Top 1000!

Woohoo. We made the FatBirder top 1000 this week thanks to all of you reading the blog. It's not that we get anything for it, but I like to think that all of this typing is being read by someone, so thanks for reading. Otherwise, I could just call my mother on the phone :-)

On to the birding story for this week. The big news is no secret - birds are on the move northward. We had our FOS (that's birdnerd for First Of Season) of the following:

• Palm Warbler
• Pine Warbler
• Eastern Towhee
• Chipping Sparrow
• Phoebe
• Cowbird (boo)
• Tree Swallow
• Swift
• Hermit Thrush

And there are more on the way everyday. Lori and Tara are headed down to Florida and should get plenty of migrants there. Then they will be heading our way.

We went to the shore last Sunday to check out the house(s) and do some birding. The weather was a bummer and not conducive to good photos, but we got a good list anyway with around 50 species. Tons of Common and Red-throated Loons and Gannets around the point and concrete ship, which are always a joy.

We also had a few good sparrows including a life bird for Di and Barbara - White-crowned sparrow. Here are some photos including a mystery sparrow that we still cannot identify. Please post a comment (below) with your thoughts.

Chipping Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Mystery Sparrow - photo #1

Mystery Sparrow - photo #2

Forster's Tern - passing a fish to his love interest