by Lanny McDowell on February 23, 2010
There are some simple reasons I can’t stay away from watching and photographing purples this time of year. Firstly, they are here on the Vineyard and fairly uncommon most other places. I know where to find them when I want to, usually up scouring the rocks at Squibnocket, because they are location loyal. That’s about the habitat, which is the habitat that shows up in the bird photos below. They are not always there, but they are likely to be there on a bright winter’s day.
The other factor that brings me back to find them is that they are relatively tame when feeding or resting, even with Stella at my side. Stella is very respectful and patient when it’s clear that I am trying to move slowly or I’m waiting for the sandpipers to approach me as they move among the rocks. [click to continue...]
by Lanny McDowell on February 15, 2010
Here is an update on where we stand right now. By the way, the new name for our shorebird project within GCA is The Red Knot Survival Project.
I was just reading about non-profits and who gives to them, who the supporters are. Well it turns out that 75% of the money donated comes from private individuals. That is pretty astounding, and also encouraging. As of this writing, Global Conservation Alliance has received money donations from various individuals, from one corporate contributor and from one conservation organization donor.
GCA members have traveled to Delaware Bay to work there the last two years, in 2008 and 2009; and we anticipate going back this year. Our target dates are May 22 until June 1st. The full moon, when horseshoe crabs gather in the most dense numbers to lay their eggs, because the higher tides of the full and new moons take them further up the beach, occurs on the 27th of May this year, right in the middle of our stay. Also, it happens that the historical departure date for Red Knots leaving en masse for the Arctic occurs on some afternoon between the 27th and the 29th of May. [click to continue...]
by Lanny McDowell on August 1, 2009
Soo and Bob and I went out to Quansoo, parking at Crab Creek and hoofing out toward the Tisbury Great Pond opening. Shorebirds of all sizes were scattered broadly over extensive exposed tidal flats inside the the cut to the sea.
Those two guys were on scopes and I was stalking feeding birds with my Canon rig. The best moments for me were hearing the Whimbrel in my sights talk to three others winging by, then lofting to meet them. [click to continue...]
by Lanny McDowell on July 26, 2009
I saw a Ruff once before in the US. It was really, really far away, through my scope at the John Forsythe NWR at Brigantine, NJ. The Reeve we saw yesterday and today in Edgartown was much easier to see, although it was very foggy at Katama and it took us a while to catch on to what we had in our sights.
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Birds are cool! Lanny
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