Sparrows Continued

The spot where I've been photographing sparrows continues to be productive with different species.  Amazing how a small patch of weeds can bring in so many different birds.

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)

Although not a sparrow, this Carolina Wren was mixed in and posed for me while I photographing the sparrows. 

Posted in: Carolina Wren,Savannah Sparrow,Song Sparrow,White-crowned Sparrow

Not Just Another Sparrow

Some people may not like sparrows as much as me, but I'm going to keep posting more photos regardless.  I put sparrows right up there with warblers.  Many people call sparows LBJ's (Little Brown Jobs, not Lyndon B. Johnson's) because they are difficult to identify and they all look the same.  That's not true if you look a little harder.  Take this Savannah Sparrow for instance.  You might be inclined to look at it and say "just another sparrow", but if you take the time to observe up close you can see the yellow on the head, the fine streaks on the flanks, and the forked tail.  I implore you to give sparrows a chance and you will see they are just as interesting as a spring warbler or as magnificent as a soaring hawk.

Posted in: Savannah Sparrow

Sparrow Day

All the dried weeds and grasses have dropped their seeds and the sparrows are loving it. 

  Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow  

 Field Sparrow

Posted in: Field Sparrow,Savannah Sparrow,Song Sparrow

Cedar Grove Commercial Park

I went on a Beckham Bird Club field trip this week to Cedar Grove Commercial Park in Shepherdsville, KY. It was led by our own Ryan Ankeny!

It was a good trip, and we saw several different species of birds. Although, Ryan said that when he usually leads this field trip during the month of march, it is much cooler and they usually see more of the wintering birds. I suppose a lot of them may have left a little early to head back north.

I got to see my very first Savannah Sparrows!

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

There were lots of Killdeer running around. I just happened to catch this one in flight.

Killdeer

A lot of trees are in bloom! I don't know what type this one is, but I thought it was so pretty!

This Brown Thrasher is the first one I have seen this season. He just popped in long enough for me to capture a sketchy picture, but I had to include it! I love their eyes!

Brown Thrasher

Song Sparrows aplenty, they are always fun to see and hear!

Song Sparrow

This next photo of a Field Sparrow is my favorite! I think they are so cute with their little pink beaks!

Field Sparrow

These were the only birds I got decent pictures of, but we also saw, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebirds and White-Crowned Sparrows, just to name a few. All in all a good birding trip!

I also wanted to mention that our (Louisville's) male Osprey arrived to the nest on Shippingport Island around last Saturday. It seemed like he took a few days to recuperate from his long trip from South America, but I stopped by this morning and saw him carrying a few sticks to the nest. The female Osprey should be arriving any time. Last year she arrived approximately two weeks after the male.

Osprey

I would also like to give you an update on the Lake Barkley Osprey Cam sponsered by KEEP. Since my blog entry last week, the male Osprey arrived and they have been busy tidying up the nest, and were even observed mating. Once they lay an egg, the cam will be real time video, with sound! I'm really looking forward to watching them throughout the season. It will give me a glimpse of what may be happpening in our Osprey nest!

Last but not least, I want to update everyone on the Bald Eagle nest on Shippingport Island. Several times that I have been there to check on them, I have observed the mate nearby, and watched them exchange places at the nest. This is very good news, since the last two years, their attempts at nesting were unsuccessful, mainly because Papa Eagle wasn't around enough, and Mama Eagle had to leave the nest to search for food! I have heard that sometimes it takes years for Eagles to "get the hang" of nesting. Everyone keep your fingers crossed, but we just might get to have a family this year! I'll keep you updated!

Bald Eagle

Posted in: Bald Eagle,Brown Thrasher,Cedar Grove Industrial Park,Field Sparrow,KEEP,Kentucky Environmental Education Projects,Killdeer,Osprey,Savannah Sparrow,Shippingport Island,Song Sparrow