Friday, May 8, 2009

Updating, in case someone reads this blog.

A lot has been going on and I have seemingly been able to find something else to do rather then blog. Translation: I have been birding. More cold, rainy,windy days then I can count. But there is something stimulating about putting on layers of clothing, a wool hat, gloves and heading off to a woodlands area.
The woods appear to be asleep wrapped in winter's blanket of frost or snow. But it teems with activity. It amazes me that warm blooded creatures weighing no more the a couple of ounces, and often less, not only choose to stay for the winter but thrive.
I am speaking about our year round birds, Carolina Chickadees, Titmice, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens the list is long.

I have set no particular goal for the year other then to participate in more of the county's birding trips, and visit areas in the county I haven't birded.

Here is how the year is progressing:
On January 1,The bird club when out on the first day of the year and we recorded 42 species. My total by January's end was 52 species. In February I added another 26 additional birds. By the end of March I had 12 more, bringing my yearly total to 90.

With April came the spring migration, and all kinds woodland birds including Warblers, lots of warblers. By April's end I was up to 135.

It is now May 9th and my count is at 163. Considering that I was pretty pleased after my first year of listing to come up with a county total of 144 for the year. I think I am doing pretty well. I can not believe how God has revealed His Creation to me in a way that I have never experienced.

The hi-lights have been many. To date I have recorded 39 new county birds in Howard County for 2009. While each and every one was a joy to discover, below are a few high lights

In no particular order:
White winged Cross Bills, my first Life bird of the year 3 county records.
Harris Sparrow, this bird has only been recorded in the county only a couple times - 4 county records.

Painted Bunting , same with this fellow. - 2nd county record
Golden Eagle, a flyover, when I happened to look up at the right time to see him ride the thermals

Rusty Black Birds, always a good find
Virginia Rail,

Sedge Wren, - 8 county records
Common Moorhen

Ta ta for now.