No sign of slowing

Much to my amazement I just had a flock of 4 Great Egrets go straight over the house- now that is a bird I did NOT expect for my yardlist (at this latitude). Also, finally nailed down Wood Duck. Sean is on the airplane coming home from CA today, so I have to pass him before the evening if I want any hope of ever leading this competition! I will be trying, no doubt...

Where are you Dave?

I see we haven't heard from Slacker/Slobber/Squeeker/whatever his name is in a while. Perhaps it has to do with his getting plastered in this competition? 

Dave- wherever you are, send us an update! And if we need to tweak the rules a bit to get your current digs included in your yard list, let's do it. If you're in coastal WI you are sure to add some more species to help us cut down Fitzgerbil.

when's it ever gonna stop?

Well, even Sean is now in trouble in the actual yard list competition! Another quick walk around the yard yielded Black-throated Green Warbler and Baltimore Oriole. When it rains it pours, I guess. 5 to go before I have tied Sean. Of course, upon his immediate return he is sure to regain the lead, but I will savor it while I own it anyway.

Here is today's Hummingbird. Is it just me or is this the earliest spring migration EVER?

Hold on to your hats

A quick 5 minute walk at 7AM yielded 2 more life yardbirds: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Yellow Warbler (65/91). Yellow-rumpeds are finally singing in the yard (I am likely a week behind others,  given my location), and it feels like the gates are finally opening up. Betcha Curtis wishes he was working at home today.

They just keep on comin...

Despite today's continued rain, I was happy to finally nail down a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the backyard, singing its heart out. Then, after returning from the Wastewater (where I was treated to 11 Avocets in startling alternate plumage, plus 1 Willet), I watched an Osprey sail DIRECTLY over the house at close range. What was that Curtis about you having the lead?

Tie, yes, lead NO!

Ok Caleb, I let you tie me...but now I take the lead BACK!
Gray Catbird (54)- seen
Brown Thrasher (55)- heard
House Wren (56)- seen (AKA Long-tailed Winter Wren)
SWAMP SPARROW (57, 89) - loosely hanging with WT Sparrows, but under thicker cover.

A possible Tennessee Warbler was heard 1-2 x's this a.m. as I woke up. I quickly got outside to hear it better, but it never sang again. DARN WIND (20mph, gusting to 30mph).

Goliath falls

(if only for a week)

Well, folks, we have now determined scientifically that it takes about 3 weeks of Sean's absence at his yard for us to catch up to him, cumulatively. Not saying too much for us, but I am going to enjoy it anyway whie it lasts. We are officially in the lead today, with Curtis's addition of Blue-headed Vireo this morning, and my Warbling Vireo. White-throated Sparrows FINALLY made it to my yard today.

Also, I just received my new digiscoping camera, the nikon coolpix p5100, and these are the first results. It is an EXCELLENT camera for digiscoping- kind of like a mini DSLR, but technically just an advanced point and shoot. 

Tie ball game Curtis

After a several day lull, I have struck gold again, with a Broad-winged Hawk flyby outside the office window (88/59). This TIES Curtis and I all-time at 88, and brings our cumulative total to just one shy of Sean. I had thought it would tie us with Sean, but somehow the previous total was actually one above the actual number.

I suspect the beautiful weather predicted for the next few days will bring even more newbies. Let's have em!

Curtis almost behind (by) BARS

I say almost because BARS (Barn Swallow) ties up the long-running all-time yardbird competition Curtis and I are having. This also puts our cumulative total up to only one species behind Sean for the year (TAKE THAT)- yes we are lame. So, let the leads continue to fall. It's all part of the fun (for me at least).

[UPDATE: I was saddened to find that I actually already had Barn Swallow for the all-time yard list, so it just added a year tick. So, Curtis is still hanging on by a species. BUMMER. Note to self: occasional sleep would be a good idea to help allay short-term memory loss!]

HETH and YRWA

What a day! Also added Hermit Thrush and Yellow-rumped Warbler by the end of the day. Not sure where my Sapsucker, Towhee, and Ruby-crowns are, but one can imagine it's only a matter of days now.  Watch your lead Curtis, and watch your lead Sean...

48 - 51

Caleb - your yard is not the only one where "spring is ON"!
White-thoated Sparrow (48) - singing and at feeder
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (49) - heard singing, seen later
E. Towhee (50) - heard/seen
Yellow-rumped Warbler (51) - heard "chip" and saw 2 (see photos) - so much for your "riparian" advantage Caleb!
Lots of YB Sapsuckers this a.m. (3-4 at once) and HETH's too (3+, see photo).

Oh yeah baby!

SPRING IS ON! Brown Thrasher and Northern Rough-winged Swallow!