In terms of Easter, today was Good Friday. In terms of my Green Big Year, today was a Really Good Friday - with the addition of two species, I have reached 200 species!
Having been away for a few days, I read the continuing reports of arriving spring migrants. When I left this morning I had high hopes for hitting the 200 mark. I headed once again to Lake Los Carneros, hoping to see some migrants such as Black-headed Grosbeak, Black-chinned Hummingbird (both reported here within the last few days), Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Western Tanager.
I headed directly to the North side of the lake where I typically find Grosbeaks and Warblers. After a few minutes of arriving in this area I heard the call and song of the Black-headed Grosbeak. It took me a couple minutes to see the birds, for it turned out to be a male and a female. One down, one to go for 200! I managed a couple rather crappy photos before they flew off, and include a better one from a couple of years back.
After the addition of today's 2 species, the year's total stands at 200!
Having been away for a few days, I read the continuing reports of arriving spring migrants. When I left this morning I had high hopes for hitting the 200 mark. I headed once again to Lake Los Carneros, hoping to see some migrants such as Black-headed Grosbeak, Black-chinned Hummingbird (both reported here within the last few days), Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Western Tanager.
I headed directly to the North side of the lake where I typically find Grosbeaks and Warblers. After a few minutes of arriving in this area I heard the call and song of the Black-headed Grosbeak. It took me a couple minutes to see the birds, for it turned out to be a male and a female. One down, one to go for 200! I managed a couple rather crappy photos before they flew off, and include a better one from a couple of years back.
Black-headed Grosbeak (Male)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Female)
Black-headed Grosbeak (July 2013, Arizona)
Shortly after this I thought I heard the song of a Yellow Warbler coming from high in the Eucalyptus trees. I searched without finding anything. Suddenly the grove went quiet, and shortly thereafter a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in and landed. I was surprised by the number of songbirds that flew away from those trees! Well, so much for finding any birds in that area for awhile, so I continued around the lake. It was fun to see the Acorn Woodpeckers and a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches going in and out of their nesting cavities.
Over near Stowe House I was certain I heard at least 2 Yellow Warblers singing high in the trees. I looked for a couple minutes and sure enough I saw a Yellow Warbler - species #200 for the year! Unfortunately those warblers stayed high up in the trees and out of camera range.
I must admit I was very happy and excited to reach this milestone. Although new birds are becoming more difficult to come by I look forward to continuing to find some new ones. I think perhaps it's about time to head farther afield and take some overnight trips.
Some other photos from today:
Acorn Woodpecker
Hooded Oriole
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe (Breeding Plumage)
After the addition of today's 2 species, the year's total stands at 200!
Today I rode a total of 28.4 miles
More later,
Glenn
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