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”
Author Archives: Dan
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”
There’s never a bad day birding
No photo tops this post because on my last birding outing I took no photos of birds. In fact, in my 30-mile drive south to Palmyra Cove late this morning, I only saw three of the meager 14 birds I observed across seven species. That’s it. Two cardinals in flight, and a third bird (probablyContinue reading “There’s never a bad day birding”
Is this dickcissel the loneliest bird in America?
For the past two weeks, a male dickcissel outside his normal range has been visiting the Reed Bryan Farm section of Mercer Meadows park, singing throughout the day to attract a mate. So far, no females have replied, at least according to the dozens of birders who have come to the site to see thisContinue reading “Is this dickcissel the loneliest bird in America?”
Having an extra set of eyes makes birding better
Most days when I’m out birding, I’m a loner. I’ll stop to chat with passing birders, of course, sharing tips on what I’ve spotted and hoping they’ll share something I’d like to see. But I enjoy my own company, if you will, and I’m perfectly happy to pursue my birding in solitude. But then thereContinue reading “Having an extra set of eyes makes birding better”
Tips on making your yard a bird sanctuary
A surprise request came in to my mailbox several days ago. The real estate firm Redfin asked me to contribute some words of advice on how to attract birds to your yard. I’d been considering a post on that very topic, so here’s what I submitted: We’ve set up a triangle that attracts a colorfulContinue reading “Tips on making your yard a bird sanctuary”
Scarlet tanagers on the nest
As often as I walk the trails of the parks near home, I’ve spotted only a few bird nests. I was fortunate last week to come upon my friend Andy in the woods at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm, who told me he knew where a pair of scarlet tanagers were nesting. We walked overContinue reading “Scarlet tanagers on the nest”
When catbirds attack, duck and run
We birders — most of us, anyway — are happy to share tips on where and how to spot the various birds that come calling in our little corners of the planet. Today’s tip from me is unusual. I’m offering advice on how to avoid a bird, not how to find one. Last week IContinue reading “When catbirds attack, duck and run”
The Jersey Birder 