WBU's BIRDING BLOG

Friday, April 10, 2009

Amalia's recent pictures

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Purple Martin

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

St Marks pictures by Carol

Yellow-throated Warbler

Cooper's Hawk

Redhead

Bald Eagles

The eaglet in the nest by the saltwater boat ramp is exercising his wings and getting ready to fledge. Parents are watching close by and chasing off intruders. Several other adults are prominent at other areas of the refuge.

There are still 6-8 different kinds of ducks at Lighthouse Pond, though Redheads are the most numerous. A Cooper’s Hawk flushed the flocks, but they settled quickly.

Little birds are numerous around the Visitor’s Center.

FORT MORGAN

Susan and I went to the bird banding at Fort Morgan on March 28th. It was my first time there...Susan's second. We went to both banding stations, but the quieter one was where the two Freds were. I did enjoy meeting Bob Sargent. He was great with the kids.

(1) Susan is holding and then releasing a warbler. (2)The table where the birds are measured and info input into the computer. (3)The female cardinal was the most fiesty of all the birds banded. She fussed the whole time. (4)I added the picture of the little girl to show that even the little people are given the opportunity to release the birds after they are banded and measured. (5) This shows the Cedar Waxwing being measured. (6) Just as we were leaving the park we saw this Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It was caught and banded the next day.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Whoopers in Texas

Whooping Crane

Pam Flynn writes....

Here's a couple shots of a whooping crane at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. This bird is one of about 200 in the only wild migrating flock in the world. They will be headed back up to Canada to nest in the next couple weeks.

They are in desperate need of some blue crabs too so if you have any you need to get rid of, send them on over to Texas. These amazing creatures would definitely appreciate it!