Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Local Spots To Pass The Time


Finally got out and went BIRDING!!!

I just did a little loop of 3 wetlands today and found some cool stuff.


The first marsh is on Fairview Crossroad, thus named Fairview Marsh. Here I found AT LEAST 12 Black Terns!! The most I have ever seen in one spot in Montana. Other birds around were Red-necked Grebes, Eared Grebes, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Common Yellowthroats....the usual marsh crew.

The fields held large amounts of Savannah Sparrows. Singing all day.

Next on the list was Montford Road Pond.
- Brewer's Blackbird panting

This really scummy pond had several families of American Coots as well as a family of Ruddy Ducks, and Cinnamon Teal. The Teal were actually diving completely underwater. They didn't stay down there very long but it was a new behavior I have never seen before.

Anyone good with dragonflies????
This one looks really cool...
(edit) Many thanks to Chuck Carlson for the ID to this dragon: A "Twelve-spotted Skimmer"
No ID for this one...I am still looking.
- Red-tailed Hawk
The last pond was on....well I seem to have forgotten the name of the road it was on, but I got a yearbird! BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Surprising I have went 7 months without seeing one here.
- Song Sparrow



The Hummingbird brings my total yearlist to 185.....sad. I need to get out more!!

3 comments:

  1. At 184 your beating me Josh. Your dragon is an absolute pearler - no idea of its name tho'.How come I missed all the coots in FL last month - shoulda gone to Montana?

    Cheers

    Davo

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  2. Yes lol we dooo have a lot of Coots :)
    Yeah the first dragonfly is really amazing-looking
    I have some connections, I will find its name!

    best wishes
    Josh

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  3. Ask Nate 'bout the ID of that second dragonfly.

    ReplyDelete