Spring 2009 Bird ID Thread.

[Mike T]

nest is at Little Swartswood although I have a feeling there are no chicks this year. I've been there several times this year and this was the first time I saw an eagle. I was there a few hours watching the Osprey work the lake and saw the eagle twice. After it went at the osprey it flew up to the tree the nest is in but it never went to the nest. I didn't see any movement at the nest the whole time I was there. In past years you would at least see the head of the eagle on the nest once in a while and if one was in the tree they would call out to each other.
Right after I took these pictures there were 4 osprey over the lake, I joked with some of the people there that they were coming to gang up on the eagle.
Lifers with no camera sounds like something that would happen to me. Have you ever been to Garret Mountain near Patterson ? I've heard it's a great place for spring migration , I have some time off and I'm thinking of giving it a try.

Mike

[paulnj]

glad to here they are still over there. I haven't been out that way in 3 years. I stopped birding really hard when my friend Bill passed away and I went back to day time work again.

Garrett mountain is an awesome spot during migration. You have the pond which is great and then the park above it. I have seen most every bird that passes through during migration there, but it all depends on migration. I would say give it a week for the heart of the migration (typically 1st week of may). NO reports from garrett as of yet and the rare bird alert has very few neotropicals on it thus far.

http://www.njaudubon.org/Tools2.Net/...s.aspx?sk=3156

[gotrocks]

Just saw this bird for the first time at the pond.
Hand held across the pond. Can anyone identify?
Second pic BIF.

[paulnj]

That a young yellow-crowned night-heron

[SARtech]

Need help with these. I took two shots of each. Some kind of duck and maybe Cormorants??
Thanks!

[A.M.D.A.]

Need help with these. I took two shots of each. Some kind of duck and maybe Cormorants??
Thanks!

#1 and #4 are Male Double-Crested Cormorants.
# and #3 are American Coots, otherwise known as "Swap Chicken".

[Mike T]

Here's a few from today, people have been reporting all kinds of birds but I'm not seeing them. I have been hearing some of them but this time of year they do like those tree tops.

Mike

[paulnj]

northern water thrush, great crested flycatcher, brown thrasher, piliated woodpecker.

Mike Garrett should be getting fairly good in the next week. I heard a few early birds monday at work (parula, pine, magnolia, canada)

[Mike T]

Here are three from yesterday. Doesn't look like I'll be going out today, don't like to get my equipment wet.

Mike

[paulnj]

BEEE BUZZZZ Blue winged warbler

solitary sandpiper

barn swallow

mid to end of the week should be AWESOME!!!! The rain is causing a backup

[SARtech]

With my book, the closest guess I can take would be a Brown Headed Cow Bird. Is that correct?

[paulnj]

you are correct

[Loupey]

We've had great diversity this year in our backyard. These two stopped by and I'm not 100% on the ID.

I think the first is a female summer tanager. But I've not seen any summer males here - only the male scarlets.

Is the 2nd a chipping sparrow?

[A.M.D.A.]

#1. I'm quite sure this is a female scarlet tanager, judging by bill "weight" and colour.
#2. Adult chipping sparrow in full summer plumage -- for certain.

[paulnj]

#1. I'm quite sure this is a female scarlet tanager, judging by bill "weight" and colour.
#2. Adult chipping sparrow in full summer plumage -- for certain.

:thumbsup:

OK, back to last minute studding before I leave for the WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING Wish me luck with breaking 190 in the rain :mad2:

[A.M.D.A.]

:thumbsup:

OK, back to last minute studding before I leave for the WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING Wish me luck with breaking 190 in the rain :mad2:

Good luck, Paul! Let us know how it goes.

[Loupey]

Alex - thanks for the IDs.

Paul - let us know how you did.

[paulnj]

A meager 162 with lite scouting. The rain killed us or alot of the migration is yet to come. Many late species were not around, yet winter birds lingering had left since wednesday.GRR

I had a blast though.

Nothing like hearing sora, king rail, least bittern, black crowned night-heron , american bittern and a very distant black rail at 2am and prothonatary warbler, chucks and whips the next night at 9pm. I got home at 12;45am sunday morning after getting up at 7am friday...

http://www.birdcapemay.org/wsob.shtml

[Mike T]

A couple birds from today, still no tough ones.

Mike

[paulnj]

CANADA WARBLER!!!! That dropped in last night I bet

Nice redstart image.

[Mike T]

Here are a few from a couple hours ago. I think you'll like the second one Paul.

Mike

[billy320]

I hate you ... j/k how in the hell do you get such clear close ups, I am using a 500 mm and can't get mine that clear, where you sitting in the tree? LOL

[paulnj]

Very cool black billed , but OMG!! Wilson's warbler in NJ is a hard bird to find, let alone photograph!!!!

[Mike T]

Paul I saw the Wilson's several times again today. If this bird is just passing threw about how long would it stay?

Mike

[paulnj]

A male will stay a few weeks average looking for a mate. Hopefully he gets one and they nest. Males migrate first to get a territory, then the females follow looking for a man who can belt a tune like barry white