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Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) photos by Larry Jordan Nearly two years ago I wrote my second post as the West Coast Beat Writer on Lema Ranch, a Northern California birding hot spot.
Western Screech-Owl ( Megascops kennicottii ) photos by Larry Jordan It’s been an interesting winter in my neck of the woods. I was able to find the Common Redpoll among the flock of Lesser Goldfinches and Savannah Sparrows. Personally, I’m waiting for the irruption of Snowy Owls to reach northern California!
The homeowner, Fred Jordan, has been hosting visiting birders who heard of the bird through word-of-mouth since November. Many thanks to Fred Jordan for being a wonderful host with great enthusiasm for his awesome avian visitor. Third of all, the bird that was first seen on 30 October is, as of this blog posting, STILL THERE!
Pochards: Last Lifer of the Trip About the Author Larry Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. Forgotten Owls When Is A Tanager A Spindalis? Beautiful bird.
Take, for instance, the Lesser Black-backed Gull I happened upon on the recent Jordan Lake Christmas Bird Count. My latest, and ongoing, project, akin in some ways to a Big Year, is the Carolina Century Project , in which I try to accumulate at least 100 species in as many of North and South Carolina’s combined 146 counties as I can.
Larry Jordan Mar 1st, 2011 at 3:06 am I plan on doing an entire post on bird butts sometime in the future. I guess I’m one of those pervs. Jennifer Clement Feb 28th, 2011 at 11:01 pm Did you want Woodcock? We have them performing now… ~55 miles East of NYC on the south shore.
Central Park White-Throated Sparrow Slaty-backed Gull (?) Corey Mar 11th, 2011 at 12:03 am Well, it did swim pretty much directly in front of me, which made it easy… Larry Jordan Mar 13th, 2011 at 10:29 am Great find Corey! These Blasts From The Past Thrilling Turkey Facts What Makes You Stare So, Bufflehead? I for one missed it.
You can argue that large waders of Florida are flashier or that the secretive Bachman’s Sparrow elicit more respect, and sure, Pine Warblers nest as far north as southern Canada so how can they really be southeastern, but if you raise these points I think you fail to realize how truly prolific Pine Warblers are in the south.
Larry Jordan Mar 17th, 2011 at 12:13 am Wow Corey, that must have been some sight to behold, and sound too! Mar 14th, 2011 at 9:20 pm The word “awesome&# is thrown around a lot these days, but this does sound truly awesome. Were you and Jeff the only witnesses? What a spectacle indeed.
Granted they fill similar niches, skulkers with glorious songs and devilish demeanors, but it’s a shame to see the name wren turned into one of those taxonomically useless terms like sparrow and bunting solely due to the globe-trotting of homesick British naturalists. It could be worse, though. House Wren , Troglodytes aedon.
juvenile Parasitic Jaeger by Larry Jordan Jochen enjoyed a plover : My Best Bird of the Year is a White-tailed Lapwing I “twitched” in Germany in June. Not only did we not expect to see this seabird this far inland, it was a life bird for me!
Larry Jordan Mar 21st, 2011 at 12:31 am Awesome photos Redgannet! Mike Mar 19th, 2011 at 7:00 pm Incredible post, Redgannet. I’d be willing to get stuck in some sand for looks like these. This comments thread is rather informative as well!
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.&# — Aldo Leopold Larry Jordan Mar 20th, 2011 at 8:43 pm Julie, thank you once again for bringing this insanity to the forefront. Larry Jordan Mar 20th, 2011 at 11:48 pm Thank you for that clarification Vickie. I think not! I will certainly write.
Grosbeaks may be named for the might of their mandibles, but no finch or sparrow can compare to the glory of a hornbill. Long-billed Curlew by Larry Jordan But once we whip them all out and start measuring, only one bird can reign supreme as the bird with the world’s longest bill. inches long.
About the Author Larry Larry Jordan was introduced to birding after moving to northern California where he was overwhelmed by the local wildlife, forcing him to buy his first field guide just to be able to identify all the species visiting his yard. Larry Jordan Mar 20th, 2011 at 12:03 pm @Beverly thank you very much.
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