Mega-Rare Redwing in Maine!
No, not a Red-winged Blackbird – a Redwing! This Turdus thrush is a Code 4 rarity to North America and is very similar to our American Robin. Redwings nest across Iceland, northern Europe, and Russia then winter in large, nomadic flocks throughout southern Europe, the northern edge of Africa, and some areas of the Middle…
New England’s Sage Thrashers
During November and December 2020 an incredible vagrancy phenomenon occurred when three different Sage Thrashers were discovered in a small region of interior New England. Stranger still, and to the benefit of birders, each of the three thrashers were found in separate states! On November 4th, 2020 Barbara Sylvester discovered a Sage Thrasher at Sutherland…
Big Waves, Little Auks – pelagic birding offshore New England
Thanks to a tip-off from Zeke Cornell that January 10th would be the last outing this winter with Eastman’s charters, Lauren diBiccari and I arrived at the docks at Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire at 6:30am this past Sunday morning ready to head out into the frigid wind for our first wintertime New England pelagic. We…
Extraordinary winter rarities. Twice.
Birders in southeastern PA were treated to two very special gifts during the winter holiday season. On the morning of December 9, 2020, while I was sitting in my sunroom watching chickadees and titmice, a hummingbird zipped by and landed at the still-full nectar feeder. I could immediately see that it was a Selasphorous, but…
PIGR Party in New Hampshire
Affectionately nicknamed “PIGRs” after their 4-letter banding code and their habit of pigging out on winter fruits, Pine Grosbeak have staged a moderate irruption into New England this winter. Multiple sites around downtown Keene, New Hampshire have been hosting flocks of 5 to 30+ Pine Grosbeaks, and on sunny days I love to spend time…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia in December
Winter is upon us, bringing chilly mornings and ice skims on birdbaths amid a stark, mostly-brown landscape in southeastern PA. Winter birds are settling in for the season, enjoying the bounty of our daily-stocked bird feeders. White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, and Carolina Wrens prefer peanuts, while Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jays and Northern Cardinals…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia late-November
Autumn is an awesome time for birds here in the Philadelphia region. The weather has been mild, with plenty of warm, sunny days to study and photograph my backyard birds. It’s good to “leave the leaves” for wildlife, creating natural weed barriers and soil enrichments, as well as homes for caterpillars and other insects. I…
Foxes Feathered and Furry
During this Thanksgiving weekend, I am thankful for many things. On the list are wildlife that provides joy and wonder, including two different types of foxes – one fully-feathered Fox Sparrow, and a furry Red Fox with bushy tail and coat! Fox Sparrows, a winter migrant in southeastern PA, have arrived over the past week.…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia early-November
Amid a brilliant palette of autumn-hued leaves and ripe berries, my backyard birds may be enjoying the season as much as I am, in Philadelphia. November brings a solid transition to overwintering species, including a Red-breasted Nuthatch, which visited my feeders briefly on the 5th, and several Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. A handful of Pine…
What’s in a Name : Scoter
This time of year, when days grow shorter and temperatures drop, huge flocks of sea ducks migrate along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. All three of North America’s scoters – Black, Surf and White-winged – journey south from their breeding grounds in the tundra pools and rivers of northern Canada and Alaska. They overwinter as…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia late-October
The October landscape in southeastern Pennsylvania is gorgeous, as leaves turn orange and yellow, and berries ripen bold and red. During the latter half of the month, my backyard chokeberry and winterberry shrubs were bursting with berries, attracting hungry birds and chipmunks. Several late-departing breeding birds were seen, including Northern Parula and Tennessee Warbler –…