Cliff Swallow Nest Building

A bridge in the middle of upper Bidwell Park hosts an impressive group of Cliff Swallows who are now in the midst of piecing together their nests. I had never seen such a dense group of nests and was amazed by how close together they manage to frantically zoom in and out from under the bridge with no problems at all.



Pairs seem to switch back and forth on the construction of the nests






Just starting

Chico

Went down to Chico to check out Bidwell Park. Happened upon some Wilson's, Townsend's, Nashville, and Orange-crowned warblers along with a few Western Tanagers and Ash-throated Flycatchers. Potluck tonight with some of the other crew, then up early(ish) tomorrow to continue with training.

Mountain bluebird


Pygmy Nuthatch, my favorite nuthatch for now, as this is the first time I've really been surrounded by them

Sage

Amanda and I made an afternoon trip over to the Honey Lake Wildlife Area in order to get a peak at some birds we will likely not encounter for most of the summer, as it is sage brush country. Western Meadowlarks were everywhere and the small ponds we found were full of very skittish ducks.





My first (150 or so) White-faced Ibises


Killdeer were kicking around all over the place, nervously bobbing all the way


Loggerhead Shrike, thankfully a safe distance from my hands

Weekend off

Beautiful day, finding our first Fox Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees of the year and LIFE (for the Towhee). We have the WHOLE weekend off, not sure what we'll do, but probably head down slope for for hikes and birding.

Western Bluebird at the farm

Training Day

First day of training was pretty good overall. A tad rainy and cold, but we got out birding a bit and learned a lot about what lies ahead for the summer. The Sierras rule so far, so come on over for a visit!

Great Blue from the farm a couple of days ago


Black-headed Grosbeaks were singing all over the farm

North

We've made it to the Northern Sierras and will be staying just outside of Chester, the farthest north I've been in Cali, for the next two weeks during our training period. As we've made our way north through Cali we've seen a lot of friends, as well as birds, that we haven't in a while, and it's been grand. Thanks to the Palo folks for the visit, and Nolan for the farm fun (we fed lambs!).

White-tailed Kite at a gas station near Full Belly Farm




Red-winged Blackbirds infused the farm cover crops nicely

Haunted

Up to Point Reyes today after a visit to Los Gatos for another Gallinat lunch.

Cooper's Hawks, which haunts every bird at the feeder in Leverett.

Oaktown again

Back in Oakland once again, prepping for our trek NORTH to Quincy/Meadow Valley for the summer. It's fun to see these folk again, feels like a second home. Charlottesville was great, cool town and beautiful surroundings. Special thanks to Jim, Bee, Carol, and Barbara for the great visit. We made it out for some birding, and though we did not find too much due to wind, there were some species I hadn't seen for a long while.

First thing in the morning we ran into this little guy running across the road to join its mother and fellow cub. Couldn't get anything better than this:


American Redstarts were singing all over the place


As were the Eastern Towhees


Ovenbird, singing in plain view for us too

In the eye

Shipping off to Virginia early in the morning. Fun visit to Mass with friends, family, food, early arrivals, settlers, online streaming, all things non-CR.

A few shots from a walk around the Quabbin Reservoir.

Hooded Merganser


Tree Swallows, my new nemesis. Not because they're hard to find, but because I got a shit right in the eye from one.


Ruffed Grouse

*poof*

Could have been good

Really haven't taken a lot of pictures since I've been home. Gotten a few that coulda been great, like this.

Juggler Meadow

Walked along the Robert Frost Trail between Depot and Juggler Meadow Road today. A few non-feeder birds: Swamp Sparrow, Palm Warbler, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Warbler, and an early Prairie Warbler.

Eastern Bluebird


A few Palms flitting around the marsh-forest edge.


Sapsucker banging on metal.

Sierra bird calls

Not much going in Leverett, saw the Pagoda, watching something other than the five movies we had in Costa Rica, working on Sierra bird calls, which is tough for now.

Collared Redstart


Volcano Hummingbird


Shabby looking Chestnut-sided Warbler


Pale-billed Woodpecker

Feeder Birds

I'm pretty much only seeing birds at the feeder...

Song


Purple


Tufted

Missed

A couple of things Massachusetts does not have to offer right now, or ever I suppose.

Variety

(Not Amanda or my hands)

Capris

The last two days of banding in Costa Rica were spectacular, with 49 birds (of 21 species) the first day and 38 birds (of 18 species) on the second, including two White-throated Spadebills, a Scintillant Hummingbird, a bunch of Fiery-throated and Magnificents, our first Northern Waterthrush, our second Streak-breasted Treehunter, and more Nightinggale Thrushes than I ever wanted to see.

This was the only picture I got of the two spadebills because both seemed ready to perish at the sight of a camera...but LOOK AT THAT BILL!


Hummingbirds will cling to anything they can get their paws on, including their own wings and bills, like this monster playing the trombone.


Me and my 2.2 gram buddy, weighting in at less than a penny.


This was our third Scintillant of the season, but our first male, distinctly different from the equally tiny Volcano by the orange gorget.


Streak-breasted Treehunter


Ah yes, we also had lots of Yellow-thighed Finches. I think they look more like they're wearing capris.


A good net run of the day.