BirdForum - Blogs http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php Free bird watcher discussion forum and photo, galleries. View photographs of birds in the wild, discuss bird topics, read reviews on all kinds of equipment and post your bird photographs in the gallery en Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:08:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birdforum.net/images/misc/rss.jpg BirdForum - Blogs http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php <![CDATA[10/10/08 - Crosby Farm & Vadnais Lake, MN]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=882 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:11:32 GMT My last day in Minnesota is over, sadly. I'm getting on the plane to the second leg of my grand tour - Lincoln, Nebraska. Forecast is mixed for Lincoln, but I hope to get a couple of days to visit the prairie restoration projects and saline wetlands.

Today started cold with sprinkles, and some of the most dramatic and wonderful clouds I've ever seen. It was like looking up at the frozen surface of a roiling ocean. Big waves and lots of splashes and structures. Since I had lunchtime plans I had to miss a few hours of exploration and made no big trips. I concentrated on the reliable locations - Crosby Farm Park and Vadnais Lake.

Crosby Farm was a bit muted by the cold and wet morning weather, but things picked up by the time I had to leave. I didn't see any new species, but plenty of birds came out to get their photos taken, so it was fun and productive. The best part was stalking a shy wren through the marsh grasses. After about 20 minutes of patience watching the grass blades twitch here and there he finally stuck his head between a couple of clumps of grass to get a look at me and I managed to get a lucky 'clear' photo manual focus through the carex grasses. Pretty much every species I saw there this week made an appearance this morning, plus a couple others. An unexpected exception was once-numerous yellow-rumped warbler, though I didn't get to the part of the park where I saw most of them Wednesday. I flushed the same small ground bird I saw at Bald Eagle Lake yesterday, and still have no idea what it is.

An odd thing I finally noticed is that the mammals playing in the pond at Crosby Farm aren't muskrats this time - they're otters! I just assumed they were the same muskrats as I saw on previous trips.

After lunch the weather changed completely, and it was clear and warm. I went back to Vadnais Lake. Found the vocal red-breasted nuthatch(es?) in the same location right away. Managed to get a better but still too distant photo - unfinished business. Stalked fox sparrows and catbirds in the bushes. Tried to photo a distant loon on the lake. One new species was mourning dove. As with Crosby Farm, the hundreds of yellow-rumped warblers were totally gone. The waxwings and most of the kinglets were also missing. Still, there was plenty to see. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=882 Bird news from Hungary, early October http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=881 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:51:45 GMT An interesting period in Hungary with a possible new species for the country, a Rock Pipit at the Danube river. A few other bird species arrived from the north such as the first Black-throated Divers and the first Slavonian Grebe of the season. A Spotted Nutcracker was also seen north of... An interesting period in Hungary with a possible new species for the country, a Rock Pipit at the Danube river. A few other bird species arrived from the north such as the first Black-throated Divers and the first Slavonian Grebe of the season. A Spotted Nutcracker was also seen north of Budapest.

There were still a few Pallid Harriers observed along with a Red Kite and many Long-legged Buzzards.

A nice immature Arctic Tern is staying at Lake Balaton where a Parasitic Skua was also seen. The first Herring Gull was seen at the lake too, while a juvenile Greater Black-backed Gull was seen in the south.

There are still many waders around with at least 3 different Pectoral Sandpipers, a Grey Phalarope, Great and Jack Snipes.

Common Cranes are seen in ever growing numbers on the Hortobagy, which is a good sign for our upcoming Crane Spectacular tour. ]]> ecotours http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=881 <![CDATA[10/9/08 - Vadnais Lake & Bald Eagle Lake]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=880 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:38:07 GMT To spend less time driving I stayed around White Bear and Vadnais Heights today. Somehow this didn't really seem to improve my efficiency, tho.

Went to Vadnais Lake in the morning. Things were pretty much the same as yesterday. I looked and looked among hundreds of yellow-rumped warblers, but today didn't see any other warblers. Among the thousands of ruby-crowned kinglets I did see a golden-crowned kinglet, but it was too fast for pix. Many of the kinglets and a few of the warblers were not at all shy. The kinglets would pop out in front of me to catch moths, and occasionally give me a looking over. Unfortunately it was quite windy along the lake shore where they were all enjoying the junipers. Spotted a hermit thrush and another oddly dark thrush. Had a bit of fun tunneling thru the underbrush, trying to get pix of elusive sparrows that were digging in the pine needles. In the pines I looked for the red-breasted nuthatch, but found none..for now.

I spent too much time at Vadnais Lake chasing the sparrows and kinglets, and so only had time for one more destination after. I went to the nearby park on the West edge of Bald Eagle Lake. On the way I noticed flotillas of hundreds of coots on the edge of the lake! I counted 75 in the first group, and the third group I saw was at least twice as large. I only saw a small fraction of the shoreline.

The Bald Eagle open space was pretty quiet. Kinglets, chickadees and robins here and there. A couple woodpeckers. I think I saw the wren again, but it eluded me faster than last time, disappearing in the cattails. The hermit thrushes went to hide in the same bush as last time. Hawk overhead. I saw two new species here, but unfortunately I have no idea what they were since they were ground birds and flushed out of sight before I could react. One was like a grouse. The other was big thrush sized with black-grey and white-grey back pattern and tan elsewhere.

Gave up on that area after a bit to return to Vadnais Lake. This time I found my red-breasted nuthatch within 5 minutes, but the only clear photo I could only manage was of its featureless black back at 50 yards. Hm. May have also heard a catbird.

Last day in Minnesota tomorrow, before I head to Nebraska. Uncertain what I'll do, but I feel like starting out in the city so I can do the big city morning rush hour adventure one last time, visit a couple of the better coffee shops and get something interesting for lunch. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=880 Emei and Wawu Mountains http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=879 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:31:44 GMT Chengdu Birding – chengduuk@hotmail.com - Chengdu, Sichuan, the gateway to Tibet Image: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2925912936_14efa7a155.jpg Fulvous Parrotbill gathering nesting material on Wawu Within easy driving distance from Chengdu we have areas of mountain, peaking up around the... Chengdu Birding – chengduuk@hotmail.com - Chengdu, Sichuan, the gateway to Tibet


Fulvous Parrotbill gathering nesting material on Wawu

Within easy driving distance from Chengdu we have areas of mountain, peaking up around the 3,000m level, that are clad in lush sub-tropical forest. Two famous birding locations that meet this description are Emei and Wawu Mountains. These two sites are within a couple of hours of each other, where close distance means they can almost be birded in combination. It's important to note, that the country road that joins these sites also gives chances for interesting watching. Of the two, Wawu– a virgin conifer forest covered table-top, where the under storey is blanketed in a thick sea of dwarf bamboo - has become a very popular tick-spot. Luckily for birders (and indeed everyone else), Emei and Wawu were unaffected by the big quake, and are totally open - everything is functioning normally including the cable-car lifts.

Both of these parks contain some spectacular species – with a wealth of bird life at all elevations. Our favorite birds at Emei include Blue-winged Minla, White-bellied Redstart and Emei Shan Liocichla ( Emei also has a Warbler named after it – Emei Leaf Warbler – and both the Emei birds are also found on Wawu). Wawu is a Parrotbill paradise with Three-toed, Fulvous and Grey-hooded all to be spied out in the thick matt of bamboo, while Great Parrotbill can be often be spotted calling from the forest trees.
To get a better idea of the long lists that can be accumulated at these sites just Google-up Emei or Wawu, and read through the numerous reports that have been written on these places. In one of those reports there is also mention of a Wawu encounter with a Red Panda.


Swinhoe's Minivet - a passage migrant spotted in parkland at the base of Emei

The best ways of watching Emei and Wawu is a vehicle/foot combination – since good birds can be seen on the many kilometers of road within both parks – roads that give access to all elevations, and ones that can also lead the birder to the smaller more secluded, non-tourists tracks. On Emei the main tourist walk-way up the mountain is a seemingly endless stone stairway – which can get slippery during wet weather. For those who dont want all that climbing, you can drive up to end the station (stopping in temples - and birding from road stops as you go) and from there getting a cable-car up to the top. Getting onto Wawu’s summit is a 15km drive to a cable-car station. Here the major walk-ways are on the summit area, and are a far more level affair than Emei's up, up and more up followed by a return journey of down, down and yet more down.


The dense forest at the summit of Wawu

So many of the species found in these locations – like Laughingthrushes, Bush Warblers, Scimitar Babblers and the big Parrotbills are such timid skulkers, that playback often seems the best way of getting decent views. We use cheap a Chinese made voice recorder and a mini-speaker – it works just fine. Always remember that you have to use great caution with this method, since excess playback risks driving a bird out of its territory.
Footwear is also something to think about – I’ve already mentioned slippery stone stairs – and those boots with hard Vibram type soles can literally act like ice-skates on wet stone surfaces. I use rubber soled sport shoes – but then again these are often rather leaky if we take onto a wet, muddy side track. However, on most occasions, I’ll take wet feet over worrying about a badly bruised bum.

Remember both these sites can also be popular with tourists – with Emei always attracting great numbers of visitors during the summer season and national holidays (which gives one plus point – a lot of hotels to choose from). Wawu is a quieter location - which means only three hotels. The two birding hotels are those found at the summit and by the lower cable car station – both of which are in very good birding locations. If you need to spend the night at the park gates – take the hotels just outside the park – they are far cheaper. With all these places, make sure you bargain your room price – you can get discounts. It’s also a good idea to bring along some food, since the meals inside the park can be both poor and, by normal Chinese standards, expensive – a few snacks will help you along.


At the top of Emei, when the birding get too much, you could ignore those signs that warn you not to jump. That sign reads - Loving life. Don't turn round the hand rail.

The last word of warning is about the weather - both sites have an annoying tendency to cloud in. When this happens the top elevations become very difficult to watch. Sometimes in this type of situation – especially if it’s raining - we just pack bags and take off down the road to Laba He. But patience can pay off, since just as quickly as those mists roll in, so can they also disappear - often leaving vivid blue skies in their wake. Such is life for the Sichuan birder. ]]> china guy http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=879 <![CDATA[10/8/08 - Crosby Farm & Murphy-Hanrehan & Vadnais Lake, MN]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=878 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:14:43 GMT Spectacular autumn weather has returned. I'm still sorting out today's blurry photos, but here's the basics...

Foggy morning at Crosby Farm Regional Park. Same mix of species I saw the other days. I kept following the throngs of yellow-rumped warblers around, hoping to find a different warbler among them, but all were yellow-butts. I'm starting to even get yellow-rumped warbler fatigue.

After lunch I went down to Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. My last visit was terrible. This one wasn't much better! Dead quiet! Same birds as elsewhere, but a factor of ten fewer in numbers. This gets my vote for most overhyped birdwatching area ever. However, it always provides a couple different species, this time those were turkey vulture, eastern bluebird and some kind of grouse which is my first ground bird for this trip and very sorry I couldn't get pix of it.

Fed up with that park and the sprawlburb it's located in, I tried to beat rush hour and cross the metro area to return to Vadnais Lake. Vadnais Lake was the big winner for today! Yesterday's horde of waxwings was gone, but lots of yellow-rumped warblers, kinglets, chickadees and other things. Lots of variety. The best sightings were a red breasted nuthatch and what I believe was a black-and-white warbler. Sadly, no satisfying pix of either.

I think tomorrow I'll stick to the northern suburbs, and do Arcola Trails (down to the St. Croix River), Bald Eagle Lake, Vadnais Lake and perhaps Crow-Hassan Park Reserve. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=878 For a workday, that was damn fine birding! http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=877 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:47:41 GMT I went back to Herdsman Lake after work (to the south-west corner) and added a few more birds to the list. Silver Gull Cattle Egret (a rarity in Perth, but there has been one hanging around a paddock next to the lake). Black-winged Stilt Little Black Cormorant Pelican Rufous Whistler Western... I went back to Herdsman Lake after work (to the south-west corner) and added a few more birds to the list.

Silver Gull
Cattle Egret (a rarity in Perth, but there has been one hanging around a paddock next to the lake).
Black-winged Stilt
Little Black Cormorant
Pelican
Rufous Whistler
Western Gerygone
Silvereye
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
New Holland Honeyeater ]]> Gemfyre http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=877 A Ten Duck Day http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=876 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:25:52 GMT Although my current job isn't perfect (I'm working as a secretary for a solicitor, when I have a degree in Conservation Biology), the location is brilliant. Herdsman Lake is a 3 minute drive away so I often go there for lunch.

Today is the first really warm day we've had in ages. And in the mere hour I had for lunch I spotted all ten duck species that you can see at this lake. Getting 7 - 8 species is usual, to get the full 10 there has to be the rare Freckled Duck in residence - and today there was a single female sitting among the (very common) Pacific Black Ducks.

Here's the list for today - (B) indicates breeding

Australasian Grebe
Australasian Shoveller
Australian Raven
Australian Shelduck
Australian White Ibis
Australian Wood Duck (B)
Black Swan
Blue-billed Duck
Clamorous Reed-warbler
Dusky Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Freckled Duck
Galah
Great Cormorant
Great Crested Grebe (B)
Great Egret
Grey Butcherbird
Grey Teal
Greylag Goose
Hardhead
Hoary-headed Grebe
Little Corella
Little Grassbird (H)
Little Pied Cormorant
Magpie
Magpie Lark (B)
Mallard (B)
Musk Duck (B)
Pacific Black Duck (B)
Pink-eared Duck (B)
Purple Swamphen (B)
Rainbow Lorikeet
Red Wattlebird
Rufous Night Heron
Senegal Dove
Singing Honeyeater
Spotted Dove
Swamp Harrier
Tree Martin
Welcome Swallow
Whistling Kite
Willie Wagtail
Yellow-billed Spoonbill

I think I might go check out another section of the lake after work - try for a few bushbirds. I'm awfully cheerful after getting sunshine and birds for lunch. :) ]]> Gemfyre http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=876 10/7/08 - Vadnais and Snail Lakes Regional Park http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=875 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:51:05 GMT Rain started before dawn. My only outing was a brief afternoon scouting of the rec trails in Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park in my former home, Vadnais Heights. This was a quiet area last time I visited. Much more activity today. In the mixed disturbed forest numerous sparrows, juncos,... Rain started before dawn. My only outing was a brief afternoon scouting of the rec trails in Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park in my former home, Vadnais Heights. This was a quiet area last time I visited. Much more activity today. In the mixed disturbed forest numerous sparrows, juncos, chickadees and warbler-like things moved through in a pack. Without a camera most were impossible to ID. After they moved on it was as quiet as I remember on my former visit. Along the drive that bisects Vadnais Lake there was a lot of activity, particularly in a group of juniper where an active mix of cedar waxwings, yellow-rumped warblers and white-crowned sparrows attacked the juniper berries.

Tomorrow I should be back to all-day warbler and sparrow collecting, after the front passes. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=875 Tales of a Botanical Birder (Holy Island + Northumbria) http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=874 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:10:51 GMT *Holy Island and Northumbria Coast Part two* Back at the coach we were ready to leave for Budle Bay near Bamburgh and a little further south when we saw the gulls take flight from the small pool. Someone thought they saw a Peregrine Falcon. I sort of did, well ok it was a black dot in the sky. ... Holy Island and Northumbria Coast Part two

Back at the coach we were ready to leave for Budle Bay near Bamburgh and a little further south when we saw the gulls take flight from the small pool. Someone thought they saw a Peregrine Falcon. I sort of did, well ok it was a black dot in the sky. It was confirmed as a Peregrine Falcon by the two or three who got of the coach. One of them, being the young lad who had pointed out the Slavonian Grebe. I became well impressed with his birding knowledge as the day went on. I was a little annoyed with myself that I hadn’t got of the coach again, but I needn’t have been too concerned. More of Peregrine Falcons anon. The views from the causeway were extensive and wonderful and I watched two walkers in the distance make there way across the wet sand as if on some pilgrimage to the island. Mute Swan was added to the list.

By now I was hot, perspiring if you wish to be posh, sweaty if not! I soon cooled down when we got of the coach again at Budle Bay as that bitter cold air was back with us. There was a wonderful view out across the Bay and we had caught the tide at its best. We soon added Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon and Black Tailed Godwit to the list. There were Gulls a plenty including Black Headed, Herring, Common and Great Black Backed. There were numbers of Pink Footed and Barnacle Geese in the distance and the sun picked out well the white faces of the latter. There had been 20,000 Barnacle Geese in the bay earlier in the week according to reports. Most had now moved on. Another Peregrine Falcon was seen devouring prey out in the bay. Now it was difficult to know whether to watch this one or the one found flying above our heads, again initially seen flying behind the trees by that young member, a good birder without doubt. Yes, we had had 3 Peregrine Falcons today and had great views of the latter two. Someone noticed the one in the bay looked much larger than the one in flight, the female out there no doubt. This was turning out to be quite a day. A flock of Pink Footed Geese flew overhead and in the sunlight their dark upper neck and faces heads were well picked out. It was soon time to leave again, but this had proven to be a very fruitful stop.

We took the scenic coastal route passing some wonderful scenery which was at its best on this cloudless day and which included The Farne Islands, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstunburgh Castle and Coquet Island. We reached Creswell at 3.45pm and were to spend two productive hours here. There is at least one Bittern there at present, but I didn’t hold out much hope of seeing it to be truthful. I went quickly to the hide over looking the pond, but it was so crowded I left even more quickly. The water levels were very high and the mud flat area completely covered in water so I felt the time could be spent more productively checking out the area. We soon found numbers of Goldfinch and Stonechats. A small group appeared to be sea watching now that the winds had changed so we decided to join them. This was a good decision despite on initial sight the sea looking very quiet indeed. We soon began to find Gannets flying in small flocks up the coast, although far out at sea. One of the guys was clearly well into sea watching, something that I am not, and began to point things out. He found a Great Skua, or Bonxie as he preferred to call it, flying behind then in amongst a small flock of Gannets. Now I must admit I would not have found this with out his help, but I did get a good sighting of it appearing to attack a Gannet and living up to its name of Bonxie or bully, although this all happened well out at sea. I also noted the white flashes on the wings of the Great Skua so I’d be well able to pick them up in future. This believe it or not was a lifer for me! Lifers seem to come at the most unusual times I reckon. I also picked up another Red Throated Diver, this time in flight, before I lost it as it landed on the now less than calm sea.

Satisfied with my short sea watch we decided to wander along to the far end of the pool. There was nothing around that area that we had not seen earlier in the day but we watched a Kestrel hunting. As I walked past a narrow and still inlet into the sea a small bird caught my eye. I followed it and suddenly saw the brilliant hues of a Kingfisher. It shot across the road and above the reed bed until I lost sight of it. I wondered if those in the hide would see it. I learnt later that they did, but only at distance through telescopes. On returning to the coach we waited around by the bridge to see if the Kingfisher would return. It didn’t, but we got into conversation with a member of the club. Then it was back to the coach for our return journey but not before keeping watch for the local Barn Owl. It didn’t appear tonight.

Well, we had a grand day and there were still no clouds in the sky as we were driven south. I had a personal list of 59 bird species (I think the group list was circa 73), but the day had been about quality of sightings and not numbers, although we did see some very large flocks of birds too. I had come away with 4 new species for the year list in Pink Footed Geese, Great Skua, Short Eared Owls and Kingfisher. The Great Skua being a lifer, but the Short Eared Owls were with out doubt the star birds by a long chalk. Watching them at close quarters is to me bird watching at its very best. There were Red Admiral Butterflies about on the island and I caught sight of a Common Darter Dragonfly at Cresswell. There were no hoped for falls of migrant passerines today, the weather being too good I think, but I’m back on the Island in two weeks time so you never know. The day was definitely a birding day however, and a great one at that. I’ll be going out with Durham Bird Club again!
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]]> brianfm http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=874 Tales of a Botanical Birder (Holy Island + Northumbria) http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=873 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:08:05 GMT *Holy Island and Northumbria coast Part One* 5th Oct. I awoke at 5.30am, knocked the radio on at 6.00am and struggled out of bed at 6.30am. Well it was Sunday! I was to visit Holy Island today with the Group. No, not the Group, but on this occasion it was to be with the Durham Bird Club. It... Holy Island and Northumbria coast Part One
5th Oct. I awoke at 5.30am, knocked the radio on at 6.00am and struggled out of bed at 6.30am. Well it was Sunday! I was to visit Holy Island today with the Group. No, not the Group, but on this occasion it was to be with the Durham Bird Club. It was a first for me and was going to remind me what it feels like to join new groups, something I’m not too good at. As it happens I was warmly welcomed so there was no real ordeal. It was a Sunday in more ways than one too, as we hardly saw a cloud from start of the day until it ended. It turned into a perfect day on the Northumberland coast.

We crossed to the island under blue skies shortly after 10.00am as we caught sight of our first waders from the causeway. Redshank, Dunlin and Curlews were the ones made out from the moving vehicle. There were still many pools of sea water around on the wet sand which had been left by the receding tide. I soon realised that the sunshine was a little misleading as we made our way through the village in the biting cold air. We took a look from the area I know from experience often holds migrant birds and looking outwards found the over wintering flock of Pale Bellied Brent Geese along with large numbers of Grey Seals sprawled out on the sand banks and in the sea. Some of these guys really are big! We must have seen hundreds of Seals today and certainly the most I have ever seen in this particular area. The waders were distant so we moved now to the vicarage garden area to look over St Cuthbert’s Island and the surrounding sea. Waders on the Island and surrounding area were Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Redshank and Bar Tailed Godwit. There was an even better view of the Grey Seals from here. I looked in vain for the Red Throated Diver, but found the Red Breasted Merganser and Teal. There were waders a plenty, but many far off in the distance.

We then walked round the island towards the harbour. I kept looking for the Red Throated diver, but kept finding only numbers of Cormorants. There were plenty of Eider Ducks too. I had a distant scope view of the Slavonian Grebe then later one of the younger members pointed out that it was resting in shore. I was very thankful for my best ever view of a Slavonian Grebe in close up, red eye and all! Then I actually found the Red Throated Diver. After taking in some great views, including views of Lindisfarne Priory and Castle we reached the harbour. We had excellent views her of another Grey Plover, and there were numbers of Ringed Plover on the beach. I found Rock Pipit and Pied Wagtail here too. Then our eyes were taken by a small number of Swallows.

By now everyone had gone in different directions. I knew we would not have time to do the lonnen and circular walk, but we decided to walk so far along the lonnen. I’m so pleased we did as it was proved to be the highlight of the day. Passing the farm there was nothing other than House Sparrows and the cooing of doves and pigeons which were in the out buildings, but just as we were thinking of stopping for lunch I turned to the right to catch sight of a Short Eared Owl taking flight from the field. We watched as it quartered the field and decided that this was a good place to have lunch. It wasn’t easy to eat as another Short Eared Owl joined us. Then as we watched, another two Short Eared Owls appeared for a short time before they flew off into fields to the left of us. Well lunch was a mix of eating, drinking and watching as the Owls at times flew really close to us. I have watch five Short Eared Owls in Northumberland before, but today’s sightings have to be my best ever. At times the Owls were only a few yards away from us. We watched them hunting for about thirty minutes. During that time a small group of Redwing, my first of the autumn flew overhead and there were lots of Meadow Pipits and Curlew about. Then it was time to make back to the coach, but not before one of the Short Eared Owls approached within feet of us intently looking for prey, then quickly turning to fly off in the opposite direction. Appetites for both food and birding well satisfied. On the way back we bumped into the speaker at our last local group meeting who is an authority on birds of Holy Island and has written a very good book about the area. He told us he had found a Long Eared Owl flying nearby the previous day and that there had been a large passage of Pink Footed Geese earlier in the morning.
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]]> brianfm http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=873 <![CDATA[10/6/08 - Crosby Farm & Minnesota Valley NWR & Bald Eagle Lake, MN]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=872 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:35:18 GMT "Yeah, I got yer "Paradise" right here..." I just grunt when people call Hawai'i 'paradise'. I know the best of Hawai'i, the hidden places where the real Hawai'i holds on by a thread unseen by the sleepwalking public, not the artificial tourist crap, but that isn't at all what they're talking about when they use the word 'paradise'. Morons. "Paradise" is just as alive and well in Minnesota on a May or October afternoon, and most of the rest of the year if you know where to look and take the time to experience it. I just spent an hour in absolutely glorious October sunset air, with hermit thrushes whisking through the shrubbery around me, softly murmuring, warblers and woodpeckers peeping up a storm in the trees above, and wrens and garter snakes rustling in the leaves and nettles at my feet. And that was just the last hour of an absolutely spectacular autumn day. Paradise.

Crosby Farm never fails to deliver, and was bubbling this morning. Sparrows of all kinds, and a riot of feisty robins. Best-ever pix of various common birds, and my first white-crowned sparrow were the highlights.

The Minnesota Valley NWR visitor center is closed on Mondays (only) - well now I know, I guess. I took the trail out along Long Meadow Lake and the Minnesota River. Dead as usual. I don't understand why that spot is always dead, as it has a nice mix of habitats. Bald eagles, as always. Tons of gulls over the river. The visitor center feeder was fought over by a mob of the most common species. The best moment was a great blue heron posing patiently for all the photos I cared to take. The other highlight was a garter snake, which is the first wild snake I've seen in more than a decade - longer than I can remember!

Bass Ponds was a lot more interesting. Several warblers and sparrows it'll take me all evening to sort out. Hoped to find rails, but had to settle for coots. Highlight was my first waterthrush - a northern waterthrush.

The meadows and woods just West of Bald Eagle Lake were pretty good this evening, giving up golden-crowned kinglets and hermit thrushes. Have to return some morning later in the week. Park at N45.11190, W93.02704. Oother highlights were a winter wren and another garter snake that sat still long enough for a great photo.

Rain forecast tomorrow, which will give me a break to study my photos and enjoy being in the city for a bit. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=872 10/5/08 - Crosby Farm Regional Park, St. Paul, MN http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=871 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:31:22 GMT Got off the plane at noon and headed straight to Crosby Farm Regional Park, near the airport. Weather was a perfect 60 and overcast. Classic October weather like we never get to enjoy in Hawai'i. Love the cool air!

In 4 hours I saw more species than even exist on Hawai'i Island - I can't imagine trying to ID them all by ear. Glad to see warblers are still here. Yellow-rumped warblers in particular. I had forgotten how HUGE the eagles are. Everything behaves so differently here than on Hawai'i. The birds are elusive and mostly chip and peep anonymously. Having trouble getting good enough photos to get IDs.

Muskrats were cute, playing in the pond. :) ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=871 Chengdu Birding - post-quake birding on the Qingcheng mountains http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=870 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:32:38 GMT Chengdu Birding – chengduuk@hotmail.com - Chengdu, Sichuan, the gateway to Tibet Image: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2914761448_b6d8427bcd.jpg The Qingcheng area is a prime site for Forktail watching - this is Little Forktail Around 40kms from Chengdu, the town of Dujiangyan hit world... Chengdu Birding – chengduuk@hotmail.com - Chengdu, Sichuan, the gateway to Tibet


The Qingcheng area is a prime site for Forktail watching - this is Little Forktail

Around 40kms from Chengdu, the town of Dujiangyan hit world headlines back in May because it was badly affected by the Sichuan earthquake. I only live 20kms from this town, and can report that, 4 months after the quake, things are very much on the mend – and that Dujiangyan and surrounding areas have once again opened up to tourists and travelers. In fact in a bid to boost the local economy – tourists are now being openly encouraged to visit this area! This is good news for birders since the town lies under a chain of small mountains (well at least small by Sichuan standards) called the Qingcheng mountains (the highest peak reaching 2,700m). There are two main tourist sites here – the most famous being called the front mountain and another quieter site called the back mountain. These mountains contain both broad-leaf and conifer habitats – and at the back-mountain you can find some very picturesque mountain streams - a lot of small waterfalls in deep narrow gorges.
There are also good birding spots away from the main tourist areas, and its possible to find rewarding rough trails – especially in the vicinity of the highest peak, Zhaogongshan – which can give some good birding.

Post quake, most of the trails up the Front Mountain and Zhaogongshan are completely passable – but because of landslides some of the path on the Back Mountain has been badly damaged. However new temporary tracks are being made all the time – and with a bit of a scramble it’s now possible to get to the top. However the Back Mountain is the best habitat for Forktails close to Chengdu (you can get out to Forktail sites in an hour and half from downtown Chengdu) – so for those with limited Sichuan birding time, this area could be a tick-rich location.


A Collared Owlet we caught enjoying a meal

The Front Mountain.
If you take a walk on the front mountain – then around the temples (this mountain has important religious significance for Taoists – and the walk up here is a stone stairway that links several monasteries together) you may see Black-headed Sibia together with the usual host of Collared Finchbills and during the summer the white-headed variety of Black Bulbul. These temples are also good spots for viewing the canopy of the mountain forest – and early morning summer watching may well bring – among other stuff - calling Collared Owlets, Spangled Drongos, Red-billed Blue Magpies, Black-naped Orioles or a passing Crested Goshawk.
If you take into the wooded areas down in the scrub you should easily be able to get Red-billed Leiothrix and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler . For those who are lucky, there’s always a chance for a glimpse of a quick moving Golden Pheasant – but if you don’t get to see them, you’ll certainly hear them if you're birding during spring or early summer.
All of these species are also present in the winter – but during this season flocks of small passerines, which are often dominated by Grey-cheeked Fulvetta and White-collared Yuhina. Winter also brings in altitude migrants, which of course include various species of Laughinthrush.
There have also been April reports for Temmnick’s Tragopan for this site.

A word of warning! The front mountain is a major tourist site – and, during late mornings and afternoons of holidays or weekends, noisy crowds can be the norm. Another factor that adds to birder stress are the many hawkers/vendors,who try to bend your ear in attempting to find a new customer. To cap all of this there are guys who will carry you up the mountain stairway on a stretcher like contraption built out of bamboo and canvas. Some of these folk may follow you up a path for a long distance hoping you’ll tire and hire their services. Needless to say – this can be a pain – but early mornings will get you out of the worst of this mess. You can actually overnight in the mountain monasteries (a cold experience in winter) – which sets you up nicely for an early morning watch.


We got this Grey-headed Bullfinch on the Back Mountain

The Back Mountain.
This is a far more Birder friendly site – less crowded, and away from weekends, during off-season, it can be very peaceful. Again a stairway of stone – but here there are more areas where you don’t have to climb/descend. The path follows a mountain steam and some of the small waterfalls are very nice.
In this habitat Forktails are the species of note – a single visit can bring you little, Slaty-backed, Spotted and White-crowned. To get that Slaty–backed start watching on the river stretches at the base of the mountain (well before the entrance to the mountain – you can also pick up plenty of Brown Dipper here). Little is the commonest Forktail and can often be seen flicking around in the stream that flows through the end village – White-crowned and Spotted can be seen from much of the path that leads to the summit.
Once again this is a good location for winter passerines – we’ve had goodies like Barred, Spotted and Red-winged Laughingthrush and that dazzler of a bird – Gold-fronted Fulvetta. This area is also a good spot to pick up that mini-woodpecker – Speckled Piculet.
As mentioned before – this place was badly hit by the quake. In the old days there was a lot of accommodation for those who wanted to stay on the mountain – but I reckon we’ll have to wait to the summer of 09 before any of that is in place again.


There are some great walks around Zhaogongshan

Zhaogongshan
I’ve never seen this part of Qingcheng mentioned in any foreign bird reports – but in the area around the 2,700m Zhaogong Mountain birding can be good. To trek around here you have to use small farmer’s trails – but there is one larger path that leads to Temple on the summit. However these are not well marked routes that are found in the more popular tourist spots, but because this place is less disturbed you may get a better chance to spot Golden Pheasant. Temminck’s Tragopan has also been reported. I’ve seen Great and Grey-headed Parrotbill in this area, Spot-breasted and Brown Parrotbill have also been reported as winter birds.
It's quite possible to find accommodation on the mountain – either in the temples (there is one at the summit) or at lower elevations in small guest-houses. ]]> china guy http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=870 <![CDATA[10/4/08 - Kipuka Ki, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=869 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:20:20 GMT The continued rain drove me to The Dry Side for a short outing before I hop on the plane and head off to enjoy cooler and more seasonal Northern climates. It turned out OK, since I found some new plants in Kipuka Ki, and several familiar ones in flower or fruit. The kipuka is being restored, and... The continued rain drove me to The Dry Side for a short outing before I hop on the plane and head off to enjoy cooler and more seasonal Northern climates. It turned out OK, since I found some new plants in Kipuka Ki, and several familiar ones in flower or fruit. The kipuka is being restored, and there are a few interesting things either lingering or planted there, including several rarities. Stenogyne rugosa, 'aiea, manele and maile were flowering. Alas, I won't have time this afternoon to get all my new pix in my web gallery. :(

Birds are majority aliens. Japanese white-eye and red-billed leiothrix being the most common. Northern cardinal, house finch and kalij pheasant. The 4 most common natives were all present, and 'elepiao were fairly abundant. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=869 <![CDATA[10/2/08 - Pu'u Maka'ala NAR & 'Ola'a Flume Road]]> http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=868 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:17:10 GMT I only had the afternoon hours to work with, and it was already dark and sprinkly at noon. (and wonderfully cool) Nevertheless, I did pretty well for only 5 hours out. I tried a new survey transect off of Army Road. I didn't get far because they followed the compass straight through the worst of the three dimensional understory matrix, and this just wasn't the day for lots of climbing and crawling. Fortunately I found a couple interesting plants right away. The first was the first 'anini I've found with fruit. (still need flowers) There were a lot of 'anini in this location. The second was my first stenogyne macrantha. That leaves s. cranwelliae of Kohala as the last stenogyne I need for this island. Only very small numbers of birds stayed in the early afternoon fog.

As the fog thickened and it got darker and started to rain more substantially, and I gave up for the day and headed back to the car. However, on the way back down Stainback I decided to see how far I could drive down 'Ola'a Flume Road, hoping to get near the former bridge over Waiakea Stream. I only got 2/3 of the way there before I got to a puddle too deep and rocky for my Corolla's low clearance. This is all timber plantation, where they bulldozed over vast swathes of native forest and planted huge monotypic stands of Australian timber trees, under which grow the most thick and horrible infestation of invasive alien weeds on the island. I did a couple of bird counts along the way, which amounted to about 7 white-eyes and a token northern cardinal and hwamei or two each. The surprise was a small group of 'apapane in some remnant 'ohi'a trees. This is at only 1900 feet elevation, just above the upper edge of the Waiakea Uka section of Hilo. ]]> bkrownd http://www.birdforum.net/blog.php?b=868