Mindy Smith

Thanks. Hadn't thought of that. Would have thought, being so social, that the others would have mentioned it to the messy one.

Yes. It is a wonderful place for birding.

Saw this bird in the Sacramento WLR, CA on Feb 5. Initially thought it was a harrier but the face is not flat. Looks most like a second-year immature bald eagle based on Cornell website and we did see several mature bald eagles that day.

I was at Pismo Beach CA near the monarch area and saw a few bushtits and then a bird about the same size and coloring except that it had a light/pale yellow upper face and forehead. Not yellow below the chin or anywhere else. Closest I could come in the books is Verdin but those faces are much darker yellow and extend below the chin (and I have never seen one). Thoughts?

I agree with the semipalmated in one and two and dunlin (droopy beak) in three and five. Still working on shorebirds so not sure of the others. Am also in Morro Bay Area and if you haven't seen Bewick's Wrens, there are quite a few on the walk around Morro Rock (got my first good photo).

Thanks.

Hi, in Irvine CA at the San Joaquin sanctuary and saw this tern (far right in first photo). Flew in among the mixed group of gulls, white pelicans and stilts, and then scolded a coot. First time seeing the bird, so want to be sure. Thick orange bill with black tip. Thanks in advance.

Thanks, the band confused me. Starting to get familiar with eastern birds.

Was in Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray FL. Saw this lone bird - dark body and white chest with band towards the bottom of the tail; slightly bigger than a bushtit. Thoughts?

Rusty cap helps ID the Palm too. Hope to see one this week in Florida.

Was in botanical garden in Port St Lucie, FL and saw this pair of warblers. Left one I think is a pine warbler but was unsure of the one on the right - seems wrong-timing for immature. Help appreciated.

Winter colors.

Slow foraging - not darting around but also not doing the freezing thing.

Sorry this is so blurry but the bird was down low in the cypress swamp and I only got a glimpse. Was in the JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area in West Palm Beach FL. Lots of Ibis and tricolor herons near. Is this a reddish egret? Would be a first for me. Thanks.

Thanks.

Was driving through JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area in West Palm Beach Florida and saw a small flock of these birds dart across. The only sound I heard was a single chip note. Help appreciated.

Still working on sparrows. This one was seen Sept 18 this year in Southern BC with a mixed flock that included song sparrows and gold finches. Didn't get to hear the song. Thanks in advance.

Hi, not great with hawks but I think this is a Coopers based on flattish head and darker cap. Hard to see the tip of the tail but seems rounded which is more like Coopers than Sharp-shinned. Would wait for a more experienced birder to confirm.

Thanks all and it is my only photo. This is a new one for me but I plan to go back to see if I can spot it again.

Saw this little owl on my drive home - south eastern BC near US border - getting dusky. My guess is a juvenile Northern Saw-whet but could be a Boreal. Have never seen either outside of a rescue facility. Looked to be about 6 inches tall but hard to tell. Flew on stubby wings to next tree over. Unable to get a look at the face and it made no sound. The wing seems to be sticking out beyond the tail - not sure that helps.

Agree, Glaucous wouldn't have black on the wings and tail.

Saw several small flocks of ducks today in Southern BC, 11 am, Selkirk trails near Castlegar - some I think are common goldeneye and some Barrow's but I am new at this and don't see the clear cheek patch vs. moon for the male and not sure about the sloped vs. straighter head for the female; beak color varied in the amount of black vs. yellow/orange. Help appreciated.

Just wanted to add the Brewer's blackbird is a female as the males have those bright yellow eyes. Agree that the photo of the Lincoln is great.

Was going through my photos and had a question on this one. Taken Feb 3 last year in the Sacramento WLR (the refuges in central California are amazing). Had never seen a hawk sitting in the water. Thought it was a juvenile Cooper's but the shoulder makes me think maybe it is a red-shouldered hawk. Any thoughts on why the bird is in the water - clutching prey too heavy to lift? Thanks in advance.

Thanks all. Never thought of a Goshawk as it is a first for me. Sorry not to be detailed enough in location. We are in Southeastern BC near the US border in an area called the Pend Oreille (confluence of the Columbia and Pend O rivers).