Christmas Bird Count time!

We started off as the early morning sun began to illuminate the overcast sky, three birders armed with binoculars and shivering slightly in the 48 degree dawn. The morning was kicked off spectacularly; as we opened the gate to the access road we would be covering in our route, a coyote stood in plain view right in front of us! Not a mammal you see too often down here, despite reports that their population is growing in the area.

On top of that, once we started hiking we came across a plethora of common warbler species.

"Yellow-rump!"

"Palm!"

"Pine!"

"Black-and-White!"

We called out, marking down the numbers. One of the members of our group had never done a CBC before, but the other member was quite experienced. I had never met either before, so it was fun to get to know them. Together, with our combined keen eyes and ears, we managed to find nearly a dozen species of birds right off the bat.

The first part of the trail was quite easy. It was little more than a wide access road with a few deep puddles that were easy to walk around. However, as we got deeper into the woods and turned off onto a less straight-forward route, the terrain got a little more difficult -- and wetter.

After about a mile of trekking, we found ourselves in the heart of the swamp. The deeply rutted trail had been transformed into a winding creek, identifiable only by the orange blaze markings on the trees and its distinct trail-like shape. Eventually, there was no dry ground in sight, and we had no choice but to get our feet wet.

It was cold. Oh boy, was it cold! And the further we walked, the deeper it got. We had also reached a "dead zone" of birds -- not a sound or a flutter of wings in the vicinity. Knee-deep in freezing cold swamp water, we sloshed along for a several hundred yards before finally reaching "dry" ground again. By now, "dry" was a relative term; the trail was soggy and squelchy, and most parts were flooded with a few inches of tea-colored swamp water.

We managed to add more birds the list. Titmice, robins, tons of catbirds, more warblers, and chickadees.

About half way through our route (about 2 miles in), we were nearly scared to death when the birder in front of me almost stepped on none other than an American Woodcock! It burst up from the palmettos peeping loudly and flew right over our heads, close enough to get a fantastic look at the strange creature. We were all ecstatic! It was a lifer for the other two birders, and a year- and state bird for me.

We hiked through about another half mile or so over water-logged trail. It was beginning to get shallower, which was quite the relief, because the air temperature had decidedly topped out at about 50 degrees for the day and we were all a little cold by now.

We stopped at one point to count a flock of butterbutts and titmice, when a different bird caught my eye. It was a vireo for sure, with distinct markings, but I couldn't come up with the name. One of the other birders whipped out a field guide and asked me what it looked like. There it was exactly: A Solitary Vireo! I felt a little silly for not having remembered the name, but then again, it was a lifer.

After that point, the trail was much drier. We headed out to the powerline corridor where we saw a bobcat (lifer mammal!) and a bunch of deer. We also heard some Eastern Towhees here and managed to find a Winter Wren in the marsh grasses.

We were almost on the home stretch by now, with about another mile to go. We still hadn't seen a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, one of the species we were expected to find in this area. The whole rest of the way we searched, but to no avail.

All in all, however, we found a grand total of 27 species. Not as big as the counts I did last year, but we managed to get some good birds (like the Woodcock) which count for something, at least in my book. :-)

It was a fantastic morning. 5 1/2 hours of hiking, about a mile of which was through the water. It was by far the coldest and wettest CBC I've ever been on, but definitely one of the most fun.

Until the next adventure,

Happy birding!

Pictures Perfect

Finally got a new camera! Still learning how to use it, but so far I'm pretty impressed. Took it to the park the other day to test it out... didn't see any good birds, but I had fun playing with the camera before the batteries died. :-)

Merry Christmas and happy birding!

Small milestone for the life list

I haven't tallied up my birding lists since summer. I have all the totals scribbled down in my old travel log, so it didn't take long to transcribe everything into my (somewhat unkempt) Word docs and organize everything again.

I was quite thrilled to find that my year list has reached 136 (my best year yet) and my life list has finally reached -- and surpassed -- 200! It's actually at 201, to be exact. My 200th bird apparently was the Gray Jay I saw in SD last August, and the 201st was the White Pelican (seen over my college campus last month).

After the CBCs this year, I may have one or two more for the life list and probably a good handful more year birds. I'm pretty happy right now though. The list is growing, slowly but surely!

Until next time,

Happy birding!

Return of Hog Island!

I was delighted after a long day of school and work to open up my email and find the following message in my inbox:

Great news!

You can sign up—now!—for summer 2010 ornithology programs at Hog Island Audubon Center.

As you know, a committee of Audubon and Maine Audubon staff has worked with expert consultants for nearly a year, envisioning options for the island consistent with its celebrated environmental education history and potential. The work continues, and while it does, the two organizations have agreed to re-establish programming in 2010.

Audubon’s internationally recognized Project Puffin Seabird Restoration Program will lead five distinct sessions of bird-loving bliss, working with a team of dynamic instructors, including Kenn Kaufman and Pete Dunne:

• Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation (May 30-June 4)
• Field Ornithology I (June 13-18)
• Field Ornithology II (June 20-25)
• Maine Coast Birding Studies for Teens (June 20-25)
• Maine Seabird Biology and Conservation (September 12-17)

Get more information and download registration forms at: http://www.projectpuffin.org/. Or e-mail projectpuffin@audubon.org.

We hope that, like us, you see this as good news, and will spread the word.
These are the only programs the historic center will offer in 2010, and space is
limited.

As our committee continues its work, we want you to know that we share with Hog Island’s loyal alumni, past instructors, and supporters the desire for long-term arrangements that will continue Hog Island’s historic service to conservation. Toward that goal, we hope you will help us fill our 2010 sessions with enthusiastic participants.

Thank you for your continuing support.

I am ecstatic! If you've been following my blog from the start, you'll know that Hog Island is the reason I am a birder. I was devastated last year to hear that they had closed it down, but now that it's back I highly recommend you support it any way you can and especially attend their summer programs.

Just wanted to pass on this fantastic news!

Happy birding!

In Dreams Awake

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.
- Henry David Thoreau

I think Thoreau was right. Perhaps our truest life is, indeed, when we are living our dreams, but the real trick is making those dreams come true.

Thus far I have found no magical formula for turning aspirations into reality, but, not for the first time, I am finding myself waking to an incredible adventure -- two, actually!

My first bit of news is that I got into my school's Field Ornithology class for winter term (which spans for the month of January). The class had filled up before I could register, but after a short letter to the professor about why I should be in the class, I was admitted on the basis that I "showed strong interest."

According to the class description, we'll be learning about bird identification, natural history, and threats to their persistence. We'll also be studying bird behavior, taking field trips, and doing research. I can't wait!

After winter term, something even bigger is happening. I will be spending 4 months studying abroad in London!

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to travel the world -- and now it's actually happening. It's a little scary, I'll admit. I've never traveled on my own before, much less even been outside the US. But, you have to start somewhere.

New sights, new sounds, new environment, new experiences -- and new birds! I have no doubt this will be one of the craziest adventures of my life so far. I say, bring it on!

Until next time,

Happy birding!