Apus apus
July 1, 1996: Museum Gardens, North Yorkshire, England
This European variety is simply called Swift in Britain. Very cute, similar to our North American variety when seen in flight.
Continue reading “Common Swift”Common Swift
Greylag Goose
Anser anser anser
June 29, 1996: St James’s Park, London, England
Saw both eastern and western form birds.
Continue reading “Greylag Goose”Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
June 20, 1996: Saint Mary’s Lake, St. Joseph County, IN
While while walking on the sunny Notre Dame campus with my mom, we saw a pair of adults with three young birds. First we walked by them while they were foraging on the shore (they were only a few feet away from the path). Later we watched them swimming on the lake. HUGE and beautiful birds. Plus, I always enjoy seeing juvenile birds.
Continue reading “Mute Swan”Mexican Jay
Aphelocoma wollweberi
November 21, 1995: Madera Canyon, Pima County, AZ
After hiking back down, we were rewarded by seeing several of these lovely birds in the trees in and around the parking area! We later saw them throughout the park. Noisy, but attractive birds.
Continue reading “Mexican Jay”Gambel’s Quail
Callipepla gambelii
November 19, 1995: Dead Horse Ranch SP, Yavapai County, AZ
As Kevin and I were walking through a dry, scrubby area, we heard a family of quail in the brush. Kevin walked closer and flushed them out of their hiding place. What a racket! I’d never heard anything like the sound they were making. I hadn’t seen them for more than an instant, so we continued on, looking carefully. We spotted a few of them. One in particular was bopping about on the trunk of a fallen tree. Gorgeous birds!
Continue reading “Gambel’s Quail”Bridled Titmouse
Baeolophus wollweberi
November 16, 1995: Red Rock State Park, Yavapai County, AZ
Saw these while hiking up high in the mountains. Charming, beautiful birds! I love titmice anyway, they are so cute, and this species is really striking!
Continue reading “Bridled Titmouse”Canada Warbler
Cardellina canadensis
May 13, 1995: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
A striking little bird. I don’t have documentation of this sighting (it didn’t happen on this particular day), but I do remember clearly having spotted this bird at some point this spring.
Continue reading “Canada Warbler”Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
April 15, 1995: Potato Creek State Park, St. Joseph County, IN
Kevin spotted this bird through the trees while hiking one of the trails through the woods. It took flight, revealing the distinctive tail bands which allowed us to identify. A great sighting of an exciting bird!
Continue reading “Broad-winged Hawk”Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus
January 11, 1995: Everglades, Monroe County, FL
Spotted one of these small hawks – a dark-phase bird – as it flew overhead. The tour guide even complimented me on my spotting!
Continue reading “Short-tailed Hawk”American Manatee
Trichechus manatus
January 11, 1995: Everglades, Monroe County, FL
Another of my special sightings of the day was this Manatee – juvenile, judging by the size. I’d taken a relatively short boat trip from Homestead, and we saw the manatee while moving above what seemed to be an eel grass bed. Although we were fairly close, we didn’t really get a very good look – the animal stayed pretty much submerged the entire time we were nearby, so all we saw was an expanse of brown skin. Still, l was excited to see this endangered and uncommon species!
Continue reading “American Manatee”1994 Species Accounts
Birds
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Seen at the hawk watch site.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL. Possible
Merlin
Falco columbarius
October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
Saw two Merlins while air boating through the Phase 3 Area (northern section). The bird was identified by one of my companions, Chris (who is an ornithologist).
Continue reading “Merlin”Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula
October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Reserve, Palm Beach, FL
About the time I was finishing up with my journal, two women who were obviously birding came by and we struck up a conversation. One of them (Chris) was an ornithologist and they invited me to wander through the refuge with them for a little while. This lone bird was swimming in the large pond near the entrance to the canal trails. I would not have been able to identify it on my own, but Chris had no problem with it.
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
(Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) Saw a family of these interesting birds – adults and several juveniles – as they crossed a dirt road in front of me within the park. I got out of my car and was able to few them for a couple of minutes before they moved into the woods.
Continue reading “Wild Turkey”Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Not entirely sure about this ID.
Continue reading “Grasshopper Sparrow”Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Heard several of these birds in various areas of the park. I called to them, and got a number of responses. I did try to get a glimpse of one and called and followed the response for quite a while, but each time they would get quiet as soon as I came too near, and I was unable to see any of them.
Continue reading “Northern Bobwhite”Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
May 14, 1994: South Bend, IN
Flushed a pair out of hiding from a stream on St. Mary’s property. I also had a really close up look at a male woodie who was apparently helping a female mallard raise her chicks at one of the Notre Dame lakes. Interesting behavior; I don’t know if the chicks were his or if he was just helping out.
Continue reading “Wood Duck”Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
April 16, 1994: Potato Creek State Park, St. Joseph County, IN
Spotted one out on Worster Lake while on an Audubon FT originating from the cemetery. Not too close, but the differences between this bird and the Mallard were noticeable.
Continue reading “Northern Shoveler”Redhead
Aythya americana
March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN
Saw several swimming in the Marina at Indiana Dunes.
Continue reading “Redhead”Northern Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus flammeus
March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN
Saw this bird near the beach, perched on a post near the beginning of the scrub/sand dunes. It remained on the perch for several minutes, allowing us to view with the spotting scope. Then the bird flew in circles above us for several more minutes before moving on. What a perfect sighting of a really striking and attractive bird!
Continue reading “Northern Short-eared Owl”1993 Species Accounts
Birds
Clark’s Grebe
Aechmophorus clarkii transitionalis
- ☆July 19: Ballona Creek and Wetlands, Los Angeles, CA☆. Lone grebe swimming in the channel. It took several minutes to verify the markings on the head for ID as Clark’s. Handsome bird.
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
September 25, 1993: Indiana Dunes, Porter, IN, United States
Saw a flock of 20 or so birds on Lake Michigan.
Continue reading “Blue-winged Teal”Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
June 26, 1993: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
North American (Falco peregrinus anatum) I spent most of one day monitoring a number of released birds as part of a Peregrine Release Program. 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 I also felt as though I playing a part in the human effort to conserve and promote the welfare of this species.
Continue reading “Peregrine Falcon”American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
June 26, 1993: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
(Falco sparverius sparverius) I have relatively frequent sightings of these adorable small falcons. My first were seen while I was participating in the Peregrine Release in downtown South Bend. This pair appeared to be nesting in the school across the street from the release site. They seemed less than thrilled about their larger new neighbors, as they made quite a racket for part of the morning. In most of the places I’ve lived, they are commonly seen perched on wires near fields or farmland. I am assuming that all of my sightings have been the nominate subspecies.
Continue reading “American Kestrel”Eastern Whip-poor-will
Antrostomus vociferus
June 13, 1993: Pleasant Valley, Osceola, IN
From time to time over the years, I have heard a lone whip-poor-will singing in the fields off Beech Road. I always enjoy hearing this cheerful song on a summer night.
Continue reading “Eastern Whip-poor-will”