Andy's "Green Birding" Big Year

  I've been trying to visit Spring Lake as much as I can over the last week or so. Winds from the north have started to become steadier and more frequent; and temperatures are seasonal/dropping, so that means - diving ducks! Well, hopefully. As my "found" species total racks up, my success rate gets lower with new species for the year with each ride. There just aren't that many more species that I can get as the last two months of the year approach. However, as you well know, a common migrant diving duck - Canvasback - has been my nemesis for much of the year. Not anymore! A Pied-billed Grebe surfacing briefly between dives After an unsuccessful search on Wednesday, I decided to try again on Thursday, keeping with my strategy of hitting close by spots frequently. I different cast of characters at my bird feeder that morning raised my hopes for something different - my first American Tree Sparrow of the fall showed up. I couldn't wait to get on the bike.  I arrived...

White-throated Sparrows continue to push through I've managed to get out a few more times over the last several days. My first ride was to Spring Lake to look for scoters and grebes, and whatever else I could dig up. It was a cloudy day with winds from the north. Would this be the day for finding my first scoter of the year? I was cautiously optimistic as I biked along the road.  Upon arrival, I was happy to see a lot of birds on the water. Lots of American Coots and Ruddy Ducks were in rafts on the water, and hundreds of gulls - mostly Ring-Billed and Franklin's - were circling overhead. We started scanning to see if anything unusual was in the mix.  A few distant Ruddy Ducks There were some grebes along the far eastern shore of the lake. I sifted out two Horned Grebes from the Pied-billed Grebes, which were pretty numerous. Then another small grebe with a upturned bill came into view - Eared Grebe! Unexpected, but welcome! Unfortunately it stayed far away, and I lost it afte...

Another great hike on a beautiful day The much-anticipated cooler weather finally arrived, and I got out on the bike as soon as I could to take advantage of the nice weather and hopefully increased bird movement. A report on eBird of Harris's Sparrow AND Winter Wren at Blue Lake (where I went a few times last winter/early spring) made my choice of destination easy. I still needed both of those! The ride over was a delight - much, much nicer than my last wind-battered slog to Marsh WMA (minimal headwinds and less weight on the bike made a world of difference). It was a beautiful morning also - one of those days that makes you so grateful to be able to be outside to enjoy it. I pulled into the parking lot and immediately heard lots of call notes from the brush. A good sign, I hoped. Lots of sparrows on the move now, including this Song Sparrow I sifted through the flocks of White-throated Sparrows around the parking lot. Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived and were there in good numbers. A...

  American Golden-Plover I just got back from a long, cross-country trip and have been excited to get back on the bike. Watching reports of several target species showing up in the area have added to my "itchiness" to get out. Nelson's Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow, and Harris's Sparrow have been on the top of my list. I've been sifting through flocks of White-throated Sparrows looking for a Harris's for a while, but still no luck. For the other two, there's a reliable spot...but one that is an unpleasant ride - Marsh WMA. You may remember my last trip there was a total bust. Still, no pain, no gain - and I decided to go for it yesterday afternoon.  The conditions on the ride over quickly made me question my decision. Steady 20-25 mph winds were blowing directly into my face. Every hill was a battle, especially those on gravel roads. It was brutal. After crawling along for about 3 miles, I paused and considered going back. This is a 31-mile round trip, an...