Rustys and Woodies

I've been remiss about keeping my birding activities up-to-date. I blame it on life. Much of September was spent at Putney Mountain Hawkwatch, and I'll try soon to get some photos posted. (Some hawk photos are on my Facebook Page.)

But I'm in Philly now, and have had a few delightful days of birding in the city. Heinz NRW is a go-to place in late Fall (and again in March) for Rusty Blackbirds, and who knows what else in the middle of the city.

Rusty Blackbird

House Finch (female)

Great Blue Heron

White-tailed Deer

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Canada Geese

Also in late Fall, the Wissahickon at Valley Green is the go-to place for Wood Ducks.

Wood Duck (hen)

Wood Duck (drake)

Wissahickon Creek

Wissahickon Creek

LBJs - IDs for Exercises 9 & 10

If you are following these LBJ posts, I hope they are getting easier for you. Exercise 9 was posted last Thursday. Exercise 10 was posted Sunday.

#41 - American Tree Sparrow - similar to juvenile White-crowned and juvenile Chipping. Note warm wash on sides, sometimes a breast spot. Study the bird guides for differences in size and shape

#42 - Chipping Sparrow

#43 - Indigo Bunting, female - Note traces of blue on the wings, finch-like beak

#44 - House Finch, female

#45 - Swamp Sparrow

#46 - Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female

#47 - Savannah Sparrow

#48 - Song Sparrow

#49 - Song Sparrow - See! You don't need to see the breast spot to ID this sparrow.

#50 - Pine Siskin







Good Birding!!

Wednesday

From the West River in Brattleboro - Common Merganser ...

... and from the backyard, a House Finch, usually expected in the town neighborhoods along the Connecticut, but an uncommon visitor in my village.

Good birding!