It’s a family tradition to do a backyard bird count, chronicling the first time each year that we spot a particular bird at our feeder. Here, I will attempt to do the same for my small portion of the Monocacy River, from this day forward, although I am very tempted to cheat and include all of the birds that I have already seen this year (because, how long will it take to see you again, Belted Kingfisher?). For reference, I use the National Audubon Society’s The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley (Alfred A. Knopf, 2000). In addition, to identify bird songs, I use the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website.
While I am an amateur, I won’t record a bird unless I am absolutely certain about it. (In other words, if I hear hoofbeats, I won’t look for a zebra when it’s probably a horse; or, in bird parlance, if I see a brown bird, I won’t look for warblers when it’s probably a sparrow). Also, generally I use my own photos on this blog, but on this page, since I don’t have a good camera, I’ll be using free stock photos from Getty Images. The only photo that is mine is the featured image of the Robin, which I took a few years ago after an ice storm.
Red-winged Blackbird, March 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesAmerican Robin, March 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesNorthern Cardinal, March 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesSong Sparrow, March 10, 2016
Dark-eyed Junco, March 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesMallard, March 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesMourning Dove, March 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesAmerican Crow, March 11, 2016 (by voice)
Embed from Getty ImagesBlue Jay, March 11, 2016
Black-capped Chickadee, March 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesChipping Sparrow, March 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesDowny Woodpecker, March 14, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesHouse Finch, March 15, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesEuropean Starling, March 18, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesRed-tailed Hawk, March 25, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesWinter Wren, March 30, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesBlack Vulture, March 30, 2016
Northern Mockingbird, March 30, 2016
Barred Owl, March 30, 2016 (by voice)
Embed from Getty ImagesRed-shouldered Hawk, March 30, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesCarolina Wren, March 31, 2016
Turkey Vulture, March 31, 2016
White-throated Sparrow, March 31, 2016
Canada Goose, April 1, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesHouse Sparrow, April 4, 2016
Common Grackle, April 5, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesAmerican Goldfinch, April 5, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesTree Swallow, April 6, 2016
Eastern Bluebird, April 6, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesCarolina Chickadee, April 6, 2016
Brown-headed Cowbird, April 7, 2016
Purple Finch, April 8, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesFish Crow, April 8, 2016 (by voice)
Embed from Getty ImagesBank Swallow, April 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesBlue-gray Gnatcatcher, April 12, 2016 (finally confirmed)
Embed from Getty ImagesAmerican Tree Sparrow, April 13, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesDouble-crested Cormorant, April 15, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesBelted Kingfisher, April 16, 2016 (So it didn’t take too long, after all.)
Embed from Getty ImagesHairy Woodpecker, April 16, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesWhite-breasted Nuthatch, April 20, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesRed-bellied Woodpecker, April 23, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesTufted Titmouse, April 25, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesCommon Yellowthroat, April 29, 2016
Great Blue Heron, April 29, 2016
Bald Eagle, Juvenile, April 30, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesGreen Heron, April 30, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesGray Catbird, May 2, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesNorthern Rough-winged Swallow, May 2, 2016 (compare with Bank Swallow)
Embed from Getty ImagesWood Thrush, May 3, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesYellow Warbler, May 3, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesIndigo Bunting, May 4, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesPurple Martin, May 4, 2016
Pileated Woodpecker, May 10, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesEastern Kingbird, May 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesBarn Swallow, May 11, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesSharp-shinned Hawk, May 12, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesHouse Wren, May 18, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesBaltimore Oriole, June 9, 2016
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, June 16, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesOrchard Oriole, July 10, 2016
Black-crowned Night Heron (juvenile), July 23, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesKildeer, August 5, 2016
Embed from Getty ImagesNorthern Flicker, January 26, 2017
TRASH ON THE MONOCACY 