Day 366: Greater White-fronted Goose

Well, I made it! Hooray! Today's bird, the Greater White-fronted Goose, is the last bird to round out my epic year of bird blogging. I can't lie, part of me is relieved that the challenge is over. It hasn't always been easy to keep up with this. But, I loved birding this year, especially capturing some great memories and photos. While I won't be blogging every day, I do plan to still post photos and trip details as we continue to explore Maryland and the rest of the U.S. (and beyond). Look for updates every week or two.

Before I cut back on blogging, however, I plan to put together a "best of" photo list from the year. I'll be posting what I consider to be the best photo that I took of each bird species on Flickr and will share the link here when I have it up. I'll also pick my 10-20 favorite bird photos of the year overall to post here. I'll also try to compile some final statistics of how many birds I actually photographed (since some of the 366 I only saw or heard). All of that to come in the next few days.

 As of yesterday, I had more or less resigned myself to finishing one bird short for the year. There were a few birds that I could have tried to find, but they were either unreliable or too far away to warrant a quick trip. That changed when Jared announced that a Greater White-fronted Goose had been spotted at a lake only 30 minutes away from us!

It was a cold and blustery day here, but we managed to find the goose mixed in with some Canada Geese. Can you tell how different it looks?

And finally, before I sign off for today, cheers to a wonderful New Year!

Day 365: Monk Parakeet

I have some exciting news. I saw my last new bird of the year this afternoon, which means I made it to the 366 bird mark! It was touch and go there for a while, but I'm so happy to have pulled it off! While my year-long challenge evolved some over time (for instance, I didn't get to photograph all 366 birds, but decided to count the ones I just saw or heard anyway), I still blogged every single day (in spite of vacations and power outages) and consider the challenge to be fulfilled. Thankfully, this means that Jared can't tease me about being one bird short for the rest of our lives. More details summing up this year and future plans tomorrow...

On our hunt for new birds in Texas over the Christmas break, Jared, my mom, and I ventured to Cedar Hill for a short trip. We intended to visit the Cedar Hill State Park to quickly scan for birds, but ended up not going there after finding out they charged way too much for admission ($7 per person, what's up with that?).

Luck was on our side, however, when Jared spotted a flock of Monk Parakeets on a power line at a stop light in Cedar Hill. Turns out, there are wild Monk Parakeets in the area!

Day 364: Black-crested Titmouse

Another new bird we saw in Burnet, Texas is the Black-crested Titmouse. This species was once considered to be a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse, but it was recognized to be a separate species in 2002. It is native to southern Texas, Oklahoma, and east-central Mexico.

Day 363: Bewick's Wren

We had a wonderful trip to Texas, and I managed to add three new birds to my count for the year. That puts me at 365 birds for the year....only one left to hit 366!

We spent one day at my aunt and uncle's ranch in Burnet, Texas. They have a beautiful piece of land with lots of birds and animals running around. We saw two new birds there, one of them the Bewick's Wren.

Bewick's Wrens look similar to Carolina Wrens, but they have long tails that are tipped with white. They are found in the eastern parts of Canada and the United States.

Day 362: Long-billed Curlew

We saw two Long-billed Curlew from a very far distance on our first day in Colorado this August. Jared spotted them across a lake. We couldn't get any photos, since they were too far away, but here's what they look like. Their long, curved bills really are amazing.

Source

Day 361: Short-billed Dowitcher

The Short-billed Dowitcher is another bird we saw in eastern Maryland, but weren't able to get a photo of. It is very similar to the Long-billed Dowitcher, which I posted about earlier.

Here's what it looks like:

Source

Day 360: Northern Bobwhite

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful day.

Today's bird is the Northern Bobwhite. These birds are becoming more and more difficult to find in Maryland, as their habitat is shrinking. We heard one calling in a refuge in eastern Maryland earlier this year.

Here's what one looks like (not my photo):

Source

Day 359: Common Nighthawk

Merry Christmas Eve!

The Common Nighthawk is a very interesting bird. It has plumage that allows it to become almost invisible during the day. It's most easily seen while it's flying, which is how we have seen them in Maryland. The Common Nighthawk is an aerial insectivore, and it has a huge mouth to scoop up bugs.

Here's what one looks like (not my photo):

Source

Day 358: Dusky Flycatcher

The Dusky Flycatcher is another Colorado bird. It can be very hard to identify, since many flycatchers look almost identical. While I didn't get a photo of one, here's what it looks like:

Source

Day 357: Spotted Towhee

We saw a Spotted Towhee at the very end of our Colorado trip in August. My camera had just died though, so we weren't able to get a photo! Bummer.

In years past, the Spotted Towhee and the Eastern Towhee were considered to be the same species.

Here's a photo of a Spotted Towhee (not my photo):

Source

Day 356: Black Swift

We saw some Black Swifts flying overhead while we were in Puerto Rico, but weren't able to get any photos. Here's what one looks like (not my photo):

Source

Day 355: Elfin-woods Warbler

The Elfin-woods Warbler is one bird that Jared really wanted to see while we were in Puerto Rico. This is another bird that is endemic to the island. This species was only discovered in 1968 and described in 1972. We searched long and hard to find one in an area of the island where they have been seen before. We did hear one, but weren't able to get a photo. The Elfin-woods Warbler looks similar to the Black-and-white Warbler.

Here's a photo of an Elfin-woods Warbler (not my photo):

Source

Day 354: Puerto Rican Emerald

The Puerto Rican Emerald is another bird we saw in Puerto Rico, but I wasn't able to get a photo. They are endemic to the island and are found mostly in the mountaneous regions.

Here's what one looks like (not my photo):

Source

Day 353: Red-legged Thrush

The Red-legged Thrush is another bird that we saw in Puerto Rico last March. I had a few opportunities to get a photo, but somehow the timing was never right. We would see one on the side of the road while driving, but couldn't turn around, or some other similar situation. Since they were supposed to be pretty common, I never worried about getting a photo. Silly me!

Not my photo, but here's what one looks like:

Source

Day 352: White-winged Crossbill

I was really hoping to get a photo of a White-winged Crossbill this winter in Maryland, but we haven't had any luck yet. We did hear one flying over us on Assateague Island several weeks ago, but I haven't physically seen one. Here's what one looks like, similar to the Red Crossbill but with distinct white wing bars:

(Not my photo - Source)

Day 351: Tufted Duck

Jared took a break from studying today to go see a Tufted Duck that was spotted just on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (about 45 minutes away), and I of course went with him so that I could add one more to my count this year!

Strangely enough, today's female Tufted Duck decided to make a stop in the exact same pond (at a Holiday Inn of all places) that a male Tufted Duck was found in 2 years ago. Tufted Ducks normally are found in Europe and Asia, but they are occasional winter visitors along both coasts of the United States and Canada. 

Can you see the little tuft on the back of its head?

Day 350: Western Scrub Jay

Well, I have I have 17 more posts left (including today) to make it until the end of the year. Hard to believe this year of posts is almost over! I am out of personal photos, unfortunately, but I have 12 more birds that I have seen or heard that I will be posting about. That means I need to see 5 more birds to make it to the ultimate goal of 366 this year. Hopefully, I will pick up those 5 when we go to Texas in a few days. We'll see. Even if I don't quite make it, it's been a great run!

Our hunt for today's bird, the Western Scrub Jay, is a bit of a sad story. On the last day of our Colorado trip in August, we stopped at a park on our way to the airport, with the hopes of seeing one. Sure enough, we did! However, I had forgotten to bring the camera battery charger with me on the trip (I know, right? How silly is that?), and we had been rationing out the camera battery until that very last day. The camera literally died on me for good right as I was trying to take a photo of a Western Scrub Jay. So, I have a photo in spirit, but in reality...I've learned my lesson and will never forget the camera charger again (hopefully)!

Here's what one looks like, but again...not my photo:

Source

Day 349: Red Knot

Day 348: Least Tern

Day 347: Hooded Warbler

The Hooded Warbler was one of my favorite birds during spring migration in Georgia. They are so cute with their bright yellow plumage and black "hood". Here in Maryland, I only briefly saw one this year. Jared was able to get a photo:

Day 346: Northern Gannet

The Northern Gannet is a seabird that can be found off of the eastern U.S. in the North Atlantic. We can sometimes see birds flying over the water when we visit Ocean City, Maryland.

Jared got some great pictures of a Northern Gannet on one of his pelagic boat trips this year.

Day 345: Chimney Swift

Jared told me for months to get a photo of the Chimney Swifts that were flying around...what? You guessed it...a large chimney in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to him and missed my chance to get a good shot of a Chimney Swift this year! Totally my bad.

I did get a crappy, very far away shot of one before they flew south for the winter.

Day 344: Eastern Whip-poor-will

The Eastern Whip-poor-will is another elusive bird that is more frequently heard than seen. It has terrific camouflage that allows it to easily blend into its surroundings. It's also named It is named onomatopoeically after its song (hear the song here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whip-poor-will/sounds).

Here's a photo of an Eastern Whip-poor-will (not my photo):

Source

Day 343: Puerto Rican Screech Owl

The Puerto Rican Screech Owl is a nocturnal, endemic owl to Puerto Rico. We heard one on our trip in March, but I was unable to get a photo. Here's what one looks like:

 Source

Day 342: Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo

Back in March, I posted several birds that we saw in Puerto Rico, including the Mangrove Cuckoo. I also mentioned that I really had hoped to photograph a Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo, but unfortunately, I never got to see one.

Towards the end of our trip, Jared and I decided to hike on a trail that was supposed to be particularly good for Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoos. It was a very hot day, and we were sweltering and exhausted by the end of the long hike, with no lizard cuckoo. FINALLY, at the very end of the trail, we heard one call! There was no mistaking it, this bird has a very distinctive call (you can here it at this link at about the 15 second mark: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=203576).

Long story short, we were closing in on it, following it down the trail as we heard it call every few minutes. Jared caught a quick glimpse of the bird, but I scared it away when I rushed over to see it. No photo, nothing.

I really wanted a photo, because it's a very cool looking bird (see below, but not my picture):

Source

Day 341: Caribbean Coot

When we were in Puerto Rico back in March, we saw a Caribbean Coot from a distance, but were not able to get a photo of one. Caribbean Coots look similar to American Coots, but Caribbean Coots lack red knobs on their frontal shield (part of the bill)...they have an all white shield.

Here's a picture of a Caribbean Coot, but not my photo:

Source

Day 340: Sora

The Sora is yet another marsh bird that I haven't been able to photograph. I do have a connection with this bird, nonetheless, as I've cultivated the ability to mimic its sound pretty darn well.

Recording of a Sora: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/sounds

I *swear* that I've had a Sora call back to me after trying to mimic its call before, but it doesn't seem to help get them out in the open for a photo.

Here's a photo of a Sora, but not my own:

Source

Day 339: Clapper Rail

The Clapper Rail is another bird that we've heard in Maryland, but that I haven't been able to photograph this year. Clapper Rails are found along the east coast of North America.

Here's a link to a Clapper Rail calling: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/wwwsounds/birds/hardy11sh.wav

Here's a photo of a Clapper Rail (not my photo):

Source

Day 338: King Rail

This week, I'm going to post about several birds that are much easier heard than seen. Though I was hoping to get lucky, it just never panned out to get a photo of these birds.

Today's bird, the King Rail, is the largest North American rail. We have seen one species rail this year, the Virginia Rail. In general, rails are pretty hard to see because they hide in marshes. They have loud calls that are easily heard, however, and the King Rail's most common call sounds like a low grunt.

You can hear the King Rail call at this page: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/King_Rail/sounds

Also, here's a photo of a King Rail, but NOT my own, unfortunately:

Source

Day 337: Lapland Longspur

Day 336: Greater Scaup

I'm using the same photo as yesterday for today's bird, the Greater Scaup.

In this photo, there are two Greater Scaup. One is on the far right side of the photo. A Lesser Scaup is immediately to the left, and then a second Greater Scaup is left of that.

P.S. only 30 more posts before I finish the year! I'm looking forward to doing a "best of" post, picking what I think is the best photo that I've taken of each species this year.

Day 335: Lesser Scaup

In this photo, there are two types of Scaup (diving ducks): the Lesser Scaup and the Greater Scaup.

The Lesser Scaup is on the bottom right of this photo inbetween two Greater Scaup. Both species look very similar, but there are subtle differences. Greater Scaups are larger, and there are differences in the bill and head shape that make it possible to identify the birds, particularly when they are side by side. Also in the photo are a Ring-necked Duck (left) and Red-breasted Merganser (top).

Day 334: Eastern Screech-owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl is much easier to hear than to see. In spite of my efforts, I haven't put eyes on one, but I've heard several during our adventures around Maryland. It is very identifiable by its distinct song, so I'm still counting it towards this list.

You can hear the call of an Eastern Screech-Owl here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Screech-Owl/id

Playing a tape of a screech owl call will often bring curious birds flocking to the scene, eager to get a look at the unwanted intruder. Screech owls are strictly nocturnal, roosting during the day in cavities or next to tree trunks. They live east of the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to Mexico.

This is not my photo, but here's a picture of an Eastern Screech-Owl:

Source

Day 333: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Day 332: Summer Tanager

Adult male Summer Tanagers are bright red in color, while females are yellow/orange on the underparts and olive on top. The bird we saw below is a female.

Day 331: Merlin

The Merlin is a small species of falcon.

Day 330: Common Goldeneye

Earlier in the year, we saw a Barrow's Goldeneye and several Common Goldeneye ducks. In this photo, the Barrow's Goldeneye is in the middle. There is a female Common Goldeneye to the left and a male Common Goldeneye to the right.

Day 329: Scaly-naped Pigeon

Well, I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel of bird photos that I've taken this year. It's going to be a challenge to finish, but I'm certainly going to try! I'm having to go back through my photos and post some that are not that great, so apologies for that.

Today's bird, the Scaly-naped Pigeon, is one that we saw in Puerto Rico back in March. The photos were taken from our hotel, and the pigeon is pretty far away. But, it's still identifiable!

The Scaly-naped Pigeon is slate gray with maroon colored feathers around its neck, which appear to be scaly (thus, the name).

Day 328: Dunlin