Keys Birding

 

For Labor Day weekend Andy, Rosana, Emily, and I went to Key West for some fun times.  Along the way we stopped and did some shorebirding near Marathon.  We had a nice collection of birds including Short-billed & Long-billed Dowitchers, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sanderling, Semi-palmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and numerous terns on the flats.  While driving over the Bahia Honda Channel I spotted an Audubon's Shearwater.  We tried for better looks but it headed out past the bridge not to be re-seen.

Once in Key West we danced the night away and then on Sunday we birded Fort Zachary State Park.  The area around the bathrooms were very busy we had 10 warbler species within 20 minutes, including a HY Hooded Warbler that gave us killer looks from a few feet away.  After the Prothonotary, Worm-eating, Prairie, Redstart, Ovenbird, Blackpoll, Parula, Black-and-white, and Northern Waterthrush fun we hit the beach for some swimming.  The water was delightfully cool.

Now a busy week is starting and my Bird-a-day year is coming to a close.  I used a Spot-breasted Oriole today but the only easy bird I have left is a White Ibis.  For those that don't know about Bird-a-Day, you should definitely check it out.  I can't believe I made it to September!  

Book Review: Petrels, Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels of North America

Petrels, Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels of North America: A Photographic Guide is the cutting edge book on tubenoses by Steve N.G. Howell. At nearly 500 pages, this book gives an in-depth view of rarely studied pelagic bird species. While flipping through the pages I daydreamed of being on the water and watching birds stream by. This book will transport you into a new world of birds and not only give you photos to drool over but interesting life history information as well.

Many bird field guides are using photos and this one does the same but with a variety of angles and age cycles. When going on a pelagic trip taking a field guide with you is impractical but having a book like Howell’s will allow you to study while on dry land and be prepared on the boat for the next stray rarity. This guide covers all manner of tubernoses seen in North American waters and gives each one a detailed write-up.

Howell’s book will delight everyone from beginners itching to go on their first pelagic trip to veterans seeking new insights on these much desired species. This volume will provide the reader with tables, photos, behavior and insights into reproduction and life style. Howell has delivered the tools with this new book to help any person that has an interest in studying pelagic bird species. Get your sea legs ready, this book will have you dreaming of pelagic trips. With Howell’s information, you will be an expert on the boat!

This review copy was provided by Princeton University Press.