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Several months ago, we signed up for a spring birdwatching tour. This will be a road trip in truck and camper, rather than involving the boat. Our target destination is the Upper Gulf Coast of Texas, to catch the spring migration. Many midwest and eastern songbirds migrate from Mexico and Central Mexico, across the Gulf of Mexico, in early April. When they reach landfall in Texas they are drained of energy and land, to recharge. Lots of species we just never get to see out west. The trip will take us through 15 states, including a swing north to Minnesota after leaving Texas, making this a big loop around the west half of the country. Timing in terms of fuel prices couldn't have been worse, but such is life these days. Along the way we hope to see several iconic birds, including the California Condor and the whooping crane, plus many birds in south Texas which can only be seen there. If there are interested birders among you, I can post here occasionally with a few pictures and highlights. After being hunkered down avoiding Covid for so long, it will feel good to get out on the road.

My youngest son is an avid bird-watcher and photographer. He knows the calls of the local birds, and has a tripod set up covering the back yard. He trudges out there all winter long to keep the feeder full.

I like birdwatching as an activity, not a hobby. Here is a chart I made for my son, showing the extent of my knowledge:

Starscream wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:22 am My youngest son is an avid bird-watcher and photographer. He knows the calls of the local birds, and has a tripod set up covering the back yard. He trudges out there all winter long to keep the feeder full.

I like birdwatching as an activity, not a hobby. Here is a chart I made for my son, showing the extent of my knowledge:

I see u r missing a bird there ! & I,m not talkin about Canada Goose !
I,ll give u a hint it,s named after a fruit !

J

Kiwi bird
Olive Warbler

Mike post about your birds. I think we are near 250 or 300 different birds on our list. Starscream be neat to meet up with your son this summer when we see you. We are hopefully going to see you when we are in Montreal or afterward.
Richard

Watch for the Roseate Spoonbill among others. I believe I took this pic near Corpus Christi some years ago when on vacation with the family.

Just moving this to the "Destinations" forum to properly locate it later on.

Carry on!

A few birds from San Diego Mission Bay area. Lots of parrots around here, see Cherry Headed Conures, and others flying/ hear them chattering. Think they got loose and started mating.

I give up. What kind of bird is this???

Dunno but looks like it,s hooked on U !

J

Just a Warning! The supposed birds could really be watching You! https://apple.news/AisErCWh0SYyEB6pCcSBXsw

Despite my facetious original response, out family really does enjoy birdwatching.

I have a photo-bounty system with my sons: every new species photographed and identified gets à $5 bonus.

We have a very elusive Cedar Waxwing in the neighborhood that is one of the only known outstanding bounties.

From our yard:

Robin


Cardinal pair. He treats her right.


Goldfinch

Bluejay


Downy woodpecker


Grackles. The motorcycle gang of the neighborhood.

I forget what this guy is,I have to ask my son.

Neighborhood loner/bully.

In Florida a lot of the northern birds do the same as snow birds. They just visit for the winter. We had a flock of Cedar Waxwings numbering about 50 in the oak tree in our yard this evening. We have flocks of robins that can number over a hundred in the winter. Those dang flocks of grackles will clean up any feed we throw on the ground in minutes. We enjoy birding nearly every day, even if it is just watching or listening to them.
Richard

A few of our pet birds. My wife grooms birds for a living. http://www.birdgroom.com/home.html