting on our solar panels and all kinds of birds all year long.
ReplyDelete