I got an email from the editor of the Payne County Audubon Society newsletter, Feathers, asking if I'd like to do a monthly column about birds in my backyard. I didn't have to think very hard before saying yes. I love birds; I love writing; and I love my yard; so what better combination could there be? The column will be titled, "At SunDog House." ( Read more... )

When we lived on Stanley Street, we always enjoyed the mockingbird that claimed our backyard as his territory. It seemed to us that he had an extremely diversified repertoire, and the songs he imitated were very recognizable. Kate told me earlier this spring that another gifted mockingbird is singing there this year; either the same one or possibly ( Read more... )

Spent about an hour watching 6 turkeys and a Louisiana waterthrush in our yard this afternoon. Also saw a Swainson's thrush.

Yesterday began bright and early... well, not so bright, as I was up long before sunrise... but definitely early. I met Helen J., Pat J., and Sarah K. to do the birdathon. It was so much fun. We cruised country roads and scoped out a few lakes and ponds.  We stumbled across a huge flock of migrating warblers in the flood plain of Brush Creek, which ( Read more... )

I got a call yesterday from one of the ladies with whom I went birding at Christmas time, asking if I'd be willing to join their birdathon team. I asked when they planned to go out, and she said, "Whenever you can do it." So, I've been drafted do the birdathon for certain ( Read more... )

So, I'm considering doing the Payne County Audubon Society Birdathon this year. They are trying to raise money for a permanent Nature Center here in Stillwater, and this is their annual fundraiser. Birdathon participants solicit monetary pledges for the number of bird species seen/counted in a 24-hr period. So, a sponsor might pledge 10-20 cents ( Read more... )

I got an email yesterday:

"On behalf of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Bird Studies Canada, I want to let you know that your email address was pulled in our random drawing for prizes from among participants in the 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count!

Your prize is the Practical Naturalist book from DK Publishing."

Heh!

I hate to hope for snow, but we need the moisture so bad, I am. Hoping for snow... *sighs*

OSU Extension offers a Master Gardener program. Hmmmm.

I did the Christmas Bird count in Mom's place this year, and I had such a good time. We only saw 50-60 species, but the ladies I went with made me feel so welcome and appreciated that I'm still feeling ( Read more... )

On the dog walk this evening, we heard what sounded like a convention of crows happening off in the woods across the road. We couldn't see any crows, but it sounded like HUNDREDS of them cawing off in the distance.  Crows do maintain family groups, and sometimes they will flock together in huge numbers, but I haven't seen large flocks around here ( Read more... )

For around ten years, my brother, Mark, has participated in the annual breeding bird survey sponsored by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. My mom used to do them when I was growing up.  They have specified routes in every state that have to be surveyed sometime in the month of June. The start times (time of day) for doing the routes are the ( Read more... )