2013 and beyond

It's pretty simple: the most birds seen or heard from one's yard during 2013 will be the "winner". Want in? O.k....then do it despite that.

2013 promises to be a lot less mean but still a carbon-free birding competition, even if slightly less exciting than a MEGA x EPIC hybrid.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Prairie Warbler

Yup. This morning in the south field while I was pishing in several Indigo's and a Carolina Wren, a young PRAW showed up. It was skittish at eye level in the depths of a thicket of young maples and lilacs along the edge of the field. It didn't stay long, but the beauty of its presence was indelible. The bird was a gorgeous complete bright yellow on its under side that infused into olive on its upper. The undertone of yellow was especially pronounced in its wing bars and the facial area. The beginnings of black streaking along its sides and flanks was evident, as well. From above it even obliged by spreading its pumping tail to show me two and a half fully white outer tail feathers. 143/171.

I'll take quality over quantity any day.

4 comments:

  1. I'll take quality over quantity any day. ???

    Rick, your so greedy it looks like your taking both....

    ReplyDelete
  2. True, Dave. However, in hind-sight, I suppose it was inevitable that this species would appear. Like the HOWA this also breeds around the area although to a lesser extent. Counts of singing males have recently been relatively high in the favored locations along the lake front on either side of the Kalamazoo River mouth. The closest spot being less than two miles from home. There are occasionally findings in the Allegan SGA, as well. I'd bet they're annual there and that's about 10 miles southeast of here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Impressive, Rick! I thought for sure that Warner would have had that on his all-time but I guess not. Nice snag...

    ReplyDelete

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