HOME, RWBB, GHOW

After seeing Chuck's post regarding his sightings at Estrabrook, I decided to set out first for that park. There were quite a few Buffleheads, Mallards on the river, and finally, one lone Hooded Merganser. There were also female Common Goldeneyes (about 7), but no males (why?). I spent a long time watching and studying the birds (and took field notes a la Richard Crossley's suggestion) and then continued on through the park. Right before the dog park, I noticed two RWBB in the brush. They were perfectly still. So still that I looked around to see if any predator (besides me) was nearby. The birds had a brown mottling at the nape, and the epaulet only showed yellow. I wondered if they were immature males and hunkered down to avoid any confrontations. I continued on to the Shorewood Nature Preserve where there were 11 crows in a raucous party around a tall fir. Stomping through the snow, I finally got my glasses on the fir and saw a GHOW sitting amidst the branches. The crows finally flew away, but the GHOW never twitched a feather. The ice is quite far out at the preserve, but you can see rafts and rafts of Bufflehead and Scaup at Atwater. Still looking for a Brown Creeper, I continued on to Downer Woods, but all was quiet. Two Peregrines sat on the Engineering building at UWM, and two RWBB called along Lake Drive. Species total for the day was 20.
Just now I looked out at my feeder to see a White-crowned Sparrow.

Peregrine v GHOW

Great excitement today. I heard a Peregrine while I was inside my house entering data for the GBBC.
I ran outside to see the Peregrine diving and diving, circling with constant calling. Six crows entered the fray and they finally flushed out a GHOW. Not bad!

Double Digits!

After all of last year's fun, I am sad to report that my total does not reflect a lack of update, but actually is the current total of my BIGBY for the year (and, unfortunately my mileage total is pretty accurate as well!). I was pumped to add two more birds today, with a flyover Ring-billed Gull (I didn't think I'd miss having dozens of them outside my window like I did in Milwaukee, but I certainly do!), as well as a Cooper's Hawk drifting above my apartment, bringing me to 11 species. Going through some serious BIGBY withdrawl this year, pumped to see how well you guys are doing, even with the dumpings of snow you all picked up two weeks ago!

Take care,

Sam

Always something new

This morning, during the snow showers, I set out to find a Brown Creeper and a Peregrine Falcon. I failed at both. However, I did see something very unusual. After walking through UEC, UWM, and Downer Woods, I was wandering through the Shorewood Nature Preserve looking vainly for some ducks. The snow was falling so thickly at this point that I could barely see the lake beyond the ice. I did spot something moving at the very tip of a branch of a thin, 15 or so foot tree. Putting my glasses on it, I realized it was a deer mouse bravely going out to the very end of the thin branches to get the seed pods. I watched it for a while feeling quite peaceful with the snow falling all around us. Suddenly, to my horror, it slipped and plunged 15 feet to the ground below.

I raced to the spot, thinking about Mouse first aid, only to see it climb up onto the fluffy snow surface, shake its head in some amazement and then shoot under a nearby log.

The only new Bigby was a Blue Jay perched at the end of my property. So one new Bigby for 6.9 miles of walking! I also think I inadvertently gave a lot of you a Blue Jay when I tried to enter the sighting on my iPad. The Google document doesn't really cooperate on an iPad so apologies to all who just gained a bird. (I don't think I gave it to Tim, which is all that matters).

Why I need a scope

Maria and I went duck watching yesterday, but only Dolores and Gil braved the elements (it actually was lovely out). None of us had a scope. Although there were the usual huge rafts of ducks, we did not see any of the tantalizing new bigbys (i.e. Long-tailed, Red Head, etc.). I am sure they were out there, but .... We did see a pair of Eastern Bluebirds a couple of times. Very bizarre to have Eastern Bluebirds on my January list before I got a Herring Gull. Tim, despite his promises of glory, remained snuggled in his warm house. Wimps!! I am still looking for the elusive Brown Creeper!

Excited for the new year

On January 4th, as I was getting my bike oiled up for work, my wife asked me why I was biking. I said three reasons: 1) to save the world, 2) to save my health, and 3) to BGBY, but not necessarily in that order.

Off to a good start, but then the same aforementioned wife advised me not to bike to work with below-zero windchills recently. I saw a Sharpy that day. If I lose to Owen Boyle by one bird and I don't have a Sharpy, that might be a deal breaker.....

Love green birding!

Tim

Lovely Riparian Habitat

At 11;00 pm, yesterday, while reading the Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean (which is a fun examination of the history of the periodic table; a sentiment I never thought I'd write), I heard the trill of a Screech Owl! I love living along the river. Now, I am still hunting down the Brown Creeper and the Herring Gull (oddly enough).