On my other post I forgot to mention our bird bath. It brings in ALOT of birds, many that don't even use the feeders....
NFR Bird Watching for Beginners?
- Thread starter JayB
- Start date
Non-fishing related
Snowy owls a Damon Point during an irruption year. Bowerman basin around Mother’s Day where you can see 500,000 shorebirds, including knots, peregrine falcons and merlin.
Bruce Baker
Life of the Party
Of course, you will have to provide us with some updates from time to time
The difference in bird life here has been dramatic since we started building gardens 6 years ago. Went from a few different types at different times, to many types and a steadily increasing population of new birds. I don't know all they varieties, but my better half does.
She can hear the the songs and identify the birds, and while I can't hear for sh!t...my eyes still work and we enjoy the rotation of species while they work the plants, flowers, seeds and bugs.
Habitat matters in this case...that is for certain.
She can hear the the songs and identify the birds, and while I can't hear for sh!t...my eyes still work and we enjoy the rotation of species while they work the plants, flowers, seeds and bugs.
Habitat matters in this case...that is for certain.
If your in Everett, try that water front park by the by the sewer plant under I-5 there are some nice paved walkways there. Lots of birds away from most people. The name slipped my memory. I looked up the name, it is called Langus Riverfront Park. They have picnic tables and a fishing pier also.
Pigeon hawk = Merlin, duck hawk = peregrine
There is a peregrine aerie at DF. One year, I heard the bird in a stoop before I saw it. I have see two peregrine kills and some Merlin kills.
There is a peregrine aerie at DF. One year, I heard the bird in a stoop before I saw it. I have see two peregrine kills and some Merlin kills.
Jim in Anacortes
Life of the Party
I spend a lot of time on the water around the San Juan Islands. Last year I saw a boat near Smith Island taking hunters out to shoot waterfowl. This peaked my curiosity,, And I quickly learned that there is a plethora of ducks that are difficult to hunt on land, but easier to hunt on the water. Apparently there is an industry for these guided hunts. I don't hunt birds, however, I was amazed at the magnificent variety and colors of the birds on the water. My ignorance of the birds in the puget sound is something I must address.
Jim in Anacortes
Life of the Party
A few day ago I was on a boat just outside Anacortes. A boat flew right by me that was covered in foliage. And I mean covered. It looked like a floating bush, going 30 knots. I heard the shotguns going off in the distance shortly after. I like seeing new things.
I would be curious what they were targeting . Sea ducks - scoters, golden-eye, bufflehead, etc. have a marine diet - clams, crabs - don’t make good table fare, in my opinion.
Of course, a lot of puddle ducks do venture into the salt - mallards, widgeon, teal, and pins - and are good table fare. They tend to feed on grasses and freshwater areas.
JIA - never to late to start. There is a shop by the casino - coming into Anacortes that should be able to guide you. Washington Park is a great place to walk - sea birds and LBJ’s, little brown jobs. Bay view is another spot. Of course, the snows and swans are incredible .
Of course, a lot of puddle ducks do venture into the salt - mallards, widgeon, teal, and pins - and are good table fare. They tend to feed on grasses and freshwater areas.
JIA - never to late to start. There is a shop by the casino - coming into Anacortes that should be able to guide you. Washington Park is a great place to walk - sea birds and LBJ’s, little brown jobs. Bay view is another spot. Of course, the snows and swans are incredible .
Bruce Baker
Life of the Party
@JayB this is fyi. I get emails from BH Photo Video Pro Audio (NYC) and in the latest email, there was a link to "A Guide to Birding with Binoculars.
JayB
Life of the Party
Will be taking my daughter to the Malheur area in mid-March for a one-on-one birding/camping trip. I understand that'll be well before the prime season, but if anyone has any suggestions for the best places to go to view the birds that are around then, I'd love to hear them.
Will probably be pretty cold and barren around those parts in March, but even if there's not much happening in the way of birds, there should be good stargazing, rockhounding, and general scenery-viewing to be had. I'm pretty excited for the trip, and will even be listening to the audio version of "The Big Year" whilst driving too and fro to set the mood. Birding...who knew?
Will probably be pretty cold and barren around those parts in March, but even if there's not much happening in the way of birds, there should be good stargazing, rockhounding, and general scenery-viewing to be had. I'm pretty excited for the trip, and will even be listening to the audio version of "The Big Year" whilst driving too and fro to set the mood. Birding...who knew?
When I was going down there, there was a center patrol road that you could drive. Used to be owls that were common in the riparian trees. It might be too early but there are sage grouse leks in the area. Quite a sight to see but you have to get their early, and make sure you give them plenty of room - don't push to get too close.
I'm sure that you will have plenty of birds to see and other great things to occupy your time.
It is a special area.
I'm sure that you will have plenty of birds to see and other great things to occupy your time.
It is a special area.
I assume that you have seen this info.
www.fws.gov
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
The sedges were full of birds, the waters were full of birds: avocets, stilts, willets, killdeers, coots, phalaropes, rails, tule wrens, yellow-headed blackbirds, black terns, Forster’s terns, Caspian terns, pintail, mallard, cinnamon teal, canvasback, redhead and ruddy ducks. Canada geese...
We have been to Malhuer Refuge in March. While this is not prime season it is still great. We saw many swans, thrushes and wading birds. Start at the headquarters. Just sitting on a bench and watching the feeders there is good and the volunteers will know what is being seen elsewhere in the refuge.
One general suggestion- carry binoculars and whatever camera you have on all hikes, fishing, family drives etc. I see as many great birds on fishing trips and exercise hikes as when actively looking for birds. As always, life happens when it happens not always when you plan it.
One general suggestion- carry binoculars and whatever camera you have on all hikes, fishing, family drives etc. I see as many great birds on fishing trips and exercise hikes as when actively looking for birds. As always, life happens when it happens not always when you plan it.
JayB
Life of the Party
I probably should have, but I have been so consumed by various projects that I just put a bullseye on the open-dates on the calendar and took a "book first, plan later" approach - so thanks for posting that and I'll gladly incorporate that into the pre-trip prep.I assume that you have seen this info.
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
The sedges were full of birds, the waters were full of birds: avocets, stilts, willets, killdeers, coots, phalaropes, rails, tule wrens, yellow-headed blackbirds, black terns, Forster’s terns, Caspian terns, pintail, mallard, cinnamon teal, canvasback, redhead and ruddy ducks. Canada geese...
There are also redstarts, seasonally.
