Western sandpipers in alexandria

Todd Thanks for this. I had another opportunity to visit Eisenhower Ave again today and found two birds amongst 60 Semi-p the following is a description covering both weeks Western sandpiper Alexandria July 29th and August 5 2012 At least 2 adults (8/5, one on 7/29) amongst c 60 Semi-palmated sandpiper Noticeably longer bills despite variable lengths on Semi-p, 25-75% longer than the range. Western bills noticeably tapering to a point and slightly decurved Overall structure slightly more attenuated and less pot-bellied than typical Semi-p pose, head looked noticeably larger in direct comparison in most angles Plumage subtly distinct on close study. Head paler with finer marking (e.g. dark eye stripe less distinct) center of crown dark and contrasting compared to the sides / supercilium when seen head on. From behind, when preening some rufous feather edging was apparent The breast was lightly streaked in the center, more closely marked at the side. The lower breast and upper forward flanks were sparsely marked with small dark backward facing arrow head feather markings. Upper-scapulars showed variable rufous edging particularly nearer the breast and the tertials, some feathers in the central area had been replaced with grey non-breeding plumage Most lower-scapulars had been replaced with non-breeding grey feathers of the few that remained, the black often appeared slightly larger and more rounded that the similar feathers on Semi-P. When preening Please let me know if you need any additional information Rob Young Alexandria, VA Cell 571-436-0439 .

Cory's

Rob,

Sounds like an interesting trip.

There are immense numbers of borealis Cory's breeding on the Azores, Madeira and Canaries and are believed to fan out across the Atlantic, most moving down into the waters off northern Brazil but a significant fraction of the populations crosses and then moves up the eastern seaboard of the US to summer off the mid-Atlantic States and New England (most of the birds seen from FL to MA). Exact numbers and locations depend on water temperatures, Gulf Stream eddies etc. The Mediterranean birds (diomedea) either stay year round in the Med or move down the west coast of Africa and even round the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean. Close scrutiny suggests that a few come across and up to our area.

Cory's attend the Azorian colonies for 9 mo of the yr (Feb-Sep) but presumably travel considerable distances to feed. Non-breeders will wander further and may account for most of the birds seen off the eastern US in summer.

Angus

May 20 2012 - take 2

Interesting breeding season at home, a nest under the deck probably a robin and house wrens in our nest box , not bad for such a small area. Previously we've had song sparrow nesting in our bushes. Its not clear where they nested this year but it is clear that they hatch a young cowbird which has been begging from its adopted parents and fearing on our seed.

Bizarre as it seems I was checking out my new gear for the arctic in 80 degree weather at the patch today - new boots and trousers to badly paraphrase Ian Drury - oh and a new small camera.
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And again... Portsmouth may 7th 2012

Hobby over the M25 in the rain.

Of course there were more birds, gulls and sandwich terms over the solent, shelduck at siddlesham ferry.

Visiting dads I found another buzzard, third record he reckons after i found the 2nd at Christmas. Goldcrest were singing, several Jackdaw flew over and a Stock Dove, all good records. Peacocks were calling somewhere along the valley! Magpies, great-spots and Jay were putting on a good show at the feeders

Alexandria and Riverbend May 5 2012

A good and birdy Saturday started out well with a Philadelphia Vireo singing at home as Chrystal and I left early for Riverbend.
The report for the warbler walk follows. Despite warblers being few and far between there were some good birds, two yellow-throated warber and a showy yellow-throated vireo probably being the highlights.
At Greendale,good progress on the early Bluebird nests. At box 8, a long time house wren stronghold, a pair of bluebirds were sitting on the box, closely watched by a pair of tree swallows in a standoff the early Clint Eastwood films would have been proud of. A partial house wren nest was cleared from the box.
Speaking of that species, our nest box at home has attracted house wrens to start building. The materials seem to be more grass based than the Greendale nests which are always made of sticks. It will be interesting to see the finished article.
On Sunday, while on our deck, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers were repeatedly coming to the fat just feet away. Tracking them back to the woods, a nest with large young was watched.
And off to Heathrow I went.....
Date: May 5, 2012 21:01:33 EDT
This morning's Spring Walk, sponsored by Riverbend Park attached a good group of birders and some notable spring sightings.
Warblers were not numerous but two yellow-throated warbler were good. Northern Parula were plentiful around the park include a female collecting spiders webs for nest building.
Cedar Waxwings we're abundant particularly around the boat ramp as we both orioles.
A record of three Ring-necked duck was unusual for this time of year.
A vociferous Yellow-throated Vireo was found near the visitor center after the walk.


Rob Young
Alexandria,va



Riverbend Park, Fairfax, US-VA
May 5, 2012 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog World for iOS, version 1.4.2
53 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 20
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 3
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 35
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 30
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 15
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 5
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 4
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 4
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 10
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 4
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 10
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 10
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 5
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 7
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 6
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 50
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 3
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) 2
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) 2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 8
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1
Common Grackle (Purple) (Quiscalus quiscula quiscula/stonei) 10
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 8
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 8
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 15
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join Collaborative - see the world! Kiev, April 2012

Another couple of weeks in a downtown city with a potential handful of species sitting of nearby building which turned into something much better. the trip into the city found the (seemingly normal 'feeling' now) Hooded Crows in numbers but only a single Jackdaw. The following list of species and estimated counts were picked up largely in the local 'old' Botanical gardens a few blocks away from the Hotel.
The Gardens were a fascinating place.There are many Red Squirrels, seeming very used to interacting with the public and many of them, apart from the stream of commuters taking a shortcut, spent time interacting with the wildlife. The squirrels are a huge hit, locals calling squirrels by knocking nuts together and calling them.
I stumbled across some impromptu feeders made of an old plastic bottle and nailing wired food (fat blocks and bread) to a nearby tree. Locals would often come along and add a little food to the communal stash. And to huge effect....


Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 1 on the river from the lookup under the arch
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 100, probably many more, all over the city but almost always a group under the feeders picking up the scraps
Common Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus) 4 arounf the Botanic Gardens (BG)
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) 1, at least one bird coming regularly to the feeder in BG
Common Swift (Apus apus) 6, over BG on the last day. Maybe new arrivals but it was the longest i had spent out and latest in the day.
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) 1, at least one bird coming regularly to the feedeing station. Initial tomthe fat but also to the bread and seed. Amost always closely followed by.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1, a female almost always asserting its larger size over the MSW
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) 4, around BG
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) 6, around BG and a few flying around the city
Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) 1, near the airport
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) 200, the common crow arounf the city and common around BG. Often found raiding the rubbish buns and relatively tame
Great Tit (Parus major) 30, common around the BG, very tame
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) 20, rather fewer than its bigger relative around BG
Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) 5 White breasted European race,
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) 3, singing around BG but sounding slightly 'off'
Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) 3, probably three different birds at differnt sites around BG, one bird watched closely showed only a slight yellow wash the the throat and momentarily caused confusion until it reacted very strongly to wood warbler song. Before each trilling song, the clear, pure double note call was seen
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) 2, two singing near the feeders
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 5, singing in the BG and the park opposite the Red building of the university
Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) 4, several singing and seen around BG and the park
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) 20 Display flight and call in the BG, also birds singinging in the park. Although obviously a thrush call and song it was unfamilar and caused confusion until the culpret was found
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10, a few around the city and BG
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 1, one over the city
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) 5, around BG
European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) 30, around the city including BG. Birds singing along the Tarasa Chevchenka Boulevard
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 75, around the city
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 40, only seen in BG but common there and frequent,y at the feeder

Join Collaborative and see the world-april 2012 Kiev

)
Comments: Mainly in the old botanic gardens. Many Red Squirrels and lots of interaction between the locals and the wildlife, feeding birds, stocking impromptu feeders, feeding nuts to the squirrels.
Submitted from BirdLog World for iOS, version 1.4.2
26 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 100
Common Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus) 4
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) 1
Common Swift (Apus apus) 6
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) 4
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) 6
Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) 1
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) 50
Great Tit (Parus major) 30
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) 20
Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) 5 White breasted European race
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) 3
Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) 3, one seen well was pale throated compared to the usual bright yellow
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) 2
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 5
Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) 4
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) 20 Display flight and call, also birds singing,
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 1
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) 5
European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) 30
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 75
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 40

March 16-24 2012, the atlantic (mid-atlantic pelagics revisited with apologies to captain brian)

Well, who knew? It was with a sense of intrigue that we left New York on a blustery Friday night and headed out towards Southampton (almost via Lisbon as it turned out)

March 17 - heading east (as we would until Thursday night). Many small flocks of auk with a few flock of phalarope type birds flying away from the boat. First lesson, stuff ain't easy to ID on this scale! The first Cory's of the trip, 3 Fulmar and 2 Gannet and a number of all dark, small birds seen briefly, presumably Petrels. 2 adults and a 1st w of both GBB and (american) Herring gulls even though we were a few hundred miles out to sea.
Sunday 18 March - a few small 'flappy' shearwater with white face seen on the closest birds-presumably Audubon's? Probably a second Cory's in the distance. A small flock of auk type birds were watched flying low over the sea (c8 birds) before towering up to around 20 feet about waves
Monday 19 March - checking out the Sargasso weed, one clump turned out to be a passing sea turtle lazily flapping passed the ship ! A distant citation breached, a medium(!) sized whale. Many distant shearwaters looking dark and white as they banked (maybe just bad views of Cory's )
Tuesday 20 March- still heading east at 90 degrees. At least 9 Cory's today and I started to get a chance to watch for extended periods as the birds flew closer to the ship. A party of 3 were circling and maybe feeding, the others were generally working in the same direction as the ship and traveling much faster than our 21 odd knots. Additional on large dark bird low over the water(but very distant) and a couple more small,all-dark birds
Wednesday 21 March
Our closest approach tithe Azores,c.75 north of the islands, found a 3rd W Atlantis Yellow-legged Gull (almost laughing gull colour) pass by the cabin balcony early in the day and another, or maybe adult, later. At least 15 Cory's today, without too much effort. One bird showed a distinct dark border to the inner lesser coverts on the underwing, sometimes described as diagnostic of the Atlantic ssp. All the others seen clearly seemed to show a lean white area ob the under wing, sometimes described as that shown by the Mediterranean ssp. More research required....
Thursday 22 March - we turned north-east around midnight and no more Cory's were seen! I was rescues from a birdless day by a solitary Barn Swallow mid-morning
Friday 23 March - as we skirted Biscay on our last day at sea we started to run into a few Gannet (6 seen) and a small flock of auk (probably Puffin). A dolphin breached alongside the ship but was not seen again.

All in all, many more birds than I feared and some really good views of Cory's in their element

Saturday 24 March - in Southampton the usual town-birds were seen, a sparrow hawk near the station was a good find
Monday 26 March (European) Herring Gull commotion over Chichester was found to be caused by a red kite gliding over
Tuesday 27 March - a couple of ring-necked parakeets over the M25 near the A3 junction

March 10 2012 - more cold ducks

The limited area of clear water attracted a couple of ferruginous duck to the mallard but also up to 8 shelduck and 19 ruddy shelduck. A few Caspian Gull also mixed in

March 9th - first russian tick - Dendrocopos medius OR NOT...

Ok so I did take this pic but this morning I saw, in my little park, a smallish woodpecker. Firstly I heard drumming (if I could figure out how I would include the recording here!) and eventually tracked the bird down. Eventually and despite having no bins it fed really closely at head height. Much more fluffed up that this picture the white became extended to appear a continuous patch contrasting with the barred wing and black mantle . I didn't get a great look at the head but a red forecrown and relatively open face was clear and the dark moustachial was indistinct which looked atypical for a Dendrocopos. The bird fed very much like a Downy moving easily on the outer twigs and hanging on the underside of branches, often flitting to a nearby perch rather than long traverses.

So something bugged me about this and the Moscow bird group coordinator also reported that this would be extremely rare when I reported the following day. It turns out Middle Spots don't drum much and this one certainly was. So large white area on the back and vague face pattern mislead me to the wrong ID. It seems this is a lesser spot all along. It was present again the following day (see report) and drumming again but disturbed and not giving great views. Cross it off the list! :)

#back in the USS...# ok so its Russia these daya

Add magpie (from the Aeroexpress) and Goldeneye on the river to my Russian list :)

Feb 29 2012 - clouds (well birds anyway) across the moon

Arriving back home from Chicago, geese calling high overhead attracted Chrystal and I to a skein of 75 or so Snow Geese heading north directly in front of the crecent moon

Feb 5 2012- Moscow

A short walk up the road and through the snowed up park found a few birds and a couple of surprises. Amongst the house sparrows were a number of tree sparrow. The former looking very dingy and grimy, the latter looking smart and dapper so it can't be soiling, maybe there a darker sub species of passer domesticus here. A couple of Blue Tit looked 'normal' but the great tit looked grubby too. A single fieldfare fed on some tree fruit and looked a little odd by itself (I'd seen a couple of large-thrush flocks from my window which were also probably this species).
It's still a little strange seeing Hooded Crow dossing around and relatively tame (as opposed to Scotland's wild and distant birds) but there were a number around the park. High over Moscow City a Hoodie was watched aggressively mobbing an Accipiter of approximately equal size.
A small flock of mallard take advantage of the ice breaking operation on the river

Feb 4 2012 - Moscow (yes THAT Moscow!)

Despite being -20c (or maybe because..) there was a flock of hooded crow and jackdaw around the airport car park and a few hoodies along the route into town. I also picked up house sparrow and FRPD and over the city centre a Peregrine. Weather doesn't look great for a lot of outside time so we'll see how much else can be added.

December 25 2011 some uk birds

Green Woodpecker in dad's garden
Also Jay and 2nd buzzard in 20 odd years

Ring-necked Parakeets over Hendon's football match at dusk

Kestrel all over the place :)

Jan 14 2013. Riverbend wildfowl walk - lite

With the recent rain, the river was in full glow and the wildfowl well dispersed. However chrystal and I had a good group of 7 and we walked downstream. Conn Island didn't produce it's usual duck but the pair of Bald eagle perched nicely. At various points on the river we had 100 or so Ring-necked, Buffleheads, Common Mergansers and a few Coot. Before and after the walk we had single black duck and finally found 3 female and 2 1st-w male lesser scaup before we came away.

Jan 8 2012

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The grebe getting shy


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The coot getting used to being around people!

Jan 7 2012 field trials for Chrystal's new scope!

A trip to the patch to try out Chrystal's new scope and take some fresh air found an American Coot with a Pied-billed Grebe in the reception pool area and then we nearly overlooked the imm. Night Heron (BC!) under the green heron tree.

We were quite late so it was a little quiet although a nice Winter Wren skulked around Pooh Bridge and later we watched a juv Red-tailed Hawk on the gravel in the area (from our vantage point up stream on Rusty Bridge). A few moments earlier an American Crow was mobbing an Adult Red-tail as it circled nearby.


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