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  1. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    Looks like I've only recorded 41 species for the year, down from 61 the previous, and first year in this house. Unsurprising, as I spent far less time back there. But with a new baby here, I anticipate more time at home, sneaking into the yard whenever able. 189 for my 2-mile radius patch this...
  2. hookem2010

    Best Family Birding Destinations

    While I'm hoping to sneak away with my bird bros somewhere in the next year or so, most of my near-future travel will be family oriented, as I have a 2 1/2 year-old, 3 month-old and non-birding spouse. Keeping in mind affordability, safety and relative ease of travel, which locations would top...
  3. hookem2010

    2025 Birding Goals

    I have only been to Costa Rica as a non-birder, but I would say it is great for anyone with any interest in nature. Generally safe, friendly people, easily accessible, beautiful natural sites (although I chose the more remote Osa Peninsula on my trip in 2014). Probably at the top of my list for...
  4. hookem2010

    2025 Birding Goals

    In addition to my general goals, 5 of my top local targets would be... 5) Louisiana waterthrush- An uncommon migrant, but one that is reported at least a half-dozen times each spring in the county. Surprised I've not yet seen one having lived here for 2 years. Not the flashiest warbler, but one...
  5. hookem2010

    2025 Birding Goals

    I'll be birding primarily with a baby in 2025, which will be somewhat limiting. However, it is easier than birding with a toddler! 1) Get my county list to 250- I'm at 239 now, so certainly doable. However, the best habitat where rarities turn up is at the western, northern and eastern extremes...
  6. hookem2010

    Top 5 of 2024

    Slow year for me, but plenty of local highlights... 5) Pomarine/Parasitic jaeger- This would have been an easy #1 if I could have nailed the ID, but alas, no camera, nor experience identifying jaegers. Immature bird seen flying over a small lake 250 miles from the coast, one of my rarest finds...
  7. hookem2010

    2024 Targets

    Mixed success this year. Having our 2nd child in October may have had something to do with that.... 1) Couldn't leave my pregnant wife with a difficult toddler in her 3rd trimester, so Colombia was nixed. Watching the lists roll in from my friends was bittersweet. 2) No significant travel this...
  8. hookem2010

    January 1st joint Birdforum list (2025 edition)

    If the weather is OK, I'll be out with the 3 month-old, sending some Texas birds your way.
  9. hookem2010

    Everyones most desired or dream bird species?

    Dream species for me in US... -Great gray owl -Connecticut warbler South/Central America -Harpy eagle (#1 overall anywhere) -Keel-billed toucan (I know they're not that hard to find, but I somehow missed them in the Yucatan on my only attempt) -Sword-billed hummingbird I haven't researched the...
  10. hookem2010

    Everyones most desired or dream bird species?

    That's a much sought-after bird here in the states. Living in Texas, it was off my radar, but I completely chanced into one on an overnight backpacking trip in Lassen Volcanic NP. An hour or so later, while trying to get glass on what I suspect was a Williamson's sapsucker, I put my bins down...
  11. hookem2010

    Whooping Cranes TX

    Yea, Goose Island SP is a good bet. I'd like to do the boat tour one day though.
  12. hookem2010

    Belize Birding Trip

    I'm now thinking just splitting time between two places, with Black Rock Lodge or some other spot near the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve being a sure thing. Thoughts on Lamani versus Crooked Tree for 3 nights?
  13. hookem2010

    Belize Birding Trip

    Would anyone see any obvious issues with this itinerary, or recommend a better way to apportion our time? Saturday -Arrive at the airport by noon, get rental vehicle, drive 2.5 hr to La Milpa Sunday -Bird La Milpa all day Monday -Bird La Milpa until lunch, then leave for Bird's Eye View Lodge...
  14. hookem2010

    Belize Birding Trip

    Who has experience with this? I'm still deciding on a location for me and 5 or 6 other friends, likely January 2026. We'd probably fly in Saturday and leave the following Sunday. Would likely rent vehicles. Ive been looking at some combination of Black rock lodge, Crooked tree/Lamanai and La...
  15. hookem2010

    ID 2 egrets, Holly Beach Rd, Laguna Vista, TX, USA

    Juvenile white-morhp reddish wgret and snowy egret
  16. hookem2010

    Greater of Lesser Scaup? (North New Jersey, Nov 11)

    I lean greater, but I regularly struggle with this ID.
  17. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    No new yard birds as of late, but I did hit 200 species for my 2-mile radius patch after moving here last February. Least sandpiper. Not uncommon here, but there isn't much shorebird in my very suburban area.
  18. hookem2010

    Jaeger sighting, central TX, late September

    I had a surprising Jaeger flyover of a residential like near Austin, TX earlier in the month. I don't ever encounter these birds so I wasn't prepared to note all the necessary field marks and I unfortunately do not have a camera. What I was able to note was a medium-large gull-like bird that was...
  19. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    The 2 year-old has been interested in looking at stars, so I took him into the backyard before sunrise and we were immediately greeted by the whinny of an eastern screech-owl, #71. While they are fairly common in any suburban area with decent sized trees, they tend to be more difficult to...
  20. hookem2010

    Birds you are looking forward to this Autumn & Winter Season?

    Flyovers of snow or greater white-fronted geese would be a nice November treat. Sandhill cranes as well, certainly more likely if I'm staying within my suburban patch. I'd love for a personal county first red-breasted nuthatch or flock of pine siskins to show up, although returning American...
  21. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    I'll be getting the little one out and about as much as possible, especially as the 90+ degree days are (hopefully) coming to an end. I think I will be reminded how much easier it is to bird with a baby than it is currently with my 2 year-old. And there will be plenty of nap time where I'll be...
  22. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    And yellow warbler was #70, a bird I didn't mention in the previous post because I assumed I already had one of our most common migrants warblers.
  23. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    Patience in the yard paid off today, as I nabbed #69, red-eyed vireo. Likely breeder in low numbers nearby, but again, probably a migrant. With a baby on the way any day now, I may be spending quite a bit more time yard birding again.
  24. hookem2010

    Garden / Yard List 2024

    Spent some time in the yard for the first time in a while, primarily keeping an eye out for raptor migration. Nothing in the skies, but a mixed flock moved through, including #68, summer tanager, a really fresh-looking female-type. The birds certainly breed in some numbers in more densley...
  25. hookem2010

    Your Most Recent "Life" Bird

    Got my first ever jaeger, but after reviewing online photos of parasitic and pomarine, I frustratingly couldn't pull the trigger on a species to bump up to #531. Still, this was one of my best self-found birds. I live 250 miles from the coast in central Texas, so jaeger was definitely not on my...
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