Windy

There hasn't been much to write about today (or yesterday for that matter). The winds of December have been blowing all across Maryland for the past two days. Some weather folks are predicting snow.

I'm headed to Charles County for work tomorrow. Perhaps I'll squeeze in a little mid-day birding on the Potomac? In the meantime, here are some Wingscapes BIRDCAM photos. If you haven't ordered your BIRDCAM yet for Christmas, you really should. It's so easy to use and it's like opening up an ornithological time capsule every time you download the photos. The link for the BIRDCAM is over there on the right somewhere... seek and ye shall find!

Stay warm,

Dan

Blackwater Sunday

Being that the bad weather never arrived in Annapolis this morning, I thought that some afternoon birding was in order. All of the local bird walks were cancelled due to the forecasts. The forecasts were wrong.

Yesterday on MDOSPREY, there were reports of ROUGH LEGGED HAWKS and SHORT EARED OWLS at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to numerous BALD EAGLES and NORTHERN HARRIERS. The reports were correct. There were well over a dozen HARRIERS, in addition to two AMERICAN KESTRELS, three RED TAILED HAWKS and TWENTY or more BALD EAGLES. One juvenile eagle was so large and colored just so, I thought perhaps GOLDEN, but it was not to be.

The highlight of the day took place in the lowest light, at dusk. Ironic, isn't it? I got to see my very first ROUGH LEGGED HAWK, perched only inches above the marsh at the end of a dirt road called Cedar Creek. It was well worth the detour. As I scanned the horizon with my scope, I watched three SHORT EARED OWLS looping and flying in the distance. Two more NORTHERN HARRIERS patrolled the marshes here as well.

Nightfall approached and the rain began to fall at a steady pace. As the cold was just about to numb the tips of my fingers, I decided to start up the Volvo wagon. I safely made my way home to Annapolis in the rainy darkness.

So maybe the weather people weren't wrong, just off on the timing?

BALD EAGLES on the WILDLIFE LOOP

Two more BALD EAGLES on the WILDLIFE LOOP

I found this AMERICAN KESTREL hunting at the exit to the BLACKWATER REFUGE WILDLIFE LOOP.

I was really hoping for a shot of this falcon hovering. The sight of which is simply amazing to watch in the scope!

The lesson I learned today: don't let bad weather keep you from two life birds.

Good birding,

Dan

No Leaves = More Raptors

Ah, autumn. It's cool. Orange and auburn colored leaves are falling fast from the tree limbs that held them all summer.

And while that's all well and good, the fun part is being able to see the raptors perched in the trees. Even at highway speeds, these magnificent birds of prey are easy to spot.

This afternoon, on my way home from work, I saw a RED SHOULDERED HAWK perched on a power line across the street from the Annapolis Police Department. And, while I know that there were never any leaves on the power lines, thus not making it any easier to spot a bird from the road, I was nevertheless impressed.

Here are a few shots taken with my trusty iPhone pressed firmly against Pentax binoculars.



Have a great weekend.

Dan

Gosh, no hawk...

But how does three RED TAILED HAWKS, a COOPERS flying low, and one RED SHOULDERED HAWK soaring (all near BWI) sound? Yes, there was no NORTHERN GOSHAWK to be found. But, I'll keep a close watch.

I did manage to see one of my favorites, an AMERICAN KESTREL, on Fort Meade, near the intersection of Routes 175 and 32. Ah, another typical day at the office, driving from school to school. I love my job. I am birding and selling, selling and birding. What could be better?

WOW! Just a moment ago, while I was typing, I heard three birds smack into my kitchen window. Yes, there are deterrents on them. I knew something was up. When I ran out to see what was going on, I saw a COOPERS HAWK fly out of the large juniper trees in my back yard. I don't know if he had his breakfast with him, or if he needed to continue to hunt, but talk about sneaky. I now know this bird's strategy. My home is "U" shaped, so he flies his prey IN to this area where there is little escape. This bird is slightly small for a COOPERS, so I am assuming that it is a HE. Anyway, these little poor little house sparrows... their only hope is that my kitchen window is open. It's not usually open in the winter. (That's bad for the heating bills). Interesting morning!

Here are some photos of yesterday's birds. Taken with a camera pressed up to one side of my binocs. Tricky, eh? No. More like overexposed.

RED TAILED HAWK at BWI

AMERICAN KESTREL at FT MEADE

Good Birding,

Dan

Peace in Annapolis

Greetings,

The Mideast Peace process in underway here in beautiful, historic Annapolis, MD. There are unmarked police cars parked throughout the City (so watch your speed). But the best part is the military helicopters patrolling the skies around town. It's loud. Being the airplane fanatic that I am, I welcome the new visitors to our airspace over West Annapolis. So what if its not the same old Tuesday morning around here... at least it's peaceful.

I sincerely hope that those powerful leaders work out each and every one of their differences today. If they focused more of their energy and emotion on the environment, or better yet... birds, this world would be a far better place.

So with all this peace and love that's seemingly flowing out of the City of Annapolis tap water, I must admit, I'm headed out the door to work in Baltimore and Northern Anne Arundel. It's too peaceful around here.

Dan

PS: There might be a Northern Goshawk at BWI. I read it on MDOSPREY. I am guessing the bird missed his flight.

Scauping, Not Shopping

Emery and I spent a lovely day just South of Grasonville at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (formerly known as Horsehead). Our walk was simply splendid. And the crowds? Well, the trails were a lot less crowded than the mall.

Oh and for Christmas, I want you all to know that we haven't gotten you a thing! Yet.

Here is the complete list of the birds that we saw:
Canada Goose 16
Mute Swan 2
Tundra Swan 115
Canvasback 30
Greater Scaup 5
Bufflehead 45
Common Merganser 2
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 1
Herring Gull 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Northern Flicker 4
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown-headed Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 4
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 5
American Pipit 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Palm Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 19
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 2
43 Species

Later, we returned home only to watch a disoriented, lackluster flock of Common Ravens get mobbed by a gaggle of aggressive San Diego Chargers. Blah! What an ugly scene.

I'll leave you with a nicer image from today's BIRDCAM!Good Birding!

Dan

Fat Birder

I just decided to become a member of the Fat Birder Web Ring. It sounds mighty interesting. I hope you enjoy it. If at all possible, I'll continue to move the blog around a little bit, perhaps adding a new focus here and there. If you've got suggestions, by all means, let me know.

Enjoy the late fall migration! I'm going to try to see a Cave Swallow today.

Dan

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