Birds of the Ocean, aka Pelagic Birds

I love them. So unique, so well adapted to a harsh environment, and seemingly a bit more out of harms way from humans. Above pic is of a molting Wilson's Storm Petrel, walking on water, not far off the Delaware coast.

In our remaining classes, I will try to provide added information on how to observe and enjoy this very special group of birds.

Bill

Edelen's Nature Preserve

This was the 2nd location we visited on our last class, 9/18/13. Bob was thoughtful enough to send me some photos and an article he wrote about Black Gums. That was the tree we first stopped by and watched all the Robins feeding on the fruit. Bob's photos of Black Gums and Wood Ducks are below: (Click on images to enlarge, note index at bottom, click on blank area around photo to return here.)

Sep 18, 2013 - Visits to Fintel and Edelen Yards

Misters do work, although the exact timing is up to the birds. Above photos of Black and White Warbler and Parula Warbler were taken about 2 pm today (9/18) as the birds were using the Fintel's mister. About the same time a Pileated Woodpecker visited our yard.

Now as promised this morning, below is the Peanut Butter Suet recipe. Also, the Woobark Suet Sandwich woodpecker feeder you saw is available from Birds Choice, as is the suet for it in case you do not want to make your own.

Peanut Butter No Melt Bird Suet 

Sally Fintel and WildBird Magazine,  Dec. 1994

18 oz. crunchy peanut butter

2 cups (1 lb.) lard – no substitutions

4 cups quick oats

4 cups yellow corn meal

2 cups white flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Melt lard and peanut butter together over low heat. Remove from heat and thoroughly mix in remaining ingredients. Transfer to shallow Styrofoam veggie or meat containers. Cover & store in refridge or freeze. Slice and use to fill suet stick, as needed. Birds love this all year round.

Snowy Egret vs Piranha

You might think the Piranha would win. But just take a look.

Picture taken in the Pantanal of Brazil, August 2013. (click on image to enlarge)

Cape Henlopen Field Trips fall 2013

Hello OLLI Birding Class, and anyone else who is checking this blog.

In case you do not subscribe to DE-Birds, following is an announcement posted by Richard Julian, Manager of the Cape Henlopen Nature Center. If you want more birding opportunities near Lewes, this is a good one. Also see the Sussex Bird Club web site for more local programs and field trips.

Bill

From Richard:
Please join us at the Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center each Tuesday morning at 8am for our weekly fall bird walks. Richard Julian Nature Center Manager

OLLI Fall 2013 Birding Class Schedule

We will spend as much time as possible birding in the field. On any day when the weather does not permit a field trip, the class will be cancelled. For the latest information on class status see this blog ( http://billfintel.blogspot.com/ ). It will be updated by 6 am on any field trip day with questionable weather. Also more detailed directions will be added as needed.

All classes will begin at 8:00 am at the meeting locations noted below. Be sure to bring binoculars. Also check the weather forecast and dress appropriately with a rain resistant windbreaker and footwear suitable for walking about one mile. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water and a snack are recommended. Classes will end by 11 am at the meeting location.

Sep 11 - Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. On this field trip we will focus primarily on shorebirds, terns, herons and other birds of the mud flats and marshes. We will bird the impoundments from Broadkill Beach to Fowler Beach.

Sep 18 – Fintel’s home at 31395 Point Circle, Mill Pond Acres, Lewes  (From Rt 1 just south of Red Mill Pond and across from the Surfing Crab, turn west onto Devon Rd. Take Devon until it T’s into Point Drive. Turn right and proceed about ¼ mile where Point Drive becomes point Circle. The Fintel’s home is on the right). We will spend some time searching for woodland migrants, and also reviewing water features, feeder designs, and types of seed used. After that, we may visit another yard, or some nearby wooded habitat. This is a peak time for woodland migrants. Over the years the Fintels have recorded over 140 species from their yard.

Sep 25 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park sticker required). On this field trip we will visit the hawk watch platform, and bird both the park woods and beaches.  Early raptors should be migrating south, and woodland migrants plus shorebirds should be present in good numbers.

Oct 2 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters.  On this field trip we will bird all the different types of habitats at Prime Hook. This will include mature woods, secondary growth, fields, mud flats, marshes and DE Bay beaches.

Oct 9 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park sticker required). The beach at the Point will now be open to walking, so we will plan to bird that beach (low tide is 5:51 am) and then proceed to the hawk watch platform. This is a peak time for numbers of raptors, and hopefully we will get good looks at some special ones, like the Peregrine Falcon. We will also do some “sea watching” for early sea ducks, and perhaps a Jaeger.

Oct 16 – Indian River Inlet south ocean front parking lot (park sticker required). From our meeting location we will walk to the inlet and ocean beach for birding. Then we will do some marsh birding. Sea ducks, gannets, terns, marsh sparrows and rails are all possible.