It is pretty cool how there are always Canadian Geese at my work, as annoying as it is to try and walk around their shit all the time haha
a Barn Swallow got in our house last night. Poor dude was stressed after trying to get out for like 10 minutes, kept trying to go through the windows :(
Back from my trip to LA and San Diego. In all, I saw 16 new birds, which is the most I've ever seen in one trip! My absolute favorite sighting was the Western Tanager. I wear a hat with the Tanager on it but I've never managed to see it until now. Actually saw three of them. I'll post some crappy pics later. This is what they look like:
Hell yeah. You get older, and then one day you step outside a hear a bird and think to yourself, "Huh, I wonder what kind of bird that is?" Next thing you know you're standing in your backyard with the Merlin app open, recording all the species you can find.
Just want to let you know that I stayed up late reading all your posts in this thread. Downloaded Merlin and now hopefully I want to make time to hit some trails this weekend. I’m constantly walking the trails here in town. I go walking at a park almost every night where there’s always a ton of waterfowl. Last month I went to Mitchell Lake but only did a quick drive through. Seemed intimidating to walk it alone. And a couple weeks ago saw a wild turkey along the river walk as I was biking. I have binoculars, monoculars, field guides, I’m into photography so I already have a ton of cameras and a few different lenses. I have 2 acres of land and you inspired me to want to go out there and buy some feeders. I know we have owls because I’ve been attacked by them. I’m ready!
this is the best thing I've ever read on this hellsite. Several questions: 1. What kind of feeders did you get? 2. Whereabout in the city are you? 3. Can I come to your place? Mitchell Lake is by far the most active spot here in terms of number of species. There are so many different kinds of waterfowl there, it's insane. Some other good spots: Crescent Bend Nature Park, the Botanical Gardens, Leon Creek Greenway, and so many more. Also a ton of places within driving distances like Guadlupe River SP and Cibolo Nature Center. And for the city's most unexpected and active birding hotspot is along Ave A, a small road between the Brackenridge golf course and a creek running parallel to the course. Tons of stuff there to find! Happy to answer any other questions!
Haven’t gotten any feeders yet but I think that’s where my next check is partially going. I live on the southeast side of town, not too far from a lot of the salado greenway trails. And meeting up sometime could be cool! Definitely interested in the guided tours but I haven’t been able to make it work with my work schedule lately
Oh nice! I live out in the 'country' in Saint Hedwig. I have to drive pretty far to get any serious birding done. Crescent Bend is close but that's pretty much it. A guided bird tour is exactly how I got started. Mitchell Lake does Beginner's Bird Tours one Saturday a month. Beginners Birding Tour They also do general Guided Bird Tours once a month as well on Sundays. The Bexar County Audubon site also has events from time to time: Outings - Bexar Audubon South Central Texas For real though, I'd be down to meet up. Birding is a solitary hobby for me, but it's always fun going with others.
Freaking addicted to the Merlin App. Already recognizing some calls. Went on a bike ride today and saw a red shouldered hawk swoop down. And of course the usual ducks. Identified the owl that’s always hooting at night at my house. Good stuff
We have a birdify birdfeeder (with video) - very nice indeed. We have a suet feeder as well, and a hummingbird one (nothing much from that yet). We have baffles on our poles which prevent most squirrels from climbing up. We have a smaller variety of birds (maybe 9-10 ranging from cardinals, sparrows, and mourning dover to woodpeckers, etc...)
Man I took cardinals for granted. They are like the most common backyard bird here. Then I moved to a new development with ZERO trees and it's all house finches and sparrows. The occasional dove or mockingbird. I miss all my songbirds!! We do have a dove nesting in one of my wife's hanging plants on the front porch, so that's fun
Was in Maui for the past week the coolest thing I saw was definitely a Great Frigatebird The wild chickens are a lot of fun too. Also saw a Red-Crested Cardinal which ruled.
Finally got out and did another intentional birding trip. Went to a state park known for appearances of the US's largest woodpecker species, the Pileated Woodpecker. I followed the sound of its machine gun drumming for like 30 minutes until it finally popped out of a tree. Managed to sit and watch it for like 10 minutes. It is truly a dinosaur. Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S353717164
Found myself able to get out for like an hour and a half. Rained off and on got drenched a few times but saw some stuff. Heard more but I’m still learning exactly how to spot things. Here’s a few terrible pics