Monday, July 22, 2013

Underappreciated Sparrows

Many people go out looking for warblers and shorebirds, but not often do birders go out specifically looking for sparrows.  Maybe it is there cryptic coloration or nature, or their LBJ status.  I am guilty myself.

This past spring, while participating in the birdathon, I came to the realization that I have never seen many of the sparrows that are on my life list.  One Sparrow in particular, the Lark Sparrow, was only a fleeting glimpse during a previous birdathon.  I did get looks at Henslow's Sparrow through a scope and close up views of Grasshopper Sparrows during the birdathon this year.  However, due to the fast pace nature of a birdathon, I wasn't able to really look at them close.  So, with recent reports of all of these sparrows actually being seen on the west side of Cincinnati, I decided to set out to see if I could find them.

My primary goal of the trip was to find and get a good look at a Lark Sparrow.  More on that later...

It is a good hour and a half drive to these spots from my house, which is twenty miles or so EAST of Cincinnati.  I had the day off and all day to bird, so I started out before the sun came up.  This is unusual for me any more, as I usually start work at 4am and don't like to get up early on my days off.  I headed for Miami Whitewater Wetlands first, to look for the reported Henslow's Sparrow that is reported to be nesting here.  The humidity and warm temps were already noticeable as the sun was starting to rise.  The place was surprisingly quiet.  I could hear Dickcissels calling from the far fields.  Tons of Common Yellowthroats, but no Sedge Wrens yet.  I proceeded on.

Then I though I heard the very delicate, short call of a Henslow's Sparrow.  No sparrows in sight.  Just far away Dickcissels.  I just kept walking.

I then spotted a small sparrow just sitting on the side of the bike path.  Not a field Sparrow.  Not a Savannah or Song.  It is a Henslow's Sparrow.  Very Close!

Henslow's Sparrow

The trail winded ahead to where I would be closer to the bird.  I was hoping that it would stay put.  That it did.  It appeared to have no tail, but it was just the way it was sitting.  They look as delicate as their song.

Henslow's Sparrow

Really a very beautiful sparrow!  This is the first close up of one for me.

Henslow's Sparrow

Henslow's Sparrow

As the sun was up now, it was already getting hot quick.  I was soaked in sweat by 8:00am.  Time to move on.  

After the wetlands, I headed to the Kilby Rd. Gravelpits on the West Side of Cincinnati.  This is also called the Smith Tract, which is owned by the county park system.  I was looking for Grasshopper Sparrows.  
I saw some movement, then a bird.

Dickcissel

A Dickcissel.  They were very numerous at all my stops.  While not a sparrow, still cool to see them.

After not hearing any Grasshopper Sparrows, I decided to carry on to my next spot.  I have read reports that they have been found at another location close by, Campbell's Lakes.  On arriving at the lakes, the heat was almost unbearable.  I decided to get out and walk around.  I quickly spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker and Blue Grosbeak.    I could hear no Grasshopper Sparrows.  I continued on walking.  I could hear lots of chips in the grasses that I suspected were the sparrows.  I continued walking.  Just as I was heading to the car, I heard one sing.  It was a ways away from me, so I headed in that direction.  
I then saw a small sparrow like bird fly down into the grass.  A couple of fisherman were walking a trail to one of the back lakes, and flushed a bird.  About that time, two birds came flying past me chasing one another.  One of them landed on a small shrub.  

Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow!

Again, this is the closest I have seen one.  It is really a sticking little bird.  Very spunky too.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

I really like the yellow shoulders.  The back of the bird was just as cool.  It was a pattern that would definitely make it hard to see in walking in the grasses.  Very pretty, the back of a Grasshopper Sparrow.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Close up of the neck.  I found the pattern on the neck to be very cool!

Grasshopper Sparrow

As the heat was now unbearable, I decided to head east towards home.  The spot that is most reliable for Lark Sparrow was on the way home, so I decided to go there next.  The spot were they are usually seen one wouldn't think to be a destination for birders.  It is a semi - abandoned condo complex that has foundations that were never finished or developed.  As I approached the condo complex, I noticed a bird in the middle of the road.  It was just pacing back and forth.  I stopped the car, to find that it was indeed a young Lark Sparrow!  It still had down on its head.  I fumbled to get my camera.  I then happened to relize that I was parked in the middle of a highway and glanced up at my rear view mirror only to find a cement truck barreling down on me.  Yike!  I quickly pulled into the complex and parked.  When I got out of the car, the Lark Sparrow flew into the tree line.  Dang!  The bird never re-showed.  One for next time I guess.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Cool news!

There was a request for the need of certain bird photos for an exhibit posted to the Ohio Birds email list not too long back.  The exhibit would be about Alexander Wilson and would be at the Paisley Museum in Scotland.  I looked and the list of photos that they still needed for their exhibit and found that I had one of a those - the Kentucky Warbler!

This is one of my favorite photos that I have taken.  I just got very lucky.  Here is the photo that was used in the exhibit:

                   Kentucky Warbler

It was a bird that was discovered by Alexander Wilson himself, the Kentucky Warbler.

Here is a picture of the pictures hanging in the exhibit in Scotland with other pics of birds by another photographer Steve Jones.  My pic is the 2nd from the right in the 2nd row down.


If you can't go to Scotland and see the exhibit (I can't, but wish I could!) , it is also online here 


Here is a direct link to my pic - Kentucky Warbler

Special thanks to Edward Lux and Dr. Jed Burtt for this opportunity.  Also want to thank photographer Steve Jones for notifying me about the online exhibit.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Willet ever stop raining?

It has rained about every day for the last two weeks here in SW Ohio.  Not all day every day, but at least enough to make it hard for me to be able to get out birding.  That being said, when I saw a slight glimpse of the sun this evening, I had to grab my birding gear and head out.

I didn't have much daylight left, but there was enough light that I could still take identifiable pictures if I needed to.  With all the rain, I figured the beach at East Fork would be fairly empty of people and I was right.  There was a vehicle jamming music out on the sand of the the beach, which is not allowed.  They quickly left after I got out of the car.  I then noticed some larger shorebirds foraging in the grass not far from me.

The bird closest to me appeared bigger than the ones around it.  I could not see the head or bill, so I was initially confused..  I looked at the other birds and quickly IDed them as Willets.  That is a good bird in Cincinnati, but what is this other bird that is bigger?  I needed to get a little closer.  Then the bird lifted its head.  A Godwit!  Now what kind?

It is a good shorebirding day in Ohio when you can get out of your car and see this:

4 Willet, 1 Marbled Godwit

Very odd habitat for both birds, but I have see a lot of good shorebirds in the grass at the beach at East Fork.

A couple who was out walking saw me looking at the birds and asked some questions about them.  It was nice to show them the birds.  They seemed somewhat interested.  Very cool.  

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwit

The birds spooked and flew to the water's edge on the beach.  I love to watch Willets in flight.  The Godwit then proved that it was a MARBLED GODWIT when it flew.  A very pretty rufous light brown cream color to the wings and underwings.  It also vocalized.  There was not enough light left for an in flight shot.

4 Willet and Marbled Godwit

Willet with Marbled Godwit

I have only seen one Marbled Godwit ever, and it was here at the south beach at East Fork in Sept. of 2007.  There are only 10 other records of this bird in the database on the Birding in Cincinnati website.
None of these records are from June, July or August.  Pretty early and cool!

It was a funny bird to watch.  It was catching worms in the grass and then preening on the beach.  

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwit

Very funny postures as it fed.

Marbled Godwit

The shorebird stare down never fails me!

Marbled Godwit

Marbled Godwit

And who could forget those lovely Willet wings!

Willet and Marbled Godwit

Willet and Marbled Godwit

Willet

Shorebirding season off to a good start.  Bring on the birds!