Go Green Birdwatching

Get wrapped up in the breathtaking views and crisp, refreshing mountain air of Hawk Mountain. Located in east-central Pennsylvania along the Appalachian Flyway, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary seamlessly blends natural beauty with wildlife education.

Dedicated to preserving birds of prey, Hawk Mountainopened in 1934, educating the public on the importance of conserving the ecosystem. As the world’s first refuge for raptor preservation, the bird conservatory works to “reverse negative attitudes toward predatory birds.” The Sanctuary keeps annual counts on the migrating raptors. These counts are especially important because they keep a steady watch on any changes in the birds’ migration patterns.

Upon entering the 2,600-acre conservatory and education center, one is struck by the sudden shift in the environment. Gone is the stressful world that lies at the bottom of the mountain. At Hawk Mountain, one is completely surrounded by nature. …

Stalking and following other creatures is best left for non-human subjects. It’s not only illegal, but it’s kind of rude. But for those of us with a curious side and a law abiding strike, birds are perfect for backyard viewing, much smaller, unaware, and most importantly very nice to look upon.

However, you can’t just go out and start watching birds. There are some basics to the process. It’s an artform of sorts. Back yard bird watching is only enjoyable if you make it so. First off, birds are easy to figure out. If you find a place with ample food, sunlight, and water, you’ll be surrounded by birds before you know it. Now, find a hiding spot nearby, somewhere behind a bush or a hollow beside a tree and you have a perfect lookout for watching your fine feathered …

I saw my first goldfinch of the season this week at the Auburn Environmental Park. It was a double delight. I love the bright yellow gold finches. I was also not aware the park had opened last week. Over the winter I’ve been driving by a couple of times a month to see how the work there was progressing. But a few weeks ago there were still gaps in the boardwalk and a fence surrounding the entrance. Now it’s open and completed. I took my young niece and nephews on the walk on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 to celebrate. The boys were on spring break and I had a day off. We had liquid sunshine which is common in King County, Washington but it was just drizzling so we were undeterred. Here is our short tale and my review of …

Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is well-known for its great bird-watching spots. The entire refuge spans 203 acres, allowing it to house many different species of wildlife, including the Hawaiian geese native to the area. The marine life that can be seen from Kilauea Point include manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and even the large humpback whales during the winter months. The Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is open seven days a week and closed on certain holidays, so call ahead if you will be traveling on one of these dates.

Birdwatching at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii: Red-footed boobies and tropic birds

One of the most common types of birds to watch at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge is the red-footed booby. You will see many of these nests on the eastern set of cliffs. Tropic birds are another unusual species …

There is a large maple tree in our front yard. If you look closely at the trunk, you will notice horizontal lines of little holes all along the trunk. This is a sure sign that there is a yellow-bellied sapsucker in the area.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) reminds me at first glance of a little larger version of a downy or hairy woodpecker. [See my articles on the Downy Woodpecker and on the Hairy Woodpecker.] It is 8½ inches and mottled black and off-white. The male has a red chin and throat, while the female has a white chin and throat. Both have red crowns; although, you might notice some females with a black crown or a crown with just a few red feathers. Both have white shoulder patches that are easily noticed on their folded wings. …

Birdwatching is a fantastic hobby, easy to pick-up and fairly simple to start doing. Even for American’s living in the densest urban and concrete jungles, birds are usually still present. Thanks to the plethora of affordable digital cameras and spotting scopes, plus the wonders of bird identification made easy both online and in low-priced birdwatching guides, the hobby has never been more accessible. This summer is a great opportunity to start this hobby and here are a few pointers to get you outside and birdwatching like a pro!

Become familiar with the more common species of birds in your area. Most major cities have birdwatching groups and websites where you can learn about the local birds. Be sure to pick up a bird species guide, like the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America or the The …

A hawk recently grabbed a bird right at my front window. I knew that it was only a matter of time. It had been perching in the pine tree where we have most of our birdfeeders for quite awhile. This is not normal behavior. Hawks usually do not hang out close to our home. They will fly around occasionally looking for prey, but they do not perch in trees so close to the house. (Perhaps the snow and frigid temperatures are causing them to modify their behavior.) Also the blue jays are not around as much to sound the alarm. [See: Bird Watching: Blue Jays] Whatever the reason, this hawk finally got something to eat not more than 5 feet from the front of the house. As I watched it sit for a moment in my front yard before flying …