Two Owls in NYC

The middle of Manhattan would not be the first place to come to mind when you think of great places to see owls. However, Central Park this year has turned into a fantastic place for owls. The truth is that although it is a large park, there are relatively few conifers in the park, and since owls typically roost in them during the day, there are less possible places for them to be, making them easier to find.

This morning I ventured out hoping to find an owl I've never seen before--the Northern Saw-whet Owl. One had been reported numerous times in the park this year and had been hanging out in one particular area.

I explored the area where I knew the owl had been hanging out, finding only a pile of whitewash (old I think) where it had previously roosted. Feeling slightly bummed I walked away from that area, somewhat aimlessly, when I witnessed a bunch of birds gathering in a nearby pine tree. They were clearly agitated and as I watched, the birds came flying in from all directions. Several Blue Jays, probably fiive Tufted Titmouse, an Eastern Towhee, a White-Throated Sparrow, and two Cardinals all took turns in the general area of the same small tree. Two Squirrels added to the uproar.

Watching this activity I was pretty sure that there must be something in the tree, and since it was a small tree, the Saw-Whet seemed likely. After a few minutes of mobbing, the birds dispersed and I was left in silence, wondering if I could find whatever they had been so upset about. The area where the uproar took place was was fenced in (off limits for people), so I walked in about a 270 degree circle behind the fence, looking at the tree from various angles with my binoculars. Shortly, Thom Schuchaskie, a nature photographer joined me in trying to discover the presumed owl. After about 10 minutes of searching and searching I thought I could make out the rough shape of something roughly owl shaped in the most dense and hidden crook of the tree. Finally it moved just slightly and I was pretty sure that I got a glimpse of a Saw-Whet face.

After another 10 minutes of trying to find a good angle, walking away for a bit, and returning, I discovered the one angle where I had a view of the bird. Sure enough, it was a beautifuly little Saw-Whet Owl.
Here is a photo  of the bird in the pine tree. See if you can find him! He is really small!

 If you couldn't find him in the first photo, how about this zoomed in shot?

The owl continued to be occasionally visited by birds during the 90+ minutes I was there. But it moved very little, just opening and closing its eyes, and at times opening its beak wide and throwing its head back when it was mobbed by other birds.

Apparently, it is probably one of two Saw-whets in the area, since one rehabilitated bird had been released in the area the day before, and there previously was another one hanging out in the same area.

Thom came back to the area later and got this great photo of the bird, including a look at his yellow eyes (which I didn't get to see).

Before I left the park, Lisa and I also spotted a nice Barred Owl roosting in a conifer.  NYC is cool!

Barnacle Goose in the Bronx

Today I chased down a report of a life bird for me--Barnacle Goose. More and more often these Geese seem to be wandering over to the east coast, though they typically inhabit Greenland and parts of Europe I believe. Some seem to be escapes, but the increasing number definitely means that wild ones are here.

After taking the NYC subway for about 45 minutes or so, I arrived in the Bronx and a big park area call Van Cortlandt Park. The Barnacle Goose had been reported in a large flock of Canada Geese. It wasn't too hard to find the big flock of geese, but after several scans, I was getting worried that the Barnacle Goose had departed.

Finally, I found it out in the middle of the geese! Here are some (not too great) photos:

As you can see, the Barnacle is a pretty distinct bird. Still, finding any goose in the midst of hundreds of others can take time, since it may have its head down, be behind another goose, etc.

Yard Birds!!! Lotsssssss

The last 45 days in the yard have brought many birds, 76 species...The above Scarlet Tanager was a weekly visitor for about a month...always in the same spot in the cherry tree. 

This bird has also been a regular visitor....unfortunately this one wouldn't sit still and got 'on the wing' before I could snap it...though this flight photo serves as a good photo quiz! Guesses?

Kinglets have been plentiful in October...Golden Crowned dominating the numbers, though this Ruby Crowned spent alot of time picking bugs from around the garden, and specifically took a liking to this Sedum 'Autumn Fire'.

This particular photo shows the birds that have specifically destroyed my wallet in the last week :) Well not really...but feed is going at a pound a day :) 4 birds in this photo...all different species...all something in common...Quiz.....GO!

This beauty (Purple Finch) is one of 3 Purple Finches that have been visiting the feeders for nearly a month...I did have a total of 5 Purple Finches yesterday, my high for one day...

Nuthatches have been a plenty, both varieties...this RB had a particular fascination with my pond...frequenting this specific spot several times yesterday...

Quiz pic #3....a bird that spent about an hour bouncing through the garden feasting on bugs, maybe a few seeds as well...

Last but not least, the Yeichs are no longer the only family member to have a Selasphorus (Rufous/Allen's) Hummingbird in their yard :) This bird has been here for 5 days now....still a mystery on exact species but I am THRILLED! Most of our sightings have been in this spot, sitting on a bare branch of my Milkweed, regularly feeding on the annual Salvia and perennial Physostegia that surround it....I will keep all posted on this bird!

Other YARD BIRD highlights not pictured....several Tennessee Warblers, Cape May and Canada Warbler, a Blue Headed Vireo, up to 33 Pine Siskins at once, Red Shouldered Hawk, Broad Winged Hawk, Kestrels...

Please send your quiz answers to my e-mail :) 

Hope all your yards are filled with Siskins eating your thistle for 12 hours per day! 

Matt  

Sparkleberry Swamp Kayaking Trip

Lisa and I had the privilege of going for 7 hour kayak trip recently in the Sparkleberry Swamp in SC. Tom, who supplied our kayaks and was our unofficial guide, has a great write-up of our trip here:

http://www.randomconnections.com/birding-in-sparkleberry-swamp/

Mystery Bird

Yesterday, Mom and I were birding at Poinsett State Park. A couple friendly birders from Oregon told us about a bird they had seen hopping around in front of their car. They thought the bird might be injured. I went over to take a look and was surprised to find this small bird. It was hopping on the ground, eating insects along the way. It allowed me to approach it pretty closely, and presumably was unable to fly. I would like opinions on the species of this bird. I have my own idea, but I'd like to see what others say!

On Monday, the Congaree Swamp (SC) held this fellow:  

  

Then today the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak that showed up two days ago on our deck rail revealed what he likes to eat: suet! He made at least 4 visits during the day today!!

 

And speaking of surprises . . .

How many people can say that they saw two adult Bald Eagles AND two Great Horned Owls within 3 hours right across their street?

Scott B. was the hero of my day, banging on my door to report: first, a bald eagle sitting in the middle of their field and second, that an owl was calling in the woods.

The eagle took off as I made my way down the lane, when Tim B. shot a groundhog nearby. It disappeared for a few minutes, then came soaring over the next field at treetop level, soon joined by another magnificent bird. They circled with each other, getting higher and higher, and I was hoping for one of their locking freefalls, but alas, they flew off toward Berlin.

A few hours later, another knock on the door and Ted and I were off with Scott to discover the two owls who were calling while it was still light in the woods behind Marilyn's. We knew they were very near, but couldn't see them from the edge so walked in on the open path. We saw the silhouette of one perched at the top of a snag and it abruptly flew. Then I spotted the second, just as it flew after the first. We heard them several more times, this time much farther away. I will be waiting for a phone call from Terry tonight. She has promised to call me when the owl starts calling from the large pine outside her bedroom window. It's covered with fresh whitewash and is apparently the roost from which it has been nabbing their chickens over the last week.

In other bird news, Ted and I saw the Baltimore Oriole at the window feeder at 9 this morning. It is fully molted into the striking orange and black adult male we suspected it was.

And this PM, neighbor Marilyn had her first male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at her feeder.

On  my way to classes this afternoon I made a detour to drop something off at the student center, and happened to look over an expansive area where I can see for probably a mile West overlooking the Broad River. I noticed a distant raptor, had my binocs with me, and checked it out.

Boy was I surprised as I continued to scan the sky! I was counting raptors......1...3.....7....9 Mississippi Kites! There was a stiff wind, and they were enjoying it. I also spotted  an Anhinga that was enjoying the currents (a first for this location!).

A bright male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak surprised me a couple days ago by landing on our deck rail by our sunflower feeder. 'Tis the season for surprises!

Spring Tidbits

Although the current week has brought few new migrants to SC, the weeks previous brought Great-Crested Flycatcher, our first R-T Hummingbird, and a couple of warblers (Black-and-White, Prairie).

The recent weather, combined with finishing up my semester hasn't resulted in much beyond the typical local birds, but they are beautiful as well. Cedar Waxwings are one of those birds that puzzles me. Their movements seem very random, and they seem to nest in a variety of habitats that are unpredictable. One time this winter there were probably 200 waxwings in a small area on campus, many of which were swarming a holly tree for its remaining berries.

Mike

Spring!!!

Today I had a Clouded Sulphur and 2 Cabbage Whites flutter through the yard!

The Bluebirds are eying up the houses across the street, Field, Song, and White Throated Sparrows are singing their hearts out!

The Spring itch is here!


Matt