January 12, 2009
First week's birding
Much of my birding during the week has been limited to watching the backyard and spots on the UGA campus close to the office. I'm still very much in the 'honeymoon phase', where the common Eastern US birds are still a novelty - I hope it continues! A wet flush on campus always holds a vocal pair of Eastern Phoebe.
The area has also proved particularly good for sparrows - mostly White-throated (a tan-striped individual pictured below) and Song...
... and a pleasant surprise was this Red Fox Sparrow, the first time I've seen this striking eastern race.
The low scrub often holds Mockingbird and Eastern Towhee.
Conehead Cardinal.
Myrtle Warblers and American Goldfinch forage in the upper canopy.
Eyeball to eyeball with a MoDo.
The biggest bird on the yard list has to be this Turkey Vulture, trying in vain to scavenge a roadkill Possum.
Talk about taking your work home with you - this rather hairy Harlequin is one of a handful overwintering in the new house.
