A Pic of our Rufous or Allen's Hummingbird visitor

RE the video, I will try again, but I am guessing the video file was too large. So for now here is the latest pic after I set up a mister to get her bathing and fanning her tail.

Previous - Many of you saw this Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird on the field trip to our house about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully the below linked video of this little darling taken today works for you. She really does bring a smile to Sally every time she arrives.

Osher Field Trip Summary for May 10 at Cape Henlopen

Today we had a very fortunate good sighting of a Piping Plover at the inside of Cape Henlopen Point. The bird was seen well by all through our 20-60x telescope. No doubt even more amazing was a Red-throated Loon feeding right along the beach just in front of us....no more than 20 ft away. We could see the speed with which its well adapted webbed feet propelled it, and it caught a tasty fish right in front of us. A rare birding super-treat I have never seen this well before.

After the Point, we walked the Point road, and the visited the Hawk Watch. Highlight birds were super looks at Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow. We then went to Herring Point and had good looks at an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. In the woods at Herring Point we had great looks at an Eastern Towhee, and for some a female American Redstart.

Next week we will bird Gordon's Pond.  Shorebirds, Brown-headed Nuthatches and neotropical migrants are our target birds. Hope you all enjoyed today. Bill and Sally

Neotropical Migrants in the Dry Tortugas, April 25, 2017

If you have seen my recent Facebook post, this will be very similar, but this post is primarily for discussion at our first OLLI Birding class, May 3 at Prime Hook NWR.

Neotropical migrants are birds that migrate from the new world tropics to more northern areas of the new world, like the U.S. and Canada. Migration is hazardous, so why do they do it? Breeding success combined with over winter survival is the most probable reason. We can explore that in more detail Wednesday. But for now, a few pics from Fort Jefferson on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas. (Click on images for a larger version).

The Dry Tortugas

First my good news. I recovered from pneumonia in time to take the last 10 days of our trip to Key West and the Dry Tortugas. Below is one of my best bird pics taken with an underwater camera. These Brown Noddy's were 3 ft over my head while I was snorkeling.

Looking forward to our first class May 3 at Prime Hook. For our class time we will focus on the challenges of bird migration, and why they do it anyway.

Osher Spring Birding in the Field and Classroom

All classes will begin at 8 am and end by 11 am. The meeting locations are shown below. We are trying to arrange for a suitable meeting room at the locations, but in some instances we may have the classroom session outdoors, and on some days we may not have a classroom session. Be sure to check Bill’s blog for any last minute instructions or change in plans. He will update it by 6 am on the day of a class.   https://billfintel.blogspot.com/

April 12 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park tag req’d)

April 19 and 26 – NO CLASS

May 3 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters

May 10 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park tag req’d)

May 17 – Gordon’s Pond Parking Lot (park tag req’d)

May 24 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. From there we will carpool to the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion . If you wish to join the group at Mispillion, please make prior arrangements with Sally.

Be sure to bring binoculars, a hat and rain repellent jacket. Water, a snack, insect repellent and long pants are all recommended.

If you are unable to attend a class, please contact Sally or Bill so we can contact someone on the Wait List.

Tomorrow's Field Trip for OLLI

As per a recent email from Renee/Anna, please meet at the old Ocean View Town Hall and Community Center at 8 am.

AND as an update, we may not go to the James Farm....as we are looking at going to Assawoman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) because it has been dry recently, and the area can be closed after heavy rains.

So bottom line, we will work out the details at the old Ocean View Town Hall at 8 am Wed.

The weather looks good, waterfowl have arrived in good numbers, so it should be a good trip.

And do bring insect repellent, sun screen and water plus a snack.

Osher Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Cruise May 25, 2016

We have a full boat, and the weather forecast is excellent!!!

The Cape Water Taxi leaves from a dock on the west end of the Fisherman's Wharf complex. Parking very close to the dock is limited, but there should be ample parking fairly close.

The boat is covered, but sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are still recommended. It is also suggested that you bring a beverage, a snack, and binoculars (if you have them).

Below is a pic from our last  cruise that went up the Broadkill River in 2012. This year's cruise will be on a larger vessel, The Discovery, and it does have a restroom.

We are looking forward to a fun and relaxing cruise with all.

Best,
Bill and Sally

Shorebirds Observed on May 18 Osher Field Trip to Mispillion Inlet

Our group of twelve today observed our target bird, the Red Knot, as well as 10 other species of shorebirds, plus delightful views of a Clapper Rail and singing Seaside Sparrow. The shorebirds we observed (in taxonomic order) included: Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin and Short-billed Dowithcher.

If you add to this the 7 species of shorebirds we saw on other Osher field trips this spring, we had a very respectable total of 18 species of shorebirds for our spring class. The additional 7 species includes: Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Least Sandpiper.

6 am UPDATE - Wed, May 11 Osher Field Trip

We are a GO.....Radar shows most of the short term rain will be south of us, and the next rain to approach the Milton area, where we will be, is about 5 hours away. Take a look at the Sterling radar loop  from 5:45 am (and refresh for latest loop). Showers are possible, so bring light rain gear, and as I said, we can do a lot from the cars........and we will have a walkie talkie for each car.  Meeting time and location: Prime Hook HQ parking lot at 8 am.


Tue 5 pm: My latest analysis of the NOAA forecast for tomorrow morning indicates our Osher field trip should be a "go"............BUT as you know, the weather has zero allegiance to NOAA forecasts. So please check this blog just after 6 am tomorrow, in case there is a major change in the forecast during our planned field trip from 8 to 11 am.

And for a few more details on where we plan to go....We plan to take you to new good birding areas that are not well known. We can do a great deal of this in cars without rain creating a problem. Three areas we will definitely visit include The Nature Conservancy's 2 preserves of McCabe and Ponder's, plus the Delaware Wildlife Management Area on Little Neck Rd just off Prime Hook Rd. All 3 are great woodland habitats, and woodland migrants are now coming through in excellent numbers.

Osher Spring 2016 Field Birding Schedule

Our first class will meet at Cape Henlopen at the Point parking lot. Our target species for this class is the endangered Piping Plover. Checking the Point out this morning, Sally and I had 4 Piping Plovers. The below pic is from a couple years ago at Cape Henlopen.

Osher 2016 Spring Field Birding

Meeting time for all Classes is 8 am at the designated location. We will not have a class if major bad weather, like heavy rain, is forecast. If the weather looks questionable, check Bill’s blog, http://billfintel.blogspot.com/ for last minute go-no go decisions. He will post a decision at the latest by 6 am on the day of a class. Also be sure to dress appropriately, as it can be windy and cool along the coast, plus a few showers will not deter us.

April 13 -  Meet at Cape Henlopen Point parking lot. This is the lot farthest north on the ocean and Bay. Our goal will be to find and observe Piping Plover, N. Gannets, Scoters, Loons, and migrating raptors. Inland we will search for Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler and other woodland birds. Park entrance fee required. Low tide 8:29 am.

April 20 –   Location TBD - Check Bill’s Blog, http://billfintel.blogspot.com/  by noon April 19 to see where we are meeting, where we will bird, and what we hope to see. The locations we visit will be based on our scouting, plus the most recent birding reports from Delaware Birds and other local sources. Hi tide 8:29 am.

April 27 – Meet at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters just off of Route 16. We will spend the morning exploring the Refuge for both woodland migrants and shorebirds. Low tide 6:44 am

May 4 – No Class

May 11 - Meet at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Today we will bird some on the Refuge, and some on little used back roads. This will probably include exploring the Nature Conservancy’s McCabe Preserve near Milton. Our primary targets will be woodland migrants, such as Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler, etc. Low tide 7:07 am.

May 18 – Meet at Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. From there we will car pool directly to the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion. Our primary target bird will be the Red Knot, but many other shorebirds should be evident, such as the colorful American Oystercatchers and Ruddy Turnstones. From Mispillion we will slowly bird our way south to arrive back at Prime Hook Headquarters by 11 am. Hi tide 7:12 am.

Indian River Inlet Directions for Nov 18 Osher Birding Class

We will meet in the parking lot on the SOUTH side of the inlet closest to the ocean. This is a change from the initial class description which says the north side. However, in the last class, I believe the south side was described verbally, and that is where we usually meet.

To get to the south side meeting parking lot if you are coming from Rehoboth-Dewey, cross the IR bridge going south, take the first exit to the right, proceed back north and go under the bridge, then enter the first parking lot and go northeast toward the inlet and ocean corner of it

Coming from Bethany, exit just before the bridge and proceed to the northeast corner of the parking lot adjacent to the inlet and ocean. We will be parked there, and will begin birding from the south jetty that runs out into the ocean. Meeting time 8 am

Osher Nov 4 Field Trip meets at Herring Point parking lot at Cape Henlopen

If you are not familiar with Herring Point, just after you pass through the entry pay booths at Cape Henlopen, you make a gradual left turn, and then make a right with signage to Herring Point and Fort Miles. Drive as far as you can and then park in the large parking lot on the right. The weather tomorrow looks like another Indian Summer day, so come out and enjoy, before the arctic vortex takes yet another southward swing this winter.

And as a reminder, Janice Erich has invited us ALL to lunch at her and Rob's home in Cape Shores. She is prepared to serve carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. Hope you can attend.

And above, just a fun add-on pic of the Kalmar Nyckel at the Lewes Ferry Terminal Aug 2, 2015. Much to our surprise, Sally and I again saw the Kalmar Nyckel in Chestertown MD this past Friday, Oct 30. For details about this historic ship, click Captain Lauren Morgens. She and her husband Matt Sarver are both very active Delaware birders, so you may meet them while birding our great birding state...Delaware.

Oct 28 Osher Birding Field Trip - CANCELLED

Per the latest NOAA forecast, the probability of heavy rain tomorrow is 100%, accompanied by 18-20 mph winds, with gusts up to 30 mph, so our Osher birding field trip tomorrow is cancelled.

But do not despair, I will be helping lead a field trip at Prime Hook NWR on Thur, Oct 29 beginning at 8 am at the Refuge Headquarters (where we usually meet). This field trip is part of the Refuge's monthly birding field trip program, and so you are most welcome to participate, and I hope to see you there.

New birds this past week since returning from Utah have been a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in our yard (listen for cat-like meows), plus Northern Gannets and many large scoter flocks headed south around Cape Henlopen point.

Below is the closest we came to Condors out west :)

Bill and Sally at Canyonlands National Park

Wed 9-16-2015 Osher Field Trip to Cape Henlopen

Fall Migration is Peaking!!!

This last cold front has both woodland migrants and raptors moving. At the Hawk Watch at Cape Henlopen yesterday, when I left at 2:15 pm, the tally was 124 raptors, mostly Osprey, but also 2 Bald Eagles, about 1 doz Kestrels and 4 Merlins, plus a few Sharp-shinned Hawks.

At our backyard bird creeks and misters the today, I had 5 warblers......Am. Redstart, Worm Eating, Parula, Nashville and Magnolia, plus several Red-eyed Vireos.....and I was only watching for about 1 hour.

So I encourage you to make our class field trip tomorrow.....The birds are coming, look busy :)

One of Bill's Favorite Gulls

For our Osher class this past Wed, YES, I did make some disparaging comments about gulls in general, but then when asked why? I said my main issue is with BIG "landfill gulls" that often raid the nests of smaller birds, such as Piping Plover, and also poop all over walkers on the boardwalks, passengers on the ferries, customers at MacDonald's, ETC.

So what are some of the gulls I like? Well how about this juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake? It is a sharp looking small gull that as far as I know does not harass other birds. Pic taken by me in Alaska, but they do occur in DE.....and I almost forgot to add, my boat is named the Kittiwake :)

OLLI Birding Field Trip Report for 9/9/15 at Prime Hook NWR

Some really good birds today, but boy was it hot and humid!!! My favorites today were the group of about 8 Wild Turkeys as we left the Headquarters area, the very close 10 or so Glossy Ibis along Prime Hook Road, and the distant 10 White Pelicans along the same stretch of road. We also saw as many Snowy and Great Egrets as I have seen recently. My estimate viewed from the Boardwalk trail was 1,200+ of the two combined.

Our shorebird count was good with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (the last being very distant), Spotted Sandpiper, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover and Black-bellied Plover.

Also excellent views of Caspian and Forster's Terns very successfully catching fish. My total species count was 36 species. And please remember that our goal is learning about the birds we encounter, and not recording a big list.

As I said, next week will be different. We will have a greater variety of terns and gulls, so if you are inclined to do homework, study Forster's vs. Common Terns, Caspian vs. Royal Terns, and Ring-billed vs. Herring vs. Great Black-backed Gulls.

Looking forward to seeing most of you next Wed at Cape Henlopen.

PS - To photographers in the class: If you get some good photos on our field trips, I am happy to post them on this blog site with credit to you. Scroll down to July 23, 2015 for some in-flight photos of the same White Pelicans we saw today.

Spring 2015 Osher Birding Class Check List

Our cumulative check list for all 6 class field trips was 116 species observed, and 2 more heard. Birds are only counted if at least one student observed the bird.

To view the check list as a pdf, click CLASS LIST.

Field trip 5/20/15 to the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion

Yes we were racing the incoming tide today, and I feel most did see our target bird, the Red Knot. Plus for sure, all saw the shorebird migration spectacle, where the shorebirds are feeding heavily on the Horseshoe crab eggs to make their final journey to their Arctic breeding grounds.

My rough estimate of the total numbers of shorebirds we saw, including distant and in flight is 20,000+ . Numbers of Red Knots??? An impossible question from our vantage point. What did I see and was confident they were Red Knots? Maybe 50. But based on extrapolating that up to a % of 20,000 shorebirds, I would estimate there were well over 1,000 Red Knots there. Your homework assignment is to research this years Red Knot migration, and see what the dedicated professionals (mostly volunteers) are seeing.

Now a final exam question: Is the best quote: "thin as a rail", or "clean as a rail"...???

Thanks to John Long for a great photo of a Clapper Rail today.

Class 4 Field Trip to PH State Wildlife Mgt Area

On this May 6, 2015 field trip, I recorded 68 species, so it was our most productive field trip so far, and not unexpected, since we have entered peak migration time. This coming Wednesday's trip to Milford Neck should also produce migrants seen only briefly in spring and fall.

Highlights from our May 6 field trip include: Glossy Ibis - a flock flying over the Grasshopper Sparrow field, 3 Flycatchers: E. Wood Pewee, Acadian and Great Crested........Horned Lark, and best of all, a good variety of "wood warblers": N. Parula, Black-throated Blue, Yel-rumped, Yel-throated, Pine, Blackpoll, B&W, Prothonotary, Ovenbird, and Com Yelthroat.

Probably our best highlights were excellent views of the drop dead gorgeous Scarlet Tanager, and the super elusive Grasshopper Sparrow. We also had many fantastic views of the "Blue guys"....Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting.

Looking forward to this upcoming field trip to Milford Neck.....It is back woods Sussex at its best, and warbler plus shorebird migrations should still be near peak.......

Hope to see you Wed,
Bill

Osher Fall 2014 Bird Class Summary

We observed a very respectable total of 113 species on our eight field trips. The check list can be found HERE. There is one additional write-in of Purple Sandpiper not shown on this list.

Some highlight birds were Hudsonian Godwit at Gordons Pond, Great Cormorant at Indian River Inlet, and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Fowler Beach. Have a good winter of birding, and try to join at least one of the 4 local Christmas Bird Counts listed below along with the contact information:

Milford - 28 Dec - Chris Bennett   cpb2564@gmail.com   302-424-1126
Seaford -  2 Jan - Glen Lovelace  glenlovelace@verizon.net   302-628-3978
Rehoboth - 3 Jan - Sally O'Byrne   salobyrne@gmail.com   302-945-3236
Prime Hook/Cape Henlopen - Jan 4  Fran Rohrbacher  rhorbaf@aol.com  302-475-5771