JP48

I don't know about the ebird gods, but I'm pretty sure that each user is the only average user who is able to see his/her own track. Even with that, I use and appreciate the track mechanism. I, too, used to estimate distance by my number of steps as recorded by a fitness tracker.

Yes, it's at the edge of the marsh, near the campground. I have some not-so-good pictures from about exactly two years ago, so it might be a reasonable time of year to be checking it out. I haven't seen any reports recently on ebird, though.

There is a box at the mouth of Dead Creek where it empties into Otter Creek (this is a Vermont thing) where a Screech Owl is occasionally seen. I don't know if it dwells there or just hangs out, but the box is less than 8 feet above the ground. Maybe they prefer something higher, but you might be OK.

I would suspect Band-tailed. Seems like a rock would likely sink.

This was just a record shot through the windshield, but I rater liked the way the late afternoon winter sun lit the owl and the trees around it.

The way I read it, you can keep your lists on mobile, then submit them after the system is back up.

Someone once told me that whatever way you say something, do it with confidence that you are right. I suspect that leaves others less of an opening to correct you. Anyway, this makes for a good read, if not convincing. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/birdname.htm

In my experience if you want to take pictures of birds that you are happy with (the pictures, not necessarily the birds), you're not going to want to go too cheap. However, you don't really have to spend $3500 on a camera body to be relatively happy with what you accomplish. A friend has one ot these - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1435399-REG/canon_3071c001_powershot_sx70_hs_digital.html I have its older brother, the SX60. His pictures are a little better than mine, for two reasons. One, his camera shoots at 20.3 megapixels, and mine at 16 mp. Two, he's a more experie

I may have bought it originally, and given it to a photographer. Don't think it has been used much. Here it is. https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Gecko-Camera-Camcorder-Mount/dp/B0023ZK2TY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2QL76M20Z50QG&dchild=1&keywords=fat+gecko+dual+suction+cup+mount&qid=1603579145&sprefix=fatt+gecko%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3 There are many other types, some with clamps. https://www.amazon.com/window-tripod/s?k=window+tripod The chair is a good idea, at least for some circumstances. I do sometimes go to places where there is a bench to use. I've been looking at this

Connor and Charlie. Thanks for the suggestions. I could have been more clear in what I was asking for, but I didn't want to be too verbose. I already have a camera with a pretty good zoom. I'm happy with that, for now, but don't want to always be playing with that. I really do mean a normal scope, with zoom capability. The Hummingbird is supposedly a zoom, from 9x to 27x, and it does appear to zoom, but it doesn't seem to give me anything more than the binos, even at the long end. As far as holding it I have access to a 'tripod' that attaches to the window, with full tilt and sw

Does anyone have any experience with micro spotting scopes that they would be willing to share? I currently have limited mobility and would like to be able to some birding from within my car, more than is available with my (10x) binoculars. Right now I have access to a Celestron Hummingbird, but from the limited trial I've given it, I don't believe it's any improvement over my binos. I've done some poking around online, but given my experience with the Celestron, I'd be hesitant to acquire something without someone's first-hand experience. Thanks for any advice.

Backyard bird feeders primarily, but around here (Vermont) we cruise the back roads looking for migrants like Rough-legged Hawks and Snowy Owls, and dream of spring. Open water lakes are good for water birds, until they freeze over. If you're on eBird, you can set up 'needs lists', which can point out what other people in your area are spotting. Also, there might be a listserve in your area that people use to discuss what they're seeing. Someone local to you could give you that info.

I casually watched DEJU for years before I realized that the males and females could be identified by shade of grey. Last winter, after reading some discussion on this forum, I noticed that even within the sexes there are variations in plumage (some have white on the wings, to varying degrees, but I don't think they could be called 'white-winged'). This winter I'm going to try to get pictures of what appear to be differences, so that I can get a better feel for what's there, and perhaps describe it to others.

Interesting behavior. I have heard of hawks (Sharp-shinned and Cooper's) following walkers and joggers because they have learned that small birds can be flushed by these people. I've never heard of other birds learning this behavior, but certainly humans could be expected to stir up the local bug population, and I can imagine a phoebe taking advantage of that.