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.