Adventures in Birding

#56-57

Not a whole lot of birding going on lately with the snow and ice we've had, but I did go out on my birthday and got one new species, #56, Hermit Thrush. This week the weather warmed up a bit and I got out twice! Yesterday I went to the game lands again and I was surprised to hear a "honking" coming from overhead. I looked up and saw an all-white bird. My first thought was, "Snow Goose!" but that seemed unlikely. Snow Geese tend to travel in packs (I've ever seen one Snow Goose traveling with a flock of Canada Geese!) and after playing a few calls on my phone, I realized it was #57, Trumpeter Swan! They're pretty rare in my county, so it was a nice one! There were also at least 100 Red-winged Blackbirds there chattering up a storm!

I went for another walk today since it was in the 40s when I got up (funny how that seems so warm in Winter!). I only saw lots of American Crows (and a deer and a rabbit), but I did hear Song Sparrows singing, which is a sign of Spring coming!

I'm currently on eagle watch. There are two Eagle nest cameras set up in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Hays Nest   just laid their second egg of the season and The Hanover Nest   is still awaiting its first egg, any time now!

I have another bird walk with a local bird club on Saturday! I love getting to go birding with so many other bird-watchers!