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Arctic Loon at Bonelli Park

When you think of southern California in June there are a variety of things that could come to mind. Sunshine...

Western Grebe

The western grebe breeds on freshwater lakes and marshes in the western half of North America. They usually build their nests on the water anchoring them with vegetation. During the winter they head to the Pacific coast where they gather in protected bays and estuaries. Show More Summary

Climate Change and Birds

I write a lot about climate change on my other blog, and so I don’t really feel a strong need...

Thousands of Tricolored Blackbirds Saved Through Farmer/Conservationist Partnership

All photos by Keiller Kyle, courtesy of Audubon California For a birder, a sighting of a Tricolored Blackbird is a treat. After...

Birdchick Podcast #145: Women, Europe and Idiots

OK Jonathan Franzen wrote a very depressing but incredibly important article for National Geographic about the horrors birds go through migrating between Africa and Europe. It is a must read. I know it’s hard, but it’s important. A writer asks via the American Birding Association blog: why aren’t women in more positions of power in [...]

Lamar Valley

The Lamar Valley is a long valley that sits in between flowing hills on the northeast side of Yellowstone National Park. The valley follows the Lamar River from which it got its name. Another name that you often here for Lamar is the Serengeti of North America. Show More Summary

Upcoming Events!

Fresh back from a vacation in Europe and whoa is my dance card full!  If  you are looking for a copy of my book or you would like to get your copy autographed, I will be doing all sorts of signings.  I was updating my appearances page and checking various websites for what I’m committed [...]

Birdchick After Dark: Woodcocks

So what do you do at Biggest Week in Birding when  you are hanging out with your friends and you’ve overdosed on warblers? Why make a video about woodcocks, of course!  Special thanks to Non Birding Bill for filming this and to Lili Taylor and Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro for being incredibly great sports. [...]

Back in Southern California

Though I have made several trips to southern California over the eight years I have been birding almost every trip...

Best Bird of the Weekend (Third of June 2013)

Is it coincidence or conspiracy that Father’s Day falls on a weekend where very good birding can still be found...

Giant Swallowtail

This weekend I was supposed to go up north for the Minnesota Dragonfly gathering but unfortunately my car was broken into on Thursday while I was at a local park. Fortunately all my camera equipment was with me but they broke my back passenger window to gain access. Show More Summary

What to look for in the AOU 54th supplement

The AOU’s 54th supplement to its North American bird checklist will be out next month. Based on the proposals submitted...

Pomarine Jaeger in Broome

Whilst we were busy birding in Southern and Western Queensland earlier this year avoiding rain it was blowing a gale...

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

The golden-mantled ground squirrel is found in mountainous areas of western North America. They look similar to chipmunks with stripes running up their sides but they do have any stripes on their faces as chipmunks do. They act similar to chipmunks, carrying food in their cheeks. Show More Summary

The Birds of Eigg by John Chester

Besides birding, I have another hobby that I like to indulge when I travel: seeking out books from small regional...

Reflection in a Geothermal Pool

When we were at Yellowstone I photographed the reflection of the sky in one of the geothermal pools at the West Thumb. With the color in the pool the reflection came out looking a lot like an oil painting of the sky.

Where Are You Birding This Third Weekend of June 2013?

Keep your eyes to the skies, but don’t forget to look out below… excellent advice when visiting Australia’s Blue Mountains!...

Electric falcon

Sitting in a car parked by the roadside, I am observing a distant electricity pylon. It is barely visible, but...

SkyWatch Friday

Here is another sky shot from Yellowstone. With all of the rainy cloudy days that we have had here in Minnesota since we got back its almost hard to remember what blue skies look like. Thank heaven for SkyWatch Friday.

Yellow-bellied Marmot