Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread

[BoxsterCy]

Went back to White Bear Lake beach to give another try at photographing the two rare or uncommon terns hanging out there. And got a shot of them together, the rare to Minnesota Artic Tern on the left and Common Tern on the right. The Artic Tern is WAY out of place, they migrate from the Artic down the USA coastlines and than down all the way to the Antarctic for the winter (25,000 miles!). The Common Tern is supposed to be on it's way to South American and they do migrate overland but not frequently seen here in the fall. They are a little bigger than robins but smaller than a crow.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Went "snipe hunting" Sunday.

And found a Wilson's Snipe. Not 100% the photo I was looking for but good enough to share as a good bird sighting. Was just before dusk and it was fun to spot one mostly in the open and not behind reeds and grasses. They are sort of a funky looking little bird.

 

[wxman1]

Went "snipe hunting" Sunday.

And found a Wilson's Snipe. Not 100% the photo I was looking for but good enough to share as a good bird sighting. Was just before dusk and it was fun to spot one mostly in the open and not behind reeds and grasses. They are sort of a funky looking little bird.


View attachment 136573

I call BS...

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

This link to a spooky birds gallery was in a recent Cornell Lab (of ornithology) newsletter. Kind of fun to see.

 

[Kinch]

Migratory birds are arriving at their winter destination. Palm warblers have arrived in the Florida gulf coast. For many, their journey began at their summer homes in northern Canada.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Migratory birds are arriving at their winter destination. Palm warblers have arrived in the Florida gulf coast. Fot many, their journey began at their summer homes in northern Canada.

Other than looking forward to whatever might come down to visit from Canada (or owls) it's entering the winter "bird desert" period of the year for me. I am tempted to go to AZ for the WBB games in January and maybe do some AZ birding as an excuse to go down there.

 

[Kinch]

Other than looking forward to whatever might come down to visit from Canada (or owls) it's entering the winter "bird desert" period of the year for me. I am tempted to go to AZ for the WBB games in January and maybe do some AZ birding as an excuse to go down there.

Several years ago my wife and I toured a place in AZ that showcased all the hummingbirds they have. Loved it.

 

[BoxsterCy]

The latest VIB (very important bird) around the Twin Cities was a Spotted Towhee. Maybe not rare but quite uncommon here and out of range. It was sort of hanging out with an Eastern Towhee. Only got a "Proof of Sighting" level image, it was almost dusk and the bird was only giving us teasing glimpses. Little stinker only came all the way open when it was dark o'clock.

 

[isucyfan]

The latest VIB (very important bird) around the Twin Cities was a Spotted Towhee. Maybe not rare but quite uncommon here and out of range. It was sort of hanging out with an Eastern Towhee. Only got a "Proof of Sighting" level image, it was almost dusk and the bird was only giving us teasing glimpses. Little stinker only came all the way open when it was dark o'clock.

View attachment 137581

I had a Spotted Towhee in my backyard in the Twin Cities a few weeks ago. About 50 area birders stopped by to view it.

 

[cyclone4L]

Been seeing quite a few bald eagles around.
Saw two flying over the tailgate in Ames last Saturday.
Saw one in Pleasant Hill on Tuesday.
I know that several nest by the Saylorville Dam. The Dam is a great spot for bird watching. Cranes, Cardinals and Blue Jays everywhere.

 

[Kinch]

Been seeing quite a few bald eagles around.
Saw two flying over the tailgate in Ames last Saturday.
Saw one in Pleasant Hill on Tuesday.
I know that several nest by the Saylorville Dam. The Dam is a great spot for bird watching. Cranes, Cardinals and Blue Jays everywhere.

DNR put GPS transmitters on Sandhill Cranes a few years ago. Wondered how that went.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I had a Spotted Towhee in my backyard in the Twin Cities a few weeks ago. About 50 area birders stopped by to view it. View attachment 137586 View attachment 137587

Not fair having cool birds in your own yard!

 

[BoxsterCy]

The latest VIB (very important bird) around the Twin Cities was a Spotted Towhee. Maybe not rare but quite uncommon here and out of range. It was sort of hanging out with an Eastern Towhee. Only got a "Proof of Sighting" level image, it was almost dusk and the bird was only giving us teasing glimpses. Little stinker only came all the way open when it was dark o'clock.

View attachment 137581

Went back to Lowery Nature Center this afternoon to try and get something better than my "proof of sighting" level image of the Spotted Towhee and did much better. Was inaugural test drive of new camera and lens. Literally had not taken an image with new setup till I got to the center. Went better than I could have expected. Thing focuses WAY faster than old gear I was using!

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Went back to Lowery Nature Center this afternoon to try and get something better than my "proof of sighting" level image of the Spotted Towhee and did much better. Was inaugural test drive of new camera and lens. Literally had not taken an image with new setup till I got to the center. Went better than I could have expected. Thing focuses WAY faster than old gear I was using!

View attachment 137611

Beautiful bird and nice shot. That's a nice camera.

 

[cyclone4L]

 

[BoxsterCy]

Another wayward and rare bird for Minnesota is getting lots of local attention. This western states Black-throated Gray Warbler shouldn't be hanging around in Minnesota at all, especially in November. I won't have gotten a look at this hyperkinetic little scamp without the help of a photographer who had been out there for hours. I was about ready to give up when he motioned me over and I got a fleeting glimpse. He said "We'll get you a good look" and later he did.

As a bit of a newb to birding it's been a bummer crop of uncommon and rare birds here this fall, all lifers to me.

 

[nfrine]

Went back to Lowery Nature Center this afternoon to try and get something better than my "proof of sighting" level image of the Spotted Towhee and did much better. Was inaugural test drive of new camera and lens. Literally had not taken an image with new setup till I got to the center. Went better than I could have expected. Thing focuses WAY faster than old gear I was using!

View attachment 137611

Boxster, what camera are you now using?

 

[BoxsterCy]

Boxster, what camera are you now using?

Nikon Z8 and Nikon 180-600mm. Splurged a little to get the bird subject identification autofocus which, of course, I haven't used yet! Probably way more camera than I need but it's size, weight and grip is something I am accustomed to. Weighs in at 7.8 pounds, exact weight of my old gear which is fine for my walkabout birding. As a hobbyist amateur I am used to zooms and I don't need to be lugging around a backpack full of prime lens.

I need to setup some of the function buttons. Think one for switching from DX to FX and another for quick change of focus modes, maybe spot to a group w/bird ID.

 

[Kinch]

Lots of goldfinches at my feeder.

 

[ianoconnor]

Just spotted a pileated woodpecker - first one I've ever seen in our neighborhood.