Still can't get enough!

Tweet With the Oxbow Inc. Birdathon coming up in just a few days, I have been trying to stay in practice.  I've been trying to get outside to look for birds every day.  I want my ears and eyes to be top notch.

The Birdathon is a 24 hour competition to see who can see the most bird species in a 50 mile circle of the Oxbow (and the whole county that that circle touches).  Its purpose is to raise money for non-profits to acquire bird habitat.  I have gotten a lot of my lifers on the Birdathon, so I am definitely looking forward to it since I will not be able to go up to the shore of Lake Erie for the events up there this year.

I have been searching the beach at East Fork for shorebirds this spring, with not much luck.  I have had a hard time finding much diversity this year so far in species of shorebirds.  However, Spotted Sandpipers have been very abundant, as I had 6 in one view recently!

I had recently visited my cousin's farm in Brown County, Ohio.  Her farm consists of small fields interspersed with mature woodland.  I always see good birds here, and the other day was no exception.  As soon as I got out of my car, I was greeted by two Field Sparrows.  They were only a few feet from my car.  Love their ping pong ball bounce call.

After seeing all the cool shots coming from Magee Marsh boardwalk, it is hard to believe that warblers exist away from the shores of Lake Erie.  I love it up there, but since I can't make it this year, I will have to find warblers the hard way - listen and look up, search every treetop.

Before reaching the woodlands, I could hear Blue-winged and Common Yellowthroats singing.  

I could also hear Yellow Warblers singing...

Sweet-sweet-sweet-sweeter-than-sweet.

And I can also hear Northern Parulas singing...

                       

I heard and then saw an Orchard Oriole passing by.  These birds used to nest in my yard.  I miss them.

But the real bird I was searching for will have to be found deep in the woods.  I know that they breed here from by OBBA II work.

And here is that bird ----------------->

Hooded Warbler!  I love their chewy-chewy-chit-zu song.

              

Just can't get enough of this bird.  

I like how if you look closely, you can see light through the bird's bill.  Their bills are surprisingly thin.

               

Love this bird!  My next post will be of all the cool birds I hope to see on the Birdathon.  Until then, get outside and find some birds.  Remember to take a nonbirder or child!

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