Bird brain

[altivo]

Spent most of today helping with the "Christmas bird count" for our county. This is a sort of informal census of species and numbers, conducted in a, shall we say, less than scientific manner. It does at least give a fair indication of the species that were observable this weekend and in what proportion, though.

I joined two members of the county Audubon Society, and we drove about a specific geographic territory counting all the birds we could find. It wasn't the best day for birding, weatherwise, as it was gray and dark, with a promise of more snow in the air. Many birds were probably in deep cover for that reason. A largely daylight observation period also will miss owls and other nocturnal or dusk-flying birds. Still, it's interesting and fun.

Last year we saw a great blue heron, something I'd not have expected to find in December, but the identification was clear. This year we saw several hawks in addition to the usual visitors to winter bird feeders. The heavy snow blocked our access to sites away from the roads, such as the one where we sighted the heron last year, but we still had decent results.

And I got a headache from craning my neck to peer into trees and out the rear window of the car...

Comments

[animist.livejournal.com]

I love my sunroof in part because it makes such birdwatching a little easier. :)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

The car (not mine) had a sunroof. There were three of us, though, so I let the two most experienced sit in front.

[soanos.livejournal.com]

*massages the neck and shoulders of the poor horsie gently*

So... Birdwatching, eh? Not really my thing, but I can understand the idea behind it. :)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*makes murring sounds*

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Dear Rider.

You are so cool.

Oh, so birdy watching doesn't include flying horses. Oooooo K.

Imp

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Cool is right, with wind chills now at -30F here. Ugh.

Flying horses are mammals, not birds. Had I seen one, though, I certainly would have reported it. Or maybe not. Like Jake, perhaps the secret should be kept to oneself?