birdsbirding: history, lifelist, and some bird-related links|worksmiscellaneous creative ventures (poetry, acrylic, pastel, and marker paintings, etc.)|fotospictures galore! plus my daily foto project|linkspretty self-explanatory, no? just incase, links to various cyberly locations

BIRDS

Why birds? I often joke that as an astronomy student I am looking up at the stars all the time, so looking up at birds comes naturally. As it turns out the joke has some truth in it.

My interest started while I was an intern at the Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory in La Serena, CHILE. As a diligent worker I spent many late nights at the computer lab on the recinto. One evening a group of birds landed in a formation just outside the lab. I snuck up behind a bush and watched them as they moved in a strange pattern. I was intrigued but never figured out what they were.

Around the same time, I was taking long walks to the beach and along fertile farm lands, all the while noting the abundance of avian wildlife. A different group of birds were nesting on some towering dead trees near Coquimbo. Between what I can remember and what I know now, they might have been a variety of Booby, unfortunately I couldn't find a bird guide while in Chile.

Once I returned to the US, I brought a book on North American birds. Then for my birthday present I received a bird feeder and some seeds. I quickly began to identify the visitors to my feeder and a few other birds around Austin, TX. It wasn't until I March 2002 that I began to keep track of the birds I saw. Now everywhere I go, I notice the birds and if I can't identify one, I will usually strain to get a better view, note as many details as I can, and/or run to my car to grab my binoculars.


Birding in Rochester

Rochester Birding Association


Life List

306 species since I started keeping track (I know people with 800+ ), I am still young. This life list includes the date and location I first "officially" added the bird to the list; some birds you see all the time but you don't necessarily keep track.

Common Name First ID Location of First ID
Alder Flycatcher 07/03/2005 Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary
Field Sparrow 05/13/2005 Fermi National Laboratory
Marsh Wren 05/13/2005 Fermi National Laboratory
Western Meadowlark 05/13/2005 Fermi National Laboratory
Pine Warbler 05/05/2005 Cobb's Hill Park
Winter Wren 05/03/2005 Cobb's Hill Park
Anhinga 11/27/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Couch's Kingbird 11/27/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Say's Phoebe 11/27/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Vermilion Flycatcher 11/27/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Great Horned Owl 11/26/2004 Karnes County - HWY 181
Whooping Crane 11/26/2004 Aransas Pass Wildlife Refuge
Black Scoter 10/31/2004 Hamlin Beach SP
Common Loon 10/31/2004 Hamlin Beach SP
White-winged Scoter 10/31/2004 Hamlin Beach SP
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 10/31/2004 Hamlin Beach SP
Fox Sparrow 10/22/2004 Tonawanda WMA
White-rumped Sandpiper 9/04/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Bonaparte's Gull 8/24/2004 Niagara River
Baird's Sandpiper 8/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Short-billed Dowitcher 8/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Towhee 7/04/2004 Norway Road
Veery 7/04/2004 Norway Road
Eastern Bluebird 6/25/2004 Mendon Pond
Red-eyed Vireo 6/25/2004 Mendon Pond
Black Tern 6/20/2004 Oak Orchard/Culver Road
Cerulean Warbler 6/20/2004 Oak Orchard/Culver Road
Eastern Kingbird 6/20/2004 Oak Orchard/Culver Road
Yellow-throated Vireo 6/20/2004 Oak Orchard/Culver Road
Baltimore Oriole 6/14/2004 Nations Road, Avon, NY
Bobolink 6/14/2004 Nations Road, Avon, NY
Golden-cheeked Warbler 5/30/2004 Travis Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
Rock Wren 5/27/2004 McDonald Observatory
Acorn Woodpecker 5/26/2004 Davis Mountains State Park
Cactus Wren 5/26/2004 Davis Mountains State Park
Cassin's Kingbird 5/26/2004 Davis Mountains State Park
Common Raven 5/25/2004 McDonald Observatory
Ringed Kingfisher 5/24/2004 Rio Grande Valley
Chihuahuan Raven 5/24/2004 Boca Chica, TX
White-tailed Hawk 5/24/2004 Boca Chica, TX
Willet 5/24/2004 Boca Chica, TX
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Green Jay 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Green Kingfisher 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Long-billed Thrasher 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Olive Sparrow 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Plain Chachalaca 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
White-tipped Dove 5/24/2004 Rio-Grande Bensten SP
Hooded Oriole 5/23/2004 Sarita, TX
Osprey 5/23/2004 Malaquite Beach
Royal Tern 5/23/2004 Malaquite Beach
Sandwich Tern 5/23/2004 Malaquite Beach
American Avocet 5/23/2004 Port Aransas Birding Center
Forster's Tern 5/23/2004 Port Aransas Birding Center
Reddish Egret 5/23/2004 Port Aransas Birding Center
Harris's Hawk 5/23/2004 Aransas Pass Wildlife Refuge
Tricolor Heron 5/23/2004 Aransas Pass Wildlife Refuge
Wood Stork 5/23/2004 Aransas Pass Wildlife Refuge
Blue Grosbeak 5/19/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Cave Swallow 5/19/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Common Ground Dove 5/19/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Groove-billed Ani 5/19/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Pyrrhuloxia 5/19/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Black-capped Vireo 5/18/2004 Kerr Wildlife Management Area
Bullock's Oriole 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Dickcissel 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Painted Bunting 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Scarlet Tanager 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Spotted Sandpiper 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Wilson's Phalarope 5/16/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
American Redstart 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Ash-throated Flycatcher 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Bewick's Wren 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Canada Warbler 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Cattle Egret 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Eastern Wood-Pewee 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Least Flycatcher 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Lesser Goldfinch 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Philadelphia Vireo 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Red-shouldered Hawk 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Wilson's Warbler 5/15/2004 San Antonio Botanical Garden
Green Heron 5/12/2004 Austin, TX
Chimney Swift 5/08/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Wood Thrush 5/08/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Chestnut-sided Warbler 5/02/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Nashville Warbler 5/02/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Ovenbird 5/02/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Worm-eating Warbler 5/02/2004 Cobb's Hill Park
Black-and-white Warbler 5/02/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Blackburnian Warbler 5/02/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Black-throated Blue Warbler 5/02/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Magnolia Warbler 5/02/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5/02/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Broad-winged Hawk 4/29/2004 Braddock Bay
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4/29/2004 Braddock Bay
Northern Waterthrush 4/29/2004 Island Cottage Woods
Brown Thrasher 4/29/2004 Highland Park
Hermit Thrush 4/28/2004 U of R, Wilson Blvd.
Purple Finch 4/28/2004 U of R, Wilson Blvd.
Chipping Sparrow 4/26/2004 Cobb's Hill Park/Highland Parks
Great Crested Flycatcher 4/26/2004 Cobb's Hill Park/Highland Parks
Indigo Bunting 4/26/2004 Cobb's Hill Park/Highland Parks
Palm Warbler 4/26/2004 Cobb's Hill Park/Highland Parks
American Woodcock 4/11/2004 Oak Openings (NY)
Horned Grebe 3/27/2004 Hamlin Beach (NY)
Ross's Goose 3/27/2004 Hamlin Beach (NY)
Tundra Swan 3/27/2004 Hamlin Beach (NY)
American Black Duck 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Common Grackle 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Common Goldeneye 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Hooded Merganser 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Pintailed Duck 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Snow Goose 3/21/2004 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Carolina Wren 3/15/2004 Austin, TX
Lesser Scaup 3/15/2004 Austin, TX
Monk Parakeet 3/15/2004 Austin, TX
Black-bellied Whistling Duck 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Cinnamon Teal 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Cliff Swallow 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Cooper's Hawk 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Crested Caracara 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Eared Grebe 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Least Grebe 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Least Sandpiper 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Little Blue Heron 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Loggerhead Shrike 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Ruddy Duck 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Rusty Blackbird 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Savannah Sparrow 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Sora 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
Western Sandpiper 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
White-eyed Vireo 3/13/2004 Mitchell Lake Wetlands (SATX)
American Pipit 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Blue-winged Teal 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Green-winged Teal 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
House Wren 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Lincoln's Sparrow 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Sprague's Pipit 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Swamp Sparrow 3/11/2004 Hornsby Bend BO (Austin, TX)
Blue-winged Warbler 3/7/2004 Buescher SP (Bastrop, TX)
Brown Creeper 2/14/2004 Letchworth SP
Snow Bunting 2/14/2004 Letchworth SP
Long-tailed Duck 2/8/2004 Irondequoit Bay
Common Peafowl 1/10/2004 Waimea Valley
Common Waxbill 1/10/2004 Waimea Valley
Red-whiskered Bulbul 1/10/2004 Waimea Valley
Black-crowned Night Heron 1/10/2004 James Campbell NWR (Oahu)
Black-necked Stilt 1/10/2004 James Campbell NWR (Oahu)
Common Moorhen 1/10/2004 James Campbell NWR (Oahu)
Wandering Tattler 1/10/2004 James Campbell NWR (Oahu)
Red-crested Cardinal 1/9/2004 Tantalus Road (Oahu)
White-rumped Shama 1/9/2004 Tantalus Road (Oahu)
Common Barn Owl 1/7/2004 Hilo, HI (Hilo Bay)
Ruddy Turnstone 1/7/2004 Hilo, HI (Hilo Bay)
Red Jungle Fowl 1/4/2004 Saddle Road
Hawaiian Coot 1/3/2004 Hilo, HI (near Arnott's Lodge)
Java Sparrow 1/3/2004 Hilo, HI (near Arnott's Lodge)
Northern Shoveler 1/3/2004 Hilo, HI (near Arnott's Lodge)
Nutmeg Mannikin 1/3/2004 Hilo, HI (near Arnott's Lodge)
Pacific Golden Plover 1/3/2004 Hilo, HI (near Arnott's Lodge)
Apapane 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
California Quail 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
Common Amakihi 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
Erckel's Francolin 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
Japanese White-eye 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
Yellow-fronted Canary 1/2/2004 Mauna Kea (9000 ft)
Common Myna 12/30/2003 Honolulu, HI
Red-vented Bulbul 12/30/2003 Honolulu, HI
Spotted Dove 12/30/2003 Honolulu, HI
Zebra Dove 12/30/2003 Honolulu, HI
Northern Shrike 12/13/2003 Nations Rd - Avon, NY
Ring-necked Pheasant 12/13/2003 Nations Rd - Avon, NY
Rough-legged Hawk 12/13/2003 Nations Rd - Avon, NY
Short-eared Owl 12/13/2003 Nations Rd - Avon, NY
American Tree Sparrow 11/22/2003 Conesus Lake Area, NY
Northern Flicker 11/22/2003 Conesus Lake Area, NY
Red-throated Loon 11/22/2003 Conesus Lake Area, NY
White-throated Sparrow 11/22/2003 Conesus Lake Area, NY
Cape-May Warbler 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
Black-throated Green Warbler 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
Northern Harrier 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
Tennessee Warbler 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
Tufted Titmouse 10/4/2003 IUB - Bloomington, IN
American Wigeon 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Bald Eagle 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Black-bellied Plover 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Caspian Tern 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Common Merganser 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Dunlin 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Great Black-backed Gull 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Greater Yellowlegs 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Herring Gull 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Lesser Yellowlegs 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Long-billed Dowitcher 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Merlin 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Pectoral Sandpiper 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Peregrine Falcon 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Semipalmated Plover 9/20/2003 Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Blue-headed Vireo 9/14/2003 Letchworth State Park, NY
Hairy Woodpecker 9/14/2003 Letchworth State Park, NY
Bank Swallow 8/24/2003 Lake Ontario, Rochester, NY
Common Tern 8/24/2003 Lake Ontario, Rochester, NY
American Goldfinch 8/10/2003 Backyard - Rochester, NY
Black-chinned Hummingbird 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Clark's Nutcracker 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Gray Jay 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Red-breasted Nuthatch 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Ring-necked Duck 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Rufous Hummingbird 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Steller's Jay 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Tree Swallow 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
White-crowned Sparrow 8/3/2003 Mt. Rainier, WA
Common Yellowthroat 7/17/2003 Mendon Pond, NY
Gray Catbird 7/17/2003 Mendon Pond, NY
Yellow Warbler 7/17/2003 Mendon Pond, NY
Swan Goose 6/10/2003 Austin, TX
Black-headed Grosbeak 5/23/2003 West Texas
Bronzed Cowbird 5/23/2003 West Texas
Brown-headed Cowbird 5/23/2003 West Texas
Greater Roadrunner 5/23/2003 West Texas
Lazuli Bunting 5/23/2003 West Texas
Montezuma Quail 5/23/2003 West Texas
Orchard Oriole 5/23/2003 West Texas
Phainopepla 5/23/2003 West Texas
Scott's Oriole 5/23/2003 West Texas
Black-throated Sparrow 5/22/2003 West Texas
Lark Sparrow 5/22/2003 West Texas
Lesser Nighthawk 5/22/2003 West Texas
Common Nighthawk 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Eastern Screech-Owl 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Inca Dove 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Purple Martin 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Western Kingbird 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Wood Duck 4/10/2003 Austin, TX
Dark-eyed Junco 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Downy Woodpecker 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Eastern Phoebe 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Pileated Woodpecker 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Red-headed Woodpecker 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
Red-tailed Hawk 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
White-breasted Nuthatch 3/8/2003 McCormick's Creek State Park, IN
American White Pelican 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Aplomado Falcon 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Brown Pelican 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Eastern Meadowlark 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Laughing Gull 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Long-billed Curlew 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Neotropic Cormorant 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Red-winged Blackbird 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Ring-billed Gull 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Roseate Spoonbill 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Sanderling 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Sandhill Crane 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
Seaside Sparrow 2/22/2003 Mata Gorda Island
American Coot 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
American Kestrel 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Belted Kingfisher 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Bufflehead 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Double-crested Cormorant 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Gadwall 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Great Blue Heron 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Great Egret 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Pied-billed Grebe 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Redhead 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Snowy Egret 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Western Meadowlark 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1/19/2003 Round Rock, TX
Black Vulture 1/17/2003 Gardner State Park, TX
Northern Cardinal 1/17/2003 Gardner State Park, TX
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1/17/2003 Gardner State Park, TX
Cedar Waxwing 1/15/2003 Austin, TX
Black-capped Chickadee 1/6/2003 Seattle, WA
Song Sparrow 1/6/2003 Seattle, WA
American Crow 1/4/2003 Seattle, WA
European Starling 1/4/2003 Seattle, WA
American Robin 8/10/2002 New Hampshire
Canada Goose 8/10/2002 New Hampshire
Mallard 8/10/2002 New Hampshire
Barn Swallow 7/20/2002 West Texas
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 7/20/2002 West Texas
Bushtit 7/20/2002 West Texas
Canyon Towhee 7/20/2002 West Texas
Summer Tanager 7/20/2002 West Texas
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5/26/2002 West Texas
Turkey Vulture 5/26/2002 West Texas
Western Scrub-Jay 5/26/2002 West Texas
Wild Turkey 5/26/2002 West Texas
Blue Jay 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Carolina Chickadee 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Great-tailed Grackle 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
House Finch 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
House Sparrow 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Killdeer 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Mourning Dove 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Northern Mockingbird 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Rock Dove 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
Black-crested Tufted Titmouse 3/15/2002 Austin, TX
White-winged Dove 3/15/2002 Austin, TX