#white-tufted grebe

[fullfrontalbirds]

White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)

© Martín Perez

[kiskutnya]

I've been thinking about making tree and pond/lake bird shaker charms... What do you guys think? :^0 I'm not sure if people would be super interested

[tinylongwing]

More of these molt tree cuties, because how can I limit myself to a handful of favorites? Note that there are two bulbuls here - the Cape Bulbul ended up being replaced with Red-whiskered on the final version, mostly because more people were likely to recognize the latter as a typical bulbul.

Top to bottom, left to right: Cape Bulbul, Lovely Fairywren, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Spotted Elachura, Black-bellied Sunbird, White-tufted Grebe.

[proton-wobbler]

Great Backyard Bird Off - Cosmopolitan Birds (poll 10)

Bird Info & Submission Reasons

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)

Continents: North America, Europe, Asia

"the worlds longest owl! they dont build nests so they lay their eggs in abandoned nests of other birds"

A large enigmatic owl of bogs, meadows, and coniferous forest. This rare and sought-after species is most often seen hunting around dawn and dusk, when it perches silently at the edges of clearings. Feeds mainly on voles. When vole populations crash, Great Grays can be found in large numbers south of their usual northern haunts, especially in winter. Yellow eyes and white bow-tie pattern on neck separate Great Gray from Barred. Its deep hoots are rarely heard. (eBird)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Continents: Europe, Africa, Asia

"I spent months thinking the little grebe in the park was a juvenile tufted duck but no they are actually that tiny. Also, fluffy bum."

"it is just so tiny in comparison to all other water birds"

Fairly common but often inconspicuous small diving bird of wetlands with bordering reeds and other vegetation. Often remains out of sight; less often out on open water (mainly in winter). Rather compact, with rounded head, puffy rear end. Seen mainly as singles and small loose flocks, often sleeping during the day. Breeding plumage often looks dark overall; in good light note dark rusty head and neck sides with yellow patch at base of bill. Nonbreeding plumage dingy pale brownish overall with dark cap. (eBird)

Image Sources: Owl (Lars Petersson), Grebe (Bhaarat Vyas)

[awpeezeawpii]

White-tufted Grebe in the Ecological Reserve of Buenos Aires

[magnetothemagnificent]

I guess it's time I share my list of birds from this past Jewish year (I've been keeping two Big Year lists, Jewish year and secular year). All are from the US, except the last few which are indicated.

1. Ruby-crowned kinglet

2. American Robin

* Leucistic American Robin

3. Song sparrow

4. Rock pigeon

* Melanistic rock pigeon

5. Chipping sparrow

6. Hairy woodpecker

7. Mourning dove

8. Northern flicker

9. Eastern towhee

10. White crowned sparrow

11. White-throated sparrow

12 Savannah sparrow

13. House sparrow

14. European starling

15. American Crow

16. Common Raven

17. Gray catbird

18. Northern mockingbird

19. Canada Goose

20. Spotted Sandpiper

21. American herring gull

22. Marsh wren

23. Limpkin

24. Great white heron

25. Cattle egret

26. Anhinga

27. Snowy egret

28. Great blue heron

29. Black-crowned night heron

30. Wood stork

31. Common gallinule

32. Blue-gray gnatcatcher

33. Turkey vulture

34. Black vulture

35. Yellow rumped warbler

36. Tufted titmouse

37. Little blue heron

38. White ibis

39. Cooper's hawk

40. Cardinal

41. Green heron

42. Carolina wren

43. Palm warbler

44. Pine warbler

45. Sandhill crane

46. Carolina chickadee

47. Bluejay

48. Osprey

49. Chimney swift

50. Red-tailed hawk

51. Prairie warbler

52. American kestrel

53. Glossy ibis

54. Pied-billed grebe

55. Double-crested cormorant

56. Grey kingbird

57. Brown pelican

58. Fish crow

59. Royal tern

60. Bald eagle

61. Painted bunting

62. American white pelican

63. Common grackle

64. Boat-tailed grackle

65. Great-tailed grackle

66. American purple gallinule

67. American coot

68. Brown-headed cowbird

69. Tricolored heron

70. Mallard

71. Black-bellied whistling duck

72. Eastern kingbird

73. Yellow-billed cuckoo

74. Muscovy duck

75. American bittern

76. Ring-billed gull

77. American Pekin

78. Mallard-Pekin hybrid

79. Eastern bluebird

80. Yellow-bellied sapsucker

81. Red-winged blackbird

82. White-eyed vireo

83. Mottled duck

84. Broad-winged hawk

85. Dark-eyed junco

86. Brown thrasher

87. Sharp-shinned hawk

88. House finch

89. Eastern Phoebe

90. Downy woodpecker

91. Fox sparrow

92. Loggerhead Shrike!!!!

93. White breasted nuthatch

94. Red-bellied woodpecker

95. Brown creeper

96. Pileated woodpecker

97. American goldfinch

98. House wren

99. Barn swallow

100. Tree swallow

101. Black and white warbler

102. Red eyed vireo

103. Yellow warbler

104. Mute swan

105. Rusty blackbird

106. Common yellowthroat

107. Warbling vireo

108. Northern waterthrush

109. Veery

110. Swamp sparrow

111. Wood duck

112. American redstart

113. Orchard oriole

114. Greater Yellowlegs

115. Lesser Yellowlegs

116. Baltimore oriole

117. Hermit thrush

118. Wood thrush

119. Ovenbird

120. Indigo bunting

121. Black-throated blue warbler

122. Scarlet tanager

123. Worm-eating warbler

124. Northern rough-winged swallow

125. Blue-headed vireo

126. Northern parula

127. Prothonotary warbler

128. Philadelphia vireo

129. Blackburnian warbler

130. Magnolia warbler

131. Cedar waxwing

132. Blackpoll warbler

133. Yellow-throated vireo

134. Eastern wood pewee

135. Acadian flycatcher

136. Tennessee warbler

137. Caspian tern

138. Laughing gull

139. Forster's tern

140. American oystercatcher

141. Green-winged teal

142. Purple Martin

143. Least tern

144. Field sparrow

145. Killdeer

146. Grey-cheeked thrush

147. Rose-breasted grosbeak

148. Great-crested flycatcher

149. Swainson's thrush

150. Bay-breasted warbler

151. Chestnut-sided warbler

152. Willow flycatcher

153. Ruby-throated hummingbird

154. Peregrine falcon

155. Hooded crow IL

156. Laughing dove IL

157. Eurasian collared dove IL

158. Eurasian jackdaw IL

159. Common myna IL

160. Rose-ringed parakeet IL

161. White spectacled bulbul IL

162. European bee eater IL

163. Chukar IL

164. Short toed snake eagle IL

165. White stork IL

166. Little egret IL

167. Pygmy cormorant IL

168. Eurasian hoopoe IL

169. Alpine swift IL

170. Graceful pinia IL

171. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler IL

172. Tristan's Starling IL

173. Fan tailed raven IL

174. Eurasian black cap IL

Here's to at least 200 next year!

[anonsally]

Day 2 in Chile: Birding along the central coast

After a decent night's sleep, we got up early this morning for our birding tour. The guide and a driver picked us up at 8am and we had an epic day of birding! It was cold but mostly sunny, so not as cold as yesterday except when it was very windy. The guide told us that this is one of the best times of year to visit Chile, bird-wise, because a lot of birds that breed further south migrate here in the winter... as do a lot of birds who breed further north!

We did spend a lot of the day in the car in between birding, but that was fine actually as it gave Wife (who is an introvert) a break from interacting and it also meant less time in the sun and wind. And we saw lots of birds, nearly all of which were new for me.

The guide hasn't shared the eBird list with me yet so I'm sure I won't remember everything, but here's what I remember (not chronologically, and I've tried to put my favorites near the top, but not really in order and they were all exciting in one way or another):

Humboldt penguins! We were pretty lucky; I think there were about 30 of them hanging out on a small island preserve very close to the beach.

Inca terns. These were very beautiful and unusual-looking terns, dark grey with long white whiskers and red beaks, with a yellow spot at the base, and red feet.

Grey gulls starting to get their breeding plumage. I thought these were very cute, elegant gulls.

A giant hummingbird. Which... is not an exaggeration. It was enormous. Too big to hover. But clearly hummingbird shaped. Totally incongruous!

Tufted tit-tyrant. (The Tufted Tit-Tyrants is my new band.) Probably one of the cutest birds I've ever seen.

Peruvian boobies

Peruvian pelicans--not too different from the brown pelicans we see at home, but larger.

Three kinds of cormorant: Most were neotropic cormorants, but we also saw a couple of guanay cormorants, and several of the very beautiful red-legged cormorant.

Southern lapwings. Kind of a patchwork pattern of coloration.

Two rufous-chested dotterels, one of which was getting its breeding plumage.

Three kinds of cinclodes: gray-flanked (which breed in the Andes but winter on rocky beaches), seaside (larger), and (I think?) buff-winged.

Two kinds of oystercatchers: blackish and American (I don't think I'd seen the American kind before; the ones in California are black oystercatchers).

Yellow-billed pintails

Yellow-billed teals

Diuca finches

Lake duck (similar to a ruddy duck)

Rufous-collared sparrows (apparently more common than house sparrows in Chile, and infinitely cuter!)

Coscoroba swans, which looked less mean and more friendly than our usual swans

red-gartered coots

Great shrike-tyrants

Long-tailed meadowlark. Startlingly red face and front.

Chimango caracaras, which were the raptors I'd seen on the way from the airport. Apparently there are no corvids here, but these fill that ecological niche. We saw two of them eating a dead meadowlark.

Dusky tapaculo. The guide made limited use of playback in the one foresty stop. This bird is very shy but we did manage to get a decent view of it.

Variable hawk.

Harris's hawk

Great grebes

White-tufted grebes

Brown-hooded gulls

Chilean mockingbirds

Two kinds of swallows: blue-and-white and Chilean

Chiloe wigeons

black vultures

a rufous-tailed plantcutter

Austral thrushes

Austral blackbirds

We also saw sea lions and a couple of otters!

We had them drop us off at a restaurant in Viña Del Mar, which saved them some driving and meant we could try a restaurant we were interested in. We drank Pisco sours (a great cocktail!) and--as usual--ordered too much food. Then we managed to get a bus back to Valparaíso and had a steep walk back up to the hotel, as the funiculars don't run late.

[haveyouseenthisbirdpoll]

List of Birds organized by Order + locations:

Accipitriformes:

Bearded vulture

California condor

Cooper's hawk

Osprey

Red-shouldered hawk

Steller's sea eagle

Anseriformes:

Bar-headed goose

Barnacle goose

Black swan

Common merganser

Red-breasted goose

Snow goose

Trumpeter swan

Apodiformes:

Common swift

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Bucerotiformes:

Abyssinian ground hornbill

Eurasian hoopoe

Cariamiformes:

Red-legged seriema

Casuariiformes:

Emu

Southern cassowary

Cathartiformes:

Black vulture

Turkey vulture

Charadriiformes:

American oystercatcher

Atlantic puffin

Black-headed gull

Black skimmer

Black-tailed godwit

European herring gull

Killdeer

Northern lapwing

Ruddy turnstone

Western sandpiper

Ciconiiformes:

White stork

Columbiformes:

Common wood pigeon

Eurasian collared dove

Luzon bleeding-heart

Nicobar pigeon

Passenger pigeon

Stock dove

Victoria crowned pigeon

Coraciiformes:

Blue-capped kingfisher

Common kingfisher

Cuculiformes:

Asian koel

Greater roadrunner

Yellow-billed cuckoo

Eurypygiformes:

Kagu

Falconiformes:

American kestrel

Common kestrel

Galliformes:

Indian peafowl

Palawan peacock-pheasant

Plain chachalaca

Scaled quail

Western capercaillie

Wild turkey

Gaviiformes:

Common loon

Gruiformes:

American coot

Australasian swamphen/pūkeko

Blue crane

Common moorhen

Sandhill crane

Sora

Whooping crane

Passeriformes:

American bushtit

American robin

Australian raven

Baltimore oriole

Barn swallow

Black-billed magpie

Black-capped chickadee

Black-headed grosbeak

Black-throated sparrow

Blue-headed vireo

Blue jay

Bluethroat

Brown thrasher

California scrub jay

California towhee

Canada warbler

Canyon wren

Cave swallow

Cedar waxwing

Chestnut-backed chickadee

Common blackbird

Common chlorospingus

Common raven

Eastern wood pewee

Eurasian blue tit

Eurasian bullfinch

Eurasian golden oriole

Eurasian jay

Eurasian magpie

European robin

Goldcrest

Great-tailed grackle

Great tit

Hooded crow

House sparrow

Indigo bunting

Jamaican crow

Kirtland's warbler

LeConte's sparrow

Long-tailed tit

Mexican jay

Painted bunting

Phainopepla

Pine siskin

Pin-tailed whydah

Pinyon jay

Pygmy nuthatch

Red winged blackbird

Rook

Saltmarsh sparrow

Satin bowerbird

Spotted towhee

Steller's jay

Tufted titmouse

Wallcreeper

Warbling vireo

Western tanager

White-breasted nuthatch

White-throated dipper

White-throated magpie-jay

Yellow-rumped warbler

Pelecaniformes:

Black-crowned night heron

Brown pelican

Great blue heron

Great egret

Great white pelican

Least bittern

Roseate spoonbill

Shoebill stork

Snowy egret

Phoenicopteriformes:

American flamingo

Chilean flamingo

Piciformes:

Acorn woodpecker

Clark's nutcracker

Great spotted woodpecker

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Lewis's woodpecker

Northern flicker

Pileated woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker

Podargiformes:

Tawny frogmouth

Podicipediformes:

Pied-billed grebe

Procellariiformes:

Wilson's storm-petrel

Psittaciformes:

Australian king parrot

Chestnut-fronted macaw

Citron-crested cockatoo

Cockatiel

Galah

Gang-gang cockatoo

Pacific parrotlet

Red-masked parakeet

Rose-ringed parakeet

Sulphur-crested cockatoo

Strigiformes:

Barn owl

Barred owl

Burrowing owl

Eurasian eagle-owl

Suliformes:

Anhinga

Blue-footed booby

Double-crested cormorant

Trogoniformes:

Elegant trogon

Locations:

Africa

America

Antarctica

Asia

Australia

Eurasia

Europe

Oceania

[fatbirdpics]

White-tufted grebe. I guess I can't make Tumblr limit the size of the image to its actual resolution?? Oh well.

[alpinebirdingworld-blog]

Top 5 Hidden Gems for Birding on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

In China, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is one of the most extraordinary regions for birdwatching. It is vast and rugged, offering high-altitude landscapes, pristine forests, and dramatic mountain ranges, perfect for birds to thrive. From a variety of endemic birds to migratory avian species, this remote and ecologically rich region stands out as one of the premier ecological treasures - attracting birders from around the world. 

Let's explore the article to discover the hidden gems that actually provide rewarding Qinghai birding experiences. 

1. Huzhu Beishan Mountains: Located in Northeastern Qinghai, the Huzhu Beishan mountain area is loaded with alpine forests, meadows, and shrubland habitats. This offers a home to target several bird species, with the endemic Blue Eared Pheasant being the common one.

Besides, one can even target spectacular birds like Crested Tit Warbler, Himalayan Bluetail, Chestnut Thrush, Common Rosefinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Rufous-breasted Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Bush Warbler, etc. The tranquil trail and low tourist traffic make it a more peaceful birding destination than others. 

2. Dongxia Forest Park: Another unexplored birding destination is Dongxia Forest Park, rich in biodiversity. Coniferous and broadleaf forests make a perfect place for nuthatches, warblers, and tits to thrive.

Some exciting species to observe here are - Crested Tit Warbler, Gansu Leaf Warbler, Chinese Nuthatch (Snowy-browed Nuthatch), Przewalski's Nuthatch (White-cheeked Nuthatch), Plain Laughingthrush, Chestnut Thrush, Common Rosefinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Grey-capped Greenfinch, Red Crossbill, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Rufous-vented Tit, etc. 

3. Qinghai Lake: Compared to those mentioned earlier, Qinghai Lake is more popular, maybe due to its breathtaking scenery. The lake is a stopover for numerous migratory birds, especially during spring and autumn.

While exploring this region, birdwatchers can target waterfowls including Black-necked Cranes. They can even expect birds like the Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Whooper Swan, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Black-necked Grebe, Pallas's Gull, Kentish Plover, Pale Martin, Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank. 

4. Ela Mountain Pass: This is a high-altitude landscape offering stunning birdwatching opportunities for travelers. Positioned at a height of 4500m, birders can target one of the rare species - Tibetan Rosefinch. Likewise, traveling further and hiking up the mountain, they can encounter Tibetan Lark, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Henri's Snowfinch, Black-headed Mountain Finch, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Tibetan Snowcock, etc. 

5. Kangda Mountain: In the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau lies Kangda Mountain - a haven for biodiversity. The forested slopes, rocky outcrops, and alpine meadows offer a peaceful retreat to travelers.

Some popular species to target here are -  Tibetan Bunting, Tibetan Babax, Tibetan Partridge, White Eared Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Red-billed Chough, Grey-backed Shrike, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Blue-fronted Redstart, Yellow-streaked Warbler, etc.

Conclusion

Qinghai birding is no less than an adventure that involves exploring scenic destinations, navigating through complex trails, and discovering unique avian wonders, and untouched landscapes. Whether a seasoned birder or a passionate traveler, the hidden gems mentioned above offer a chance to connect deeply with nature. 

Companies like Alpine Birding take responsibility for conducting hassle-free journeys for travelers. For a truly seamless experience, consider traveling with a professional birding tour guide who understands the terrain, species, and seasons to travel.

[mostly-moist-birds]

White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)

© Ignacio Zapata

[dansnaturepictures]

7th June 2023: Lakeside, Winchester and home 

Photos taken in this set are of: 1. View out the back this morning. 2. Tree out the back this evening. 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9. Views on a wonderful and feel good evening walk at Lakeside in the sun, always so good to be out at this peaceful time of day especially in lovely weather. 5. Delightful male Mallard on beach lake in the strong light. 6. Growing Greylag Goose goslings at Lakeside this evening. 10. Flower at Lakeside, possible alfalfa some sweet ones that come out along the northern path at this time of year. 

At Lakeside this evening it was brilliant to see and hear Great Tit with young in a hedge, see and hear Chiffchaff and see Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Ducks, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull. Emperor dragonfly, exquisite views of Red Admiral flittering along the northern path and Meadow Brown were good to see too, with an exciting view of a Green Woodpecker when cutting across Lakeside on the way to the station this morning a bird I’ve heard a lot here lately. I loved seeing Peregrine Winnie I believe including flying and glorious views of a fair few charming Swifts at Winchester Cathedral at lunch time. Captivating sights. Beautiful Demoiselle and Mallard were other Winchester highlights. I also liked seeing Jackdaw and Feral Pigeon including in a colourful flower bed on a lovely sunny lunch break at Abbey Gardens. Swathes of sorrel in the evening light at Lakeside, white deadnettle, wood avens, gorgeous orange fox-and-cubs in Winchester with a fair few out, crane’s-bill, ivy-leaved toadflax, bramble flower, roses, vetch, marsh and common spotted orchid, white clover and red valerian were other key flowers seen from a nice array of them today.

[themissinglynx]

Table Rock Lake Clans - List of Prefixes by Color

An exhaustive list of all possible prefixes in the Clans of Table Rock Lake

I may make a category list soon

Black

Ani - derived from the grove-billed ani Ant - used for small cats Bat Bear - used for big cats - derived from the American black bear Beetle Black Bramble - refers to the ripened fruit - derived from the blackberry bramble Cherry - refers to the fruit - derived from the black cherry Cicada - used for tabbies Coal Coot - derived from the American coot Cormorant - derived from the double-crested cormorant Cricket - used for solids or tabbies Crow Dark Duck Eel - used for long-bodied cats Evening Flint Goose - used for black and white cats Grackle - derived from the common grackle Hornet Loon - used for black and white tabbies - derived from the common loon Mink - derived from the American mink Night Raven Shade Shadow Skunk - used for black tabbies or black and white cats - derived from the striped skunk (tabby) and the spotted skunk (bicolor) Smoke - used for tabbies Soot Spider Starling Storm Swift - used for black and white cats Turtle Vulture - derived from the turkey vulture Wasp Weevil Willow - refers to the bark - used for black longhairs - derived from the black willow

Brown

Bat Bear - used for large brown cats - derived from the grizzly bear Beaver Beetle Bison - used for big cats Bittern - used for light brown tabbies with white - derived from the American bittern Brown Chicken - used for light brown spotted tabbies with white - derived from the prairie chicken Chipmunk - used for small tabbies Cricket - used for tabbies Cougar - used for large light brown cats Deer - used for light brown cats - derived from the white-tailed deer Duck Dust Eagle - used for brown and white cats - derived from the bald eagle Elk - used for large cats Frog - used for spotted tabbies Grebe - derived from the horned grebe Grouse - used for spotted brown cats - derived from the ruffed grouse Harrier - used for brown and white cats - derived from the Northern harrier Hawk - used for brown and white cats - derived from the red-tailed hawk Honey - used for golden-brown cats Lizard - used for tabbies Mantis Mink - derived from the American mink Moth - used for tabbies Mouse - derived from the house mouse Mud Nightjar - used for spotted brown tabbies - derived from the common nighthawk Oak - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the black oak Oat - refers to the flower - derived from the wild oat Pecan - used for tabbies - derived from the pecan tree Quail - used for spotted and white tabbies - derived from the bobwhite quail Rabbit - derived from the cottontail rabbit Rail - used for dark brown spotted tabbies - derived from the king rail Rat - derived from the brown rat Rock Rush - refers to the flowers - derived from the common rush Snail Soil Sparrow - used for brown and white tabbies - derived from the house sparrow Spider Stone Sycamore - used for big tabbies - derived from the American sycamore Tawny - used for light brown cats Teal - derived from the cinnamon teal Thrush - used for spotted light brown and white tabbies - derived from the wood thrush Turkey - used for big cats Turtle Walnut - refers to the nuts - derived from the black walnut Weasel - used for brown and white cats - derived from the long-tailed weasel Weevil Wigeon - derived from the American wigeon Wren - used for brown and white tabbies

Reddish-Brown

Alder - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the hazel alder Cardinal - refers to the female of the species Cedar - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the red cedar Clay Crane - derived from the sandhill crane Ibis - derived from the white-faced ibis Owl - used for spotted reddish-brown tabby and white cats - derived from the screech owl Pheasant - used for spotted tabbies - derived from the common pheasant

Gray-Brown

Armadillo - used for tabbies Bass Birch - refers to the bark - derived from the river birch Boulder - used for large cats Coyote Dove Elm - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the American elm Hare - derived from the American desert hare Hickory - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the bitternut hickory Kinglet Lark - used for grayish-brown and white cats - derived from the horned lark Lynx - used for spotted tabbies - derived from the bobcat Magnolia - refers to the bark - used for tabbies - derived from the cucumber magnolia Mole - derived from the Eastern mole Pike - used for spotted tabbies Pine - refers to the bark - derived from the shortleaf pine Sand Shell - used for tabbies Vole - derived from the prairie vole Warbler

Gray

Badger - used for tabbies - derived from the American badger Bass Bergamot - refers to the flowers - derived from the plant Blizzard - used for spotted light gray tabbies Boulder - used for big cats Burdock - derived from the greater burdock Carp Chickadee - used for small gray and white cats - derived from the Carolina chickadee Cinder Coyote Dark - used for dark gray cats Dawn - used for light gray cats Dove Dusk - used for dark gray cats Evening Falcon - used for gray and white cats - derived from the peregrine falcon Fog Goose - used for gray and white cats Granite - used for spotted tabbies Gray Gull - used for gray and white cats Hail - used for light gray cats Halcyon - used for dark gray or blue cats with a little white - derived from the belted kingfisher Haze Henbit - derived from the common henbit Heron - derived from the great blue heron Junco - derived from the dark-eyed junco Larkspur - derived from the delphinium Lichen - used for light gray tabbies Lizard - used for tabbies Lobelia - derived from the great blue lobelia Loon - used for gray and white tabbies - derived from the common loon Lynx - used for spotted tabbies - derived from the bobcat Mallow - derived from the common mallow Minnow - used for tabbies Mint - refers to the flowers - derived from the hoary mountain mint Mist Mole - derived from the eastern mole Moth - used for tabbies Murk - used for dark gray cats Nettle - derived from the American stinging nettle Nuthatch - used for gray and white cat Opossum - derived from the North American possum Owl - used for large gray and white tabbies - derived from the barred owl Pale - used for light gray cats Pebble - used for small cats Phacelia - derived from the purple phacelia Phlox - derived from the woodland phlox Pigeon Pike - used for spotted tabbies Raccoon - used for gray tabbies - derived from the common raccoon Rain Rock Sage - derived from the wood sage Shade - used for dark gray cats Shale Shell - used for tabbies Shrew - derived from the northern short-tailed shrew Shrike - used for gray and white cats - derived from the northern shrike Silver Slate Sleet - spotted gray tabby Smoke - used for tabbies Soot - used for dark gray cats Squirrel - used for gray and white cats - derived from the eastern gray squirrel Steam - used for pale gray tabbies Stone Storm - used for dark gray cats Sycamore - used for big light gray tabbies - derived from the American sycamore Thalia - used for gray and white cats - derived from the powdery thalia Thistle - derived from the common thistle Titmouse - derived from the tufted titmouse Trout - used for spotted tabbies Vervain - derived from the blue vervain Vetch - derived from the common vetch Violet - derived from the birdsfoot violet Wolf - derived from the gray wolf

Blue

Aster - derived from the flower Blue Bunting - derived from the indigo bunting Chicory - derived from the common chicory Gallinule - derived from the common gallinule Glory - derived from the morning glory Halcyon - used for dark gray or blue cats with a little white - derived from the belted kingfisher Indigo - derived from the blue false indigo Jay - used for blue and white tabbies - derived from the blue jay Swallow - used for blue and white cats - derived from the tree swallow

Ginger/Red

Apple - refers to the fruit - derived from the wild apple Ash - refers to the leaves - derived from white ash Bergamot - refers to the flowers - derived from the plant Blaze Bramble - refers to the unripe fruit - derived from the blackberry bramble Cardinal - refers to the male of the species Dawn Dusk Ember - used for small cats Evening - used for deep red cats Fire Fox - derived from the red fox Ginger Ginseng - derived from the American ginseng Hawthorn - refers to the fruit - derived from the red hawthorn Hazel - refers to flowers - derived from the Ozark witch hazel Holly - refers to the fruit - derived from the meadow holly Ivy - used for tabbies - derived from the poison ivy Maple - refers to the leaves - derived from the red maple Marigold - derived from the marigold Morning Lily - used for spotted tabbies - derived from the leopard lily Oak - refers to the leaves - derived from the white oak Persimmon - derived from the American persimmon Plum - refers to the fruit - derived from the American plum Pumpkin - refers to the fruit Red Spark Sumac - refers to the leaves or berries - derived from the fragrant sumac (leaf) and the smooth sumac (berry) Tanger - refers to the male of the species - derived from the summer tanger Wasp - used for tabbies

Gold/Cream

Amber Aphid - used for small cats Apple - refers to the fruit - derived from the wild apple Bee - used for tabbies Blaze Bolt Daffodil - derived from the narcissus Daisy - derived from the yellow ox-eyed daisy/black-eyed Susan Dandelion - refers to the flower - derived from the weed Dawn Finch - derived from the goldfinch Golden Honey Hornet - used for tabbies Lightning Locust - refers to the leaves - derived from the honey locust Lotus - derived from the American lotus Marigold - derived from the marigold Morning Mullein - refers to the flower - derived from the great mullein Mustard - derived from the black mustard Persimmon - derived from the American persimmon Poppy - derived from the celandine poppy Primrose - derived from the common evening primrose Sand Spark Tanger - refers to the female of the species - derived from the summer tanger Tansy - derived from the common tansy ragwort Tawny Velvet - derived from the velvet plant Yellow

White

Aphid - used for small cats Apple - refers to the flowers - derived from the wild apple Avens - derived from the white avens Bramble - refers to the flower - derived from the blackberry bramble Blizzard Bolt Bright Cherry - refers to the flowers - derived from the black cherry Cloud Clover - refers to the flowers - derived from the white clover Cohosh - derived from the black cohosh Cotton - refers to the seeds - derived from the upland cotton Dandelion - refers to the seeds - derived from the weed Egret - derived from the snowy egret Flax - derived from the bastard toadflax Frost Gaura - derived from the gaura flowers Hail Haw - refers to the flowers - derived from the blackhaw Hawthorn - refers to the flowers - derived from the red hawthorn Hemlock - refers to the flowers - derived from the poison hemlock Ice Light Lightning Lotus - derived from American lotus Milkweed - refers to the seeds - derived from common milkweed Mint - refers to the flowers - derived from the hoary mountain mint Mistletoe - refers to the berry - derived from the American mistletoe Onion - refers to the bulb and flowers - derived from the wild onion Orchid - derived from the Adam and Eve orchid Pale Parsley - refers to the flowers - derived from garden parsley Plum - refers to the flowers - derived from the American plum Rose - derived from the wild rose Sage - derived from the wood sage Sleet Snow Spark Swan White Willow - refers to the catkins - used for white longhairs - derived from the black willow Yarrow - derived from the common yarrow

Patched/Bicolor

Duck - used for black and brown cats Eagle - used for brown and white cats - derived from the bald eagle Falcon - used for gray and white cats - derived from the peregrine falcon Grebe - used for brown and white cats - derived from Clark’s grebe Harrier - used for brown and white cats - derived from the Northern harrier Hawk - used for brown and white cats - derived from the red-tailed hawk Iris - derived from the iris flower Jaeger - used for black and white cats - derived from various jaegers Jay - used for gray and white tabbies - derived from the blue jay Nuthatch - used for gray and white cat Merganser - used for black and white cats - derived from the common merganser Patch - general bi/tricolor Plover - used for black, gray, or brown and white cats - derived from the various species of plover Scaup - used for black and white cats - derived from the greater and lesser scaup Shrike - used for gray and white cats - derived from the northern shrike Skunk - used for black and white cats - derived from the spotted skunk Sparrow - used for brown and white tabbies - derived from the house sparrow Swallow - used for blue and white cats - derived from the tree swallow Thalia - used for gray bicolors - derived from the powdery thalia Thrush - used for spotted brown and white tabbies - derived from the wood thrush Weasel - used for brown and white cats - derived from the long-tailed weasel

Patterned

Speckle - used for spotted tabbies Spotted - used for spotted tabbies There’s others but writing them down would make this section bloated...

Tortoiseshell/Calico

Brindle - used for any tortie Clay - used for brown torties Copper - used for dark torties Dapple - used for any tortie Dawn - used for dilute torties Dusk - used for dark torties Eagle - used for darker torties - derived from the golden eagle Ember - used for small torties Evening - used for dark torties Fox - used for diluted torties - derived from the gray fox Fritillary - used for brown torties - derived from a tribe of butterfly Grebe - used for dark torties - derived from the eared gribe Kestrel - used for spotted red torties or blue torties - derived from the American kestrel Morning - used for dark or dilute torties Mottle - used for torties with little to no white Oriole - used for darker torties - derived from the orchard oriole Owl - used for brown torties - derived from the great horned owl Pansy - used for any tortie - derived from the garden pansy Patch - used for any calico Pheasant - used for brown torties Robin - used for brown torties - derived from the American robin Skipper - used for brown torties - derived from the skipper butterfly Squirrel - used for diluted torties - derived from the fox squirrel Tawny - used for diluted brown torties Toad - used for diluted torties Towhee - used for darker torties with white - derived from the eastern towhee

[boomingbittern52]

Otmoor - March

We spent Sunday morning at Otmoor.  Arriving a little before 9.00am, the reserve was quiet, the weather bright and with a light breeze.

Upon arrival we noticed the Skylarks singing, and as we started up the pathway we could hear the sound of a Curlew off to the right hand side of us. The first bird we saw that morning was a Willow warbler, the second of these which we have seen this year, as we spotted one the previous day in our local woodland.  As soon as a break in the hedge allowed we started looking for the Curlew that had been calling so distinctively. No sign of it, but we were treated to our first view of a Redshank in winter plumage.

Lots of Geese grazing at the front of the reserve, including one Barnacle Goose.  More Skylark song and we  managed to see 3 skylarks flying low over the grass area and I watched 2 birds land on the pathway. We are lucky enough to have skylarks in our area so I do hear the birds in local fields, but this was the best views I have had of the actual birds themselves.

There were a pair of Great Crested Grebes visible from the first screen area.  A Bittern was heard by some other visitors at this same screen but did not make an appearance.

We were aware that there seemed to be much more birdsong this month. The trees were alive with activity, we heard the Cetti Warbler but did not see the bird itself. One tree was full of Linnets, all singing. I struggled to find them among the branches with my binoculars but my husband managed to show me clear views through the scope. The hide was closed but that did not stop us watching the mixed flocks of small birds, feeding from the grass pathway. On my last 2 visits I did not get to see the Yellowhammers that had been reported by other visitors but my luck was in this time and I finally got to see them.

No sign of the Golden plover that were here in February. Still some Lapwing and plenty of Wigeon, Shovelers,Teal and smaller numbers of Tufted duck.  I really enjoyed seeing the pair of Oystercatchers that were in the wetland area at the rear of the reserve.  The bright orange beak really stood out against the black and white plumage.

Despite hearing the Curlew many times during our visit, we only managed to see one in flight, we its call and then looked up to see it flying off in a hurry.  Hopefully we will get a better look at this bird during our next visit.  On the way out we paused by the seed feeders and whilst sitting on the bench we heard a knocking sound.  I looked around to find the source and spotted a Song thrush banging a snail on a wooden stump.  This is the first time I have seen this since I was a child so felt extremely lucky that we happened to be there.  

[rolypolypellmell]

Happy Birdsday! White-tufted grebe by Jim Scarff.

[magnetothemagnificent]

My birding week vacation is over, so here are all the bird species I saw:

1. Little blue heron

2. Sharp-shinned hawk

3. Black vulture

4. Great egret

5. Sandhill crane

6. Mourning dove

7. Common loon (there were two of them just hanging out at a lake. We couldn't believe it but they were unmistakable)

8. Cattle egret

9. Great blue heron

10. Anhinga

11. Double-crested cormorant

12. Red-winged Blackbird

13. Limpkin

14. Wood stork

15. White ibis

16. Muskovy duck

17. Boat-tailed grackle

18. American crow

19. American coot

20. Common gallinule

21. Common grackle

22. Glossy ibis

23. Palm warbler

24. Osprey

25. American purple gallinule

26. Wood duck

27. Red-shouldered hawk

28. Pied-billed grebe

29. Royal tern

30. Eastern Phoebe

31. Roseate spoonbill (last year it eluded me, but this year I saw two at two separate locations!)

31. Black-bellied whistling duck

32. Tricolor heron

33. Northern harrier

34. Yellow-rumped warbler

35. Tree swallow

36. Swallow-tailed kite

37. Ring-billed gull

38. Turkey vulture

39. Mallard

40. White pelican (there were two just hanging out at an artificial lake in the middle of a residential area)

41. Red eyed vireo

42. Mulard

43. American pekin

44. Mallard/Pekin hybrid

45. Downy woodpecker

46. Grey catbird

47. Blue-grey gnatcatcher

48. Fish crow

49. Northern parula

50. Snowy egret

51. Chimney swift

52. Common yellowthroat

53. Bald eagle

54. Red-bellied woodpecker

55. Blue winged teal (we only saw these guys because we had to walk an extra 1.5 miles to take the long way back to the car because an alligator decided to block our short way back)

56. Great-crested flycatcher

57. Louisiana waterthrush

58. Laughing gull

59. Northern mockingbird

60. Mottled duck

61. Loggerhead shrike

62. White eyed vireo

63. Tufted titmouse

64. Northern cardinal

65. Black and white warbler

66. Ring-necked duck (I saw this lone duck from the car as we were driving past an artificial lake. From it's silhouette I could see it looked different from the other ducks common in the area, so we stopped the car literally on the side of the road so I could run out with my binoculars, and sure enough it was a new species to add to the list. And then when we came back a few days later, it was still there swimming around and diving, so I guess it lived around there.)

67. Carolina chickadee

68. Swamp sparrow

69. Ruby-crowned kinglet

70. Pileated woodpecker

71. Belted kingfisher (we visited the same place three times because my Grandpa saw kingfishers there a few times. It wasn't until the third and final time, while we were ready to give up and leave, that we saw it, perched on a sign post over the water)

72. House sparrow

73. Cooper's hawk

74. Carolina wren

75. White-throated sparrow