How many of you are bird watchers?

[Zephyr2007]

Wow awesome sightings! I visit Jupiter Fl every year with family. Although we spend most of our time in the water snorkeling so I haven't been able to see too many birds. I've always wanted to spot a crested caracara. I've been to the Everglades once when I was little, I'd love to visit again.

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Jupiter is a little bit on the south end of caracara range I think; my usual sightings have been in the Vero Beach area, north of Lake Okeechobee, or otherwise along State Road 60.

I've lived in Florida all my life and didn't see my first caracara til I was well into my 30s. I think they're one of those birds that isn't really as hard to find as it seems, you just need to be in the right area.

They range as far south as Broward County (Government Road), where I saw my first ones back in 2008. You can see them in the sod farm areas of western Palm Beach and Martin County, which is a fantastic area to do a day trip for birdwatching if you are in Jupiter. Check out eBird for sightings!

Carlos

[Shane]

Wow awesome sightings! I visit Jupiter Fl every year with family. Although we spend most of our time in the water snorkeling so I haven't been able to see too many birds. I've always wanted to spot a crested caracara. I've been to the Everglades once when I was little, I'd love to visit again.

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Jupiter is a little bit on the south end of caracara range I think; my usual sightings have been in the Vero Beach area, north of Lake Okeechobee, or otherwise along State Road 60.

I've lived in Florida all my life and didn't see my first caracara til I was well into my 30s. I think they're one of those birds that isn't really as hard to find as it seems, you just need to be in the right area.

They range as far south as Broward County (Government Road), where I saw my first ones back in 2008. You can see them in the sod farm areas of western Palm Beach and Martin County, which is a fantastic area to do a day trip for birdwatching if you are in Jupiter. Check out eBird for sightings!

Carlos

Interesting! I grew up in Broward and never spotted them, but it's very likely I just didn't know where to look.

[Libraraptor]

It seems we do have some bird enthusiasts here. Here´s a recommendation for you - I enjoyed the read.

[Stegotyranno420]

Not sure where to post, but
Found these cool bird sounds
My favorite has to be the Kiwi or the Koila, the Koila especially nostalgic since one can hear it in the background of every old-classic Desi movie. My friend liked the Eurasian Jay

But it got me thinking; people often complain that dinosaurs in media "roar" too much for "no reason", but these birds are so noisy, especially the Kiwi. Perhaps dinosaurs were noisy, constantly making noise for intimidation and mating calls.
What do you guys think?

[JohannesB]

My father used to do a lot of research bird watching and counting. That was about four decades ago. When I think of it, I get a sinking, sad feeling, knowing how much less birds (and bird diversity) there are now, with the human overpopulation, constant mechanical noise (nature really is almost being drowned out by constant "mechanische kankerherrie" as one Dutch author once said), and the onslaught of monoculture and continuous fertilization causing a decline in species diversity in the western areas of the Netherlands where I grew up.

I remember as a child seeing and hearing great flocks of diverse migratory birds. Not anymore. And all that in just under half a century. But that doesn't mean I still see a lot of beautiful birds, ranging from the "lowly" House sparrow where I live (aren't they just huge fun to watch and listen as they flock around!), or the "mighty" Frigatebird when on field school in the Caribbean, and all in between.

A few nights ago I even dreamed of a bird. In my dream I saw this bird vividly, in full colour. It was maybe the size of a Thrush, coloured deep black with bright yellow. I had no idea what it could be, really. Or did I? I looked it up, and it was probably an Oriole. And then something occurred to me. The day before I listened to Messiaen's "Des Canyons aux Étoiles", of which the second part is called "Les Orioles". Anyway, those are little experiences I savour, like seeing a beautiful bird, be it a Sparrow, an Oriole or a Frigatebird.

[Ajax88]

Not sure where to post, but
Found these cool bird sounds
My favorite has to be the Kiwi or the Koila, the Koila especially nostalgic since one can hear it in the background of every old-classic Desi movie. My friend liked the Eurasian Jay

But it got me thinking; people often complain that dinosaurs in media "roar" too much for "no reason", but these birds are so noisy, especially the Kiwi. Perhaps dinosaurs were noisy, constantly making noise for intimidation and mating calls.
What do you guys think?

I think it would be unusual for such a diverse, long-lived clade of large land animals to not be vocal. It might not have been roars, but I bet Dinosaurus made a lot of sounds.

[bmathison1972]

Walking home from work yesterday afternoon through the University of Utah campus, I got a lifer in Ferruginous Hawk!

[Libraraptor]

Went on a walk with my wife today and spied a Falco tinnunculus. We came very close to him, and he was resting on a fencepost at eyelevel. A fascinating encounter!

[Protopatch]

A few weeks ago, this fearless robin landed on my flowerpot, probably attracted by the smell of the pie crumbs and frankly, I don't know which of us was the most surprised.

[Libraraptor]

I really love robins. They sing tirelessly and always seem to do their very own thing.

[Halichoeres]

Ah yes, the original robin, before settlers in Australia and the Americas gave the name to other birds. Great photo!

[bmathison1972]

Just got back from a work trip to Florida where I got some birding in! No lifers, this time.

Had the pleasure of connecting with S @Shane and he even joined us for a birding outing!!!

https://ebird.org/tripreport/339207

EDIT: forgot to mention other animal highlights, bottle-nosed dolphins, American alligators, painted turtles, and eastern grey squirrels.

[bmathison1972]

Today was my birthday and again I hired a local birding guide to take me on a day long tour! Got 72 species, including three lifers: Greater Sage-Grouse (we got to see males displaying in a lek!), Pinyon Jay, and Western Screech-Owl.

https://ebird.org/tripreport/347231

[Protopatch]

The heartwarming sight of the day : a Pica pica (Eurasian magpie) which first landed on my balcony



Then it migrated to the building's courtyard

[Torvosaurus]

He looks just like our magpies, Pica hudsonia, which were once considered a subspecies of your little guy. I have a lone magpie that comes to our feeders every now and again. They aren't very common where we live, so it is strange to see him.

Torvo

[bmathison1972]

Pica hudsonia is a backyard bird where I live and a 'parking lot' bird at my job lol.
The breed in the trees around campus and when they fledge, there can be 50-70 around work 

[Torvosaurus]

There's quite a few more of them 25 miles west of us, where the mountains and forests begin, but here in the open prairie they're rarely seen.

Torvo

[bmathison1972]

There's quite a few more of them 25 miles west of us, where the mountains and forests begin, but here in the open prairie they're rarely seen.

Torvo

Makes sense. I was in Jackson, WY for work on October 2021 and documented the species in the area.

[bmathison1972]

Just got back from a quick work trip to Portland, OR. Got a little birding in and was able to get three lifers: Red-breasted Sapsucker, Purple Finch, and Vaux's Swift. This gets me to 399 species! Need one more for that coveted first hurdle of 400 species for North America!

https://ebird.org/tripreport/364003

[DinoToyForum]

I just had a sighting of a beautiful red kite from my garden in Nottingham. Quite a rarity. It was engaged in an aerial tussle with a crow – the crow appeared to be winning.