Winter Birding

I went on a birding photography trip under the auspices of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (aka DVOC) to Peace Valley Park this past Saturday. It was cold. I think the high for the day was 25〫F. You can see many of the birds I saw, and participate on the field trip vicariously, by identifying the species shown below. Be sure to leave a comment with your IDs! (As always, click on the image for a larger version.)

There were birds that were watching us, although this hawk was just as interested in the smaller birds as we were, probably more so. There were a pair and hopefully soon baby hawks to feed. Hence the interest in other birds.

Those smaller birds included sparrows like these two, who are afforded some protection by the cage around the feeder platform. But they were still wary and constantly on the lookout.

And there were plenty of these, named for the prominent throat patch.


And these, perhaps named for where it it found.

And yet another sparrow species, our last, looking right at you, while the bird with it's back to us, who is not a sparrow and not looking quite as golden in its winter plumage.

There were sparrow like birds (hint, not a sparrow).

There were non-cooperative birds, like this one who absolutely refused to stand still or venture into the sunlight.

There were acrobatic birds, getting a workout at the feeders.

And focused birds making sure they got every bit of those sunflower seeds.

Small, quick moving, and hard to photo birds.

Comparatively drab females of familiar species.

And the very lovely orange capped woodpecker (not its real name, but a better one methinks).


Later down by the lake, and after I fallen on my butt trying to navigate down a too slippery hill (I'm ok, thanks) we saw hundreds of birds, most walking on water, the solid variety (I said it was cold). Look closely, as one of these things is not like the others! Named after another type of solid water, it was the only one of its kind we saw.

Bye! (Extra credit if you get this one!)

I hope you enjoyed this blog field trip. We saw several other interesting birds, including several long eared owls roosting, but a photo op it was not, sorry (but you can always look at this one ).