ABA Blog

Ladies and Gentlemen, LIVE from Camp Avocet...Pish & Twitch!!!

Pish & Twitch, Brendan Murtha (l) and Caleb Frome (r), rock the house ©George Armistead 

The ABA, with vital support from Leica Sport Optics and other generous donors, conducted two summer camps for young birders in the last month. I was truly fortunate to spend time with both groups and I wish the entire birding community could have joined us to see and feel the energy, excitement, commitment, and enthusiasm that the kids and their adult guides brought to these events. If you're ever feeling a bit down in the mouth about the state of the world, I recommend birding with kids as a potent corrective.

I started to make a list of just a very few highlights from the camps to give you a quick sketch of the range of experiences we all shared but soon abandoned the effort as there's so much material that mentioning some means leaving too much out. But I will say that the camps offered an incredibly diverse range of experiences from serious and cerebral to fun and physical, all centered around building the practice and community of birding. 

If you haven't looked at Bill Schmoker's post here from earlier today, do so. It has links to some wonderful photos and video that will give you a great overview of Camp Avocet.

There is one thing I do want to share one thing with you, that I hope you'll get a big kick out of. A couple of the campers at Camp Avocet, Caleb Frome and Brendan Murtha, surprised us one afternoon by telling us that they had formed a band and that they had written some songs about birding.

Billing themselves as Pish & Twitch, Brendan and Caleb, with assistance from William von Herff, proceeded to delight the entire camp group by performing 3 song parodies with the lyrics reworked to joke about the joys and travails of birding. They were so good that we demanded they do it again the next night and give us another chance at recording them.

They obliged, this time performing no less than five songs! Once again, they brought the house down. Below, I provide links to videos for all five songs. I invite you to watch them all and be as stunned as we were by the creativity of these young birders.

In posting these videos, I'm inviting you to share in a spontaneous event full of exuberant, goofy fun. Other than me captioning the songs, so you can better appreciate their astonishing word play, it's presented straight and unfiltered. So there are some very mild instances of salty language, as well as some affectionate jokes at the expense of us camp leaders, some famous birders, brands, and so on. It's all in good fun and should be heard that way. It's summer camp for teenagers, after all.

Without further ado, I present Pish & Twitch and their first song, "Chase Me Maybe."

 

Great stuff, huh? That's Brendan on the left and Caleb on the right.

For their next song, "Moves Like Jaeger," Pish & Twitch are joined by William von Herff.

 

Next up, "Flight Calls," an amazing encapsulation of the weird and wonderful practice of listening for and identfying nocturnal migrants.

  

And now, the epic "Migrants Go By."

  

And finally, to send you all home, here's "Bill Stewart!"

  

Ladies and gentlemen, that was Pish & Twitch! We hear that they've been hard at work on additional parodies in the days since camp. And camper Joe Hernandez just designed this beautiful logo for them.

You can like them on Facebook and keep up with all the latest P&T news.

To Brendan and Caleb, and William and all the fine birders who made the ABA's 2013 summer camps the wonderful experiences they were. Good birding to you all! See you on down the trail. 

And to Leica Sport Optics and all the members/donors of the ABA, thank you. The future of birding is measurably brighter and more vibrant because of your support.

2013 ABA Camp Avocet

I had the thorough pleasure of attending the ABA's Camp Avocet as a counselor last week.  The camp, based at the beautiful and birdy Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, attracted 22 keen young birders and a slew of bird experts who joined the staff for birding jaunts in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey.  Camp Avocet followed on the heels of the sold-out Camp Colorado a few weeks earlier- kudus to the ABA and its young birder program director Bill Stewart for getting so many kids in the field with each other!  I am so pleased to see the growing popularity and success of the ABA's camp program.  And the season isn't even over- check out the upcoming ABA Mid-Atlantic Young Birder Conference at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, Delaware, 14 September 2013.

Anyway, I'd like to invite you to peruse a slide show of highlight photos that George Armistead and I put together from Camp Avocet (we suggest folks double-click "Slideshow" in the upper right for best viewing.)  I also put a little video highlight reel together that I hope you'll enjoy!  Thanks again to the ABA for bringing me out to Delaware, and to Leica Sport Optics for their support of the ABA's Young Birder program!

  

You Know You're a Birder When...

For the latter half or so of July I was incredibly fortunate and privileged to sail from western Iceland to Greenland aboard the National Geographic Explorer as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow.  The trip was so full of highlights that I'm still wrapping my head around it; I'm working on photos and movies, making plans for curriculum development and community outreach built around my experiences, and journaling about some science themes I found interesting on my PolarTREC page.

 

 I thought I'd share one experience that most readers of this blog can relate to.  On our last full day at sea we were heading up the western coast of Greenland towards our departure point of Kangerlussauq.  In the early afternoon the announcement went out over the ship's PA system that Blue Whales were spouting off the bow in the distance.  Pretty much all of the ship's guests turned out to see this most amazing creature, the largest animal to ever inhabit planet Earth.

 

THAR SHE BLOWS!!  Spouting Blue Whale, Sukkertoppen Bank, Southwest Greenland 27 July 2013.

A pair of the behemoths were feeding, following a pattern of short-interval blows at the surface for a few minutes before diving for 5 or so minutes.  While the whales were down it was pretty quiet aboard, with folks chimping over cameras or having conversations about other places they had seen whales, what pertinent field marks to observe, etc.  As their time down stretched most kept a keen eye peeled to see where the far & fast-ranging rorquals would surface next.  When the whales spouted there was a din of shutter clicks along with actual ooohs and ahhs (some coming from my own mouth, I'm sure.)  But in one of the lulls something caught my eye- amongst the ubiquitous Northern Fulmars and steady stream of Iceland Gulls there was first one and then two darker, more ominous-looking birds powering along in purposeful flight off the port side.  Jaegers!  (Er, maybe since we were in Greenlandic waters, Skuas??  Can I get a ruling...)  

Anyway, both were of a good size and had the chesty look and double-flash in the underwing to be confident calling Pomarine.  The fact that one sported nicely maintained tail spoons didn't hurt, either.  So there I was, my attention turned perpendicular to everyone else's, firing my camera like a madman at 5fps until my buffer filled while about everyone else waited for the Blues to reappear, probably wondering what the heck was so special about the "sea gulls" I was so intently photographing.  The birder in a group always eventually outs him or herself, right??

"So I was watching Blue Whales off the coast of Greenland and then this happened..."  Admittedly, something I never thought I'd say prior to this summer.  Sukkertoppen Bank, Southwest Greenland 27 July 2013.

Ever curious, this adult Pomarine Yaeger took a victory lap around the ship.  I'm not sure how many guests took serious notice but I sure appreciated it!  Sukkertoppen Bank, Southwest Greenland 27 July 2013.

Anyway, I'm not too tunnel-visioned to ignore something as awe-inspiring as a Blue Whale and got some images I'll be pleased to share alongside the jaeger pics!  More importantly, it was such a cherry on top of the whole trip to be in the presence of magnificence, both avian and cetacean.

Diving Blue Whale, Sukkertoppen Bank, Southwest Greenland 27 July 2013.

Blue Whale scat & Northern Fulmar, Sukkertoppen Bank, Southwest Greenland 27 July 2013.

I also had a fantastic time working with the 8 young explorers on board, a nice warm up for Camp Avocet next week!  Also, I would be remiss if I didn't thank National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions for offering me and 13 other educators the chance to visit the Arctic this summer.  Our students, colleagues, and communities will benefit incredibly from the experiences we've had!

Here I am with fellow Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Joe Super and 8 awesome young explorers.  Bonus birder points for Wesley sporting the puffin hat!  Photo © Ralph Lee Hopkins.

Stand by for posts from Delaware and watch out for awesomeness from the young birders and other leaders I'll get to rub elbows with!!  

p.s.  If you are still with me thanks for reading.  Here are a few other bird photo highlights from the trip- enjoy!

Atlantic Puffin, Flatey Island, Iceland, 20 July 2013.

Common Eiders & Ice, Skjoldungensund, Greenland, 22 July 2013.

Common Ravens, Nanortalik, Greenland, 23 July 2013.

Immature Greenlandic Common Redpoll, Hvalsey, Greenland, 24 July 2013.

Male Greenlandic Common Redpoll, Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, 28 July 2013.

Eurasian Oystercatcher, Flatey Island, Iceland, 20 July 2013.

Northern Fulmar portrait, Flatey Island, Iceland, 20 July 2013.

Iceland Gull, Skjoldungensund, Greenland, 22 July 2013.

Iceland Gull feather & tundra, Nanortalik, Greenland, 23 July 2013.

Iceland Gull, offshore of Skjoldungensund, Greenland, 22 July 2013.

Northern Fulmar, Atlantic Puffins, and Common Murres, Flatey Island, Iceland, 20 July 2013.  Oh, and some finny thing.

Just kidding- I love whales as much as seabirds.  Mother Orca (inverted, underwater) with youngster, Latrabjarg, Iceland, 20 July 2013.

Orcas, Latrabjarg, Iceland, 20 July 2013.

 

 

The Stars at Night, a Wood-Rail in verse

The Rufous-necked Wood-Rail of New Mexico, sadly having most likely moved on now, has inspired no shortage of excitement among birders in the ABA area and beyond. Even those of us stuck on the wrong side of the continent - like yours truly - have really enjoyed watching so many birders so excited about a single sighting and the carnival-like atmosphere that resulted.

photo by Jeff Gordon

 

Perhaps the most creative response to the wood-rail was sent to me by poet Tom Crawford. I share it with you now.

 

THE STARS AT NIGHT

Tom Crawford

I wanted to be a more serious poet,

grind my teeth in the dark,

get existential with my emotional fatigue

but with one good bourbon on ice

I was always in bed by 9:00.

And in the morning, couldn’t help it,

the early light dazzled me

and like clock work, here come the birds

again, right through my window.

Of course, by then I’m lost

to any feelings of hopelessness

which also meant I had no chance

with East coast magazines where celebration

tends to raise a stink. My up beat,

excitable poems, well—you can blame it

on the birds, their variety, colors, habits, long

evolution—I’ve been unable to resist.

There are lots of people, I’ve discovered,

not all that comfortable with happiness.

Now I’m resigned to a small circle of friends

who have also turned to birds.

That’s right, they put out suet and seed.

And they won’t live where they can’t see

the stars at night. The other day someone spotted

a South American Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

in the Bosque del Apache in New Mexico of all places.

The news went viral. Birders came in by car and plane

from all over America just to glimpse this darling.

Everybody was happy.

--=====--

Tom Crawford is a teacher and the author of 7 books of poetry, the most recent, The Names of Birds which is available through his web page: tomcrawfordpoetry.com. His love, besides birding and writing about birds, is presenting at bird venues. Most recently, Mono Lake's Bird Chautauqua in Lee Vining,  California.

Bald Eagle Eats Whale!

OK, maybe the headline is hyped a bit ala The National Enquirer but my enquiring mind was certainly impressed with the gastric ambition of a pair of eagles I saw at Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park last week.  The night's high tide had sadly deposited a baby Harbor Porpoise along the wrack line (thanks to Katie Jones, naturalist for Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours, for the ID.)  

A pair of adult Bald Eagles thought that was just dandy, though, and while one tucked in the other waited down nearer the water for its turn.  Bald Eagles are pretty famous for their opportunistic feeding habits including fishing, aggressive predation of significant-sized prey (like Sandhill Crane), kleptoparasitism, and scavenging.  So even though finding them eating a washed up porpoise isn't groundbreaking, I thought it was pretty cool (probably my landlocked Colorado perspective on things made it even more special for me.)  If you want to play along, leave a comment with an interesting Bald Eagle dietary story of your own!

Some nearby hikers prompted the Bald Eagle to move the baby porpoise down the beach a bit.  It couldn't get the carcass completely airborne but I was duly impressed with the bird's lifting power- it ended up dragging its meal about 50 meters closer to the surf, leaving a very cryptic trail along the beach.

 

When the eagles were done I snapped this pic showing the dragging trail leading down the beach.  Stow that one away in your mental animal-tracking files!

Porpoise flipper- it's what's for breakfast!

That gape was made for gulping!

A little repositioning hop shows off the business end of the Bald Eagle's feet quite well.

Sated, the eagle heads off for some serious digesting.

Hey- as you read this I'll be aboard the National Geographic Explorer poking around Iceland & Greenland.  I was incredibly fortunate to be chosen as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow this year, heading to the arctic to share the importance of geographic education and climate change awareness with guests.  I hope to do my share of bird-finding for folks too!!  My role will also include working on curriculum & outreach when I return.   Stay tuned for (hopefully!) some bird & wildlife pics when I get back.  I promise I won't lobby too hard about including Iceland & Greenland in the ABA area!  -Bill 

Meet Matt Daw, the Guy Who Found the New Mexico Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

Matt Daw at Bosque del Apache on July 7, 2013, a day he won't soon forget! Photo ©Jeffrey A. Gordon

Word has been spreading quickly of a truly remarkable birding event: Matt Daw's discovery of a Rufous-necked Wood-Rail at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge near Socorro, New Mexico. Whatever the official ruling on this bird's provenance, there can be no doubt that Matt just experienced a red-letter birding day.

I met Matt a couple of years ago at a Colorado Field Ornithologists' convention in Grand Junction, CO. Now, at the age of 19, he's attending college and working this summer studying Willow Flycatchers for the Bureau of Reclamation. Getting to hang out with Matt a bit was a terrific bonus of our hurried trip down to see the wood-rail.

Though Matt's skills and his find are entirely his own, I'd be remiss if I didn't say how proud we all are that Matt honed those skills in part by participating in the ABA's Young Birder programs. It's just wonderful to see him doing good work for conservation and bringing his talents to bear in finding and identifying and sharing news of this amazing bird. 

I asked Matt to tell me a little bit of the story of finding the rail and recording what is already surely North American birding's most famous photobomb. 

    

Finally, here's a shot I took yesterday of the rail. What a neat, neat bird. Thanks, Matt!

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Bosque del Apache, July 8, 2013, digiscoped with a Swarovski ATX 85mm + Canon 60D. Photo ©Jeffrey A. Gordon

 

THE TOP 10: ABA Area Birds to be Reincarnated As

We’ve all thought about it. When our day of reckoning comes to pass, let’s say we have the option of coming back as a species of bird... Which one would you choose? There are some pretty interesting makes and models to choose from. Below are a couple of choice options.

10.       Turkey Vulture

One of the most ubiquitous birds in all of the Americas, found from Canada south to the southern cone of South America (with even an endemic subspecies on the Falkland Islands), this is a decidedly successful species, which performs remarkable migrations. They sure ain’t pretty, but they seem to have it pretty good. Not only are they unburdened by concern over their appearance, but subsisting on dead animals they are seldom at a loss for food. Roadways serve as nice buffets. When approached by a threat or a predator Turkey Vultures often vomit. It’s believed they do this to lighten their load in case they need to take to the air, and also perhaps to provide a predator a free meal that might quell any aggression. When they get too hot they defecate on their legs and feet to cool down (urohydrosis). It must be liberating to feel free to totally let yourself go (...take it from me).

9.         Common Raven

Common Raven in Nome, Alaska (Photo © G. Armistead)

The largest passerine in the world (tied with Thick-billed Raven of Ethiopia) and also one of the most widespread in the northern hemisphere, the Common Raven is perhaps the most adaptable bird in the world and one of the most intelligent too.

8.         Wrentit

Wrentit (Photo ©Alvaro Jaramillo/Alvaro's Adventures)

A unique bird of California and Mexico, this is the only (Old World) babbler in North America. It is the most sedentary bird in the country, seldom dispersing more than a mile or two from its natal area. They are also relatively long-lived, sometimes maintaining the same territory for up to 12 years. Wrentits are country bumpkins of the chapparal. They find a spot very near where they are born and never leave it, ever. If you find the right spot, could be pretty nice. Sounds relaxing. (Join us in San Diego this fall to search for Wrentit!).

7.         Puffins        

Tufted Puffin at Kenai Fjords Nat. Park, Alaska (Photo © G. Armistead)

I remember seeing my first Atlantic Puffins on a pelagic trip off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, years ago, and being startled at how sloppy they can be. That chilly winter day we watched a number of puffins that must have gorged themselves all day with sandlance or something, and they were so fat and overstuffed with food that they could hardly fly, and also had trouble diving. They were like floating footballs of lead. I've since seen other puffin species in similar states of over-indulgence. Having always enjoyed a good feasting myself, I cannot help but admire a bird that can stuff itself to the point where it can no longer even move. Being reincarnated as a puffin doesn’t seem too bad; plus you are always handsomely attired.

6.         Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit at Miranda, New Zealand (Photo © G. Armistead)

For you long-distance runners out there, this is your next life. At least you’d have to hold this bird in high regard. The Alaska breeding form of this species (L. l. baueri) winters mostly in New Zealand, and performs the longest non-stop migration of any bird, travelling sometimes 7000+ miles in a single burst!

5.         Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (Photo © N. Swick)

Breeding in the high arctic, this dapper shorebird then disperses south and winters in temperate and tropical coasts throughout the globe. Though nearly all individuals return to the same wintering sites each year, it must be nice to occupy a niche that allows you the option of spending the winter at any tropical island in the entire world.

4.         Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

The "Mother Carey’s Chicken" or the "Sea Swallow", this species is one of the most widespread and abundant birds in the world. They can go just about anywhere in the ocean and must see a lot of amazing stuff in the process.

Wilson's Storm-Petrel off Hatteras, North Carolina (Photo © G. Armistead)

3.         Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon at City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Photo © G. Armistead)

These things reach 200 mph when in a stoop. What else is there to say? They are the adrenaline junkies of the bird world. Fastest animal on the planet. Whatever Cheetah… (0-60mph in under 3 seconds). Chill out Black Marlin…  (swims up to 80 mph). Y’all ain’t got nothin’ on the Duck Hawk. 

2.         Smith’s Longspur

Welcome to the X-rated portion of this list. Smith’s Longspurs are dirty birds. They have been counted copulating over 600 times in 6 days! Smith’s Longspur we salute you... Sounds like a rather exhausting existence, but in theory it should be a most satisfying one as well.

1.         Merlin

I have heard hawk expert Brian Sullivan refer to these birds as “Little Terrors”. An apt name I think. Few birds look like they enjoy themselves as much, nor look so darn cool doing it. Basically they zip around with impunity, harassing whatever they choose to. Food may be hard to come by at times, but the agility and attitude presented by these wizards of the wind is unbeatable.

Acknowledgements: My thanks to Jerry Liguori, Brian Sullivan and Alvaro Jaramillo.

Consider joining us for an ABA Event!
Upcoming ABA Events include:

ABA Birding Rally in San Diego
San Diego CA                Oct. 12-16th, 2013
with Gary Nunn, Jon Dunn, Paul Lehman, Jeff Gordon, Forrest Rowland, Guy McCaskie and others.

Cape May Magic: IFO (Institute for Field Ornithology) Program
Cape May, NJ                Oct. 6-12, 2013
with Clay & Pat Sutton and Mark Garland

Winter Sparrow of the Southwest: IFO Program
Sierra Vista, AZ            Dec. 5-10, 2013
with Homer Hansen

 

Kayak Kam 2

A couple of years ago I posted about a photo rig for kayaks.  I like the setup but it is mainly for pretty committed bird & wildlife photography (serious tripod & head, big lens, etc.)  As I was getting ready for a little paddling trip a couple of days ago with my 7-year old son, I devised a simple little way to have a camera at hand in the boat without the major rigging job.  This method works well for moderate setups like 100-400mm or 80-400mm zooms on DSLRs, for a smaller kit like a mirrorless DSLR rig, or for a super-zoom camera.  

Heading out into birdy territory by kayak.  Probability of splashes coming on board:  HIGH

The thing about kayaking is that lots of splashes come on board from the alternating paddle strokes.  The little cups on the paddle shaft help to keep much of the water outboard, but even on a sunny day there's going to be water droplets sprinkling down into the boat.  Putting your camera in a dry box (such as a pelican case) or in a dry bag will keep it snug but deployment will be slow if a bird suddenly appears.  As a compromise, I put a boat cushion down on the keel in front of me to rest my camera rig on (this pads the camera and keeps it up out of any water pooling up on the bottom of the boat.)  Then I drape a dry bag over my camera to shed any droplets coming aboard.  If a photo opp presents itself I can just pull off the dry bag & grab my camera.  Also, if things get dicey (like heavy rain, waves splashing into the boat, etc.) my dry bag is immediately available to slip my camera into for a more secure storage situation.

My fairly compact Nikon 80-400mm rig is in reach between my feet, resting on a boat cushion and draped with a dry bag.

Incidental splashes are kept off the camera by the dry bag.  If conditions worsen, the dry bag is immediately available to properly seal in my camera rig.

My camera is immediately ready for action by just pulling the dry bag aside.

Bird photo opps appear quickly, so having your camera at the ready can pay off.  Trumpeter Swans, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Burnett County, Wisconsin, June 2013.

As I said before, mixing camera gear with watercraft amplifies the risk factor significantly.  When deploying a camera in a kayak or other small boat you are always one mistake or accident away from unrepairable disaster so get real familiar with your boat and check your rig on dry land before attempting!  Oh, and have fun!!

 

Mr. Bubbles

Ruddy Duck is one of those species that I see fairly often in a typical year, but rarely see well.  They usually come through my neck of the woods in their duller plumage, and usually like to congregate out in big reservoirs out of nice photo range.  When I do see birds in their high color they still seem to always be distant, wary, or both.  

I had a nice change of fortune with Ruddies a few weeks ago at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Rio Grande County, Colorado. I was heading home on 20 May on the long drive from Cortez, where the Colorado Field Ornithologists held a fantastic annual convention in Four Corners country.  To break up the drive I spent a few hours on the excellent wildlife tour loop at the refuge.  Lots of elements came together that morning- plenty of nearby birds accustomed to seeing vehicles creeping along, good light from behind, and low wind.  I shot from inside my vehicle, resting my Nikon D7100 / 200-400 f/4 VR + 1.4X / Rode VideoMic Pro on a bean bag to shoot.  I even remembered to turn off my VR on all but one clip (at least I got rid of most of the whirring using the equalizer in iMovie.)  Anyway, I'm still getting the hang of the video game but thought I'd share this little movie.

I really enjoyed seeing these birds doing their bubbling display.  It is surprisingly quiet- even when a male came close in the sounds were faint compared to other marsh vocalizations.  The seeming low volume along with the vigor of the display has me wondering if there is a inaudible (to us) component that other males and/or females can key in on by feeling the sound waves underwater, somewhat like elephants' low-frequency communication.  Whatever the case, it was a pretty sweet display to finally observe up close!  I also got a kick out of the harried alpha male in the first two clips, constantly trying to fend off a half-dozen of so other suitors.  The best part was how another male snuck in to court the hen while he was attempting an underwater takedown on a different interloper.  See what else you pick up on vocally in the clip- there are plenty of other birds to tease out...

 

On the importance of a good perch for feeder photos...

I'm scrambling to get everything squared away before heading off to the 2013 Colorado Field Ornithologists Convention in beautiful Cortez, Colorado, so I'll let these two pictures do the talking...  Bottom line: If you want better snaps at your feeders, give your avian subjects some nice-looking perches to pose on.

Ughh... Beauty and a Beast!

 

Ace!