Pioneer Birding

Common Black-Hawk, Maricopa County, AZ - July 24th

2008-08-13T22:16:00.004-04:00

Common Black-Hawk - Adult in Sycamore Creek, July 24th, 2008.

With a few hours to kill as I waited for my tour group to arrive in Phoenix, this adult Common Black-Hawk came as a welcome find on a hot afternoon. I'd headed north for a few hours to escape to heat of 'the valley' and found a number of good birds in the Sycamore Creek and Mt.Ord area, including some of my best views of this species.

Red-faced Warblers, White Mountains, AZ - August

2008-08-13T21:13:00.008-04:00

Red-faced Warbler - Greer, Apache Co., AZ - August 4th, 2008.

Red-faced Warbler - South Fork, Apache Co., AZ - August 3rd, 2008.

Just back from another hugely successful tour of Arizona. Our tour loop comprised of about 2500 miles beginning and ending in Phoenix, and visiting key areas and habitats in the Central, South-Eastern and Northern part of the state. The diversity of species recorded (250 species) was surprisingly high for two weeks in a land-locked state, with all of our group contributing to some excellent bird finding.

A personal highlight of the tour was a rufous morph Jaguarundi caught in the headlights on the way home from night birding in California Gulch. It was seen well by about five of our party in the lead bus, but missed by the second vehicle. Jaguarundis are apparently very rare in SE Arizona and we were extremely fortunate to have such good, close views of this squat, stocky looking cat, no matter how brief.

We also had a great tour for seeing Red-faced Warblers. We found them on at least five days of the trip, the best observations being in the White Mountains area in Apache County.

Leach's Storm-petrel, Atlantis Canyon area - July 19th.

2008-08-10T17:08:00.008-04:00

Another highlight of the BBC Extreme pelagic on July 19th was the 'storm-petrel' show, with three species of black-and-white storm-petrels identified. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with any presentable shots of the two Band-rumped Storm-petrels that I saw that day but did grab a few digibin images of one of about five Leach's Storm-petrels identified.

On personal level I found picking out and identifying the scarcer storm-petrels from the numerous Wilson's especially difficult making me realize that I need a lot more experience at sea. On the other hand, it became pretty clear that a thorough 'grilling' of a resting flock of Wilson's could well yield something scarce or rare. Hopefully, I'll be better prepared for the next extreme pelagic!

Just a reminder that all of the images on the blog can be enlarged with a single click on the image.

Leach's Storm-petrel - Extreme right bird, amongst resting flock of Wilson's. At rest appeared larger, more uniform brown with a different head/bill shape, the bill being proportionately longer, more slender and drooping.

Leach's Storm-petrel - Upper center; Obviously larger than Wilson's, and in this shot, shows quite deeply forked tail.

Leach's Storm-petrel - Left; gliding on long, bowed wings with diagnostic rump pattern (white rump split by gray-brown central stripe). The storm-petrel on the right appears to show a bizarre white blaze on the underwing (suggestive of European Storm-petrel) which I'm assuming to be some sort of photographic artifact.

Leach's Storm-petrel - Left; poor shot but different wing shape and divided rump pattern of Leach's still evident.

Leach's Storm-petrel - Looks much longer winged than Wilson's in this shot lacking the stiff-winged appearance of that species. The divided rump pattern is also just visible.

Cory's/Scopoli's Shearwaters, Nantucket Shoals, July 19th.

2008-07-22T22:47:00.008-04:00

It was a little unfortunate that fog became a factor once we reached the Nantucket Shoals area. However, we did have reasonable views of a handful of Cory's Shearwaters just before the fog effectively closed our day. Two of these birds, I felt, showed an underwing pattern approaching that of Scopoli's Shearwater (C.d. diomedia), whilst others/most showed characteristics closer to Cory's Shearwater (C.d. borealis).

Cory's/Scopoli's Shearwater - This bird doesn't show a clean cut demarcation between the white coverts and the dark underside of the primaries. However, the primaries appear mostly dark and I'd be inclined to think this was closer to borealis than diomedia.

possible Scopoli's Shearwater - most of the underwing of this bird appears rather white, especially on the primaries. This bird has a closer appearance to those photographed within the breeding range of diomedia.

possible Scopoli's Shearwater - dorsal view of the same bird.

Some amazing shots of Scopoli's Shearwaters fron Italy can be found at Daniele Occhiato's web page.

Long-tailed Jaeger, Atlantis Canyon, MA - July 19th.

2008-07-22T16:43:00.002-04:00

Super views of two very similar first-summer birds. These images refer to the second individual.

Wilson's Storm-petrels, Atlantis Canyon, MA - July 19th

2008-07-22T16:36:00.003-04:00

Small groups and singles, mostly in deeper water, throughout much of the day. Like all my images taken on the BBC Extreme pelagic, these are digibin shots. Nice to see the yellow in the feet on this last shot.

Bridled Tern - Atlantis Canyon, MA - July 19th

2008-07-20T23:02:00.002-04:00

One of the highlights of the BBC's Extreme Pelagic to Atlantis Canyon, this inquisitive bird spent several minutes circling the boat giving exceptional views.

Aleutian Terns, Nome - June 23rd

2008-07-17T10:03:00.003-04:00

Beautiful terns and wonderful looks near Bonanza bridge on the Council Road, Nome.

Arctic Warblers, Denali Highway - 06/16

2008-07-14T13:41:00.005-04:00

One of about a dozen Arctic Warblers seen and heard along the Denali Highway from Cantwell to Tangle River. We also encountered similar numbers in Nome later in the tour. This bird was of interest, not only because it showed particularly well, but also because its white wing bar was reduced to just one to three white tipped greater coverts on both wings. Presumably, the odd bird in spring must lack visible white in the greater coverts altogether? This shouldn't be so much of a problem with singing birds in Alaska but what about none singing, out-of-range birds in the Old World? There must be huge potential for confusion between these and other members of the phylloscopus group.

Hawk Owls, AK - June 14th & 17th.

2008-07-08T23:44:00.004-04:00

One of the best birds of our trip to Alaska. We saw a total of seven Northern Hawk Owls early in the tour, including a family party on the Parks Highway, one briefly in Denali NP and two on the Glenn Highway. Just wonderful!

Northern Hawk Owl - Above three shots of a very bold bird along the Glenn Highway, June 17th, 2008.

Northern Hawk Owl - Close adult attending three recently fledged young. Parks Highway, June 14th, 2008.

Bristle-thighed Curlew, Nome, AK - June 22nd

2008-07-07T23:20:00.003-04:00

Rich rewards after the long drive along the Kougarok Road from Nome. We saw about three Bristle-thighed Curlews in this spot though only saw this bird reasonably well. Lots of other good birds on the tundra here including Sandhill Cranes, Short-eared Owls, American Golden Plover and Western Sandpiper.

Kittlitz's Murrelets, NW Fjord, Kenai, AK - June 19th

2008-07-02T22:24:00.003-04:00

One of the highlights of a truly memorable excursion to the NW Fjord with Kenai Fjord Tours out of Seward. Over a dozen of these smart little murrelets were seen near the glacier thanks to the expertise of Captain Andrea. These are digibin shots using Leica 8 x 42 bins and a Canon Powershot A540.

Fork-tailed Storm-petrels, St.Paul Island, AK - June 26th & 27th.

2008-07-01T22:42:00.006-04:00

One of the highlights of our short stay on the Pribilofs was enjoying prolonged views of Fork-tailed Storm-petrels just offshore at East Landing. Initially picked up by Sue Bird, up to three birds could be watched feeding amongst large numbers of Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes just 100 - 200 meters from shore. All of these are hand-held digiscope images. Special thanks go to Cameron Cox and St.Paul Island tours.

White Wagtail, Nome, Alaska - June 24th.

2008-06-30T22:17:00.004-04:00

Just back from an excellent Birdfinders tour of Alaska with plenty of images to post in the forthcoming days. This White Wagtail was a good find near Nome Harbor by Paul & Andrea Kelly and Steve Minton on our very last morning in Nome. I'd put all my gear away for the flight back to Anchorage but managed a few digibin shots as I drove by the dock to shuttle the group to the airport. This bird appears to be a male of the East Siberian form M.a. ocularis.

Eastern Screech Owl - June 2nd

2008-06-05T22:53:00.003-04:00

Eastern Screech Owl - Beautiful red-phase at a locality in Hampshire County, MA.

Evening Grosbeaks - May 31st

2008-06-01T21:18:00.005-04:00

Evening Grosbeaks - two males, Prescott, Quabbin.

Magnolia Warbler - male.

Red-eyed Vireo - on nest, Prescott, Quabbin.

A day of thundery showers didn't seem to bring too much in the way of late migrants to Prescott peninsula, Quabbin. In terms of incidental observations, two male Evening Grosbeaks was certainly a highlight. Looking back, it's been quite a few years since I've had views as good as this. However, this was certainly bettered by the sight of a Bobcat trotting down the main track of the Prescott in the middle of the day! I narrowly missed getting images through the car windscreen to share on the blog, but it was still a thrilling moment. Birds on nests today included this Red-eyed Vireo and a Least Flycatcher, with the latter seemingly one of the most abundant species on the Prescott. Magnolia Warblers too, were ever present and abundant.

Despite boreal migrants being regularly posted in the Eastern part of the state, the general dearth continues here in the West, at least on my outings! A singing Cape May Warbler on the Umass-Amherst campus on May 30th has been the migrant highlight of recent days.

GB,

James.

Acadian Flycatcher - May 28th

2008-05-28T22:45:00.004-04:00

Wild Turkey - Often easy to see in Quabbin Park. Male, May 28th.

Acadian Flycatcher - This singing male was making the most of the sunshine on this rather cool day. Quabbin Park, May 28th.

After yesterday's muggy conditions, today's cooler, clearer weather was most welcome. Highlight of the day was this Acadian Flycatcher returning for another summer in Quabbin Park. Alder Flycatchers are also more widespread now with birds at Ware, Hardwick and UMass, Amherst today. Also in Hardwick, a female Blackpoll Warbler (a male in Quabbin Park) and a singing Blue-winged Warbler.

We still have hopes for more late season migrants.

GB,

James.

Mourning Warblers - May 27th

2008-05-28T22:24:00.007-04:00

Mourning Warbler - male singing, October Mountain State Forest, Berkshire County, MA. Rather distant, poor quality digibin shot.

Spent a most enjoyable day in the local area with visiting birding friends from the UK, Richard and Erica Klim. High on their wish list was Mourning Warbler, so we headed off to October Mountain near Lee, MA. The Mosquitoes and Black Flies were pretty fierce but it wasn't too long before we could enjoy good views of a male Mourning Warbler in a clear fell along County Road. Another bird was seen, with a further two heard singing. I found this to be a most interesting area with good numbers of species such as Winter Wren, Alder Flycatcher, Canada Warbler and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Later we passed through Mt Tom near Northampton to enjoy Louisiana Waterthrush, and finished the day on the North side of the Quabbin with migrating Common Nighthawks, plus Eastern Towhee, Prairie Warbler and a fabulous display and chorus of Whip-poor-wills (about 4 in total). Special thanks to Richard and Erica.

GB,

James.

Alder Flycatcher - May 23rd

2008-05-24T21:42:00.003-04:00

Alder Flycatcher - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA. This bird wasn't singing but frequently gave a sharp 'pip' call, quite similar to the 'kip' of Western Kingbird.

Blue-winged Warbler - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA.

May 23rd - Another fine morning in the Quabbin, though a little breezy at times. Pleased to see the Alder Flycatcher, my first of the year and about a week later than I usually find the FOY. The Blue-winged Warbler was singing an alternate song-type that kept me on my toes for a little while until I got a good clean look at him.

Today (May 24th), 2 singing male migrant Blackpoll Warblers could be heard in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst which are always nice to have locally.

GB,

James.

Moose

2008-05-22T22:43:00.004-04:00

Moose - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA. Highlight of today's late afternoon visit to the Quabbin.

Didn't bird seriously today but a neighborhood walk produced a couple of feeding flocks, one in Wildwood Cemetery and one on North Whitney Street, Amherst. Both flocks contained reasonable numbers of Yellow-rumped and Magnolia Warblers, and apparent migrant Red-eyed Vireos with about 8 together in the cemetery. A Tennessee Warbler on North Whitney Street was the pick and my first locally this year.

Bay-breast - May 20th

2008-05-21T22:22:00.004-04:00

Bay-breasted Warbler - singing male, Quabbin Park.

Hermit Thrush - Gate 29, Quabbin near New Salem, May 16th.

Another morning spent searching for cavity nesters unearthed one or two interesting migrants in Quabbin Park though I must say, on the whole we seem to be stuck in a rather unproductive weather system for new arrivals. I'm a little surprised to reach May 20th without recording Alder and Olive-sided Flycatchers in the Quabbin area, but this morning I was pleased to have two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers close the entrance of Quabbin Park. In the same area, I heard and then saw a handsome male Bay-breasted Warbler moving around with a couple of Pine Warblers, a Blue-headed Vireo and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. In the afternoon, a male Cerulean Warbler gave several bursts of song, perhaps raising the possibility of the return of this former breeder to Quabbin Park.

Good birding,

James.

Jewels from the Quabbin.

2008-05-15T22:45:00.002-04:00

Chestnut-sided Warbler - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

Cerulean Warbler - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

American Redstart - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

Moose - Central Quabbin. May 13th, 2008.

Most of the last week has been spent in the Quabbin region. I've encountered some real gems especially the larger mammals, with 2 Black Bears together at Gate 40 on May 12th, and another on the Prescott Peninsula on May 14th, where I also got a quick snap of the above Moose.

Birdwise it's been a mediocre week and an easterly airflow in the beginning of the week didn't produce as much as we might have hoped. That much said a few boreal migrants have filtered through and I saw two Rusty Blackbirds in the Quabbin on May 13th, and Swainson's Thrush and Lincoln's Sparrow there on May 14th.

Gate 29 near New Salem has held most of the warblers with 12 each of Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers on May 15th, along with singing Canada and Blackpoll Warblers. 'Drumming' Ruffed Grouse have also been audible on two recent visits to Gate 29 where I also found a nesting pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks which I think is quite good for the local area.

Still much to look forward to with more North bound migrants to come.

Good birding,

James,

Warblers and more - Hampshire Co., May 8th

2008-05-08T20:29:00.007-04:00

Well things are certainly moving along. Only two days ago I noted my first Black-throated Blue Warbler of the spring, but today I heard multiples, and Susannah even had one singing in front of our apartment. After a couple of clear spring-like days, the rain bearing front that passed through Massachusetts overnight and into the day certainly left a lot of birds behind, and most of them were warblers.

On the bike path at Amherst near Snell Street, a high feeding warbler flock contained some nice diversity including Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, along with 10 plus Northern Parulas and a couple of Red-eyed Vireos. Great-crested and Least Flycatchers were present as well, and a Blue-winged Warbler sang from classic habitat further along the bike path. On short side trip to Skinner State Park on Mount Holyoke was most productive turning up the two 'hoped-for' key warblers, both of which were singing vigorously despite the gloomy conditions. The Ceruleans were most impressive with a total five seen or heard singing, including two males close to the upper parking area. Lower down the slopes, three or four Worm-eating Warblers were audible including one that gave great views close to the road. About three Hermit Thrushes could be heard singing at this site too. Black flies are on the increase but it's still an absolute pleasure to be out.

Select images from the last few days are included below.

JPS.

Magnolia Warbler - male, Winsor Dam, Quabbin, May 7th.

Pileated Woodpecker - Amherst Bike Path, Amherst. May 8th.

Cerulean Warbler - Skinner SP, Mt. Holyoke. May 8th. One of five at this site.

Worm-eating Warbler - Skinner SP, Mt. Holyoke. May 8th.

Northern Saw-whet Owl - Adult at nest. Hampshire County, MA. May 2008.

More New Arrivals

2008-05-05T21:56:00.006-04:00

Magnolia Warbler - The first of the year, and always a thrill.

Solitary Sandpiper - One of two on the Aqua Vitae road in Hadley.

Black-throated Green Warbler - A decent wave of these today with at least 12 along a short section of the Northampton Bike Path.

Singing Baltimore Orioles and White-throated Sparrows got the day off to a positive start on North Whitney Street, Amherst with further singing male orioles along the Connecticut River in Northampton near the Route 9 bridge.

Spent much of the morning successfully searching for cavity nesting species along the Northampton bike path from Damon Street West to the railroad bed in Northampton. After two days of gloom, bird activity was high with many singing warblers towards the West end of the bike path. Most notably - 12 Yellow-rumped, 5 Nashville, 12 Black-throated Green, 2 Black-and-White, and a male Magnolia Warbler. At least 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also singing, as well as Wood Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling and Blue-headed Vireos and a rather nice male Orchard Oriole just where the bike path passes underneath I-91! A calling Least Flycatcher stayed high in the tops and was probably a migrant. On the way home a couple of very quick stops, one at the Aqua Vitae road in Hadley, and one at Moody Bridge road in Hadley were both productive, with 2 Solitary Sandpipers and both yellowlegs at the former, and over 10 Bobolinks and a Brown Thrasher at the latter. Very cool indeed and all a beautiful spring day.

JPS.

Inland Willet, Franklin Co., MA

2008-05-04T21:45:00.005-04:00

Male Merlin, a migrant perched up by the Deerfield River, MA.

The cold, damp conditions with some especially heavy overnight rain left me hopeful that five terns reported from Barton Cove, Turner's Falls yesterday might still be around today. No such luck. On my way out there I stopped very briefly by the road at Montague Plains hearing numerous Field Sparrows and Eastern Towhees, and made another quick stop at Turner's Falls airfield. At least five Field Sparrows were audible from the public parking lot, and a Killdeer was at the far end of the airfield. Dropping down to Barton Cove, the first couple of binocular scans produced no terns, so I gathered my scope to determine a couple of distant specks out in the main bay. A heavy looking, medium sized shorebird, already in flight as I approached the bank, gave an explosive call as it departed - Willet!! Realizing it was a very good inland record for Massachusetts, I watched with great disappointment as it headed South-East without showing any signs of returning. A brief check of the power canal didn't find it there either. Veit and Petersen list just two inland records for spring (both in May) in the Birds of Massachusetts, and I'm sure I can remember Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll reporting one from the Quabbin sometime last spring, again in May.

Not too much else in the way of notable birds at Barton Cove, though a nice gathering of swallows over the water included over 300 Tree Swallows, about ten Bank Swallows and a Cliff Swallow among the five species present. Twenty Common Mergansers, 2 Green-winged Teal, 2 drake Wood Duck and a female Ring-necked Duck were also present. Further south, a short stop in Old Deerfield produced several Warbling Vireos and a nice male Merlin perched up over the river.

At home, on North Whitney Street, Pine Siskins and Yellow-rumped Warblers were still present in the area but a singing Wood Thrush this evening was new.

GB,

JPS.