This is my post for World Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes
Below, the taller Avocets mixed in with a few other shorebirds.
This past Saturday, hubby and I visited Bombay Hook NWR. I was hoping to see some shorebirds migrating thru. I was reading my Delaware Birding Trail map and it mentioned migration starts in July and peaks in August. I have to say I love the Delaware Birding trail map. It list all the birding hotspots and it list where you can find certain birds also has a map and directions. It would be cool if every state had their own birding trail map.
There are actually two birds seen at Bombay Hook NWR that made the trip worthwhile for me. The American Avocets and the Black Necked Stilt, they are usually seen at Bombay Hook in the summer months.
Below, that American Avocets are resting. It was very hot and humid on Saturday.
American Avocets...Bombay Hook. The breeding male has a burned orangy head and neck. They search for insect larvae by sweeping their bill along the waters surface. Also, their bill is slightly curved.
Sorry, I will have to learn to keep my hand steady, my youtube Avocet video. But, I like how the video catches the avocets sweeping the waters surface with their bills. A Glossy Ibis is also seen walking along in the water.
We also saw a Bald Eagle, Terns, Willets, Dowitchers, Sandpipers, Yellowlegs, Plovers, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, GB Heron and Glossy Ibis. We also made quick stops at Woodland Beach and Port Mahon.
To see more wonderful bird please check out Springman's World Bird Wednesday and more great nature post at Michelle's Nature Notes. Thanks to Springman and Michelle for hosting and thanks for stopping by to see my post and birds.
51 comments:
Look at all those beautiful avocets. I'm seriously jealous!
They're one of my favorite shorebirds, because we stumbled on them years ago somewhere in Oregon when we were camping (I had no thoughts of birding back then). They caused me to buy my first bird book since we had no idea what they were and were so curious about these beauties. .
Great seeing all the shore birds in large groups.
A wonderful post ... the Avocets are lovely as are your images and video.
Many thanks for sharing Eileen.
such beautiful and graceful looking birds!
Nice photos , Eileen. Another enjoyable day out. That water must be fairly shallow?
Those birds are having a good time beside the water.
It may not be a hot day for them.
wow, you saw quite the variety.. some of which I would actually recognize..lol
I agree ... it would be great if all states had bird maps!
What a fun day!
Beautiful shore birds, Eileen... Sounds like you hit the jackpot on that hike... We have some neat waterfall books similar to the book you mentioned for birding... The books certainly do help.
Hugs,
Betsy
Eileen,
Love seeing these avocets, it has been years since i saw any. Brings up nice memories, thanks for sharing your photos. Next time I hope you see the Black-necked Stilts too.
Love that first photo, Eileen. Nice to see a large group like that. You're very fortunate, I usually only see one or two at a time.
I'm enjoying our shore birds this week while staying at the beach. Thanks for sharing yours.
I love American Avocets Eileen and you have captures them beautifully! I like the last group you caught in the video. Videos are tough without a tripod ;-)
I love the Avocets. But so far I have only seen the european ones. I was hoping to see it in CR but I didn´t. I can see some birds in your shots have a little red on them. Our birds don´t have red in them. Glad to see your shots. :)
Oh Eileen, I've only seen the Avocets in my bird book, never in real life. They're common here in Kenya and I hope to see one (or many) some day, soon! What a lovely day you had. Thanks for sharing. Jo
Hi there - Avocets are such a great bird - we have red-headed ones here in Australia - and back in the UK they are a symbol of bird life.
Nice set of images - well done.
Stewart M - Australia
Love the video Eileen.
Beautiful birds. I have never seen one in the wild, although they can be found on the coast here.
Would love to see them in person great photos & video
Amazing the places and birds you see Eileen...keep them coming..I can travel through you....
I enjoyed your video and the sweeping motions.
It would be nice if my state had a really good,user friendly birding map.
Nice crowd there:)
Lovely post, Eileen!
j.
Hi Eileen, Excellent pictures of those American Avocets. I like shorebirds and miss seeing them. I used to live quite close to the Pacific Ocean and went to the beach a lot. Now, the only shorebird I do see here in Cumberland County, TN, are the Kildeer. Have a super great day!
I've never seen that bird. Your photos bring them to life for us - thanks!
Your trail maps sounds so cool! Do you ever say home??LOl!
Sounds like you had a great day and hopefully beat the heat a bit by the water.
Great photos and birds-thanks for sharing!
meggs.xx
Great photos - you certainly saw a good variety of shorebirds. I would love to see some of those as they don't come down to Australia.
all those beautiful shorebirds, your avocets are so beautiful. We have a different species of avocet over here, I've never seen one...
One of my first bird pictures long ago (film days, that's how long) was of a American Avocet. Now that I really take a lot of pictures (thank you whoever you are that invented digital) I need to go find myself another avocet. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a lovely group of shorebirds!
Eileen, I'm learning so much about birds I have never even heard of from viewing blogger's posts. These are great pics, and the list of birds you saw on your outing is quite impressive. What a fun hobby to enjoy with your husband. Mickie :)
Hi Eileen, loved the video, those birds are busy! I'll take any help I can get hunting up a new spot. It sure is nice when people share the latest info. Great Post!
Isn't it wonderful to flit from blog to blog learning about birds we've never seen, Eileen? I love your shots of the beautiful Avocets...:)
I love the Avocets.
Eileen! These birds are so elegant and the first photo shows them best! Although I also liked to see them in action on your video.
how lovely to see so many, have only seen one at a time when off route here in ct :)
dan
What an extraordinary place! I love Avocets and have not seen one in awhile! I will have to add this place to my bucket list!
It looks as if your visit to Bombay Hook was very worth while. I enjoyed seeing the flock of Avocets. I also enjoyed your video. I have the same 'shaking hand' syndrome.
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
that's quite a gathering
wonderful shots
I fondly remember those trips to Bombay Hook in July (how bad were the Green-headed Flies?) for the avocets,stilts and other great shorebirds. Fortunately we have them here in AZ too!
Love seeing the Avocets! Nice shots!
Fantastic series of shots.
Those are fascinating fellows!
You had a good day! With so many birds around it's hard to decide where to point your camera.
What a beautiful place to visit! Love all your photos and video. Thank you for sharing.
So good to see many happy birds here. Beautiful shots indeed!
I love the video! Though a bit shakey it beautifully shows the running and bill-sweeping motions of the Avocets. I also love your ecchinacea header!
I enjoy watching that video, and love your bird photos! I don't see this kind of bird in the city!
Thanks for stopping by to visit my Mallard images (taken while traveling in Sweden). I'm so far behind that it's taken me awhile to start catching up with WBW posts... LOVE the first of your Avocet images... it would be lovely framed and hanging on a wall... very painterly!
I think the video is nice too (have never seen a Glossy Ibis so enjoyed that glimpse) but am guessing that using a tripod is the way to get a video and avoid hand shakiness. I personally cannot hand hold videos myself!
Good morning Eilleen. These are all great captures! The first and third are my favorite..they have a lovely pastel tone to them! The video (I'm not always so steady, but the vid's add an extra flavor)and those birds are big and elegant-
Wishing you a wonderful weekend-
The top shot is just beautiful, it could be a painting.
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