This morning’s banding at Rushton Farm in Chester County, PA netted us several colorful local breeders.Wood Thrush (above) is a unaminous favorite with its rusty head, striking spots and beautiful song that we could hear him singing from the woods. They have just returned to their breeding grounds, after having spent the winter in Central America.We caught…

A bird in the hand is worth a hundred binocular sightings, in my book.  There is something magical about seeing a live bird up close, just inches away. Most are far smaller than imagined, and all are breathtakingly beautiful, pulsing with life.  Such was my experience this glorious morning, during the hours I spent watching…

Yellow-breasted Chats by John James Audubon Today, April 26, 2011, we celebrate the anniversary of John James Audubon’s 226th birthday! Some love Audubon’s artwork, some hate it, but no one can refute the influence his name has had on modern ornithology, birding and conservation. I have mentioned this in the past, however, I was very…

Happy Easter!  Spring migration was underway at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum this morning. While Yellow-rumped Warblers far outnumbered all the other migrants combined, the highlights included a gorgeous male Hooded Warbler (above) and a Blue-winged Warbler that worked the top of an oak tree singing for the better part of three hours. Nearby Frank Windfelder…

An Alaska Airlines flight lifts off fromthe tiny airport in Petersburg, AK. photo © Kevin Loughlin There is some good news for airline travelers with lost bags or delayed flights. The Department of Transportation announces new passenger protection measures Wednesday. It’s bad enough when an airline loses your checked bag. It adds insult to the injury…

Day 10 / April 16 – Our last morning was reserved for the final “chicken.” It started early, as usual, when the Wray Chamber of Commerce sent a school bus to pick us up at 4:50 am and take us to the Kitzmiller Ranch, about a 25-minute drive. On this ranch the Colorado Division of…

Day 9 / April 15 – We made it to the East Blind well before dawn to view Lesser Prairie-Chicken’s on the lek without having tire problems – that was an accomplishment given yesterdays ordeal! Ron, Vicky and Richard opted to head into the blind while Carol and I watched the show from the vehicle…

Day 8 / April 14 – Today was the first of a number of consecutive long distance drives as we worked our way out of the foothills of the Rockies to the southeastern corner of Colorado. Beginning at a pond at Desert Hawk Golf Club in Pueblo West we watched male Great-tailed Grackles displaying, bowing…

Day 7 / April 13 – At 4:30 am we met the Sisk-a-dee volunteers, Lou and Rebecca at our hotel. They would lead the way to the Waunita Hot Springs lek 20 miles away, where we entered a blind to watch the endangered Gunnison’s Sage Grouse display. As the light got better, through the scopes…

Day 6 / April 12 – Having been unable to locate Lewis’s Woodpeckers (above) in Palisade yesterday, we ventured to Fruitgrowers and found three birds cavorting in a cottonwood tree. They differ from other woodpeckers in that they love to make numerous short sorties, just like flycatchers. They also have very rounded wings making their…

Day 5 / April 11 – The snow covered Yampa Valley was alive this morning with the sounds of Coyotes howling and Sandhill Cranes calling. As we drove to the Sharp-tailed Grouse lek we encountered a Red Fox on the run carrying a victim, as well as a pair of Muskrats busy having their breakfast.…