Bird Sightings--May 12, 2014

My nephews are as busy as ever investigating the bird population in the vicinity.  I decided I needed to pass on the information they feed me.  For the locals, I hope it gives us all better eyes to see the diversity under our noses--or over our heads.  For others, I hope it helps dispel the notion that we live in a sterile wasteland.  I will omit gender and numbers for the lists below, although the boys faithfully supply these also.  Their uncle, Bill Byler, who is an avid birder living in North Carolina, has helped them refine their birding records.  They are in frequent contact also with local experts, and they exchange information with other birders in email groups and forums.  Mostly, they just get out and about, binoculars and field guides in hand, and look at what's there--within walking or biking distance, usually, or wherever they can persuade someone to take them.  It's a fine result of  passion to learn and time to pursue interests.  (And yes, as you suspected, that is also a hint on educational approaches I value.  These boys are all homeschooled.)

Today Andrew and Bryant saw these:

Yellow-breasted Chat
Mourning Warbler
Painted Bunting
Redstart
Trails Flycatcher
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Cuckoo (species unidentified)
Lazuli Bunting

Last Friday, on a bike ride to a local pond, Joseph saw these:

Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Hudsonian Godwit
Snowy Plover
Semi [Palmated?] Plover
Long-billed Dowitcher

Check out his list here for all bird sightings at that location.

Last week, one notable sighting was not a bird at all.  It was a Massasagua Rattlesnake, sunning itself on the road near Myron's place.  On that same day they saw these birds:

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Eastern Wood Peewee

An FOS designation preceded the Eastern Wood Peewee.  After much contemplation, I've come to understand this to mean First of Season.

*******************

We had some intense thunderstorms last night, but escaped the large hail, high winds, and tornadoes we were warned about.  Now it's turning cold again.  For the next four nights, the temperatures will fall into the high 30s and low 40s overnight.