BIRDS
126 - Japanese Green Pheasant Phasianus versicolor
127 - Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus
Zoochat Big Year 2025
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
126 - Japanese Green Pheasant Phasianus versicolor
127 - Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus
MOG2012
Well-Known Member
April 4, 2025
A ladybug landed on me today and I saw a bumblebee on a tree.
BIRDS:
38) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
INVERTEBRATES:
8) Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)
9) Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens)
MAMMALS: 4 species
BIRDS: 38 species
REPTILES: 1 species
FISH: 7 species
INVERTEBRATES: 9 species
TOTAL: 59 species
Hello.
After basically two months of no wildlife-watching, this last week has been filled to the brim with cool wildlife.
17/02/2025
REPTILES
4. (Hemidactylus mabouia) - Tropical house gecko
18/02/2025
BIRDS
41. (Guira guira) - Guira cuckoo
03/03/2025
BIRDS
42. (Chlorostilbon lucidus) - Glistering-bellied emerald LIFER
17/03/2025
BIRDS
43. (Amazona aestiva) - Turquoise-fronted amazon
30/03/2025
BIRDS
44. (Buteogallus meridionalis) - Savanna hawk
45. (Platalea ajaja) - Roseate spoonbill
46. (Jacana jacana) - Wattled jacana
47. (Butorides striata) - Striated heron
48. (Amazonetta brasiliensis) - Brazilian teal
49. (Tangara seledon) - Green-headed tanager
50. (Loriotus cristatus) - Flame-crested tanager LIFER
02/04/2025
REPTILES
5. (Chelonia mydas) - Green sea turtle
I definitely saw black-crowned night herons and Southern caracaras, but forgot I had to count them in, so I'll add the two any time I see them again.
This morning was to be a fairly relaxed trip back to Santo Dominico for our last night before departing the Dominican Republic. There were to be several stops, some animal related others more touristy. One was Los Patos, the shortest river in the Dominican Republic at 61 metres long. Another was a museum for Larimar, a beautiful blue stone only found in the Dominican Republic. I purchased an appropriate example for my wife, hopefully guaranteeing more trips in the future.
We stopped at a cave in Paraiso for bats. We found four species, but names have not yet been confirmed. Outside were more anoles and a small snake was also found.
After a lunch stop we headed toLas Calderas, where we visited a salt works, decommissioned and slowly decaying but largely intact. There were a few waders around. The salt was still being extracted by what must be independent workers. We saw two at work extracting the salt from a pond, and it looked like hard work.
We stopped at nearby wetlands where we had some excellent views of waterbirds we had seen before, including a stunning view of a white-cheeked pintail. Finally, we went to a large open area opposite the gate of the local naval base, that was occupied by around 50 rhinoceros iguanas and a comparable number of goats. People feed them here, and it is obviously a popular attraction.
From here we went back to Santo Dominico. Our final hotel was the Boutique Hotel Palacio, a beautiful old establishment with high-ceilinged rooms reached from verandas around vegetation-filled courtyards. That evening the four of us had a final meal at the restaurant Graeme and I had found on our first night. It was Inderpendance Day, so we watched the festivities. Next day was a travel day, with flights to Miami then on to Los Angeles.
Birds
141. Lesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Reptiles
18. Short-nosed anole Anolis brevirostris
19. Hispaniolan black racer Hypsirhynchus parvifrons
BIRDS
128 - Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Did you get a good sighting? I really like Bramblings, they are so beautiful.
Not as good as I would have liked - very backlit and brief view of a single individual. Had to crank up the brightness of a photo I got to be sure of the ID!
MOG2012
Well-Known Member
April 5, 2025
While I was at Franklin Park Zoo, I saw mice entering and leaving the Tropical Forest and Bird's World areas.
MAMMALS:
5) House Mouse (Mus musculus)
MAMMALS: 5 species
BIRDS: 38 species
REPTILES: 1 species
FISH: 7 species
INVERTEBRATES: 9 species
TOTAL: 60 species
I just learned that a pair of barred owls lives outside my apartment. I was conveniently scrolling through Merlin when I heard one of them call outside. I could only make out silhouettes of the birds, but that was good enough for me.
92. Barred owl Strix varia
Total species: 105
Birds: 92
Mammals: 11
Herptiles: 2
If you definitely saw them, there is no reason you can't count them here.
We spent the night in Los Angeles, as there was a $1200 difference in airfares between flying straight out and the next day. Besides, flying out the next night removed the stress of making what would have been a close connection for the international flight.
So, we had a full day in Los Angeles. Graeme was keen to visit Madrona Marsh, which I have visited several times and of course mentioned to him. While there somebody mentioned there were American white pelicans, which Graeme wanted to see, at Ken Maloy Park, another spot I am familiar with. Despite this I still managed a couple of new species for the day.
After that we got some food and spent the rest of the day sightseeing up towards Santa Monica, before returning to LAX for our flight home. I still have several species to list, once I identify them all, but otherwise this is the end.
Madrona Marsh Reserve
Mammals
8. Eastern fox squirrel Sciurus niger (introduced)
Birds
142, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
143. Canada goose Branta canadensis
144. Pied billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps
145. Allen's hummingbird Selasphorus sasin
146. Ash-throated flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens
147, House finch Haemorhous mexicanus
148. American goldfinch Spinus tristis
149. Clay-colored sparrow Spizella pallida
Ken Maloy Park
Mammals
9. California ground squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi
Birds
150. American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
151. Western gull Larus occidentalis
152. Black phoebe Sayornis nigricans
153. Golden-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla
154. Great-tailed grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Lastly, missed from the ecolodge:
155. White-collared swift Streptoprocne zonaris
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I said I’d actually do it this year, but it got to the point where I had 80+ birds to add at once so it didn’t end up happening. However, like last year I’ll continue to show some of the lifers I’ve gotten.
Birds
1. Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
2. White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fusciollis) (was a well reported vagrant)
3. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
4. Siberian Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)
5. Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
6. Brown Quail (Synocius ypsilophorus)
7. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
8. Shy Heathwren (Hylacota cauta)
9. Black Falcon (Falco subniger) (for real this time)
10. Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus)
11. Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)
12. Little Crow (Corvus bennetti)
13. Striped Honeyeater (Plectoryncha lanceolata)
14. Australian Ringneck (Barnadius zonarius)
15. Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus)
16. Crimson Rosella (Yellow) (Platycercus elegans flaveolus)
17. Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens)
18. Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps)
Still a couple days left in Mallee Vic/NSW so plenty more potential lifers ahead.
Birds
1. Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
2. White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fusciollis) (was a well reported vagrant)
3. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
4. Siberian Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)
5. Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
6. Brown Quail (Synocius ypsilophorus)
7. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
8. Shy Heathwren (Hylacota cauta)
9. Black Falcon (Falco subniger) (for real this time)
10. Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus)
11. Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)
12. Little Crow (Corvus bennetti)
13. Striped Honeyeater (Plectoryncha lanceolata)
14. Australian Ringneck (Barnadius zonarius)
15. Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus)
16. Crimson Rosella (Yellow) (Platycercus elegans flaveolus)
17. Splendid Fairywren (Malurus splendens)
18. Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps)
Still a couple days left in Mallee Vic/NSW so plenty more potential lifers ahead.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Slimbridge offered my first look at Oystercatchers this year as they start to arrive on site for breeding. Hope to catch chicks this year. Dropping into RSPB Otmoor for the evening (thank you lighter nights!) offered the ubiquitous brown rat hanging onto the feeders, some wonderful pheasant displays (seen pheasants already a few times but it was great to get good shots of males and females up close). A butterfly at each location set set the tone for new things to photograph in the warmer months.
Birds
71. Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus, 05/04/2025, WWT Slimbridge
Mammals
6. Brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, 05/04/2025, RSPB Otmoor
Other
1. Small white, Pieris rapae, 05/04/2025, WWT Slimbridge
2. Peacock Butterfly, Aglais io, 05/04/2024, RSPB Otmooor
Birds
71. Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus, 05/04/2025, WWT Slimbridge
Mammals
6. Brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, 05/04/2025, RSPB Otmoor
Other
1. Small white, Pieris rapae, 05/04/2025, WWT Slimbridge
2. Peacock Butterfly, Aglais io, 05/04/2024, RSPB Otmooor
BIRDS
129 - Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
130 - Gadwall Mareca strepera
INVERTS
41 - Asian Comma Polygona c-aureum
Dr. Wolverine
Well-Known Member
Birds
127. American Pipit Anthus rubescens
128. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
FISHES
135 - Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella
Platypusboy
Well-Known Member
This past weekend I returned to Hanko bird observatory, this time on a guided stay for young birders. Still the cast of friends stayed mostly the same, with a few new faces joining.
Another thing that stayed mostly the same was the weather, as below freezing temperatures and winds up to 16 m/s were still present. This was at least the case on Saturday, because conditions were much better on Sunday. In fact, the only real thing to note from Saturday was a surprise Eurasian woodcock lifer during a sauna break at night.
Migration was much more active on Sunday, with the best sightings including a very early Caspian tern, lifer Short-eared owl and a first for me in Finland European serin that flew loudly overhead with a pair of redpolls.
Mammals
9. Yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis 4/4/25
Birds
104. Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna 5/4/25
105. Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula 5/4/25
106. Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola 5/4/25
107. Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica 6/4/25
108. Common scoter, Melanitta nigra 6/4/25
109. Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus 6/4/25
110. Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia 6/4/25
111. European serin, Serinus serinus 6/4/25
112. Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea 6/4/25
Another thing that stayed mostly the same was the weather, as below freezing temperatures and winds up to 16 m/s were still present. This was at least the case on Saturday, because conditions were much better on Sunday. In fact, the only real thing to note from Saturday was a surprise Eurasian woodcock lifer during a sauna break at night.
Migration was much more active on Sunday, with the best sightings including a very early Caspian tern, lifer Short-eared owl and a first for me in Finland European serin that flew loudly overhead with a pair of redpolls.
Mammals
9. Yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis 4/4/25
Birds
104. Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna 5/4/25
105. Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula 5/4/25
106. Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola 5/4/25
107. Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica 6/4/25
108. Common scoter, Melanitta nigra 6/4/25
109. Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus 6/4/25
110. Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia 6/4/25
111. European serin, Serinus serinus 6/4/25
112. Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea 6/4/25
Birds
Two good visits to Leasowe produced some notable migrants
80 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
81 Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
82 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
83 Linnet Linaria cannabina
84 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus
Amphibians
2 Common Frog (tadpoles) Rana temporaria
Invertebrates
Guilty of not listing common regular species, so this is likely to only be a partial list of butterflies and “specials”
2 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines
3 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
4 Large White Pieris brassicae
5 Dark-bordered Bee-fly Bombilius major - garden tick
6 Cream Spot Ladybird Calvia quatuordecimguttata - house tick
Two good visits to Leasowe produced some notable migrants
80 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
81 Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
82 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
83 Linnet Linaria cannabina
84 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus
Amphibians
2 Common Frog (tadpoles) Rana temporaria
Invertebrates
Guilty of not listing common regular species, so this is likely to only be a partial list of butterflies and “specials”
2 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines
3 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
4 Large White Pieris brassicae
5 Dark-bordered Bee-fly Bombilius major - garden tick
6 Cream Spot Ladybird Calvia quatuordecimguttata - house tick
First yellow-rumped warbler of the year! Surprisingly, I hadn't seen one in Indiana until today, so this one was a little more exciting.
Birds:
4/6/25
93. Golden-Crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
4/7/25
94. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
95. Northern Rough-Winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
96. Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Corthylio calendula
97. Yellow-Rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
Total species: 110
Birds: 97
Mammals: 11
Herptiles: 2