Peru 2011, a set on Flickr.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
August Challenge
Migration is just around the corner. Shorebird numbers are steadily rising on the coast, and local passerines are leaving their breeding territories. In the next month warblers and other boreal nesters will be heading south through our area. Our yard is rapidly gaining a reputation for a great migrant trap. On some fall days it has more warblers than any other spot in Vermont. We could have double-digit warbler days by the second week in August. Last year I spent many mornings roaming the woods and clearings in search of warblers, vireos, flycatchers and anything else. In the month of August I ebirded 15 checklists containing 58 species. This year I want to do better. The goal is a total of 100 (checklists+species). Given that I am gone for parts of the month, I can't hope for more than 70 some odd species, but 30 checklist is doable.
It will make relativity common birds more exciting and meaningful. Things like Tree Swallow will become a great surprise (if I get it at all), and it will force me to check places that I don't always bird. Looking forward to some great surprises!
It will make relativity common birds more exciting and meaningful. Things like Tree Swallow will become a great surprise (if I get it at all), and it will force me to check places that I don't always bird. Looking forward to some great surprises!
The Beginning
Late last night I decided I need a blog. There doesn't seem to be a logical reason for this. I generally dislike blogs, I am a mediocre writer (at best), and I don't have all that much free time. I do do a lot of birding, and for now that's what I am going to write about. I will try to provide updates on the Windsor County part of the 2011 Vermont County Quest (http://www.vtecostudies.org/quest/) as well as other interesting things that come in to my head.
I am justifying the time commitment as a way to play with ideas for a possible college essay.
As for the name, it's a reference to a group of South American flycatchers. During my first trip to a true rainforest (south-east Peru), I found and identified a flycatcher who's name has stayed with me ever since. It was not an unusual sighting nor a colorful bird, but the name "Olivaceous Flatbill" still rings in my head from time to time. Not only is it the quintessential neotropical bird name, but it is a very descriptive name for this large-billed bird. All in all its the perfect name for a kid with a particular affinity for South American birding.
I am justifying the time commitment as a way to play with ideas for a possible college essay.
As for the name, it's a reference to a group of South American flycatchers. During my first trip to a true rainforest (south-east Peru), I found and identified a flycatcher who's name has stayed with me ever since. It was not an unusual sighting nor a colorful bird, but the name "Olivaceous Flatbill" still rings in my head from time to time. Not only is it the quintessential neotropical bird name, but it is a very descriptive name for this large-billed bird. All in all its the perfect name for a kid with a particular affinity for South American birding.
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