Birdwatching while traveling

[funtimes]

Hi LL community - We do not profess to be birders, but we do enjoy learning as much as possible about birds while on our travels. We've been fortunate enough to be part of the hummingbird count in Arizona - once a month they catch, weigh, band and release hummingbirds...recording all types of information about these beautiful birds. It was very exciting holding one and extremely informative as well. Pleased to have been a part of this! We live on the water in Wisconsin where many bald eagles remain - sandhill cranes are here all summer and WI is trying to reintroduce the Whooping Crane. Our area in WI is a major migratory path. Just curious about others birding travel experiences?

Happy travels...Funtimes

[omegaet]

funtimes....we did have an interesting bird sighting in Costa Rica:


http://community.luxurylink.com/blog...&jump=true#M65


Message Edited by omegaet on 03-25-200708:27 PM

[funtimes]

Thanks O -I figured Costa Rica would be high on the list for birders. We have not been there yet ...perhaps in the future with LL??? We did see an Elegant Trogon in Arizona once. It was amazing! People come from all over the world to see this bird - mexican parrott -is the common term for an Elegant Trogon -Extremely colorful plumage. Take Care...Funtimes

[bcsailor]

We often enjoy seeing different bird species on our travels. On our first trip to Mexico, quite a few years ago, we stayed in the 'hotel zone' of Puerto Vallarta. On early morning walks we encountered a small estuary almost right in town. The variety and beauty of the bird life there convinced me to get a bit more serious and I now try and carry a guide for the areas we visit - our well thumbed Peterson Guide to the Birds of Mexico is a symbol of our bird watching since that first time. Even quite common species can be totally new to us - and another one formy 'life-list'.

[funtimes]

Good idea BCSAILOR I'll try to find a pocket bird guide for our upcoming travels. My husband was given a book in which to start his "lifelist" - hopefully this will be the year he starts one. I'm not quite up to that yet, but continue learning. I saw a Pilliated woodpecker this week HUGE bird - sounds like a jackhammer. This sighting was in Wisconsin. Any others with lifelists? rarest sighting and location?

[travel2fun]

omegaet wrote:





funtimes....we did have an interesting bird sighting in Costa Rica:


http://community.luxurylink.com/blog...&jump=true#M65

omegaet, I went to your blog and read your story, did you actually see a Quetzal or were you just busting the bubble of those old birders?

[omegaet]

t-2-f....no reason to lie to them...we actually saw the Quetzal...probably a once-in-a-lifetime sighting for us....since we really aren't hardcore "birders."



Here's a guy we see frequently during the Winter when we drive through the Everglades...he is aRosette Spoonbill...sort of like looking at a "winged platypus."



When my schedule permits,I try to spend one morning a week at the beach watching the "beach birds" in the bikins...I have quite a collection of photos I have taken over the years of these "beach birds"...none of which I will post.

[funtimes]

O - what a gorgeous picture!!! We've been trying unsuccessfully to see a Rosette Spoonbill for years - Literally since early 80's in South Carolina - went there every spring for 12 years and Florida - we travel there frequently ( own property in Palm Coast - near Flagler beach and we are trying to decide weather or not to build) Anyway Thank you for the fabulous picture I will remain hopefull to see one "in the flesh" someday Best ...Funtimes

[omegaet]

funtimes....you're too far east in Florida(at Palm Coast) and not far enough south to see the Rosette Spoonbills. Usually in November through April you can see them, if you travel I-75 through the Everglades National Park (Naples to Fort Lauderdale).....certainly, if youdrive down to Flamingo in the southern most part of the Everglades National Park during January - February, you will seeflocks and flocks of nesting Rosette Spoonsbills!

Message Edited by omegaet on 05-04-200709:38 PM

[funtimes]

Alright O - Many Thanks we will finally start looking in all the right places Perhaps an LL trip will take us there Enjoy the many travels you have planned and please send more photos of exotic birds - You are quite the photographer!!