Friday, May 30, 2008

Huge Lakes and Great Birds!






May 30, 2008


On May the 28th we spent the afternoon birdwatching in the Devils Lake area. Our first stop was at the lovely Sully's Hill Wildlife Preserve. Here we were able to see several large Bison and our first Black-tailed Prairie Dogs of the trip. Birding was a little slow, but we did manage to find an Eastern Towhee. This bird was completely unexpected and it was a new ND State bird for all of us. While en route to our next birding stop we spotted a Clarke's Grebe and two young Herring Gulls.

Later in the afternoon, we visited the Lake Alice Refuge. White-faced Ibis was the toughest bird noted in this area, but a huge nesting colony of Franklin's Gulls was fun to watch. I was somehow able to snap a flight shot of one of the gulls with its head twisted upside down - Very Strange!


Then on May 29, on our way to pick up some friends at the Bismark Airport, we birded for about an hour in the Long Lake NWR near Moffit. The best bird found in the few minutes we had was an adult Hudsonian Godwit. This has got to be a very late record for North Dakota. Most of these star shorebirds pass through the area much earlier in the year.


Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Subtle Beauty from the American Prairie






May 27, 2008


Hello Friends,

We returned yesterday evening from a fantastic trip up to the NW corner of North Dakota.

Our goal was to see and photograph as many of the North Dakota speciality birds as possible. We were very successful in not only finding but getting excellent photos of our target species. The only bird we never managed to photograph was the Sprague's Pipit. We saw at least six individuals on the trip, but never managed to get close enough to snap a shot. However, it was quite impressive watching their singing display flight from several hundred feet above the short-grass prairie.

Our first stop was in the J. Clarke Sawyer NWR near Minot. During our tour on the Auto-Loop we encountered several great birds. The highlight was a gorgeous Le Conte's Sparrow singing from a thick reedy patch near the road. Within minutes we were photographing this tiny sparrow at point blank range. What a little stunner! Soon after our magical encounter with the Le Conte's, we found a very aggressive pair of Virginia Rails. They ran straight out of their reed-bed home and began calling from nearly 10 ft away. I actually had to back up in order to focus on these little skulking jewels. Next we tried our luck with the Sprague's Pipit, but like I mentioned above, it was quite tough! Later we made our way further to the northwest for the night.

After spending the night in the quiet little town of Kenmare, we made our way to the Lostwood NWR. The weather was bone chilling cold, and we were thinking that this day was going to be tough. However it turned out to be very productive. The wide open prairie habitat of Lostwood, dotted with small pothole lakes, is quite possibly the best place on the planet to see the local Baird's Sparrow. This target bird was very easy to find and the photos show how close he actually was. We saw at least 4 different individuals and heard several more. We were able to get, quite possibly, our best photos ever of this amazing bird. Our next target also proved easy to locate, the colorful Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. We found a pair feeding in a small reed-bed just next to the road. It was quite difficult getting suitable photos, but eventually one popped into the open for a couple of shots. Soon after we found the endangered Piping Plover feeding with several peeps. The Piping Plover is certainly a bird that North Dakota folks should be proud of - What a Bird!!!

On our way back towards Harvey, we stopped briefly at the Denbigh Forest near Minot. Our target here was the very strange Red Crossbill. Within minutes we were watching 4 of these bizarre birds feeding just above our heads. What a way to end this short, yet productive trip to some of the prettiest habitat in North America. Long live the American Prairie!!!
My wife finished the trip with 5 lifers - Le Conte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Baird's Sparrow, Greater White-fronted Goose (with a broken wing) and the feeding party of Red Crossbills.
Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Here is our full trip list from the dates of May 25 & 26, 2008 -
Eared Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Ring-necked Pheasant, Gray Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Virginia Rail, Sora, American Coot, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Killdeer, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Sanderling, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Short-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, Franklin's Gull, Black Tern, Forster's Tern, Mourning Dove, Rock Dove, Great Horned Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, American Magpie, Horned Lark, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Sprague's Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Clay-colored Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Baird's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Western Meadowlark, Bobolink, Brown-headed Cowbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Red Crossbill, House Sparrow


Saturday, May 24, 2008

Magdalena Finally Gets Her Most Wanted - The Short-eared Owl





May 24, 2008


Late this afternoon we lucked onto a magnificent pair of Short-eared Owls. One individual was quite tame and we managed to score some nice photos in the fading light. Magdalena was thrilled, as this was her #1 most wanted bird in North Dakota. My parents have been seeing them quite regularly in past months, but it was new for my wife and I during our visit to the BIG ND. What a winner!!!

Tomorrow we are visiting the NW corner of the state. I just wonder what will be around the next corner on these long prairie roads. I'll keep you posted...

Good birding, STEVEN EASLEY

A Southern Jewel and Courting Grebes!





Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley

May 23, 2008


Yesterday afternoon we birded for a couple of hours in the Lonetree WMA. A few warblers were still around, but a few new birds turned up as well. Philadelphia & Warbling Vireos showed nicely, but the highlight was a smashing Yellow-throated Vireo*.

Bobolinks* are seemingly everywhere in the deeper grass fields. One male in particular was very tame and I was able to get to within 30 ft. of him.

The Western Grebes* were also quite nice. They are beginning their courtship displays and all the pairs are sticking close together. Hopefully in the next week or so they will begin to dance on the open water. A single Clarke's Grebe was also seen.

Good birding, STEVEN

Friday, May 23, 2008

Warblers Galore!






Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley

May 22, 2008
Birds marked with the mark * have a photo included above.

Yesterday afternoon we found mass numbers of migrating warblers near Esmond, ND in Benson, County. One particular shelter belt was loaded with 14 different species. The highlight of the afternoon was a shining Golden-winged Warbler*, quite uncommon towards the center part of North Dakota. Other birds that were seen included: Canada Warbler*, Mourning Warbler*, Wilson's Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler*, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler*, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush. Red-eyed Vireo and Warbling Vireo also showed nicely.

Between the 4 of us we took more than 1,650 photos of these little jewels. That's the great thing about digital, no wasted time or money on film. That is the equivalent of 46 rolls of slide film at a total cost of about 700$ USD. Thank goodness for Digital Photography!

Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Wings Held High - Buff-breasted Sandpipers Arrive!






Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley

May 21, 2008


Yesterday afternoon we were able to locate a flock of about 12 Buff-breasted Sandpipers. They were feeding in a ploughed field about 3 miles north of Harvey, ND. Magdalena was loving it, as this was one of the sandpipers she still needed. We all had excellent views of this very uncommon and difficult to see bird. They were quite tame as I approached them in the field, and I was able to get to within 30 ft. before they got wary. The photography was difficult as the wind was whipping and the dust was blowing right up into my eyes. It was also quite tough holding the camera still, even on the tripod. However, I was quite pleased to see that several shots came out nice.

We were also able to witness their wonderful display. The male holds his wings high in the air and twists and turns to get the females attention. This behavior was only seen a couple of times, but it is quite impressive.

What a Fantastic Bird!!!

Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A Slice of Heaven in Farm Country!






Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley

May 20 in the afternoon, we visited the Lonetree WMA as well as the lovely farm house of Larry & Jan Jones near Bowdon, ND. The birding was slow at first, but then a male Cape May Warbler (Photo above) popped out of the thick brush and gave nice views. This is a very uncommon bird in North Dakota and it was my Magdalena's only lifer of the day.

Next we made our way south towards Bowdon, ND to visit our friends Larry & Jan Jones. They have a lovely farm house with loads of birds attending their many feeders. My wife and I spent about an hour or so photographing as many of the avian visitors as we could. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole (photo above), Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Clay-colored, Chipping, Song, Harris's (photo above) and White-crowned Sparrows were all seen in their wonderful backyard.

With our digital cameras loaded with photos we said our good-byes and headed back home. However, in route we encountered a gorgeous pair of nesting Burrowing Owls (photos above). The nest is just off the edge of the road in an old Badger hole. We were able to snap a few shots of both the male and female in the soft afternoon light. What a great way to finish!

Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

PS - Thanks Larry & Jan for a wonderful visit to your amazing home!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Dancing with the Stars!





Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley


It was an early start on the morning of May 20. Around 5 am, but it was just too early to check the clock. In about 20 minutes we were up to our eye-balls in displaying Sharp-tailed Grouse. About 30 individuals arrived at their lek site just as the sun began to rise over the stunning landscape. This is truly one of the most impressive spectacles on the American Prairie.

The males danced around for a couple of hours trying to atract mates. It is almost like they are in a trance as they do their thing. We watched 2 males just a mere 15 feet from our car, completely oblivious to our presence. The only words to describe these dancing stars is -AWESOME!

Excellent Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Monday, May 19, 2008

Why Not Minot - Magdalena Scores Big






Hello All - This afternoon we visited several birding hot spots near Minot, ND. We were able to locate several Red-necked Phalaropes (Photo Above), one of Magdalena's most wanted birds in the Big North D. She also managed to get her first ever views of a male Hooded Merganser (photo above), what a stunner!

Other new birds not metioned on previous postings were: Wild Turkey, Wood Duck (photo above), Sanderling, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-eyed Vireo and Lark Sparrow.

My mom found us a Pronghorn Antelope, that is quite a nice find for this part of the state!

We are off early tomorrow morning to see the Sharp-tailed Grouse doing their thing. Hopefully I'll have some nice pics for my next posting!

Great Birding, STEVEN

PS - Hey Bart, Thanks for checking out my blog!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Lonetree North Dakota - Priceless!






Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley and Wayne & Wanda Easley


On the afternoon of May 18 we all visited the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near the small town of Harvey, ND. The weather was absolutely wonderful and we were able to find several very nice birds. My stunning wife Magda added 2 lifers on the afternoon, which were American Wigeon and a single adult Horned Grebe (photo above).

Some of the other nice species located were: Red-necked Grebe, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's subspecies), Gray Partridge, 50+ Sharp-tailed Grouse, Dunlin, White-rumped Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper (photo above), Forster's Tern, Northern Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Gray-cheeked Thrush (photo above), Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler (photo above), several stunning Blackpoll Warblers (photo above), Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Vesper Sparrow and several small flocks of Pine Siskins.

We also enjoyed one of my mothers awesome picnic lunches, WOW!

Great Food and Great Birds, that's a tough combination to beat.

Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Birding in the North Dakota Wind






Trip Participants - Steven & Magdalena Easley, Wayne & Wanda Easley, Larry & Jan Jones and their Grandson Alex


On May 17 all of the gang headed out to birdwatch around Harvey, ND. The wind was unrelenting, yet we still managed to find some really interesting things. My wife Magda got her very first views of the stunning Blackpoll Warbler, a bird she had really wanted to see.

Larry Jones was able to add several to his fast growing list, including several White-rumped Sandpipers.

A few of the better birds seen included: Western & Eared Grebes, Great Egret, Canvasback (photo above), Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Turkey Vulture, Prairie Falcon, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, Sora, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, White-rumped, Baird's, Least, Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitcher, Amercian Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope (photo above), Great Horned Owl, Least Flycatcher (photo above), Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Tree, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Purple Martin, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-White, Yellow and Blackpoll Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Marsh Wren, Clay-colored, Chipping, Harris's, White-throated and Song Sparrows, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and several brilliantly colored Baltimore Orioles.

One of the highlights of the drive was a pair of nesting Burrowing Owls (photo above). This species has declined considerably in central North Dakota over the last 50 years, but seems to be making somewhat of a comeback. This is the 2nd nesting record thus far in 2008 in the Well's County alone.

Several mammals were noted as well, these were: White-tailed Deer, Northern Racoon, 13-lined Ground-Squirrel and a curious Fox Squirrel.

Not too shabby for a short, windy afternoon outing!

Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY