Ovenbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Common Yellowthroat—What a Week!

I've made some time to get out and bird a little over the past few days. As a reward, I've added three birds to my life list: Ovenbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Common Yellowthroat. I know, these aren't rare or spectacular birds. But each was pretty awesome to see for the first time. The Ovenbird walking through the woods like it was taking a leisurely stroll. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher hopping around a tree's leaves, hunting for food. The Common Yellowthroat with its bandit mask. All truly beautiful creatures.

Add to these lifers a couple of FOYs—Gray Catbird, Field Sparrow—and a first glimpse of a Northern Bobwhite, and I would say it's been a good few days for me, especially since I haven't had as much time as I wanted to bird (of course, it's never enough time). I've set a goal of 100 species for my home county this year, and as of right now I'm at 64. Decent, but there's still a way to go.

Gray Catbird in my backyard.

Common Yellowthroat in a tree in my backyard.

Yes, I'm Still a Beginner

I had all kinds of grand plans for this blog. I was going to document every step in my birding journey, report all the cool discoveries I made, and embarrass myself by revealing how little I actually know about birds. Yet here it is almost a year since I last posted. Don't ask me what happened, because I can't point to anything in particular. I guess life happened.

Right now, for me birding is pretty much relegated to what I can see outside my window. I do occasionally get a few moments to make observations when I'm out and about, but that's about the extent of any of my outings this year. In fact, I've yet to take a day—or a few hours, for that matter—just to bird. That will kind of make my goal of 100 species in my county a bit tough to reach. However, I do have 55 species right now, so I guess it's still attainable. I just have to get out there and do it.

Who knows, maybe I'll get my act together someday. Maybe I can use this blog as I originally intended. Maybe I can embarrass myself.

Happy birding, everyone!

Life and the Newbie Birder

I had planned to use this blog as a journal of sorts about my journey as a birder. However, life seems to have had different plans for this past month. It's been an eventful month for birds around here at my home in Franklin County, North Carolina. We had a pair of Carolina Wrens nest in a hanging basket on our back porch and a pair of Mourning Doves nest in our bushes. I've seen a variety of species in my yard: Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, and Eastern Bluebird to name a few. Also, I made my first birding-specific outing to Durant Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I was able to see a Belted Kingfisher (simply amazing to watch catching fish) and a Red-shouldered Hawk.

I still plan to discuss my experiences with some of these species in the not-too-distant future, along with other things that may interest other newbie birders like myself, such as field guides, binoculars, and birding books. Maybe I'll even start posting some reviews for these various items; perhaps I can help other fledgling birders wade through the numerous items available to birders. I also have some pictures to post so I can spruce the place up a bit.