Today we explored Palmyra Cove Nature Park for a little snow birding. Last night we ended up getting a few inches of snow and by mid-morning it already started melting! It seems like Palmyra got a little less snow than where I live, but it was nice to be out in the quiet of winter.
We were greeted by a number of songbirds right in the parking lot: a first-of-year Brown Creeper, White-throated Sparrows, a Northern Cardinal pair, a Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Downy Woodpecker. A female Bufflehead at the beaver pond was a pleasant surprise as hundreds of gulls flew overhead. We even saw a mink! We ended our walk with 4 Cedar Waxwings near the visitor center. Overall we observed 17 species.
Palmyra Cove Nature Park (17 species, 314 individuals)
9 Canada Geese
2 Mallards
1 Bufflehead
1 Mourning Dove
60 Ring-billed Gulls
150 Herring Gulls
1 Turkey Vulture
3 Downy Woodpeckers
1 Hairy Woodpecker
5 Tufted Titmice
2 White-breasted Nuthatches
1 Brown Creeper
3 Carolina Wrens
4 Cedar Waxwings
16 Dark-eyed Juncos
50 White-throated Sparrows
5 Northern Cardinals
Bufflehead female (Image by Michelle Horowitz)Angry Canada Geese (Image by Michelle Horowitz)
We are halfway through the count weekend and Team BirdNation has observed 36 different bird species and 2,412 individuals. Other fun finds the last two days were a mink, deer, and a backhoe. Let’s see what the second half of the weekend will bring.
Have you participated in the first two days of the bird count? Share some species you saw in the comments below.
Happy Waterfowl Wednesday! Last week we talked about the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and its 7 subspecies. For awhile it was commonly accepted that there were 11 Canada subspecies, but in 2004 the American Ornithologists Union took the four smallest and declared them a separate species: the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii). Why did this happen? How can you tell if the white-cheeked goose you’re seeing is a Canada or a Cackling?
Cackling Goose (ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Cackling vs. Canada Identification
Cackling
Canada
Height
24-25 inches (63-65 cm)
29-43 inches (76-110 cm)
Weight
3-5 lbs
6-20 lbs
Color Pattern
Brown overall, varying from pale to dark depending on subspecies. White under black tail. Short black neck.
Brown back, black head/neck, tan breast
Facial features
Black head with white/throat patch (“chinstrap”). Some have white ring at base of neck. Rounded crown but steep forehead.
Black head with white/throat patch (“chinstrap”). Rounded head with sloping forehead.
Bill color/shape
Black. Short. Meets forehead at a steep angle.
Black. Wide and flat.
Other features
Small black feet and short black legs. Long wings.
Large black feet and black legs.
Cackling vs. Canada Geese identification features
Size is a good first indicator to identifying a Cackling Goose. They tend to be very small. They are about the same size as a Mallard,Brant, or Barnacle Goose and are smaller than Snow Geese. However, it’s important to be aware that they may be similar in size to smaller Canada Goose subspecies, so it’s important to not rely only on size and use other features for identification too. There is also much variation between the four Cackling subspecies. American ornithologist David Allen Sibley suggests getting to know your local flocks and being aware of geographic differences. They are very often found in mixed flocks with Canada Geese.
Branta hutchinsii minima (“Ridgeway”): Breeds in western Alaska and winters in California and Oregon. Smallest of the 4 subspecies (2.5-4 lbs) and has the shortest bill.
Branta hutchinsii leucopareia (“Aleutian”): Breeds in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Winters in California. White “collar” where black neck meets brown body.
Branta hutchinsii taverneri (“Taverner’s” or “Alaska”): Breeds in Alaska and Northwest Canada, rare east of the Rocky Mountains. Winters in Washington, Oregon, and southwestern United States. Closest in size/appearance to Canada Goose parvipes subspecies, so use caution with identification.
Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii (“Richardson’s” or “Hutchin’s”): Breeds Central and East Arctic Canada. Migrates to Great Plains. Paler in color and lacks white neck ring.
Some subspecies will rarely winter in the northeastern United States down the Atlantic Coast into the Gulf Coast.
Why the split?
There’s a bit of a debate with scientists about whether the split of Cackling Geese from Canada Geese is appropriate. The two species do tend to hybridize in some locations, which complicates the situation. The 2004 split is based on evidence of differences in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the two species. Studies by Shields and Wilson (1987a and 1987b) found a 2% difference in the mtDNA and suggests that the two species diverged about one million years ago. Even within Cackling subspecies there are have been differences in evolutionary selection pressures due to geographical isolation. The breeding habitats are of minima and leucopareia are distinctly different from taverneri and hutchinsii.
So the next time you are looking at a flock of Canada Geese you may not be looking at only Canada Geese. A Cackling Goose may be among the ranks. It’s always worth a closer look. Happy goose watching!
Mlodinow, S., Springer, P., Deuel, P., Semo, L. S., Leukering, T., Schonewald, T.D., Tweit, W., & Barry, J. H. (2008). Distribution and Identification of Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) Subspecies. North American Birds, 62(3), 344-360). http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/IDhelp/Cackling_Goose-NAB.pdf
Schmierer, A. (2007, March 16). CACKLING GOOSE(3-16-07)leucopareia, sloco, ca(1) (8708303070) [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:016_-CACKLING_GOOSE(3-16-07)leucopareia,_sloco,_ca(1)_(8708303070).jpg
Szantyr, M. (2004). Questions and Ansers: Identifying Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii, the Newest Addition to the Connecticut Checklist. The Connecticut Warbler, 24(4), 111-116.
Happy Waterfowl Wednesday friends! It’s been quite awhile since the last one, but this winter I’d like to bring it back. It is waterfowl season after all.
One of our most widespread North American species is the Canada Goose, Branta canadensis. It seems like Canada Geese get mixed reactions from birders, being so common in some suburban areas that many people consider them pests. However, Joe Van Wormer, an Oregonian author and wildlife photographer sings their praises in his 1968 book The World of the Canada Goose. Van Wormer’s enthusiasm for the species is infectious and shows a side of a species that many people don’t seem to understand or appreciate. One of my favorite quotes from Van Wormer’s book: “Once a Canada goose has its complete set of feathers it should be forgiven for seeming to strut a bit, for its plumage is now one of the finest in the bird world. It may not be as flashy as a wood duck’s but it is neat and handsome.”
Canada Goose (Image by Michelle Horowitz)
One of the most interesting things I learned among the plethora of interesting facts is how many subspecies there are. At the time of Van Wormer’s writing there were at least 11 recognized subspecies, but in 2004 the four smallest subspecies were combined into a different species: the Cackling Goose. The plumage of the Canada subspecies tend to get darker as you move westward and their size gets smaller as you move northward. Let’s explore the 7 different Canada Goose subspecies from largest to smallest:
elongated neck, almost swanlike compared to other subspecies
lighter in color than interior subspecies
extensive cheek patches that often forms a small backward-projecting hook
some have a white forehead patch, many a white ring at base of neck
Thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1960 by Harold C. Hanson
Range: central and northern United States, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario
Branta canadensis moffitti: “Western”
2nd in size to Giant Canada goose. Average around 8 pounds, but some 12-15 pounds
Breast move “silvery” than other subspecies
Range: United States western interior around Rocky Mountains, western Canada
Branta canadensis interior: “Todd’s”
6-11 pounds
medium in color
most numerous of all the subspecies; as many as all the other subspecies combined
Range: Central Canada and Central/Southern United States
Branta canadensis canadensis: “Atlantic”
6-11 pounds
lighter than Todd’s with more white underparts and whitish area between base of neck and back
Introduced in England, Scotland, Iceland, and New Zealand
Range: Atlantic seaboard from Nova Scotia to North Carolina
Branta canadensis fulva: “Vancouver
6-13 pounds
1 of 2 “dark” races (including “Dusky”)
Range: Glacier Bay Alaska, south coast and islands of British Columbia to north Vancouver Island
Possibly the least migratory of all Canada Geese: approximately 90% winter on breeding grounds. Others migrate to Willamette Valley of Oregon or northern California
Branta canadensis occidentalis: “Dusky”
slightly smaller than Vancouver
chocolate colored
Range: southern coast of Alaska, migrates offshore and winters in Willamette Valley
Branta candensis parvipes: “Lesser”
about 6 pounds
lighter brown plumage
Range: Northwest Territories of Canada, southern Victoria Island, central/east Alaska. Winters in Oklahoma, Texas, Mexico, and California.
Next Waterfowl Wednesday we’ll explore the Cackling Goose and its split from the Canada Goose. What do you think about Canada Geese? Tell me about it in the comments.
O’Keeffe, M. (2009). Artist’s Impression of the Canada/Cackling Goose complex following Banks et al. 2004 [Photograph]. Irish Rare Birds Committee. http://www.irbc.ie/announcements/announce68.php
May 4th was Global Big Day. Global Big Day is a citizen science event run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Birders from all over the world count as many birds species as they can for a 24 hour period. This year, over 30,000 people participated and counted 6,899 bird species. Team BirdNation had an awesome Big Day with 61 total species for the day.
I started the morning at Rancocas Nature Center where I am a teacher naturalist. I led a spring migration birding walk. We had a nice variety of songbirds and warblers. During this walk I spotted my first of year/season Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Veery, Red-eyed Vireo, and Great Crested Flycatcher.
In the afternoon, Dave and I went birding at Palmyra Cove Nature Park. We saw 55 species! Here are the highlights:
11 Warbler Species! Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, and Prairie
Black-and White Warbler (Image by David Horowitz)
Ovenbird (Image by David Horowitz)
Red-breasted Nuthatches
A House Wren trying to set up their nest box
House Wren on its nest box (Image by BirdNation)
2 Great Horned Owls on an old Bald Eagle nest
Many Baltimore Orioles, an Orchard Oriole, and an Eastern Towhee
Chickies!
Gosling (Image by David Horowitz)
Did you go birding on Global Big Day? Tell us about it in the comments.
Day 2 of the Great Backyard Bird Count was twice as nice because we went birding at 2 locations!
It was 45 degrees with a cold breeze; much more seasonal than yesterday’s warm weather. Our first stop was Haddon Lake Park in Audubon, NJ, followed by Palmyra Cove in Palmyra, NJ. We saw 32 species today, adding 8 new species to the total GBBC so far.
At Haddon Lake, Dave spotted some banded Mallards. I was able to get some pictures of the bands and reported them at reportband.gov. This website is run by USGS (United States Geological Survey) and the link leads to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory. We were able to learn around where the Mallard was banded, by who, and its age.
USGS Banding Information (Image by BirdNation)
Haddon Lake Park, Audubon, NJ (10 species, 188 individual birds)
I haven’t written since my 200th species post…but I have been outside everyday. I’m working at a nature camp this summer, so I’ve been doing plenty of hiking and learning an awful lot about nature that’s not bird-related. I’ve been having a blast (and am also exhausted but in a good way, which is why I haven’t been writing lol). Shameless self promotion: I’ve also been posting on Instagram everyday @birdnation123, so if you haven’t followed us yet you should check it out! Sometimes I post pics there that are not featured on the blog, so don’t miss out on the fun 😉
Dave and I went birding twice this weekend to 3 different locations. Saturday we spent some time at Maria B. Greenwald Memorial Park for the first time in a few months. It was a fairly quiet evening: lots of cardinals, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robins, and a family of Canada Geese out on a stroll.
“You looking at me?”…young Canada Goose (Image by BirdNation)
A Family Evening Stroll (Image by BirdNation)
The pace of the evening sped up when we made it back to the parking area. The sun was starting to set and many small birds started zooming through the air. They were flying like swallows but had the wrong shape. They were our first Chimney Swifts! And they don’t call them swifts for nothing! They were so fast as they tried to catch insects that it was hard to get a good look at them. I managed to get a silhouette of a swift’s distinct scimitar-shaped wings.
Chimney Swift silhouette (Image by BirdNation)
Chimney Swifts can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States in cities and towns. They used to nest in trees, but are now found almost always nesting in…well you probably guessed it…chimneys. Here’s what one looks like when they aren’t swiftly flying past your binoculars.
(Image by Jayne Amico/Mount Vernon Songbird Sanctuary)
Sunday we made our way to one of our favorite birding spots, Barnegat Lighthouse SP. Highlights included Brown Pelicans, tons of gulls, Ruddy Turnstones, Osprey, and American Oystercatchers.
Great Black-backed Gull portrait (Image by BirdNation)
American Oystercatcher (Image by BirdNation)
Ruddy Turnstone (Image by BirdNation)
We did observe one Piping Plover. I’m guessing that the Piping Plover may be Pete and Phoebe’s offspring. The plover was not banded and its bill was mainly black. Adult Piping Plovers have orange bills with black tips, and this plover had much more black than orange.
Young Piping Plover (Image by BirdNation)
On our way off Long Beach Island, we stopped at a new birding location. Edwin B. Forsythe NWR has a new unit as of the end of June: Cedar Bonnet Island in Stafford Township. Over 20 acres of salt marsh are under restoration to provide a habitat for birds migrating along the coast. The one-mile trail opened recently, and there’s quite a lovely view of the marsh. We saw 29 species in our short visit, including Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, a Spotted Sandpiper, a Little Blue Heron, Song Sparrows, Glossy Ibis, and many Ospreys. By this point in our trip it was raining so I didn’t take my good camera out, but did capture this view of the salt marsh on my phone.
Cedar Bonnet Island (Image by BirdNation)
We definitely plan on stopping back to Cedar Bonnet Island on our next LBI trip. I’m happy to know more of New Jersey’s shoreline is being preserved to help our coastal flora and fauna.
We had lovely weather today; it was relatively cool for a June day. Dave and I decided to take advantage of the cool weather by going to one of our favorite parks, Haddon Lake Park. We’ve walked around Haddon Lake easily over a hundred times over the years, but there was something very different about this time.
The Fountain (Image by BirdNation)
They added a fountain. To be honest, I’m not really sure how to feel about it. Of course, my immediate response was, “How’s it going to affect the birds?”. It didn’t really seemed to have an impact on the amount of activity we witnessed.
Every year, Red-winged Blackbirds nest in the same shrubbery. This year there were a juvenile blackbirds hanging around the shrub and being fed by the adults.
Young Red-winged Blackbird (Image by BirdNation)
As usual, there was multitudes of Mallards and Canada Geese. There were young birds with the adults in different stages of development. We heard this Mallard duckling peeping loudly. It seemed to have lost its mother.
Mallard Duckling (Image by BirdNation)
A few minutes later, the female Mallard returned to her duckling and they spent the rest of the time swimming together.
Female Mallard with her duckling (Image by BirdNation)
There were also Canada Geese goslings…can you find the ones in this picture?
Canada Goose with goslings (Image by BirdNation)
…as well as finding a sleepy Domestic Goose gosling with its family.
Domestic Goose chick (Image by BirdNation)
Other birds at the lake included Downy Woodpeckers, a Red-tailed Hawk, American Robins, House Sparrows, a Common Grackle, Gray Catbirds, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and this lovely Eastern Kingbird.
Eastern Kingbird (Image by BirdNation)
It’s always a pleasure to go back to Haddon Lake. We have so many special memories, and each visit feels like going home.
2018 is was our 4th year of participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count. What an interesting weekend it was!
Unfortunately, Day 1 (2/16) ended up being a washout. It was a miserable, dark, rainy day. Here is what we saw on Day 1 last year.
Thankfully the Sun made an appearance for a little while on Day 2 (2/17) . The temperature was around 40, so we ended up birding at two lakes. First up was Smithville Lake in Eastampton.
Every January/February we end up seeing Common Mergansers at Smithville Lake. I was hoping to see them again, but they weren’t around. It was pretty quiet, but we did see a few species. In total we saw 7 species and 22 individual birds. They were:
Our second stop was Haddon Lake Park in Mt. Ephraim. Upon arriving at the park, we were greeted by the leader of the welcoming committee:
Canada Goose (Image by BirdNation)
Clearly he wanted food, but I certainly wasn’t going to feed him (Quick PSA: don’t feed the waterfowl!). We continued on our way to find more Canada Geese, Mallards, and Ring-billed Gulls. We also spotted some of the “strange ducks”, like the hybrid below, who seems to be a mix of a Mallard and one of the white domestic ducks.
Mr. Mallard (Image by BirdNation)
Ring-billed Gull (Image by BirdNation)
Hybrid Duck (Image by BirdNation)
Haddon Lake is a GBBC tradition for us. Now that we’ve been participating for multiple years, we can compare what we’ve observed this year to the past. Two species that we saw this year for the count but not past years were the Northern Mockingbird and Double-crested Cormorant. We had the opportunity to watch the cormorant climb out of the water and dry its wings off for a few minutes. Surprisingly, for a bird who’s livelihood is diving for fish, the Double-crested Cormorant’s feathers are not waterproof. Therefore, you’ll commonly see these birds fanning out their wings to dry. I took a video the cormorant preening.
Northern Mockingbird (Image by BirdNation)
Double-crested Cormorant (Image by BirdNation)
We weren’t the only ones taking a stroll around the lake. It turns out that we were being followed around the whole lake by…
Canada Goose follower (Image by BirdNation)
The Canada Goose from the welcoming committee. It was the first time I’ve had a Canada Goose participate in my bird count walk haha! :-p
Haddon Lake Park count (8 species, 233 individuals):
130 Canada Geese
90 Mallards
1 Double-crested Cormorant
7 Ring-billed Gulls
2 Downy Woodpeckers
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Song Sparrow
1 Common Grackle
Overall our total count for Day 2 was 14 different species and 255 individual birds. Check our what we saw on Day 2 last year here).
BirdNation 
