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.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Whitefish and Amazie are OPEN for business

As hoped, the rain and fog this morning really brought down the waterfowl. A light start to my morning including these (70/99):

and these (71/100)


and SEFI- are these 3 pics enough to ID these birds, or do you need more pics? I could add a few dozen more?!?

PS- made a run to Whitefish to get a better feel for what's actually out there: check this out:
Came back and added BUFF (72, 101) COGO (73, 102), and REDH (74, 103). Still need to get CANV, AMCO, HOGR, GRSC sometime today before the rain clears and the mega waterfowl flock leaves... More soon.

PSS- video of the madness on Whitefish lake .
Actual totals of this megaflock on Whitefish Lake were: 87 CANV (!), 44 AMWI, 70ish LESC, 370 RNDU, 40ish REDH, 5 NSHO (much-needed life yardbird) and a smattering of other species. But I cannot see the CANV, GRSC, AMCO, HOGR, or NSHO from my yard yet. Need the BAEA to flush them up while Iam looking!

PSSS- despite much effort, I never got CANV, GRSC, AMCO, or HOGR from my yard today. When I went back to the lake for a 3rd visit, all of the 600+ waterfowl were GONE (!), exc. a handful of scaup, and I could see the entire lake- they left the area as soon as the fog and rain lifted, sometime around noon or 1PM.

Happily, though, the rain, gray clouds, and wind returned around 4PM, so I made a point to stand outside in the rain and watch for flying ducks. Sure as can be, a flock of 11 dabblers appeared distantly on the south horizon headed west, and half had obvious pale upperwing patches. AMWI, I thought? They got closer and revealed their true ID: NSHO (75/104). As a parting gift, I was lullabied back into the house at dusk by these beauts:


76/105 :)

4 comments:

  1. Congrats on the goosanders and duck sps next to CANGs! IMHO, the video is completely superfluous as it adds no information to the ID.

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  2. The roof is on fire -- we don't need no water let that mother byrne.

    WOW, #5 for the month and tied for #11 for the year on the eBird big board. You stick out like a sore thumb trading blows with those CA,FL,and TX folk. You are the pride of the mid-west! The Tension Zone Kid. Even I'm starting to root for you.

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  3. thank you, sir. I'll be happy to return the favor if you end up whipping me after all this is said and done. Now if only this damn CANV flock will fly into view once and for all!

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