Most of my birding this year took place in New Jersey and Florida. My total species observed so far according to my Peterson Guide is around 244 species. I hope to increase that number to 300 species by the end of 2016.
In the beginning of 2015, the frigid cold and snow brought several interesting birds to my area. The local lake had plenty of waterfowl on it. Hardy winter birds also hung on.
Northern Mockingbird by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Eastern Bluebird by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Brown Creeper by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Hermit Thrush by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Female Northern Pintail and Female Mallard by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Hooded Mergansers by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Canada Geese, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Canvasback by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrThere were several Cackling Goose present in the large Canada Goose flocks this winter.
Cackling Goose by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Spot the Cackling Goose by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrIt was also an exceptional winter for raptors in my area.This Gray Ghost gave exceptional views, flying only a few meters above me as he was hunting.
"Gray Ghost" Northern Harrier by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrTwo Rough-legged Hawks kettling.
Rough-legged Hawk by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Bald Eagle by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Bald Eagle by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Bald Eagle by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrBy March, some familiar faces had arrived.
Early bird gets the worm by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Common Grackle by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Song Sparrow by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrDuring Spring my dad and I also made several trips to the coast of New Jersey to see some more species. These trips were amazing! Great views of great birds and great company.
Our first stop was LBI, where we picked up loons, brant and Harlequin Ducks. Our main highlight of the trip was a full adult Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull. We also scoped out a Red-necked Grebe and King Eider.
Eiders by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Harlequin Duck by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Brant (Atlantic) by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Red-breasted Merganser by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Horned Grebe by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Common Loon by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
"Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Lesser Black-backed Gull by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Iceland Gull by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Iceland Gull by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrOur next trip birding was Brigantine, where we encountered additional waterfowl and my first Wilson's Snipe.
Wilson's Snipe by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Wilson's Snipe by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrBack at home, migrants and summer birds had returned. I would spend a lot of my hikes in search of song birds and warblers. When snakes weren't abundant, the songs of a Red-winged Blackbird or Song Sparrow made me smile.
Red-winged Blackbird (female) by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Red-winged Blackbird by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Warbling Vireo by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Eastern Meadowlark by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Yellow-breasted Chat by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Summer Tanager by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Osprey with Bluefish by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Barn Swallow by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrIn the Summertime, we had stumbled upon several more birds (mainly familiar faces) down in DC and back at home. Some of them were very cooperative when it came to posing.
So... Pterosaurs do exist by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Green Heron by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Sanderlings by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Herring Gull by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrOne September day, I heard that one of the local farms in my area discovered that they had a "Barn Owl" in their chicken coop. I joined a few naturalists to investigate. When we arrived at the farm, we were greeted with an Eastern Screech Owl instead.
Eastern Screech-Owl by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrA few weeks later, I chased my first "Rare" bird successfully - a Red Phalarope that was blown inland to a nearby lake in my county along with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The views of both weren't the best, but it was thrilling to see a bird that I might not see again for a long long time. The Phalarope was the first record ever for Mercer County.
Red Phalarope by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Buff-breasted Sandpiper by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrAs fall approached, familiar faces of the winter like this Sapsucker visited my yard.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Cedar Waxwing by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrI also had the opportunity to chase another rare bird near my area - a relatively uncommon Northern Shrike. I set out with my dad and my good friend to try and find it. We went on a wild goose chase trying to spot it and soon ended up in a much larger party of birders. We spent two hours trying to locate it, and when we finally did, it flew down. We then waited another hour trying to re-find it until it was sundown and at the eleventh hour someone managed to spot it (a few dozen meters away unfortunately). It was a great memory and a great chase.
Northern Shrike by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrAfter the Shrike, I birded my local lake again and discovered another Cackling Goose, and a vagrant Greater White-fronted Goose.
Greater White-fronted Goose by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrI made one last trip to Brigantine with friends before I went to Florida. We saw more waterfowl including Tundra Swans, and a very open American Bittern.
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Tundra Swans by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Tundra Swan by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
American Bittern by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
American Bittern by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrAfter that it was off to southern Florida. Our first stop birding was the Everglades, where our goal was to get some neotropical migrants that were hanging out there. We got Short-tailed Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks and Spoonbills. Unfortunately, we did not get any Rails or Warblers that trip, but a great consultation prize was a Western Kingbird. Here are some photographs from the trip.
LAGU's by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Loggerhead Shrike by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Spotted Sandpiper by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Roseate Spoonbill by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Black-crowned Night Heron by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Great Egret by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Western Kingbird by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrFinally on New Year's Eve, I went birding one last time to Palm Beach County, where I saw additional song and waterbirds. One great highlight was the Warbler diversity = Prairie, Pine, Palm, Black-and-white, Yellow-throated, and Parula plus a Solitary Vireo were all seen that day. In addition, we also saw flyover Sandhill Cranes, and Monk Parakeets on the way home.
Yellow-throated Warbler by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Black-and-white Warbler by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Yellow-throated Warbler by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Northern Parula by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Common Gallinule by Justin (NoNameKey), on Flickr
Monk Parakeet by Justin (NoNameKey), on FlickrAnd that concludes my 2015 bird season. I hope you enjoyed and thank you for taking a look.
- Justin
