153.Common Merganser
11/17/13
I have been under the weather this week and my bird watching activities have been limited to my window box. I am happy to report house sparrows and a mourning dove. Some birding is better than no birding. I have also had time to reflect on my not so great "big NYC year." My number is approximately 150 at the middle of November and I don't see any big push of birds coming to boost me up and over the 200 mark. I have taken the time to reflect, this week, at the birds I would have liked to see but missed or were just not there. Birds I seemed to have "just" missed: Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Blue Bird, Dickcissel, Meadow Lark, American Pipit, Black throated green, Long tailed duck, Brewer's Blackbird and Bobolink. Birds that are on my wish list: Hawk owl, Eastern Screech owl, Great Gray owl, Meadowlark, American Pipit, and Golden Eagle. Birds I never expected to see and am very grateful I did: 3 adult Red headed woodpeckers - a religious experience - for sure. Sora in Bryant Park, Clapper Rail - finally, Lawrence's Warbler - its been more than 20 years since my last one, Scarlet Tanager on 6th Ave- knocked out by a window collision, Wilson's Snipe at Turtle Pond, Purple Martin at Turtle Cove, and a Lark sparrow at the absolutely amazing new Native Plant Garden at The New York Botanical Garden. So, while some birders have their number up in the 200's and some have reached the elusive 300 I know that another year coming means another chance for more birds and perhaps 2014 will be my "big year!" |
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