A small percentage of my birding excursions give me a goose egg: no birds spotted whatsoever. Such outings are rare, and I can almost predict when I’ll get that result. Time of day is the most reliable predictor. On off-work days either my wife will shoo me out of the house or I’ll head outContinue reading “Some days birding, starlings are the best you get”
Author Archives: Dan
Kaboom! Birding while hunters overrun the area
My birding buddy Laura and I headed to the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, hoping to explore the expanses of the lake and it surrounding woods. As we drove along Imlaystown-Hightstown Road, we knew something was not quite right. Everywhere we looked were pickup trucks and SUVs disgorging hunters in blaze orange and camoContinue reading “Kaboom! Birding while hunters overrun the area”
Courage or stupidity: mockingbird v. hawk
After taking a walk at the Reed Bryan Farm side of Mercer Meadows today, I was reminded of the time when my father and I played golf with two Jesuit priests from my high school. To my great surprise, one of the priests became greatly agitated at the other, who as I recall stepped intoContinue reading “Courage or stupidity: mockingbird v. hawk”
A bird’s gotta eat
I’m delighted to be able to get back out onto the trails again, and I’ve been building back my stamina. This morning, I did a nearly 1.5 mile loop out at the Pole Farm, and at my slower pace, I’m learning to enjoy how it brings me unexpected pleasures in birding. The photo atop thisContinue reading “A bird’s gotta eat”
Adventures of a three-legged birder
Medical challenges rudely interrupted my summer, but thanks to excellent care and support by doctors, nurses, therapists and my family and friends, I’ve been able to return to the parks and fields for the fall. One major difference: because of a balky knee, I now must walk with a cane, and I can’t tramp aroundContinue reading “Adventures of a three-legged birder”
Inspiration from a goldfinch with a disability
Since I am dealing with temporarily limited mobility and walking with a cane, I felt a kinship with a male American goldfinch that came to our nyjer seed feeder this afternoon. On a beautiful late summer day, I couldn’t resist parking in a chair on our patio, hoping to spot a wide variety of birds,Continue reading “Inspiration from a goldfinch with a disability”
Chasing a nemesis bird with birding author Julia Zarankin
If you are reading this post, you’re either already a birder or taking your first steps on the path to becoming one. Even if neither of those situations applies, I recommend that you read a wondeful book on discovering the joys of birding: Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder: A Memoir, by Julia Zarankin. JuliaContinue reading “Chasing a nemesis bird with birding author Julia Zarankin”
These dutiful parents must be exhausted!
From my indoor perch I’ve been watching a pair of house wrens hour after hour making furious sorties from the birdhouse suspended from our larch tree, in search of food for what I presume is a brood of wee offspring. The parents are relentless in their mission, darting in and out. I figure they resembleContinue reading “These dutiful parents must be exhausted!”
Back to backyard birding
Some medical adventures have temporarily knocked me off the birding trails, and in my recovery I am reacquainting myself with the joys of backyard birding. I’m often parked in my recliner, facing a wall of picture windows offering a visual gateway to our modest yard and the golf course adjoining our property. Ever since myContinue reading “Back to backyard birding”
Falling out of the nest
On Monday the week before last, I didn’t feel right when I stepped out of the car at Mercer Meadows. I felt out of whack and decided to drive home, and called in a rare sick day at work. Later that morning, I tumbled out the back door onto our patio. This birder was grounded.Continue reading “Falling out of the nest”
The Jersey Birder 