Life at Boomer Lake with Deb, Sunday August 25, 2013

Look at the following wonderful site through Cornell Lab of Ornithology's e-Bird. Bird migration this week for the continental United States will be light to moderate in most areas. Here is a link to remarkable current information as plotted via map, as well as how to read it. Get the latest updates on what is going to be occurring in your area, as well as what recently happened. This will be invaluable information.

Here is a hot site on birding, nature, conservation, and anything at all related to the world of beauty as any naturalist will know it. Spend a little time on this site to see what is currently happening.

Learn firsthand about the adventures of birders, where they have been and where they are going, celebrations of nature, and what it is a good idea NOT to do.

May I proudly be the first to introduce you to 10,000 Birds.

In just forty years according to the Audubon Society, some of the most common birds are in their steepest declines. Only WE can make a difference in the lives of our birds, as well as our immediate futures.

This delightful community was the first birding site that I was invited to join on Facebook. It is a very friendly group that want to see your pictures, experience your birding joys, and hear about news relative to your area. Peruse, and you will feel immediately welcomed into the open arms of Birders Are We.

The highlight of my week was finally observing the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Prior to this, I had heard it, but never had the pleasure of meeting any until this youngster introduced him- or herself. Now mind you, some of these birds are very busy, and always on the move. It took a little doing to get this portrait, and fair warning, it is not easy.

They adore insects and larvae, and it hopes to stir up a meal by flicking its tail while rapidly moving from one part of a deciduous tree to the next. It has a thin bill, a blue-gray back, with a white underside. As you can see, even with this immature bird, it has a white eye ring, as well as a white undertail, divided in the center with a black line.

It is in much of the country, but you might just hear it and not see it. Say hello to this little sweetheart and enjoy the video:

The heat has returned to the area, and the butterflies seemed to return in full force. Many were very plentiful, yet not once did I see the elusive monarch. However, I did capture this fine specimen of an eastern comma. It took me a while, but I had been hoping to get a definitive shot of this beauty, and this one permitted just that, several times.

There is still only one American Coot on Boomer Lake, but before I know it, others will join this one. In the meantime, it has been keeping company with the Mallards and has been welcomed into their open wings. My understanding is that they tend to breed in much of the eastern U.S.

Even though there have not been a lot of them over the summer, Great Egret has been holding down the fort with Great Blue Heron. Green Heron never managed to visit Boomer Lake, to my knowledge, but earlier in the spring, we had hosted Black-crowned Night Heron, and the lovely Yellow-crowned Night Heron was at Teal Ridge.

Perhaps Green Heron will come to visit next year.

Our residents are still caring for young, completing their molting for fall migration, and just enjoying the lake in general. It has been a relatively stable summer, but not a great deal of birds to show for it. Many have already left and begun settling elsewhere.

The American Robins have been off the lake for a couple of weeks, but most never travel far, only heading into nearby neighborhoods. They will receive plenty of sustenance there, and many of the first years are looking more like adults every day.

This has been a pleasant year thus far, and next season will be ushering in migrants, some of which I hope to be able to capture for you.

In the meantime, keep your head in the clouds and your eyes to the ground. Happy birding to one and all.