Home Sweet
July 16th, 2008
My parents have vacationed in the Outer Banks since I was five years old, and I usually go with them--typically a week in Virginia and a second week in Nags Head or Cape Hatteras. Ever since I became a birder (May of last year), I've delighted in the birds of the south. Any season of the year, there's so much to see.
I just got back from this summer's trip. My total species list numbers 70, with 13 lifers! One of the place I visited several times was Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, but it wasn't responsible for all or even most of the lifers. One of them (Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher) was even in my parents' backyard! This is the joy of travelling for a birder: species that are common to the locals are exotic to you.
( Species List )
I'll post some scenery photos from the trip in a few days.
A cottage weekend and a thrilling bird
June 29th, 2008
I recently spent the weekend at a friend's cottage in Quebec. I spent much of the time birding the area, even when it rained. (The rain kept the deer flies away!) I didn't get around to canoeing or exploring the forest, so I just hiked along the dirt road seeing what I could see, occasionally pushing my way into thickets. This was enough to net me 27 species, 6 of which I had only ever seen in migration, and 2 of which--Common Loon and Swainson's Thrush--were lifers (new species).
Yes, I'd actually never seen a loon before.
( Species List )
There was one especial treat: the Blackburnian Warblers. Here's a photo (not mine) so you know what I'm talking about. They are some of the most beautiful birds in North America, and I not infrequently saw them right outside my bedroom window! They probably nested in the spruce woods across the lake from us. What attracted them to the little trees around the cottage, I don't know.
