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The Daily Bucket - Backyard Bird Race for May 2023. [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-06-10
I decided to give our steadfast leader (2n10) a break from his faithful duty of hosting the Bird Race. I had a phenomenal month of birding in May and wanted to share my findings with all of you. So after the page break, I’ll start us off.
We each watch for birds in our yard or patches — however, and how many, you wish to define that to be — and keep a list of them to share each month in the Bird Race diary in some way. We will each be keeping track of our own bird lists. Ebird is a very easy way to do that. Or you can write them down in a notebook. Or you can take pictures and add them to a folder on your computer.
The colored blocks offer great ideas for keeping your lists and sightings organized.
There are no “rules” for the Bird Race beyond what you set for yourself. Some ideas for information that you might share here as part of the conversation, any combinations of: A total list or count of birds you have seen: monthly, year to date, life
New birds you have seen, since the last tally
Interesting behavior you have seen
Any patterns or changes in patterns
General location in the country
Type of habitat
Bird ID sites or articles you have found helpful, general or bird family specific
Equipment you use, how you use it, why you got it, where you got it, how to maintain and care for it
Photo processing tips and storage/display sites If you move or travel during the year, it would be very interesting to compare the backyard birds you see in different settings!
Terminology Patch — A favorite area to bird usually not your immediate backyard
Observation — Seeing or hearing a bird that you can positively ID
I’m sure you’ll remember that the wife and I took a week long vacation / anniversary at the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Our first afternoon (after 6 hours of driving) was spent on a small beach in Mandeville, Louisiana. The second day we spent the day at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, LA. I’m going to consider those two places as Destinations of Observations. Here are the results of those visits.
Totals are 21 lifers and 4 first of year sightings in those two days.
Laughing Gulls
wind blown Royal Tern in Mandeville, La.
Whooping Crane pair at the Zoo
male Indian Peafowl (Peacock) in breeding plumage
Catalina Macaw at the Zoo
There was a bird I did not identify while at the zoo. 2n10 took the time to id this bird for me. Thanks brother. It is another lifer for the month.
Strolling in the Aviary of the Audubon Zoo, identified as an
Oriental Magpie-Robin — Copsychus saularis (another lifer for me).
The third day of our coastal visit was to Ship Island, Mississippi (a barrier island in the Gulf). This was a relaxation day for the wife and birding paradise for me. Here are the items collected during that day. I also included my birthday trip to Noxubee Wildlife Rufuge and the first of year sightings near home.
14 lifers and 4 first of year sightings (as of May 24th).
Here is where I include the items not on my lists above. First of Year,
5-26 Hooded Warbler and Kentucky Warbler
5-27 Chimney Swift, 5-29 Scarlet Tanager
Semipalmated Plover on Ship Island
Dunlin
I’ll post this 20 second video again because it seemed to be the activity of all the birds I saw while on the beach. It gives a great size comparison of the Willet to the Sanderling.
female Red-cockaded Woodpecker with millipede meal
Male Scarlet Tanager and meal
juvenile male Green Heron
Below is a wonderful list of internet sites to help you with your birding experiences.
My contribution to today’s event equates to 12 first of year & 36 lifer sightings.
I know you all have seen or heard some special thing in your adventures. This is the place to share them. I’d love to hear all about your sightings.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow.
Welcome all visitors and Bucketeers. Fill the comment section with as much as you are comfortable sharing. There are no judgements on ability, experiences or age among birders, just curious people looking around in awe at things that fly. My Bug of the Day was taken from last year’s file. I have not seen a Neon Skimmer (Libellula croceipennis) this year, but It is just a matter of time. If you miss this lovely mosquito eater in your area, here is a sparkling specimen.
Next Bird Race report day is July 8, 2023. Mark your calendars now.
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