Year-End-Review

2018 has been an amazing year in birding for me. I really got to see the effects of the studying that I have done and all of the tips that I have gotten from people much more experienced than me. I submitted a total of 255 checklists, documenting 179 species across seven states. 100 of these species are new to my life list, with 73 being added to my Kansas list alone.

I photographed 43 species. My highlight photo is between the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) displaying when I was near the nest, or the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) that landed in the tree right above me.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) landed right above me and sat
still long enough for me to snap a photo.

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) displaying as I neared the nest.

My best photo of the year, voted on by my Twitter followers, was the Great Blue Heron through the sunflowers, a photo that I am calling Sunflower Heron.

Sunflower Heron (Ardea herodias).

I am ending the year strong with the Manhattan, KS Christmas Bird Count and bird banding with Dr. Alice Boyle on Konza Prairie. The birds were a bit slow for the count this year, but we were able to find a group of Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) in a small tree-line. Our few days of banding produced the first Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) caught for this project on Konza Prairie and helped me to see how much I learned while helping last year as well.

I hope that everyone has had as great of a year in birding as I have and that next year will be even greater for us all. I plan to post even more next year, as I take Ornithology during my spring semester.

Sunday Summary: November 12-November 18, 2018

It has been a while since I have posted a Sunday Summary, or anything else on this blog for that matter. I apologize for the long break, but I have been very busy with classes and haven't been able to get out and do much birding to report to you all. Luckily, Kansas State gives a whole week off for the Thanksgiving holiday, which will allow me to catch up on some much needed birding and blogging.

Since my last Sunday Summary, I have added four birds to my Riley County list, bringing my total to 112 species observed. New species are as follows: Golden-Crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), and Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens). The Snow Goose also added t my life list, bringing that total to 190 species. I have again reached my pre-winter goal, and will be setting my new goal to 125 species in Riley County before winter.

My most observed species this week was the Snow Goose with 100 individuals observed. I was lucky enough to spot this group as they flew in their nice V above me just when I arrived at Fancy Creek this afternoon. It was nice to finally see this species while conducting a bird count.

There is no picture of the week this week. With the leaves having fallen and the cold weather species moved in, it is becoming harder and harder to spot birds that I am able to get good pictures of. Most of the species that I observe are in dense clusters of Eastern Red Cedar trees, making it almost impossible to tell that there is even a bird in the picture sometimes.

My highlight of the week is between getting to observe the Golden-crowned Kinglets and seeing a group of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) getting a drink from the puddle of a melting icicle under a picnic shelter. The Golden-crowned Kinglets always make my day when I see them because they are such tiny little birds that seem to have so much energy. The Cedar Waxwings were the largest group of this species that I have observed in Kansas at one time and it was great to see them taking advantage of the melting ice pooling in the shelter.

I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. To get rid of that feeling in your gut after the big meal, may I suggest taking a nice peaceful birding walk. Who knows, maybe you'll spot a Wild Turkey.

Also, if you would like to read more from me with a focus less on birding and more on nature as a whole, check out my new blog Journals of a Naturalist at https://journalsofanaturalist.blogspot.com/.

Sunday Summary: October 8-October 14, 2018

I finally have a weekly summary that is worth writing about. Although it was rainy and could covered for most of the week, I was able to get out five days and report checklists. Before I get into that, a little update on stats that I haven't yet posted.

Since my last Sunday Summary, I was able to reach my goal of 100 species in Riley County, Kansas before winter. On September 29 I added four new species to this list; Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum), Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), and Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors). These four brought my total to 101, allowing me to make a new goal of seeing 110 species before winter. On the October 7, I added another three species; Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), and Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) bringing my total to 104.

This past week, I was able to add another four species, making my new total for Riley County, Kansas 108; Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), American Coot (Fulica americana), and Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Only two species left to reach my new goal. The Broad-winged Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were also additions to my overall life list, bringing the total there to 189 species. I can't wait until that number is at 200.

My most observed species this week was the American Coot, with 140 individuals observed over three days. I went from never seeing a single American Coot in my life to seeing them in groups of up to 65 at a time. I have really enjoyed observing them over the last few days, especially since they are about the only waterfowl that seem to be around this area right now.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) perched against the beautiful leaves
of fall.

The picture of the week this week is of a perched Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon). I had been observing this female for a few days near the same spot and got a great picture of her at a distance, but could never catch a clear image when she moved closer. Then, while out with my brother-in-law, Anthony, she flew right over us and perched in a branch very near to where we were standing. I fumbled around with the camera for a little bit, due to excitement, and was fortunate enough to get this image on my first shot. I love the fall leaves in the background and I always seem to like pictures that I have had to work for more than those that come easy.

My highlight from the week was taking Anthony birding. He is an Ag teacher at the Blue Valley High School and is developing a new wildlife management course for his students to take. I am fortunate enough that he is allowing me to assist in the development of his curriculum for the course. His students are currently entering their ornithology unit and I have been trying to help him by showing him good places to take kids on field trips and giving tips on how to identify and learn to identify the birds that they observe. Without Anthony there sharing the moment of the Kingfisher I don't thin it would have been quite as special.

I hope that everyone is having a great fall so far (although it is more like winter here with all of the snow).

Friday Field Notes: October 12, 2018

From October 12, 2018

Finally sunny after about a week of rain I am able to get out and enjoy some time birding. Luckily the birds seem to like the sunshine as well. All of the American Coots (Fulica americana) wading up the flooded road and the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) happily hunting from the trees along the bank.

It's nice to have such a great day to get out and be with nature for a while. I just found out that I have been dropped from the Marine Corps Reserves due to an issue with paperwork and this changes a lot of things that I had planned for the future. Although I have been trying to find the positives in the situation, a change this big can really put a strain on a person.

Since separating from active duty, I have gone through periods of depression. Topped with a slight amount of PTSD, there are many things I could have turned to trying to escape my mind. Luckily for me, I found a sense of security in birding and spending time in the outdoors away from people and my own thoughts.

Unfortunately there are lots of veterans out there who haven't found such a healthy way to deal with their depression and turn to alcohol or drugs to try and escape the pain. Currently 22 veterans each day take their own lives due to not being able to escape their own heads. If someone you know has recently separated from the military, or just suffers from depression and bad thoughts, try taking them birding with you. Showing them how to enjoy the world around them could help them to get away from themselves when they really need to.

Birding has really helped me in times of need and I hope that by sharing how it has assisted in my transition, you will share birding with another person. You never know what they might be going through and how a simple walk with nature could affect decisions that they make in the future.

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Views like this have helped me to escape my mind.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: October 10, 2018

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) perched and searching for
something to eat.

 The bird of the week this week is one of the most common woodpecker species that I observe here in Kansas. Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) are a common woodpecker species to visit suet feeders, often chasing off other birds with their intimidating beaks. I am often asked why they are called red-bellied by non-birders. Although not super obvious, there is a bit or red mixed into the feathers on their bellies. The red cap on top of their heads can be such a bright shade of red that it almost looks orange in the right light.

Red-bellied Woodpecker displaying its beautiful red/orange cap.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers eat mostly insects, but will munch on acorns, nuts and pine cones as well. As a yard bird, I mostly see them eating from the suet, but sometimes catch them picking sunflower seeds from my trough feeder. I have even had these beautiful birds trying to impale holes into the gutters on my home, likely trying to get to some insect that was hiding in the wood just behind the thin metal. 

When it comes to woodpecker nesting, this species is no different from the others, choosing to nest in hollowed out cavities. The Red-bellied Woodpecker can lay one to three broods per year with clutches ranging in size from two to six eggs.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is of low conservation concern. Although the forests of their range (Eastern North America) have diminished, these birds seem to continue to thrive.

Friday Field Notes: September 28, 2018

I apologize for the week off. Sometimes life just gets in the way. With school, work and now time in the lab, it can be very hard to get out and bird consistently. I know that I keep using this excuse, but I promise that I have been trying to make time wherever I can to report the amazing birds around me and keep up with writing this blog.

That being said, this Friday Field Notes is more of an update on the new undergrad research project that I am taking on. I am very excited about having the opportunity to work in such a great lab so early in my career and hope that it leads to great things in the future.

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Recently, I have taken on an undergraduate research project in Dr. Alice Boyle's lab at Kansas State University. It's part of a study being conducted by Dylan Smith concerning Dickcissel (Spiza americana) nesting habits during the recent Kansas drought. My part of this project is to sort and weigh insects to try and determine whether the availability of food sources affect the nesting patterns of this species.

Yesterday being my first day, I have already had a few hiccups. During the weighing of the insects I had a problem with the scale. While weighing the edible samples, the scale had some problems accurately reading the weight. The inedible samples produced a definitive weight in a matter of seconds, but after waiting over 30 minutes the edible samples was still being determined.

Luckily there is a good amount of accessibility in the Boyle Lab, and after bringing the solution up to Sarah Winnicki, one of the grad students in this lab, an email chain was quickly sent out to all involved in the project and past students who helped develop the protocols for this specific part of the project and a few suggestions on how to fix the issue have been discussed. I plan on implementing them in the future and hopefully the issue will be resolved.

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Sorting process of insects.

Weighing the edible insects for one sample.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: September 19, 2018

Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) gracefully soaring above Tuttle Creek Lake.

The bird of the week this week is the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). They are a migrant species that I have enjoyed observing lately. I haven't seen them in their breeding colors, but I like how they look in their non-breeding/juvenile plumage more anyway.

The Black Tern is a medium sized shorebird, slightly smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) that I normally observe them associated with. In their non-breeding plumage, they are a mostly white bird with dark grey to black on their back and wings and a small peninsula of black behind their eye. They have black bills, legs and feet. The breeding adults sport a fully black body with only small patches of white near the vent and on the underside of the wings. The Black Tern is a common bird in steep decline.

Black Terns fighting the wind to fly in place.

Black Terns eat mostly insects and occupy freshwater marshes, where they construct floating nests. Not much information is provided on this bird species on the allaboutbirds.org webpage about their habitat or nesting habits.

According to allaboutbirds.org, the Black Tern populations in North America have been declining by about two percent per year since 1966, causing a total decline of 57% by 2014.

The Black Tern has been a great bird to observe as it flies just above the water and takes little dives every once in a while. They seem to try and use the wind to keep them in place for as long as they can fight it, by flying against the wind and just slightly altering the angle of their bodies to move around. This species is very graceful and adds nice variety to the birds that I am able to observe in my little corner of the world.

Sunday Summary: September 10-September 16, 2018

As the semester continues, I realize that I will not be able to make it out most days to bird. This will be reflected in the coming Sunday Summaries to come. Sadly, I am missing one of the greatest times of the year, fall migration. I have noticed more shorebirds lately, but I seem to be missing the warblers that others have spotted.

I was able to submit four checklists this week with a total of 27 species. No birds were added to my life list, but I was able to add three to my Pottawatomie County, Kansas list. Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea), Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), and Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus). This brings my Pottawatomie County list to 36 species.

My most observed species this week was the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) with 70 individuals. It's always fun to see them roosting in their large groups. I usually count one large group and think that they are all accounted for only to turn a corner to find another group of even more.

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) stepping off after the two ahead
of it, disappearing into the tall grass.

The picture of the week this week is a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) as it scurried away from me. I stopped on the road because I saw a head poking out of the grass and wanted to be sure that it was in fact a Northern Bobwhite. Not only did I confirm the one that I originally spotted, but there were two others that followed as I shuffled around for my camera. This is a species that I have been wanting to get a shot of for a long time now, and I was able to just barely catch the third before it disappeared into the tall grass and cedar trees.

My highlight of the week is from Saturday morning. I was at Fancy Creek State Park dong a little fishing (surprisingly not a birding focused trip), and I heard a high-pitched whinnying noise coming from behind me. I knew it was an owl, but wasn't 100% sure what species. Using my Merlin app, I was able to identify it as an Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio). As I went to the car to get my binoculars to see if it was close, a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) landed on a log not far from shore where I was standing. I was able to snap a few pictures, but the lighting wasn't very good and they all came out blurry. I didn't ever find the owl.

How is fall migration going for you? I would love to hear any stories about the migrants you have been able to observe so far. 

Friday Field Notes: September 14, 2018

Form September 14, 2018

The pollinators are on their last push it seems before the Fall season begins and the flowers are gone. It's interesting to think that they use the nectar from flowers to provide enough energy to survive through the Winter and be able to go back out the next Spring to collect it all again. The more I think about it, the more amazing this seems.

Not only do the pollinators amaze me, but the fact that flowers have developed such a system to help them reproduce. Through evolution, the flowers easily could have developed ways to self pollinate, but instead this mutual relationship between the flowers and the pollinators has remained their mode of choice. The bees get their food and the flowers are able to reproduce. But bees aren't the only pollinators.

Many people don't think of the other pollinators of this world much. When asked to name one, most people go straight for the bees, but why don't butterflies get as much love? Better yet, why not hummingbirds, or bats. Yes, Fruit Bats do help to pollinate flowers. Again it's a mutual relationship with the flowers. The bats get the nectar, the flower gets pollinated and becomes a fruit, the bat eats the fruit, the seed is released allowing it to become another fruit tree that can support more bats.

The systems of nature fascinate me so much. To think of all the ways in which things in nature are interconnected, I don't believe it is possible. This just goes to support the notion that a small change can make a big difference. We as humans need to take this into consideration when we decide to develop lands to fit our needs. What could we be taking away from nature? What systems are we interrupting? How can we help to support the systems that we are destroying once we do? These are just some of the questions that I want answered. This planet isn't only ours. We are just a small part of a very large system.

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Grey Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus) collecting it's nectar from
a Dotted Gayfeather (Liatris punctata Hook).

Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) wallowing in the
inflorescence of a Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum (L.) Spreng). 

Wednesday Bird of the Week: September 12, 2018

American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) preening on a log
floating in Tuttle Creek Lake.

The bird of the week this week has been the most observed species in my weekly reports multiple times in the last couple of months, but has always been too far for me to get pictures of until yesterday. The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is not the coastal pelican that most might think of. It spends time more in the middle states during migration.

The American White Pelican is a large, white bird, found near large bodies of water. When in flight, they display their black primaries, which are mostly hidden while they are floating or perched. They have large orange/yellow bills and during breeding season the adults grow a  horn shaped plate on their upper bill. This species is of low conservation concern.

American White Pelican displaying black primaries during flight.

Since the main habitat of the American White Pelican is lakes and ponds, it is no surprise that their diet consists of mainly fish. Sometimes large groups of these birds will even work together to herd small fish into the shallows. They  can dip their large, pouched bills into the water and scoop out fish, or they may even dip their whole bodies under water like a diving duck.

American White Pelicans nest on the ground, laying a clutch of one to three eggs. They prefer flat sites on gravel, sand, or soil near other pelicans.

Although the American White Pelican likes to perch on floating logs, they are fairly clumsy. They use their wings to try and keep balance, but often fall off of their log into the water. Most of the time they seem to just play it off as though they intended to take a little swim anyway.

Next time you are near a large body of water, keep a lookout for these large birds. They are quite fascinating to observe, especially in flight.

Sunday Summary: September 3-September 9, 2018

This week was very sad from a birding standpoint for me. I was only able to get out two days and submit checklists. With all of the rain that we have been getting and the change in schedule with school, there just wasn't much time.

I was still able to add three species to my Riley County and life lists. The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), and Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) were all new birds for me. I have never really gotten out to a wetland area during the fall migration before, but am hoping to be able to get out more this week to hopefully add even more diversity to my list. My new list totals are now; Riley County, 97, Life list, 186. Only three away from my goal of 100 species for Riley County before winter.

My most observed species was the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) with 46 individuals. I also observed what seemed to be a migrating flock of this species over the Kansas State University campus this week, but was not able to report it.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) wading in the river, through a sunflower
screen.

The picture of the week this week is of a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) through some sunflowers. This bird was hanging out near the boat ramp at Fancy Creek State Park as I was leaving Tuesday. It stood still and allowed me to capture a few great images before slowly turning and walking off to where I could no longer get a clear shot.

My highlight of the week was finding the Caspian Tern and Black Terns. I spotted the Caspian Tern while observing the feeding behaviors of the Ring-billed Gulls (). The Tern just happened to fly in front of the Gull that I was observing, catching my attention with its bright orange bill and black cap. The Black Tern was flying around in the area, but I struggled for a long time to figure out what it actually was. They were not displaying their breeding colors, so most of my manuals were not the most helpful. Luckily the Sibley Guide has many different plumage variations for each species and I was able to determine from there that they were either juveniles, non-breeding adults, or some combination of both.

Friday Field Notes: September 7, 2018

Notes taken September 3, 2018

We got a pretty heavy rain last night and there's a threat of rain looming over us this morning. The water at Fancy Creek is up over the bridge where I have been taking m notes. I am calling that Frog Bridge now due to the bullfrogs that always seem to hang out there.

I am writing this now from what I am calling Low-water Bridge because the water is always much lower here than at Frog Bridge. The sound of the water running over the rocks reminds me of my time in Wisconsin at Amnicon Falls. Of course, there was much more water at Amnicon than there is here.

I could sit and watch water flow all day. I am reminded of something I was once told and I can't remember who told me, but if you stare at one point of a river, you'll never see the same water twice.

It's so relaxing to listen to and watch the water and then think of all the benefits that come from it. The plants need it to grow. The animals eat the plants. Other animals eat those animals. They drink the water. It creates new landscapes. Those are just a few of the benefits.

It's nice to finally have flowing water after such a long Summer of drought.

The creek at Low-water Bridge.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: September 5, 2018

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) showing off
the namesake red head.

This bird of the week isn't the most common woodpecker species of this area, but it is definitely my favorite. There's no wondering why this beautiful bird is called red-headed. With such a bright red head they can be hard to miss.

One of the seven woodpecker species found in Kansas, the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) isn't around for the whole year. During the winter they make a trip to parts of Texas and southern Louisiana, returning to breed in the Spring.

Picking at the tree a little before taking off.

Sadly, this year I haven't seen as many as I have in past years, which should be of no surprise for a species that is under conservation watch as a declining species. This is likely due to a loss in nut bearing trees all over the range of this great species and the cutting down of dead trees which they use for nesting and food storage.

The Red-headed Woodpecker, much like most other woodpecker species, are cavity nesters. They like creating holes in the tops of dead trees and telephone poles. They can have a clutch ranging from three to ten eggs and can have two broods per year. 

 These birds are fairly easy to distinguish from other woodpecker species. They have a very distinct red head and a beautiful black and white feather pattern on their backs. Being quite chatty is another characteristic of this species that I really enjoy. They definitely like to make their presence known and defend the trees that they have claimed very fiercely from other birds.

Sunday Summary: August 27-September 2, 2018

The streak has come to an end. After 68 days straight of birding and submitting checklists, I wasn't able to keep it up. On Tuesday my schedule got too packed and I wasn't able to submit a checklist. The other problem is that I can be really picky sometimes about where I submit my checklists from and so I pass up opportunities when I should just take advantage of whatever time that I have.

This being the case, I was still able to observe 38 species this week, all in Riley County again. I added the Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) to my life list. This species is a fairly rare species for this area of the world, that migrates through in during both the Spring and Fall migrations. I was also able to bring my county list up to 94 species by adding a Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons), the Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), and a few Merlin (Falco columbarius). Only six species left to finally reach my goal of 100 for Riley County.

The most observed species this week was the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), with sixteen individuals this week. Larger wading birds and shorebirds were something of a premium this week compared to recent weeks past.

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) checking out the tree
it had just left behind. 

The picture of the week this week is of a Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). This is my favorite woodpecker species found in the Midwest region. They like to go to the southern part of Texas for the Winter, but always return in the Spring and can very easily be spotted at the tops of dead trees or telephone poles.

My highlight of the week was observing the Merlins at Fancy Creek State Park. Although wether or not they were truly Merlins is still being determined, due to the large number that I observed (seven at one time). I truly believe that the characteristics that I was able to observe point directly to the Merlin, but there is a chance that it could have been a small flock of Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) which apparently share some of the same feather patterns. If confirmed as Merlins, I will have observed the largest group of Merlins recorded in the state of Kansas.

I continue to be very happy with how this blog is turning out and also to ask for help from my readers. If you have any questions, comments, concerns or advice please leave your comments to let me know. I will do my best to address whatever it is that is brought to my attention.

Friday Field Notes: August 31, 2018

This is a new segment that I am wanting to try for this blog. Friday Field Notes won't necessarily have birding information every time, but it will be an excerpt from a field notebook that I keep. Each week I will post one story from this notebook about one of my outings. They may even have some drawings associated with them some weeks. The goal is to be able to start using the knowledge that I learn in my more specific classes, such as mammalogy, to share in greater detail with you about the world that surrounds us all.

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Notes taken August 25, 2018

I'm at Fancy Creek State Park. I came here to conduct a bird count, but have been struck by the beauty that is a healthy wetland. About a week ago I was here observing the exact same area I am observing today. What a difference a few days of rain can make. The wetland was so dry that hardly any shorebirds were around and now there is flowing water. The grasses have greened up once again just in time for the Fall migration to begin.

The birding has been a bit spotty, but the morning has also been very foggy. I got the opportunity to see a pair of perched Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) and a couple Wilson's Warblers (Cardellina pusilla) thus far, but the fog is beginning to clear and more birds are starting to sing.

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As expected, the birding picked up as the fog cleared. I was able to observe my first Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) and a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). I also observed an interesting behavior of the American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). Two males flew up high together, taking quick darts at one another and then plunged into the underbrush for a little while, only to repeat the sequence once more. One male then flew off to the top of a nearby tree.

This has been a beautiful, cool morning. It's always a great thing to be able to get out and enjoy nature any way that I can, but I enjoy it even more when the birding is good.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: August 29, 2018

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) perched on the
nectar feeder.

I have chosen the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) as this weeks bird of the week because they will soon be gone from this area and I have been seeing them more frequently due to their migration. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates every Fall back to it's wintering grounds in Central America and then back again in the Spring as far north as southern Canada.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only commonly found hummingbird species in the Midwest region of the United States. They are beautiful, fast fliers who feed on nectar and some small insects. Hummingbirds are the only species of bird that can fly backwards and even hover. This is a very useful skill when you have to stay in place to get nectar out of the depths of a tubular flower.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be very territorial (see video at the end of this post). I have only observed the chasing behavior from the males of the species, and only rarely does the dominant male at my feeder let a female join him.

The males of this species have a very distinct red patch on their throats (hence the name Ruby-throated), but the females lack this patch. With a green overall body color and white belly, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is easily distinguished from other hummingbird species that migrate through this area.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are of low conservation concern, and with people being attracted to many flowering plants that have long, tube-shaped flowers, food is not hard for these busy birds to find. If you feed hummingbirds in a nectar feeder, it is now recommended not to give them the red nectar commonly found in stores. They can't process the red dye (Red 40) used in this nectar. I have recently switched to a homemade nectar which is four parts water and one part sugar (one cup water and 1/4 cup sugar). Since switching, I have had more hummingbirds at my feeder than ever before, with five at one time.

The nests of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird can be found in trees or bushes, but is very hard to spot because it is so small. They make their nests out of spider silk and lichen and the nest is able to stretch as the nestlings grow. So if you have ever seen a nest of a hummingbird and wondered how more than one bird could possibly fit in something so small, don't worry, they have it covered. Once the nestlings are ready to fledge, the nest is mostly flat and no longer provides much protection or camouflage needed to protect the young birds.

If you have taken your feeders down because you hadn't seen a hummingbird in a while, I would recommend putting them back up for a a few more weeks at least. Help a hummingbird store enough energy to make the migration this year so that hopefully we can all enjoy more next year.

 

Sunday Summary: August 20-August 26, 2018

This week was the first week back at classes at K-State, making it a little challenging to get out to bird every day, but I was still able to do it. The Fall migration has officially begun and I been able to see a few of the migrants this week.

I was able to observe 40 species this week. All checklists have been conducted in Riley County, Kansas this past week and I was able to add two species to my county and life list. Two Wilson's Warblers (Cardellina pusilla) and a Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) were the birds added to both lists this week, bringing my Riley County list to 91 and my life list to 182 species.

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was once again the most observed species with 250 individuals this week. These giant flocks of pelicans have been quite amazing to witness as they seem to wade through the water almost as their own island.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) preening itself and trying to keep
watch at the same time.

The picture of the week this week is of a beautiful Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) as it was preening itself. I had been trying to photograph this species for a while now. I spotted this one right before it dived into a bush and I thought I was never going to see it again. As I continued to walk down the road he flew out in front of me and into this tree, where I was able to take this picture and watch him for a little while before moving on.

My highlight of the week has been birding on Saturday morning. It was foggy to start the morning and I was able to spot a pair of Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) perched in a tree. This was really a special experience for me because I have only been able to observe them in flight or perched on fence posts.

As this blog continues to grow, I have decided to begin a new segment that will be posted on Fridays called "Friday Field Notes." This segment might not always have a ton of birding information, but it will be some writings from a field journal that I am keeping. This segment may have information on random things that I find while out of behaviors of animals that I was able to truly observe.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: August 22, 2018

A group of Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) putting on an aerial display.

This weeks bird of the week is the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). If you have kept with me since the beginning, you will know that this was a tough species for me to find for a long time early this Summer, but since spotting my first one I have seen them during a majority of my checklists.

The Common Nighthawk is a bird very similar in appearance to the Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus), but unlike the Whip-poor-will, Nighthawks aren't active exclusively at night. In fact, on outings when I have observed the most individuals of this species I have been out mid-morning or early evening.

The Common Nighthawk is easily identified in flight by the white wing bars it displays. They have a wingspan that is longer than their bodies and make a very distinct peent call. Their call wasn't one that I had been familiarized with until about mid-Summer, but once I observed them and listened to their calls at the same time, I realized that it was one I had heard many times and overlooked it.

Two of the mid-morning group of nine Common Nighthawks.

Common Nighthawks are classified as a common bird in steep decline for their conservation concern. They have a steady decline of about 2% per year, resulting in a total decline of 61% between 1966 to 2014 (allaboutbirds.org).

When nesting, Common Nighthawks lay their eggs directly on the ground and have been known to nest on gravel rooftops in cities.

Until recently, the migration patterns of this bird species weren't very well known. These birds can migrate from the boreal forests of Brazil, across the Gulf of Mexico through Florida, and up to their breeding grounds in the Midwest United States and Southern Canada.

If you haven't observed a Common Nighthawk before, I truly hope that you are able to someday. They are graceful fliers and when there is a group of them it is like watching a dance performance in the sky. They can also be spotted sitting on telephone wires and fence posts here in Kansas.

Sunday Summary: August 13-August 19, 2018

This week I tried birding more from home. Since we have moved I haven't spent a lot of time expanding my yard list, so I took a few days to try and build up my yard list. I also took another trip to Iowa to spend some time with family before the semester begins.

Although August isn't always the most productive month of the year for birding, I was able to add a few species to each county that I birded in during the past week. In Riley County, Kansas I was able to observe a couple Blue Grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea). Mahaska County, Iowa gained a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) and in Keokuk County, Iowa I was able to add the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) and Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

By focusing on adding to my yard, I was able to add three species to my yard list this week, bringing my total to 21 species. My new Riley County total is now 89 species, Mahaska County 64 and Keokuk County 28.

Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) hanging out on an electrical wire.

I observed a total of 47 species this week with American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) again being the most observed species at 160 individuals.

The picture of the week this week is of some Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) hanging out on an electrical wire outside of the barn.

This whole week has really been a highlight week with it being the last week before classes start again. My birding may slow down a little with classes added to the schedule. I will definitely try to bird every day still, but the outings may not be as exciting as they were during the Summer. I look forward to seeing what new challenges I will face with having to rearrange my schedule.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: August 15, 2018

A very Friendly Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) at Yosemite National Park.

The Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a common find in the forests of the mountainous western states and my favorite jay species. This week it is also the bird of the week.

I have observed Steller's Jays in California, New Mexico and Colorado and they get more and more beautiful every time I see them. They are not afraid to approach humans, as they seem to congregate near campgrounds and picnic areas. The Steller's Jays of Yosemite will even steal your snack out of your hand if they can.

One identifying feature of the Steller's Jay is the crest on it's head which is a shared trait only with the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) among North American Jay species. It sports dark blue plumage on its body with a mostly black head and little blue "eyebrows."

The Steller's Jay is of low conservation concern. With the expanding range of the Blue Jay, there are even hybrids between the two species.

They nest in trees and forage the ground for food whenever they aren't begging for it from hikers. If they are found in your area, you can attract them to your backyard by using peanuts or other large nuts.

Much like it's cousin the Blue Jay, Steller's Jays are great mimics. Being able to mimic other birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, chickens and even some machines. This can make it tricky to identify them by sound, but if you are hearing something that sounds just a bit off make sure to look around for this beautiful Jay species.

Sunday Summary: August 6-August 12, 2018

This week was really challenging to bird every day. I had drill for the Marine Corps Reserve and we went to Nebraska where it turns out I do not get signal and therefore was not able to submit any eBird checklists until I got home. That being said, I was able to nab Nebraska off of the list of states left to bird in. 42 states to go and almost through the midwest.

I only observed 10 species in Nebraska with the highlight being a Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) that was hanging out on a fence post. I was not able to add any new species to my Riley County list this week. At 89 species, I am again realizing how hard it can be to reach 100 species in a county, but the challenge makes it a lot more fun and exciting when a new species is observed.

I observed a total of 37 species this week, with the most observed species being the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) at 400 individuals. All 400 individuals were observed at one time during an outing at Fancy Creek State Park.

I unfortunately didn't get any new photos this week due to being at drill.

My highlight of the week was my entire outing on August 6, where I observed 27 species including those 400 American White Pelicans. To see one species gathered in such large numbers is quite amazing. I also observed more Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris) and found a second male at Fancy Creek State Park.

The feedback and experiences that I have heard about from the readers of this blog have made me feel very glad that I began it. I wasn't sure if there was going to be much of a target audience when first brainstorming the idea, but have since been invited to join in Christmas Bird Counts and there is now a link to Birding Big Life on the home page of the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society homepage. So, thank you to my readers and please continue to send me feedback and your birding highlights.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: August 8, 2018

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) drying out in the morning sun.

This week I am choosing to focus on the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Although the Turkey Vulture may seem like a boring or disgusting bird to most people, I find them to be a very interesting species.

For example, did you know that the Turkey Vulture has a well developed sense of smell? Most birds lack in their olfactory senses, but Turkey Vultures are able to find some of the carrion  that they feast on through their sense of smell. They soar above highways and partly wooded areas searching and watching the actions of other scavengers to find freshly dead animals to pick apart. They prefer these fresh corpses, but have been known to eat stuff that has been rotted so much that it is toxic to other animals.

This may all sound disgusting, but actually brings up the very unique role that the Turkey Vulture has of cleaning up dead, rotting corpses to prevent the spread of disease. Think about all of the times that you have seen a Turkey Vulture picking at a dead deer along the side of the road, or picking up the remains of an animal that is no longer identifiable. Now imagine how many carcasses would be along the roads if those birds had not been there to clean up the mess.

Luckily for us the Turkey Vulture is of low conservation concern thanks to leveled out numbers in population.

There are a few vulture species that soar the skies here in the United States. Some identifying marks of the Turkey Vulture are their black bodies with their gray flight feathers, pink bald heads and white bill. Their range covers most of the United States during the breeding season and year round all the way down to the northern parts of South America.

A small wake of Turkey Vultures eating on some old catfish heads.

So next time that you're disappointed to spot a Turkey Vulture soaring through the sky instead of a Bald Eagle or Osprey, just remember all of the good that they do for the world by cleaning up the messes that we make.

Sunday Summary: July 30-August 5, 2018

This week I was able to knock another state off my list as my brother-in-law and I took a backpacking trip through the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma. Only 43 states to go before completing one of my birding life goals.

In Oklahoma I was able to observe 24 species, including all three species of owl present this time of year and a Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) which, according to eBird is rare this time of year. I was also able to pick up five species in Riley County, Kansas, the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) being the highlight species.

My picture of the week is from one of my mornings at Fancy Creek State Park. It includes two Great White Egrets (Ardea alba) and two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias).

Two Great White Egrets (Ardea alba) and two Great Blue Herons
(Ardea herodias) wading during the sunrise at Fancy Creek
State Park.

I observed 59 species this week, with the most observed species being the Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) with 147 individuals.

I had a lot of highlights this week, from finally finding a Painted Bunting to watching  105 American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) land on the wetlands. 

I have enjoyed hearing some of the highlights from all of you readers, so please continue to share. I would also like to point out that you can now subscribe to Birding Big Life by email along the side panel.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: August 1, 2018

Dickcissel (Spiza americana) singing from the top of a small tree on a cloudy
morning.

 Although it may look like a Meadowlark, this week's bird of the week is the Dickcissel (Spiza americana).

The Dickcissel is a common grassland song bird that is very prevalent during Midwest Summers. They enjoy singing from the tops of just about anything that they can find here in the grasslands of Kansas, being one of the first species that I am likely to hear in the mornings as I begin my birding trip.

Although the Dickcissel may look like the Meadowlark, it is only a sparrow sized bird. During the breeding season, the males sport a black "V" shape atop a mostly yellow breast. They also have a nice yellow "eyebrow" (supercilium).

Their song is their name in a slightly raspy voice. It is a call that I overlooked for the longest time, being one of those that I would hear and know that I knew, but not quite being able to place the name to the voice.

The Dickcissel is a bird of low conservation concern, but is one of the main target species on projects here in Kansas because of their abundance and reliance on a healthy grassland environment to succeed.

If you have more identification tips or stories about your time with Dickcissels, please share, I enjoy hearing from the readers of this blog.

male Dickcissel hiding in some wild hemp.

Sunday Summary: July 23-July 29, 2018

This week really challenged me to try and make time for birding as we moved from Clay Center to Randolph, Kansas. This also means that my target county will now be Riley County instead of Clay County. Luckily I already had a decent county list for Riley so I won't be completely starting over.

I was able to get out every day this week, seeing a total of 48 species. I added the Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) to my Clay County list, bringing my total to 132 species. For Riley County I was able to add nine new species with the Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) being the only species new to my life list as well. This brings my Riley County life total to 83. Both of these new additions get me to 175 species for my overall life list.

I was not able to get any clear pictures this week for a picture of the week. Every day I either forgot my camera or it was packed.

My most observed species this week was the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) with a total of 30 individuals in only one trip.

My highlight of the week was identifying the Solitary Sandpiper. Shorebirds have always been a struggle for me, so being able to positively add one to my life list is always a big accomplishment for me.

As always, I would love to hear from you about your birding highlights for the week, or if you have any identification questions, comments or concerns.

Wednesday Bird of the Week: July 25, 2018

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) singing from the top of a tree.

This weeks bird of the week is the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea).

I am choosing the Indigo Bunting because they are a bird that no matter how my birding day is going, if I spot one of these beautiful blue males they can always make me smile. I usually end up watching them for a little bit longer than I probably should and have missed many chances of spotting less common summer species to watch the Indigo Bunting for just a few seconds more.

Indigo Buntings are a fairly common summer species here in Kansas and throughout the Midwest. During their breeding season the males will perch in the tops of trees and sing to attract mates.

If you get out early enough in the morning you might even be able to spot a few of them sitting along the edges of dirt/gravel roads. This was one of the things that I most looked forward to during my time with the MOFEP bird crew.

Other than the bright blue plumage of the male, Indigo Buntings can be identified by their unique song. Each piece of their song is sang in doubles and can be confused with the American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), but unlike the American Goldfinch, the Indigo Buntings song will end on the same phrase every time. So when distinguishing between Buntings and Goldfinches remember, doubles and short, ending on the same phrase.

The nest of an Indigo Bunting is small and cup shaped and their eggs are a solid white. They are commonly found in low bushes or saplings.

Indigo Bunting nest with eggs and recently hatched young.

If you have an interesting story involving the Indigo Bunting, or a different technique for identifying them, please share.

Sunday Summary: July 16 - July 22, 2018

This week I was able to make a short three day trip to Iowa and hit some of my favorite birding spots. during these three days, I added 13 species to my Mahaska County list, 22 species to my Keokuk County list, and I got my first Wapello County list, with 15 species. The two species that I was most excited too add during this trip were the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) and the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). My totals for these counties are now, respectively, 63, 24 and 15.

After returning to Kansas, I took a trip to Fancy Creek State Park where I was able to add three species to my Rile County list. The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and the Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia). These new species bring my Riley County total to 79 species.

My picture of the week this week is of a group of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura), or a wake, perched in a tree at Fancy Creek State Park.

A group of perched Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) is called a wake.

I had a total of 64 species observed this week, with the most observed species being the Turkey Vulture. Although I only saw Turkey Vultures on three days, I saw a total of 37 individuals.

My highlight of the week was spotting a Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) at Fancy Creek State Park. I am told that there are currently no breeding records of this species in Riley County, Kansas, making it very exciting for me to spot one at this time of year.

I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or question about some of your highlights or rare birds in your area.

Sunday Summary: July 9 - July 15, 2018

I got to explore some new areas during this birding week. Although I fell one species short of the week prior, I was able to add another three species to my Clay County and life list. My county total is now up to 131 species and my life list to 173.

I was finally able to observe a Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), but only by sound, I have yet to actually spot one while conducting a count. The other two species added were the Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) and Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido). The Greater Prairie-Chicken was a female accompanied by five young, making this also my highlight species for the week.

The picture of the week this week is a Dickcissel (Spiza americana) in a tree.

Dickcissel (Spiza americana) perched in a tree.

The most observed species of the week was once again the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), being observed all but one day and a total of 41 individuals.

What are some highlights from your week in birding?

More pictures from the week in checklists below.

Checklists for the week:
Monday July 9
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47089182

Tuesday July 10
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47108073

Wednesday July 11
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47129731

Thursday July 12
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47148104

Friday July 13
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47176953

Saturday July 14
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47200787

Sunday July 15
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47221927

Sunday Summary: July 2 - July 8, 2018

Not a bad week for birding in Clay County, Kansas this past week. I reported 55 species in eight checklists, adding two species to my Clay County life list. This brings my county list to 127 species and my total life list to 170 species.

The Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) still evades me. I have seen a few of them while driving, but never when I am doing a bird count.

The two species added to my county list this week were the Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) which I had heard before in the area, but not well enough to positively identify them, and a Henslow's Sparrow (Ammordramus henslowii).

My highlight species for the week was the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus). I found two Killdeer nests this week that should be hatching soon and was able to get some pretty great pictures of an adult performing its distraction display.

The picture of the week this time around was a really tough call. It came down to my picture of a male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) perched on some green, or the Killdeer distraction display. The deciding vote (my wife) has chosen the Indigo Bunting.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) perched and singing.

The most observed species for my week was the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), having been observed every day and with a total of 37 individuals.

This has been o a summary of my week from July 2 - July 8, 2018. What are some of the highlights from your outings this week?