- Detailed Species Accounts can be found at here:
Field Journal Entries
February 26: Fernwood Botanical Gardens, Berrien, MI
This was my first owling experience, looking for ☆Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)☆ at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. I was part of a group of about 10 people, led by Fernwood naturalist Rob Venner. He called the screech owls vocally (using his own voice, not a tape). One bird did call back, but the bird didn’t show itself.
We put up a nest box in the backyard specifically to attract ☆Eastern Bluebird☆, and to my great delight we were successful. My first sighting was of a male and female pair in my own backyard, and they soon moved into the nest box.
April 16: Goshen, Indiana
Saw a few new birds while visiting my friend from work, Rhonda, at her home in Goshen. While we were walking through this farm neighborhood, I saw several ☆Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)☆ flying overhead. So cute! I also spotted a ☆Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus)☆ on the ground beneath a large tree in her backyard. I was surprised to realize that this is a woodpecker! I didn’t know they would forage on the ground . . . it turns out they eat a lot of ants. They are beautiful.
April 16: Bonneville Mill County Park
This is the first official birding trip I’ve ever gone on with the South Bend Audubon Society. So exciting!
When I monitored our Bluebird nestbox today, I discovered they had five eggs!
Just after getting out of bed in the morning, I looked out the window and saw a largish bird wandering around the grass in the backyard. By the time I got downstairs and got my binoculars, it was leaving, but I caught a glimpse of the lovely white rump patch of a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus), a first for the backyard. I have also seen several of these birds perched on some of the larger trees in the woods near my neighborhood. In less happy news, although the Eastern Bluebird eggs had hatched two days prior, on this day, I watched House Sparrows pull all the chicks out onto the ground, and trap and kill the adult male Bluebird in the nest box. It was horrific.
May 5: South Bend, Indiana
While coming back from a job interview with a bird rehabilitator at the park, I glimpsed a ☆Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalusne)☆ in a tree by the roadside as I was driving. I only saw the bird long enough to identify (not difficult, considering this bird’s striking appearance). I can’t wait to see another one!
On this day, I visited multiple sites in South Bend with a team of Audubon Society birders to participate in this year’s Bird-a-Thon.
May 15: Berrien County, Michigan, Bird-a-Thon
I participated in the Berrien County Bird-a-Thon this year, as part of the team for Fernwood Botanical Gardens. There were four of us on the team, including Fernwood naturalist Rob Venner.
May 16: Osceola, Indiana
Some backyard birds at home: On my way to work in the morning, I happened to look out the window to spot a ☆Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)☆ in the one of the trees in the north-western part of our yard. A largish and really impressive, striking bird. I was also excited to spot a gorgeous ☆Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)☆ in our yard, hunting from the tree nearest the garden. Beautiful! I also saw one of these birds on site at the Miles facility in Elkhart around this time. Have seen lots of European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in the yard, in large flocks scouring the grass for grubs and insects. They have also been interested in our nest box, but are fortunately too big to fit through the hole. A pair of Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) pair nested in our neighborhood this spring, and I had the pleasure of witnessing some courtship behavior as well as seeing juvenile birds later in the summer.
This is a collection of birds regularly seen in the backyard and neighborhood this spring
May 29: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, Indiana
I hear the haunting, marvelous song of a ☆Veery (Catharus fuscescens fuscescens)☆ for the first time today, while Kevin and I were at the Sanctuary helping out on a workday (clearing trails and whatnot).
Summer, 1993: Osceola, Indiana
This is a collection of sightings from the Summer of 1993.
June 20: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, Indiana
On this day, Kevin and I served as tour guides for anyone who came to the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary. While we were there, I saw a pair of ☆Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)☆ by the pond, who flew around and called quite a bit. A noisy, active House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) was seen at a nest box near the Sanctuary picnic area. Finally, I saw and heard a lovely ☆Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)☆ while hiking the wooded trails.
I spent the day working with the Peregrine Release Program Monitoring, to make observations of ☆Peregrine Falcon☆ that had been released in the downtown area of South Bend. It was marvelous! I watched a total of 5 or 6 birds on and off all morning and early afternoon. Not only was it wonderful being able to see these birds, but it was also good to be part of a human effort to conserve and promote the welfare of this species.
July 16: Plummer Park, Los Angeles, California
Mom, William and I took a trip into Hollywood to visit the Los Angeles Audubon Store. On the way out, I saw several Brewer’s Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus). Although I remember seeing LOTS of these growing up, these are the first ones I saw as a birder. There were also Rock Doves (Columba livia f. domestica) and ☆Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura marginella)☆ in the park.
July 18: San Pedro Harbor Cruise and Playa del Rey
Along with my mom and Tom Wheaton, I took a harbor cruise out of San Pedro. I saw ☆Heermann’s Gull☆, ☆California Brown Pelican☆, and Herring Gull. The stars of the show were a ☆Gray Whale☆ mother and calf swimming together alongside our boat. After the harbor cruise, my mom, Tom Wheaton, and I made a stop in Playa del Rey to look for birds near Ballona Creek and Wetlands.
July 19: Marina del Rey and Ballona Wetlands
My mom and I went looking for birds in the Ballona Wetlands and along the creek (starting at Del Rey Lagoon; we were not in the current Ballona reserve area). Before the wetlands, we made a stop at Fisherman’s Village in nearby Marina del Rey, where I saw a ☆Least Tern☆ circling over the marina close to the boardwalk.
July 20: Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles, CA
Visited Descanso Gardens with my mom, Robin, Max, and Jessicca, and saw a handful of birds. A group of at least twelve tiny ☆American Bushtit☆ was hopping around in a bush about four feet away from me. They were too close for me to use the binoculars! Adorable, friendly little birds. A Black Phoebe came very close to me, allowing me to have a great look. I was also alerted to the presence of a ☆Spotted Towhee☆ by a great commotion of scratching in the dirt and leaves under some bushes. I was rewarded by being able to see this close relative to my local Towhee, and notice the differences between the two.
July 21: Malibu Lagoon and Solstice Canyon
I spent the day birding with my mom in the Malibu area. Our first stop was Malibu Lagoon State Beach, which is a fantastic place to watch birds! We walked along edge of the Lagoon and a bit on the beach, and saw loads of great things. Then we headed slightly north and inland to Solstice Canyon, where we saw a different array of wildlife.
July 23: Playa Lagoon and Ballona Wetlands
On the last day of my California trip, I went on a solo walk to the wetlands and lagoon.
September 18 and 19: Tiscornia Beach and Benton Harbor, Michigan
As part of the Midwest Birding Symposium, I attended two early morning field trips. At Tiscornia Beach, I saw two Ruddy Turnstone and several ☆Sanderling☆ in winter plumage. The Sanderling were particularly bold, coming right up on the boardwalk just a few feet away from me. The following morning in Benton Harbor, I saw a lone ☆Wilson’s Snipe☆ in a mudflat by the roadside, sitting posed between two clumps of pink flowers. A perfect look!
September 25: Indiana Dunes Migrant Trap
This Audubon Society field trip to the Indiana Dunes on the edge of Lake Michigan was led by some very experienced birders, including Ken Brock. Fall migration was in progress, which was the impetus for this trip to the aptly-named “Migrant Trap” near Gary, Indiana. It was windy and cool on the lakeshore, but we saw a lot of birds, mostly foraging in scrubby vegetation that ran along a fence.
October 23: Pigeon River, LaGrange County, Indiana
It was overcast and very cold (at or near freezing), with a bit of sleet during this Audubon field trip to Pigeon River Federal Wildlife Area. Due to the weather, we didn’t spend much time out of the car, and only found a few birds. We stopped and got out of the car (briefly!) to view a cute little ☆Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps podiceps)☆ swimming about in a swampy area next to the road. I like these little guys! I was also surprised to see a number of Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis sialis) still hanging out near the lake. What gorgeous color!
List of Species Seen
Birds
Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii transitionalis)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)
Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus)
California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica obscura)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Great Egret (American) (Ardea alba egretta)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi)
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus affabilis)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima)
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus lineatus)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens anthonyi)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens virescens)
Sanderling (Calidris alba rubida)
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis)
Veery (Catharus fuscescens fuscescens)
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus vociferus)
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) (Colaptes auratus collaris)
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus luteus)
Rock Dove (Columba livia f. domestica)
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Northern Raven (Corvus corax clarionensis)
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula brewsteri)
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis)
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Peregrine Falcon (North American) (Falco peregrinus anatum)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius sparverius)
American Coot (Fulica americana americana)
Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius spurius)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus)
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii)
Heermann’s Gull (Larus heermanni)
Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus)
Gadwall (Mareca strepera strepera)
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens)
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum auritum)
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli)
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)
Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Red Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca iliaca)
Brown Pelican (California) (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)
American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra rubra)
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps podiceps)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
Purple Martin (Progne subis subis)
American Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger niger)
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans semiater)
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus/sasin)
American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva/petechia)
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)
Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina)
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis sialis)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis chinensis)
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina passerina)
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis)
Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo hirundo)
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum browni)
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii charienturus)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata inornata)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis hiemalis)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura carolinensis)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura marginella)
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys)
Other Wildlife and Plants
Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)