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Birding with Phil
By
Phil Kyle
April Birding
Being a Birder is an
activity that is often lumped with being a philatelist (stamp
collector) or numismatist (coin collector). Most birders are unique!
But what they all have in common is an underlying love of birds. More
than 20 million people in North America enjoy bird songs or have them
come to their bird feeder. Birding is now more popular than gardening!
What other animals are that conspicuous ? OK ...... Insects, but there
is no comparison in terms of entertainment quality, birds win hands
down. The thing about birding is all one needs are Binoculars and a
Field Guide, and hopefully someone who knows a bit more about birding
than you do. Cape Cod alone has over 400 species of bird species that
have been seen!
Every time one goes out into the field one can run into an accidental
species, a rarity or an uncommon bird. The mystery awaits! Then of
course if you visit different habitats you'll observe different birds!
So find out what all the excitement is about! Join the crowd and
discover what is lurking in your town if you go out and look!
So come along with Phil Kyle, a past President of the Cape Cod Bird
Club, and Bird every Monday Morning- Starting May 25- Leaving at 8am
sharp in our comfortable van and back at Green Briar Nature Center by
11am.
February Birding
American Wigeon
February is the middle of WINTER, more specifically February 15, BUT we
have an hour more daylight on FEB 1st than at the Winter Solstice and
2hrs more daylight by the END of February........ Your probably saying
to yourself, BIG DEAL !!! Where's Spring and the warm weather ! But the
birds know there's a difference, they've already started
vocalizing(singing).
The 90 or so Winter birds are noticing the subtle change in the
amount of sunlight. They are already saying, "THIS IS MY YARD ,RIGHT
HERE", the Mourning Doves have already assumed their territorial
positions on different telephone wires. The migrants down south in
warmer climes have noticed the increase too and are getting ready to
move north.
The waterfowl we see out on Cape Cod Bay and non-frozen parts of
fresh water ponds, like Longtailed Ducks, Goldeneyes, Common Eiders,
Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons to mention a few , will
start their head-bobbing courtship ritual this month - something
to watch for.
So the bottom line is that winter weather elements are to be
tolerated and birding to commence! As I'm sure I've mentioned before,
this is the only time of year to see about 40 species. So join us
from 8AM - 11AM . The Green Briar Van leaves punctually!
January Birding
Snow Bunting
January means WINTER
TIME with shorter days, less time to forage for food and colder
temperatures. The 90 species or so of birds that are around at this time
are very preoccupied by getting enough energy to create FAT to insulate
them from the cold so they don't get sick and die. So much for the
dramatic theme!
BUT winter IS a
challeging time for birds. Most people just sit near their windows
inside and watch the birds at their feeder but by bundling up and
actually going to the local hotspots with Green Briar Nature Center's
van,.... you'll see birds you CAN'T see in your cozy home.
Don't get me wrong.
If it's life-threatening outside of the van or even close we stay INSIDE
the Thornton Burgess's Nature Center van with the HEAT on !!
We could see the
following birds at this time of year...Snow Buntings, Horned Larks,
Cooper's Hawk, Lesser Scaup, Long-tailed Ducks, Golden-eyed Ducks,
Horned Grebes, Loons, Harlequin Duck even a Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing or
Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Join us Mondays at 8
for a Winter adventure! Members: $12 Non-Members $16
To view the 2009
articles: Birding with Phil
By
Phil Kyle
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