What Day Is This?

Eastern Bluebird

When you stay home for cancer recovery or for COVID avoidance, you tend to lose track of the days. I've had at least 3 Saturdays in the last week. Sigh. In addition to this, there are 2 big celebrations in the world of birding today. If you follow Cornell Univ primarily, today is Global Big Day. "Global Big Day is an opportunity to check in with the birds in and around where you live. Join us on 9 May and be a part of a global birding community by sharing what birds you see around you with eBird." Traditionally, teams of birders have competitions to see how many bird species they can find in 24 hours. On the other hand, today is also International Migratory Bird Day, and the Audubon Society is celebrating with online webinars, and other online events.  

Eastern Meadowlark

The Beckham Bird Club usually celebrates today by counting birds for our Birdathon event, in which money is raised to support various bird friendly organizations both locally and state-wide. Our president sent a message to all Beckham members:

"Because the annual Global Big Day game match for state supremacy between Jefferson and Fayette counties has been done in by coronavirus, the Beckham Bird Club is putting forth a different challenge - let's see if we can make a statewide effort to smash the one-day record for species seen in Kentucky. Last year, there were 209 species seen on Global Big Day. Can we get to 210? 215? 220?" So this morning, Dick and I left home about 7:30 to head for 3 different birding spots, doing our bit for Birdathon.  

Great Egret

We've been to Hays Kennedy Park which has two good sized vernal pools, that have attracted some great birds this week. This Great Egret looked like a plane coming in for a landing at the airport!

 

Great Blue Heron

 The Great Blue Heron is pretty common wherever you find water around here. I was glad to see him successful as a fisher bird. But then he has to get it down that skinny throat! I was also surprised to see a fish that big in a pond that dries up every summer.

Indigo Bunting

I've been volunteering and visiting at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Oldham County for about 10 years now, and figure I know what birds should be found there. Yesterday, I saw an eBird list there from a really good birder, who found 49 species, including lots of warblers!! Well, I know I'm not that good at finding warblers, but we'll go and have fun no matter how many species we find. 

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird in flight

We have a pond that has more cattails than water, and the Red-winged Blackbirds there practice social distancing-not to keep free of disease, but to keep other birds out of their territories. Finally got a photo of one in flight showing their red epaulets. Yes, this is a bird we expected to see plenty of.

Eastern Meadowlark

 This Meadowlark was keeping an eye out for danger around the big meadow. See how they blend in with the grass where they nest?

Northern Mockingbird

 Again, another familiar bird we expected to see. Very defensive of their territories.

Purple Martin

We have only seen Purple Martins for a few years at Creasey. I hope this male is just the scout and the others will follow soon.

Eastern Bluebird

In 2015, I did a nesting survey on Eastern Bluebirds at Creasey, and got fantastic numbers. They were just everywhere. But the next winter was extra severe, and it seems that I haven't seen as many Bluebirds since then. I am concerned.

Swainson's Thrush

 

I hoped to see a Pileated Woodpecker, which I know to nest at the Nature Preserve. I hoped to see our resident Red-shouldered Hawk there. She normally calls all afternoon as she circles the big meadow.  Why can't we just add those birds to eBird anyway, since I know they are around somewhere? However, we did find an unexpected but much admired Swainson's Thrush. One of these birds used to come visit me every year around Derby Day down at the Falls of the Ohio. So, like I say, birding is a game of chance. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but it's fun anyway!