Red Throated Loon at Middle Creek

Today I decided to make a trip to Middle Creek WMA and see if any new species have arrived since my last visit - almost a week ago. As it was very windy and cold (about 40 F), I really wasn't expecting to see a lot...boy was I surprised.

As I scanned the lake from the boat launch area, I noticed a Loon. As the lake is fairly swallow, loons are very seldom seen here. I got out my scope for a better look and too determine the species...and sure enough it turned out to be a Red Throated Loon in winter plumage. This is the first Loon I have observed at Middle Creek in almost 4 years. I tried to get some photo's with my IPhone...mostly for rare ebird report..see below - not the best - but they are diagnostic enough to determine species. 

Also, at the stop 1 pond where - Coots, Green Winged Teal, Buffleheads, Ring Billed Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shovelers, Canadian Goose and Snow Geese

I ended my visit with a total of 51 species - not a bad day after all.   

Until next time

Not all that wander are lost.

Horned Grebe, Palm Warblers and Winter Wren at Middle Creek

As it was a rather mild day (no strong winds like we have been having) today, I decided to go birding at my favorite location - Middle Creek.

I arrived at stop 1 ands began glassing the visitors center pond...there where the usually Coots, Mallards, Black Ducks, Ring Necked Ducks, and Green Winged Teal. But there was also a surprise - a breeding plumage Horned Grebe - see below.

There was also a non-breeding plumage Horned and a Pie Billed Grebe as well.

After, watching the Grebe for quite some time and talking to several other birders, I decided it was time to move on. I decided to make a quick trip around the tour road...I no sooner entered and saw some borders moving around the edge of the road...looking thur my bins...they turned out to be Palm Warblers...the FOY warblers for me and surprise #2.

Palm Warbler

 After watching the warblers, I continued on the tour road until the end...making the turn unto the main road..i noticed some movement...I pulled the car over and checked it out - it was a Winter Wren...surprise #3 for the day.

Winter Wren

 I ended my 3 hour visit with a total of 38 species....and several first of year (FOY) species.

Until next time

Good Birding

Short Eared Owls at Middle Creek

Thursday March 29 was a rather warm spring day with temps in the upper 60's, so I decided to go to Middle Creek in the late afternoon to check and see if I could see the Short Eared Owls and them to my 2018 year list.

I arrived at the Middle Creek tour road stop 3 around 6:45pm as the sun was setting and the wait began. as I waited I observed several thousand Snow Geese, a female Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlarks, Ring Necked Pheasant, Bald eagles, Northern shovelers and a first of the year Osprey... to name a few.

As the sun continued it decent, I was getting anxious to see the Owls. My patience was rewarded around 7:50pm when not only one Short Eared Owl appeared but three. I watched them for about 15 minutes until it was to dark to see and then left for the day with my goal accomplished and a total species count of 36 - a good day. Below is a short recap of the Short Eared owl and a link to the all about birds ID site.

allaboutbirds

Until next time - good birding.

Not all that wander are lost.

Short-eared owl

Species

The short-eared owl is a species of typical owl. Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. Asio flammeus will display its tufts when in a defensive pose, although its very short tufts are usually not visible. The short-eared owl is found in open country and grasslands. The scientific name is from Latin. The genus name Asio is a type of eared owl, and flammeus means "flame-coloured".

Short Eared Owl - stock photos