Roadguy205

thanks all. I was leaning Trails and either Willow or Alder would be lifers. Alder has been reported more often and more recently at this spot. merlin seems to lean Alder on 2 of the 3 pictures. It seemed to respond to the Alder call by coming out of cover but it was silent. Tough to take the lifer without being sure.

Sorry Houston (Bear Creek) this morning

Or something else. I realize this is probably hopeless. No sound from the bird. It seemed to come back out when I played an Alder call. Merlin gives many choices Thanks

thanks. we will have to go back and keep looking.

Red-naped has been showing up in rare bird reports for this exact location in Houston. Believe this one is Yellow-bellied but there has been discussion among those of us who saw it so wanted more expert confirmation. thanks

Thanks. I hate it when my wife is right (happens a lot)

West Houston Got a Merlin sound ID for Gadwall but am hopeless at picking Gadwalls from a sea of Mallards. Are any of these other than Mallard. (Different ducks) thanks

Parker River NWR MA thinking chipping and Merlin sound ID was Chipping but ebird is doubtful for this location and no one has seen Chipping around here its the one on the left in pic 2 thanks

Edith L Moore sanctuary this morning. Lousy picture. thanks

1. Aransas Pass (saltwater) yesterday. black-necked stilt he’s for scale. Greater or lesser yellowlegs? 2. Today up by Corpus Christi so freshwater. Longer bill with a bit of an up turn so we are thinking Greater? thanks

First NOT a dead bird! This bird was stunned and got up and flew away within about 15 seconds! it is very very rare for birds to fly into these windows and we have added decals January in Houston. Tile is about 6 inches so bird is about 10 I thought this was a young male sharp shinned at the time but now wonder thanks

Lafitte’s Cove in Galveston #1. same bird then we came by nearby an hour later. Could be the same or different bird #2 no sounds. A Least was reported here. Merlin says least Least, Willow or Alder. Any of those are a first but believe we are flycatcher sp. thanks

I saw a Cactus Wren there in January 2020. It was right in front of the lodge I got a pretty good picture and it was confirmed by a couple people here on Whatbird. Not saying this was a Cactus Wren but they are in the Basin by the lodge. sorry just noted you were higher up not by the lodge. Never mind

As a “new” birder (about a year) many things here are helpful. Classes, guides, binoculars (then better binoculars) and guided trips with local experts have all been invaluable. A field guide doesn’t really help with Sharp-shinned or Coopers till you have seen a few of both. The gulf coast during migration is a blessing because it’s easy to get help from people at the hot spots. 90% of the people are wonderful. Maybe 10% can be condescending. Cameras are important to capture images for later study. It’s an important part of learning for us new to birding. This forum is very good for IDs but It’s not always a friendly forum for new birders.

Galveston yesterday 1. Is this a mix of sanderlings and westerns 2. sanderlng? 3 ? I’m trying to learn if the difference in coloring is species or maturity merlin says sanderling, western or semipalmated for almost all of these thanks