The number is 60!!!

Today, we spent the morning birding the Salamonie Lost Bridge West area (Andrews, IN) and had a GREAT time! Yes, that is me waving with the big smile! I am a happy man when birding! We saw 29 species total, however, the highlight was the Greater White-fronted Geese we saw in the Marsh area. This, along with an Eastern Bluebird and Red-headed Woodpecker took my life list to 60.

Spring Forward! I am at 57!

Like any other Sunday, this morning I woke up, went downstairs, started a small pot of coffee (shade grown, of course) and went to the window to see what birds have chosen to dine with me this morning. All of my devoted friends were outside – House Finches, American Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals, E. Starlings (not my friends), a Common Grackle, and the very rare House Sparrows. Then, as I was sitting down to watch my visitors I noticed that the time on the TV box was different then that on my phone – we SPRUNG forward! My morning suddenly went into complete chaos, now I was late for the bird hike! I scrambled around the house, grabbed my birding bag and took off. I got about a half a mile from the house and realized that I forgot my wallet so I had to turn around and go back. Finally, I was on the road to go birding. I arrived at the park with not a birder in site; I was running about 45 minutes late so this didn’t surprise me. Long story short, I went birding alone.

My day quickly made a turn for the better when I spotted a Gadwall and an American Wigeon! Both lifers for me! It continued to get better as I spotted two immature Bald Eagles fly very close overhead and a lone Snow Goose (blue form) – lifers for me as well. Finally, to top off what started out to be a very disastrous day I had a Killdeer fly in front of my car and a Northern Mockingbird show up at my feeders this evening. I can’t wait until next Sunday!

This brings my life list to 57!

Finally! A Robin!

My prayer has been answered! Today while driving to one of my stores I spotted a Robin amongst a flock of Common Grackles.... the excitement about made me drive off into the opposite field!!! I also had a Red-winged blackbird at my feeder yesterday.... Grackles, Robins, Red-winged blackbirds, I am going into overload!!!

I can't find the Robins!

OK, for about three days now I have woke up to the sound of Robins communicating to the neighborhood that they are back! I jump out of bed, look out the window - no Robins! Yesterday, I even snuck to the back yard as stealthy as possible - no Robins! Am I hearing things? Is this a side effect of becoming a birder? Am I suffering from spring migration withdraw?

A Great Day!

I had a wonderful morning today. I met up with the local Birders at Eagle Creek Park and was able to add several birds to my life list including... Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Redhead, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Duck, and a Herring Gull. I also saw several large (noisy) flocks of Sandhill Cranes fly over our neighborhood and spotted a Turkey Vulture while driving South on I69. Spring is in the air! This takes my Indiana list to 48 and my life list to 50!

Common Grackles!

First of the year! Today, there were 3 Common Grackles at my feeders, pecking away at whole peanuts. This take me to 40 Indiana, 42 Life.

Finally!!

Finally, after several weeks of windy weather and sickness, I was able to get out and go birding this weekend. I was SO happy to get out! On 1/23/08, I went to Southwestway Park near my home and walked a trail system that I never knew existed before then. Didn't see much until I got back on the river bank, there I saw a pair of Belted Kingfishers (lifers), Hooded Mergansers, Canada Geese, and Mallard Ducks.

Today 2/24/08, I went birding at Eagle Creek Park with the local birders and was able to add another "lifer" to my list - a Barred Owl, it was spotted earlier by another birder and she later took several of us to the location and it was still there trying to get some rest after a nights work. Anyway, I added two new birds so I would call this a successful weekend. I am now at 39 Indiana Birds and 41 for my lifelist total.