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.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Guess who's back?

Silly Putty, my friends, is back in the saddle BABY, after a long and dismal respite never to be discussed again. Though the hour is late for calendar year 2011, the insides are again churning for yardbird domination. Why? Because I am the newest resident of Montcalm County, where I just moved yesterday into a small rural house well-suited for beating the tar out of a bunch of... er, let's be real, getting my ass beaten all over again with pure enjoyment.

This house is on 1 acre of wooded habitat, not far from a quite large lake with adjoining smaller lake well-suited to Ixobrychus exilis and other gems. Witness:
This house will undoubtedly outdo my last in waterbirds if for the proximity of such a large waterfowl and waterbird magnet. Across the street lurks an overgrown old field (a bit late for BRTH and FISP this year, perhaps, though I'll try):
The view of the horizon above the old field is rather impressive too, totalling almost 180 degrees of the sky hemisphere, which should help for flyover raptors and waterfowl. Another added benefit is the presence of low thickets of vegetation in the back yard (something totally lacking at my last residence, which is why I never recorded COYE, SWSP, LISP, MOWA, etc.):Anyway, since finishing moving in less than 24 hours ago, I have mounted the brand spanking new Bill Evans 21c microphone on the roof (currently recording and listening to a live feed featuring 20+ SWTH, 1 GCTH, and 10+ warblers since starting typing this message), plus set up the feeding station and watering hole, and lured in the local BCCH flock to check for any lingering early/mid September warblers I am about to miss (only MAWA obliged):So, to sum up, GAME ON, beeches.

Here is today's and yesterday's eBird checklists for this newly minted patch:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8837298
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8837324

9 comments:

  1. I went to see a Hudsonian Whimbrel at Mizen Head on Tuesday, if that counts for anything? Third Irish record, pending acceptance, as I feel compelled to say for the sake of pedantry.

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  2. You are already up a species on me with your first eBird list (SACR). Welcome back!

    Very nice mix of habitats; I'm jealous of the proximity to water!!

    Have you named this ranch yet?

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  4. Haven't named it yet (accepting ideas). To give you a feel for the possibilities at this place, this AM I had a flyby Red-headed Woodpecker (!), and last night I had a singing Barred Owl off to the NW. Hmmm, BDOW before RWBL, WBNU, HOSP, and DOWO. Not bad.

    Everybody else on the blog: MAN UP, GET OUTSIDE, AND LET'S GO!!

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  5. That's a nice yard, for a troll. From a U.P. perspective, it kinda reminds me of a down state interstate rest stop (i.e., a good place from which to count your blessings that you're not in Lansing, while you dream about being in the U.P.). With all that sky it looks like you're gonna get great views of Turkey Vultures and Crows. . . But seriously (!!), congrats. Looks like a nice place.

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  6. How about The Phoenix?

    or The second coming of Crow? (to go with the TV/AMCR theme JD is working (btw for a Spartan that was pretty funny)

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  7. Gotcha- though the house isn't on the lake so I am not sold.

    Phoenix is decent, JOKA. Need to mull some more until it hits me.

    Way to dish it out WWJD. Sounds like someone might be a bit jealous about linving in a much bigger town than i (now) do?!??!

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  8. Sure nice to see some chatter on the blog. I thought there was some summer mortality I hadnt heard about.

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