GOING BACK IN TIME….
3/4 to 3/7/2024 Amelia Island, FL: Migration is in progress! Yellow-throated Warbler individuals were back in the trees while an Eastern Bluebird pair was feeding from the fences with a Palm Warbler. An Eastern Towhee (f) peeked out briefly along with a Painted Bunting (m). A Red-bellied Woodpecker pair was building a nest under the watchful eye of a Red-tailed Hawk (juv.) . Also: Ruby-crowned Kinglet , White-eyed Vireo (now is the time to catch them out singing!), and a White-throated Sparrow feeding in the grass.
2/29/24 JAX, FL: A quick stop at sunrise caught a Red Knot flock, Greater Black-backed Gull nibbling on breakfast , and a Black Skimmer flock doing its dawn thing.
2/20/24 to 2/23/24 Amelia Island, FL: It was fun to see the reported Lark Sparrow on island! We hope it eventually finds a flock to hang with. Also: Eastern Bluebird ,Painted Bunting (f. or imm), White-eyed Vireo , Yellow-bellied Sapsucker , Downy Woodpecker , Gray Catbird , Yellow-rumped Warbler , Blue-gray Gnatcatcher , juv. White Ibis , and a Red-bellied Woodpecker building a nest. (We were birding in beautiful Bosque Bello Cemetery and caught some of the statuary there as well.)
2/1 to 2/4/24 We were in NJ and CT, trying to catch the Red-flanked Bluetail and the Common Gull being seen there. A huge thanks to the homeowners who allowed large groups of birders to hang in their yard to see the bluetail! After catching both rarities, we birded for a bit in the area.
2/4/24 Great Swamp NWR, NJ: Our last morning we headed to the refuge and were excited to see a gorgeous Eastern Bluebird snacking on berries while Field Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow individuals were feeding in the grasses. Also: House Finch , Downy Woodpecker , Dark-eyed Junco , and Blue Jay .
2/3/24 Still in CT: We caught Horned Lark , Brant , Glaucous Gull , Long-tailed Duck , Red-breasted Merganser, and Common Goldeneye at the coast. Then, moving inland, we watched an American Robin flock work on berries. Also: Hairy Woodpecker and White-throated Sparrow .
2/2/24 Holly Pond, Fairfield, CT: After catching the Red-flanked Bluetail in NJ (scroll down), we headed up to CT to try for the Common Gull (Kamchatka) and found it taking a bath in front of car in the parking area! It then flew left to a narrow island where other gulls were resting. In that same spot we also saw Herring Gull , Canada Goose , a Red-breasted Merganser flock racing each other on the hunt, and many Ring-billed Gull individuals. Further afield, we also caught Hooded Merganser (m,f), American Wigeon , and Mute Swan .
2/1/24 Manchester Township, NJ: The first day, we tried for the Red-flanked Bluetail being seen in NJ. First, a big BIG thanks to the homeowners who allowed us to catch the rare Red-flanked Bluetail in their yard along with a Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco , Hermit Thrush , and White-throated Sparrow .
1/30/24 Amelia Island, FL: Our island had a rare Ash-throated Flycatcher that we had to go see. Also: Great Horned Owl , Brown Pelican , Red-shouldered Hawk , Willet , American Pipit , and Black Skimmer flocks streaming by at sunrise!
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