Back with an Update

Well, I've been away awhile, haven't I?

Just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I haven't been birding. To prove my point, here are a bunch of photos.

• All Over Queens, May 22 We took our NYSYBC Big Day on a second run, following the same route. Best bird: Worm-eating Warbler, Little Blue Heron. Total: 68 species, tying our count form 2015.

Tree Swallow

Warbling Vireo

• Nickerson Beach and Lido Beach Passive Nature Area, May 29 Some spring migrating shorebirds, and of course terns, skimmers and oystercatchers at Nickerson.

Dunlin

• Nickerson Beach again, August 9 The terns had fledged and were learning how to fish. The skimmers had recently hatched and were very cute.

Black Skimmer

Common Tern

• Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival, August 20 Shorebirds. Some other things too.

Short-billed Dowitcher

Laughing Gull

I've also updated the Photos page. Check it out!

Politics and Birding: 2016 Primary Edition

Yes, I am going to talk about politics.

I am aware that politics can be a touchy subject and I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but the inescapable truth is that there are political issues that directly affect birds and the people who watch them. Not the least of these is Global Warming, which the two leading Republican candidates firmly refuse to acknowledge the existence of. If birders stand up politically for the issues that matter to us, we can make a difference.

And that being said, I feel as a birder that the best candidate to address the environmental and bird-related issues plaguing our country today is Bernie Sanders. Bernie acknowledges that climate change is the single greatest threat facing our planet and has a comprehensive plan to combat it, not to mention a strong record of voting for the environment in the senate.

Not to mention Bernie was endorsed by an actual House Finch.

A House Finch endorses Bernie Sanders

So I urge you to join the growing number of birders who are proud to support Bernie Sanders for president. Birders can show their support for Bernie by using the hashtags #Birders4Bernie and #BirdieSanders (also use #FeelTheBern and #Bernie2016 to connect with a wider group of Bernie supporters). You can volunteer and contribute to the campaign and call potential voters. But most importantly, Vote For Bernie, both in the general election in your state's primary or caucus!

The birds will thank you for it.

A Birdy Site Update!

Greetings kind Birdy Site readers!

I know I haven't written here in a while. I'm sorry, I know you've all just been sitting around waiting for me to put up some new material. Unfortunately, I haven't had a whole lot of time for birding lately, but I'll bring you up to date on what I have done since January 1, 2016.

On my birthday (January 7), I got out to Flushing Meadows Corona Park--the site of the Queens World's Fair--to track down some rarities. I managed to turn up the pre-reported Cackling Geese but missed the two rare sparrows (Clay-colored and Lark) that had been sighted in previous days. I also found a lone Snow Goose among a flock of approximately 800 Canada Geese.

Hey, look at this!

Cackling Geese

Remember that big storm the Northeast got in January? I took advantage of the time off to set up a makeshift bird blind in my yard and shoot the birds at my feeders. It took quite a while to perfect the design, but the result was worth it:

I literally took this from behind a PVC frame wrapped in garbage bags.

I also finally got halfway decent shots of Wood Ducks! Hooray! The birds were at my local patch/birding spot I know very well/birding spot I aggressively defend, Clark Gardens. 

Hooray!

Well, thanks for checking in. If you haven't already, please do submit some data to this weekend's Great Backyard Bird Count. See you in the field!