sbutk

Thanks for the second. And thanks, too, for the link. Always tickled to be made aware of another birding resource! 👍

I did count that as one of my possibilities, cool. Thank you both! 👍

Hi, Photographed these birds in my yard this afternoon. I’ve employed both Audubon app for Android and been through my Peterson Field Guide for Eastern birds, and have yet to come across a definite match for this bird. Best guesses are some member of the Warbler, Flycatcher, or Vireo family. Must be a migrant species, because I don’t ever remember seeing one here in northern NJ before. Can anyone help me ID this bird? Thanks, Steve P2410820 by sbutk, on Flickr P2410830 by sbutk, on Flickr P2410834 by sbutk, on Flickr

Cool, thanks! Makes for my 2nd addition to the Life List right from the yard today, along with Blue-headed Vireo. 👍

Thanks! No way to be exactly sure of which, I guess (without lifting up the tail feathers, haha). 👍

Hi, Photographed these birds in my yard this afternoon. Guessing they must be a migrating species, since I’ve never taken note of them before. My best guess is they are thrushes – most likely Hermit or Swainson’s, according to my Audubon app. Can anyone offer any opinions to help steer me in the right direction? Birds were seen in northern NJ. Thanks, Steve P2410374 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410402 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410403 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410503 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr

Hi. My suspicion is that these birds I saw in my backyard this afternoon are American Goldfinches, just perhaps not with the bright yellow [male] plumage that I’d recognize instantly. Are these perhaps females, immature birds, or males in seasonal plumage? Or, am I perhaps barking up the wrong tree entirely? Would greatly appreciate if anyone could help set me straight! Photos taken in northern NJ. Thanks, Steve P2410357 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410435 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410529 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410548 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2410563 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr

Is anyone else having this problem? I used to be able to [happily] use my Merlin bird ID app for Android with no problem. After a recent (8/31/19) forced update, however, my app is left with no bird packs installed (and thus rendered useless). I can't manually install any selected bird apps. And I've uninstalled/reinstalled the entire app; restarted my phone; and STILL the problem persists. I've already submitted my concern to the Merlin team, and they have assured me both that I'm not the only one to report this problem; and they're "working on it". ...That was months ago. (Yawn.) Wondering if any of my fellow birders has any ideas!

Hi. I’m seeking some advice with regard to my still-in-the-works trip down to Cape May later this month… I’ve visited multiple years in the past, typically around the Columbus Day weekend, but so far have yet to venture much beyond the hawkwatch platform. This will be just an overnight, and at least [part of] one of those days will be spent at and around the hawkwatch. Lately I’ve had my curiosity piqued for exploring more of the Cape, though - with perhaps Cape May Meadows and HigbeeBeach being areas of interest. Can anyone offer any advice, tips, or insight into visiting either of those places? What time of day is likely best? I recently learned about the Morning Songbird Watch at Higbee, and I’m not so sure a pre-dawn visit (to catch the songbird migration in full force) is really in the cards for those in my group. Then again, what birder wouldn’t like to maximize his chances to expand the Life List?! Thanks in advance, for any & all replies! 🙂 -Steve

Haha, thanks! Now the Nature photographer in me realizes how much room for improvement there is in that shot! 🤩

...And the Life List creeps up again, ever so slowly. Thanks! 😀

Shot some photos of an unfamiliar bird in the yard this morning that I assume must be a migrant. Shots are through a screen, so unfortunately the results are incredibly lousy. Still, I’m wondering whether anyone might be able to offer an ID, based on size, shape or markings. Photos are from northern NJ. Thanks. P2360375 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2360374 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2360373 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P2360372 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr P1360274 (2) by sbutk, on Flickr

Haha. Modesty isn't a quality that's lost on us birders, that's for sure. ...You do make a good point, though!

No. Not that show the birds any more clearly, anyway. I wouldn't be all that surprise if they weren't some of the same Dowitchers you and I were wrangling over in one of our previous discussions, just in different positions. So I will assume these guys are Short-billed Dowitchers. They're able to "tuck in" bills that are that long? Wow, color me impressed! 😁 Thank you both for your help!

Hi again… One more sighting I’ve been curious about: These 3 birds in the bottom of the photo [from another birder’s camera, because the same scene came out clearer than on my own] look at first like they could be juvenile Laughing Gulls. But when I compare them to others in the photo - e.g. on the Left - these unidentified birds are smaller and lack the same black highlights on the tail. So I’m guessing at this point that they’re probably a different species. Any thoughts? DSC_3005er by sbutk, on Flickr