Saturday, December 26, 2009

2009 in review and au revoir Whitey


Goose

Whitey and Canada Goose
Canada and Hybrid Geese
Whitey


Chris and Mike got a little more serious as birders this year. We started slowly just observing the water fowl on the lake that we enjoy living on and the woodpeckers and other birds in the trees. We did take our first birding vacation to Cape May in the spring and continued with several day trips. We finally saw a red-headed woodpecker and a blue grosbeak. Now, we usually take the "birding camera" on vacation, although we try to spend more time in the sun and the sand with a drink in my hand.

One change this year is Whitey's departure. She was a daily fixture on the lake for our first two years here. We haven't seen her since the spring. She was semi-domesticated, hanging out with the Canada Geese and then coming into our yard to follow Chris around while she was gardening. She'd notice the lights going on in the morning and swim over asking for a snack. She could only fly 50 feet or so and didn't migrate. We're pretty sure she was a domestic Chinese Swan Goose. She may have left a legacy: some interesting hybrid geese spend a month or two here late summer and fall.

Au Revoir Whitey.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Red Bellied Woodpecker at the Suet Feeder

Red Bellied Woodpecker


This red-bellied woodpecker found the suet feeder, letting the goldfinches have the nyjer.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Red Bellied Woodpecker at the Nyjer Feeder

Red Bellied Woodpecker


Red Bellied Woodpecker 

Red Bellied Woodpecker 

Red Bellied Woodpecker 


We were surprised to see a Red Bellied Woodpecker at the nyjer feeder. I think the goldfinches were surprised too.

Backyard Birds

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse


Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren blowing in the wind

Blue Jay
Blue Jay

Junco
Junco

House Finch
House Finch

Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse with a peanut

Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal in the snow

Chickadee
Chickadee

Friday, December 18, 2009

Sandhill Cranes



Sandhill Cranes


Sandhill Cranes


We got to see the 3 Sandhill Cranes that had been reported in Franklin Township in Somerset County on the "New Jersey Birding" mailing list. See the link on the right to the archive. Thanks to Theodore Chase and others for providing the report and the specific location. We had to make two loops around Randolph before seeing them.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Dark-eyed Junco "Oregon" Race


Mike took a short trip to Corvallis, Oregon and had a few hours for birding. This junco (Oregon race) is more colorful than the ones we frequently encounter in our yard.

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay

We saw scrub jays frequently when we lived in California, but never noticed the white eyebrow before.

Elk



More Elk

The elk at Finley NWR in Corvallis were impressive.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Iced Cormorant

Cormorant

Lake Nelson is mostly frozen. While Chris is sharpening her skates, the cormorants seem less happy with this development. Mike is considering moving the jacuzzi onto the dock and stocking it with fish.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Harlequin Ducks at Barnegat Lighthouse


We visited Barnegat Lighthouse State Park to see the Harlequin Ducks. Others have reported seeing 20 or more, but we only saw three. The lighting was good today and this year's pictures came out better than last year's. In fact, we are so happy with them that Mike has agreed that he'll never again drag Chris onto a jetty made of boulders with treacherous crevices in 35 degree weather and high winds where Mary twisted her ankle.



Harlequin Duck
Harlequin Duck
Harlequin Duck

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Ducks on Lake Nelson

Female Wood Duck
Female Wood Duck

Wood Duck with Mallards
Wood Duck with Mallards

American Widgeon
American Widgeon


A few migratory ducks are spending an occasional evening at Lake Nelson. Today, Chris was happy to see a female wood duck by the dock, although the mallards weren't particularly interested in the visitor. A widgeon came by yesterday. Neither stayed long, but the loon has been here more than a week.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Cormorant Fishing

Cormorant with Fish 

Cormorants 


Chris saw a cormorant struggling with a fish that was too large for it. Soon, another came over followed by Mike with the camera.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Back in Jersey: Lake Nelson Birds

King fisher
Belted Kingfisher

Hooded Merganser
Hooded Mergansers

Cormorant
Cormorant

Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck

Loon
Red Throated Loon 

Red Throated Loon


We're back home in New Jersey. Lake Nelson had a few visitors today who are very infrequent: A lone ruddy duck and a lone red-throated loon. Four hooded mergansers arrived. The wind may have blown them off course. Of course, the resident cormorants are still active and the kingfisher also is out.

Friday, November 27, 2009

California Dreaming

American White Pelican 

American White Pelican 


We spent the week before Thanksgiving in Southern California. The best part was visiting our children. We also got some time in for birding. A few of our favorite spots are the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. We also went out to Palm Springs and did some birding in the Salton Sea area. We discovered that 30% of the American White Pelicans winter in the Salton Sea.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

Northern Shovelers
Northern Shoveler

Green-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal

Cinnamon Teals
Cinnamon Teal

Black Necked Stilt
Black Necked Stilt


Thw San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary managed by the Irvine Ranch Water District has an impressive variety of birds.

Roadrunner

Roadrunner 

Roadrunner 

Roadrunner