Just looking for fellow avian addicts. I've been "watching" and keeping a life list since I was 17. Yikes! That's 15 years now . . .

Anyhoo. Love birds. I'm not the level of watcher that goes on trips (yet) overseas, but I would drive an hour or two so see some miagrants. But I enjoy watching the common ones two. Like Robins. They are so sweet and I love watching them from my window. I'm terrible at identifying warblers though, doggonit.

My "holy grail" of birds is the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo--I really really want to see one. Really. My biggest bird thrill was seeing a Smooth-Billed Ani. My favorite birdies are the Scarlett Tananger and the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.

I haven't done much birding recently because I have two "early warning beacons,"--my little boys. But that's OK, I have the rest of my life to birdwatch. Right now I'm a feeder-watcher.

So . . . .

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
2. What are your favorite birds?
3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
4. What bird do you most want to see?
5. And who got you started birding? (My HS biology teacher/mentor)
6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?

I can't claim to be an avid bird watcher. I can answer your third question.
Living in Brooklyn it's unusual to see anything except pigeons , I think.
We do have a feeder hanging off of of garage. A bright red male cardinal does come by to feed now and then. I do think he's impressive.

oh fun!

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?

Let's see, I've kept a birdbath and feeders since I got out of college and on my own, so...over 20 years. :wink: I'm not organized enough to actually keep a list, but I do have checkmarks in my Petersons guide.

2. What are your favorite birds?

Oh this is hard. My favorite "ordinary" backyard birds are the chickadees and titmice. And Cardinals, they are so cheerful looking. I like Catbirds, Mockingbirds and Thrashers. When I lived in Georgia I loved it when the Cedar Waxwings migrated through, they actually do line up on berry bushes, pick a berry and pass it down the line! I like all kinds of Woodpeckers and Flickers. And there's a Roadrunner who comes through my yard about once a week, I like watching him. And the Scissortail Flycatcher is so bizarre looking. Here in Texas I have Goldfinches year round!

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?

Last summer, I saw a Painted Bunting (http://www.greglasley.net/paintedbunt.html) twice! And in Georgia, I had Pileated Woodpeckers come to my feeders!

4. What bird do you most want to see?

I hope to see the Painted Bunting again, they look like escaped Tropicals!

5. And who got you started birding?

I guess I always liked birds. When we lived in Maryland, a neighbor lady, who knew how to write and get grants and whose husband was a Town Planner, got me a $1500 grant to design and plant a bird garden at the Elementary School, that was so much fun. I wonder how that garden is doing?

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?

I've got to get myself a new Petersons, the one I have now is for Eastern birds, I need to get the one for Western birds. I've been using my Audubon and Sibley guides, but I like Petersons best.

Huge bird fan here. I live in an urban area so I only see a subset of all the birds
there are, but I love them all. My favorites are grey catbirds (beautiful songs),
starlings (so festive in their winter "party clothes", and love to hear their
wolf-whistle call), sparrows (adorable little faces), cardinals (have you ever watched
cardinal couples feeding each other, so cute!), pigeons (what an amazing array of
colors and marking!), actually I just love all birds. :) World Wildlife Fund's
2004 songbirds calendar is next to my desk and I look at it when I want to smile.
I don't have Peterson's guide but I can spend hours looking at the Audubon one
I have! I think I've been a bird fan all my life.

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
2. What are your favorite birds?
3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
4. What bird do you most want to see?
5. And who got you started birding? (My HS biology teacher/mentor)
6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?
1. Since I took a wildlife class in college. So 1988.
2. 1) Anna's hummingbird, so flashy, and it's "song" cracks me up, and thrilling courship display. 2)chickadee, so cute! 3)brown towhee, the first bird I attracted to a feeder
3. brown towhee, see above
4. dodo, just kidding! I've never thought about this; I enjoy each new or uncommon sighting.
5. see 1.
6. I use the National Geographic one, but Peterson's illustrations are so lovely!

7. Do you participate in the annual backyard bird count?
J12

1. How long have ya been keeping a list? Since 1991

2. What are your favorite birds? Chimney swifts

3. What was your most thrilling sighting? a mature Bald Eagle fishing

4. What bird do you most want to see? Apalamado falcon or a great kiskadee.

5. And who got you started birding? My youngest son, Todd. We had just moved, he was in the first grade. We had a little Golden guide and a dripping water faucet. Now he could care less since he's a big, bad, scary Marine.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide? Love the Peterson guides, and also have National Geographic. There is a great one for Texas birders, called "Texas Birds".

7. I haven't done any backyard bird counts, but I've done several Christmas counts, and done some banding with professors from the nearby university.

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
I personally don't keep a list, but the group I go out with once a month does.

2. What are your favorite birds?
The great blue heron. I see them quite frequently and when I see them standing in the water in the river and its brrrr cold I wonder, "Don't their feet ever get cold?"

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
It was just a few weeks ago, I had a really clear look at a bald eagle.

4. What bird do you most want to see?
My friend Jana who was out walking in the Canyon today with me, told me that the same part of the river and nearby lake that the birdwatching group does the bird count on has a Bald eagle nest and she sees the bird on a regular basis when she walks. She is coming to our monthly bird walk and she is going to show us the nesting site. I am so fired up about not only getting see the bird and the nest, but also being able to share it with my fellow birders.

5. And who got you started birding?
A long time ago, and far away my husband and I tried to do it alone. But we just kind of poked at it. But several times during the last year, I have gone on the bird walks put on by the local audobon society. A couple of the regulars work in the same government offices as my husband and one drew his name for their gift exchange and gave him a bird feeder which he hung outside our apartment window. That's a first for us and it has been so enjoyable.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me? We have one somewhere.

P.S. we saw a very large herd of deer in the canyon today. I am told by Jana that a mutual friend has a herd of Elk that come down and graze in her yard and lay down there sometimes. Elk! That's something else I hope to see. We have a preserve nearby. But to actually see them strolling through a semi-residential area that must be something else. My kids have actually seen bighorn sheep in the Canyon when they drive to school. That's another thing on my to see list.

Here's a link to someone else's website with great pictures of the Canyon. Some but not all of the great rock formations are included.

http://www.exileonmainst.com/photo/rafting_the_yakima%2C_august_30%2C_2001.htm

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
I haven't got a list, but I do make notes in my Perterson's guide. I wish I had started doing that long ago.
2. What are your favorite birds?
My favorites are many but I do love that road runner. Scissortails catching the winds, hummingbirds, and bob whites. Going to see the flamingos at the zoo is always a favorite too.
For sounds - hands down my favorite is the sound of a dove cooing in the shade of the trees. When we lived in Japan there were cuckoos that actually sounded like the clocks! I've never seen one but it was always fun to hear them.
3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
When I was 4 and 5 we lived in Turkey on the 2nd floor of an apartment. Next door was a one story house that had a stork's nest on the chimney. Being a kid and knowing where babies came from, it was fun to see the baby bringer! lol
I've seen a painted bunting too Dulci! I still remember when and where. I was about 12 and we were on an uncle's ranch near the border. The bird was on a fenceline so I could see it easily. It was an amazing sight.
I saw a bald eagle wintering at Lake Buchanan near Austin, TX.
4. What bird do you most want to see?
I'd like to see that darned cuckoo!
5. And who got you started birding?
My mom. Everywhere we went she had at least one bird feeder. In Maryland when I was a teenager, I can remember sitting in the living room watching the birds eat on the snow. It is so relaxing and fun to watch. My aunts always had the hummingbird feeders and bird baths. It was fun to visit them and count the number of hummers in the yard.
6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?
I have both Peterson and Audobon. I've had the Peterson longer and it's a Texas guide so it works best for me. (Dulci, you've got to get one!)

It would be nice to be with a birding group. That way I could get more tips on identifying the correct bird. I won't even venture to ID the hummers here. They are too fast and I can't get a good shot (er, view) of them in sunlight.

I think I just saw a great blue heron flying over our apartment complex. We do have a natural stream/irrigation ditch that runs through here and it is very, very full of water. But I am still astounded. Running off to see if I can find a pic of one those guys on the wing just to make sure.

There are a lot of things I don't like about this town but the wildlife in this area is just amazing.

Oh my gosh! it was a great blue heron. :face:

I've really been paying attention to the birds in the past few years, especially living on the water. On a daily basis, I see egrets, ibises, herons, cranes, anhingas, peregrine falcons, and lots of gulls & terns. (And redwing blackbirds and sea crows.) The occasional bald eagle. My favorites (so far) have been the roseate spoonbills -- they are so pretty and pink! There are some green parrots building a nest in the back yard right now, and a lot of baby cranes in the neighborhood. Always strange to see a bird that looks bigger than the tree it's sitting on!

Living in Florida was a great birding experience - I've seen all sorts of herons, ibis, fishers, ospreys and owls. I drove down a deserted stretch of two lane highway one afternoon, with a bald eagle soaring about 20 feet above and to the left of the car, it was a perfect view, eventually I turned, and she(he?) kept right on going - one of those perfect moments with nature.

I don't keep a list, and just recently bought Sibley's book - and I'm afraid I don't know much about the Peterson guide....

Favorite bird(s) the Corvidiae family - crows, blackbirds, magpies - they're so intelligent, and it's so easy to anthropomorphize them. I think crows are like gangsters - you can almost hear the thick Brooklyn accent - "Yo Vito - gimme some dat roadkill...."
Did you know the collective noun for crows is a murder? The one thing I will miss about going to work was driving by past a house and garden that for some reason, attracted a large "murder" every morning from about 7:30 to 8 am...I think the people fed them, and there were usually 20-30 crows hanging about.

Most thrilling sighting(s) - during our honeymoon in the Seychelles - There were sunbirds everywhere - they would almost come up to you, especially if you sat close to the hibiscus bushes. The Seychelles Magpie-Robin, there are 2 islands in the whole world that this little bird lives on - he looks like a small version of a magpie - and if you turn over a stone - they will land and peck out the insects - right at your feet. And the tropicbird as well - their tails are twice as long as their bodies! I have pictures somewhere. We didn't see the other very elusive bird that is native to these little islands - the Black Parrot, so...I think that might be my most wanted.

I started watching birds when I was 6 or so - we had chimneyswifts in our unused chimney in Louisiana, and there were all sorts of waterbirds and thrushes and Jays and crows and Cardinals galore.

Most recent thrill - I have 2 huge evergreens in my front yard - and 2 male Cardinals were courting a female yesterday, flitting around back and forth between the two trees -all puffed up, diving at each other, she didn't seem too impressed ;) I watched them for probably 15 minutes - and then suddenly - zoom - they all took off.

One thing having to do with birds makes me very very sad. When I was a little girl, I remember in the fall watching huge black waves of birds migrating. I remember staring up at the sky for so long my neck hurt - I haven't seen a migrating flock of any size in some years now. Anybody else?

Gren

I havent been much of a bird watcher. My parent's house is nestled on the edge of a meadow that is surrounded by trees. Momma has lots of feeders and keeps track of all the different kinds of birds that show up around there. There is s flock of wild turkeys that come visit their garden in the late evening. My favorite birds are the gold finches.

Here along side of the ocean, all I ever see is sea gulls and crows with the occasional osprey or eagle to come fish.

My I ask a question here?
My daughter found an injured crossbeak. It was flopping and fluttering along in the snow. It looks like it has a broken wing. A friend of ours said it probably wouldn't live in captivity and we should let it go. Should we let it go and let nature take it's course, or if it lives, would the wing heal itself enough for the bird to be able to fly? It's not a full grown bird according to the pictures we saw when we googled about crossbeaks. It has beautiful bright red, green and yellow feathers.

What are yoour thoughts?

Maggie

My I ask a question here?
My daughter found an injured crossbeak. It was flopping and fluttering along in the snow. It looks like it has a broken wing. A friend of ours said it probably wouldn't live in captivity and we should let it go. Should we let it go and let nature take it's course, or if it lives, would the wing heal itself enough for the bird to be able to fly? It's not a full grown bird according to the pictures we saw when we googled about crossbeaks. It has beautiful bright red, green and yellow feathers.

What are yoour thoughts?

Maggie
At the very least, call the local chapter of the Audubon society and report the sighting/issue. Chances are not so good for this poor young one, unfortunately, a predator is likely to see a young bird hopping and flopping on the ground as an easy meal.

A shame.
Gren

At the very least, call the local chapter of the Audubon society and report the sighting/issue. Chances are not so good for this poor young one, unfortunately, a predator is likely to see a young bird hopping and flopping on the ground as an easy meal.

A shame.
Gren

Thanks Gren,

The birdie is still living this morning, but we've noticed there is blood along the side of the box where it rubbed up against it. We can't tell where the blood is coming from. :-( It's eating the 12 grain cereal we gave it and is drinking, too.

Thank you also for the suggestion to call the Audubon society. I hadn't thought of that.

Maggie

When I lived in California I knew someone who did wildlife rescue-took care of birds injured in oil spills. You might also call your state wildlife and Fish department-perhaps they have resources.

I'm not an avid bird-watcher, more a casual one....you know like I can accurately identify many of the local birds, but certainly not all of them. Last week, however, I had to call my mom (the bird-watcher) on the phone.

I had a huge flock of birds absolutely attacking my crab apple tree, and I had no clue what they were. After about a half an hour of my trying to get a good enough look at their markings to describe them to my mother, she figured out that they were Bohemian Waxwings, undoubtedly migrating back to Canada. They were only here for the one day and they made a terrible mess, but it was interesting to see something other than Chickadees and Blue Jays in my front yard.

My I ask a question here?
My daughter found an injured crossbeak. It was flopping and fluttering along in the snow. It looks like it has a broken wing. A friend of ours said it probably wouldn't live in captivity and we should let it go. Should we let it go and let nature take it's course, or if it lives, would the wing heal itself enough for the bird to be able to fly? It's not a full grown bird according to the pictures we saw when we googled about crossbeaks. It has beautiful bright red, green and yellow feathers.

What are your thoughts?

Maggie
Perhaps your local wildlife museum will care for it? Here is the website for ours:
http://www.wildlife-museum.org/
click on "All about wildlife" and then "help for wildlife" for advice
Here's another one:
http://iwrc-online.org/emergency/emergency.html
Or perhaps a veterinarian?
HTH!

Favorite bird(s) the Corvidiae family - crows, blackbirds, magpies - they're so intelligent, and it's so easy to anthropomorphize them. I think crows are like gangsters - you can almost hear the thick Brooklyn accent - "Yo Vito - gimme some dat roadkill...."
Bwahahaha! You made me burst out laughing!

Bwahahaha! You made me burst out laughing!
But isn't it true?
Glad I gave ya a chuckle :grnbiggri

Gren

So - I'm looking at one of my feeders in the front yard - and whoosh - fireengine red male cardinal is sitting on the branch the feeder is suspended from.
But wait! who's that eating from the feeder - Ms. Cardinal. Cool I thinks - I'll be able to watch this pair all summer.....and maybe see some juveniles....and then BAM! a second MALE shows up, and of course, them's fighting words....so they all scarpered off into the fir trees...

Then, I'm standing at the sink, looking out at the back yard, and about 3 dozen Robins come swooping down into the yard, and pecking about. They only stayed a few minutes, so I'm guessing it's too wet for them to get worms yet....

Looks like I'm going to have a full summer of birdwatching....:gabigrin:

Gren

I'm really not a bird watcher but I was recently treated to a viewing of a piliated woodpecker while visited my grandparents in VA. WOW! What a cool looking bird! We got it on tape. :)

I'm really not a bird watcher but I was recently treated to a viewing of a piliated woodpecker while visited my grandparents in VA. WOW! What a cool looking bird! We got it on tape. http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

They are really neat birds - so are the little tiny downy woodpeckers - they make as much noise as the bigger ones.

Walked up to my house today and the birdbath and swiss chard were covered with (I think) yellow warblers. :heart: I wish my bird book wasn't packed up...

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?

:oops: I started one three years ago, but haven't updated it in a while.

2. What are your favorite birds?

Bluebirds, Indigo buntings, and Finches

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?

A REAL Red-headed Woodpecker (not the red-breasted variety, often mistakenly called red-headed)

4. What bird do you most want to see?

My Red-headed Woodpecker couple again! They weren't around this year. :sad:

5. And who got you started birding? (My HS biology teacher/mentor)

Scarlett & Mr. Grow (the above mentioned teacher). But mostly Scarlett.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?

You've ruined it for me Scarlett :wink: . Nobody's better at illustrations!

Just looking for fellow avian addicts. I've been "watching" and keeping a life list since I was 17. Yikes! That's 15 years now . . .

So . . . .

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?

Don't keep one. Too lazy.

2. What are your favorite birds?

The blue grosbeak that nested last year in the purple coneflowers. "pip! pip!" Did not see him/her this year, although I could hear them.

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?

The blackbirds with the yellow head-and-shoulders. Name escapes me at the moment. (Yellow-headed blackbird). Only saw them for 20 minutes before they migrated onward. Wow. So striking!

4. What bird do you most want to see?

Bluebird. Have only seen one, and it *was* out in front of my house.

5. And who got you started birding?

A birder friend whom I met at work, uh, about, 1980-something.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?

Peterson's is excellent. I also use Audubon Soc. books.

How did I miss this thread? :silly: I adore birds.

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
I don't keep a formal list, but I do check off any new ones I see in the back of my book.

2. What are your favorite birds?
I have lots of favorites. Blue jays, Mississippi Kites, Robins, Doves, Red-headed woodpeckers, flycatchers, roadrunners, sandhill cranes, basically if it flies it's a favorite.

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
A glorious red Northern cardinal perched in my cottonwood in the front yard. I've seen him twice and hope he comes around again.

4. What bird do you most want to see?
I don't know how to answer this one. This winter will bring a whole new bunch of birds to my backyard and I'm eager to see who visits the feeders.

5. And who got you started birding? (My HS biology teacher/mentor)
My college biology professor, Dr. Greg Keller. He talked me into helping with a lesser Prairie Chicken survey and I've been hooked ever since.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?
I don't have a Peterson, but I have a Tekiela that is specific to Oklahoma and I've nearly worn it out.

This thread is older than dirt...that's how I missed it!

1. How long have ya been keeping a list?
I keep a list in my head, probably for the last 3 years or so.

2. What are your favorite birds?
White-breasted nuthatches, indigo buntings, cardinals, or any new birds!

3. What was your most thrilling sighting?
Indigo buntings occasionally visit and I get very excited!

4. What bird do you most want to see?
the ivory-billed woodpecker :lol: but I'm not wading through the forest in Arkansas

5. And who got you started birding? (My HS biology teacher/mentor)
It has always interested me since I was a child.

6. Oh, and who also is a little insane about the Peterson guide . . .like me?
I have an Audubon and a TN bird book...no Peterson.