[James]

My wife and I have birded Southern Florida and Southern Arizona. Which state should we bird next in order to:

Get more variety
See more of a 'different' America
Extend our list by a significant number.

Any suggestions on a State or area within a State please and best time of year? If coastal is there a chance of pelagics?

James

[nctexasbirder]

Texas, our Texas!
All hail the mighty birding state!

[joannec]

Hi James

Americans are very proud of their home state so you will get different answers to this question. I was in Oregon and California in August and you can read my trip reports here including a Pelagic in Monterey Bay:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=94046

Both states were great for birding and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.

Joanne

[Robert / Seattle]

The Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon/British Columbia) will give you the greatest complement to your previous 2 locations. From Boreal and Alpine, to Sage-steppe deserts, wetlands, low elevation woodlands, temperate rain forests, and coastal/pelagics -- its ALL here within a few hours drive between habitats. Plus the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous at every turn in the road, including TRUE Wilderness Areas (and perhaps the most polite people in the US - or so we're consistently told).

If you're interested I'll send you some useful links.

A bit prejudiced (but with good reason),

Robert / Seattle

[jedku]

Originally Posted by Robert / Seattle

The Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon/British Columbia)

I agree completely with Robert. But, Joanne's idea of Monterey, CA and around is also good. I have been there myself, so let me talk about it. Monterey is a first-rate town to visit in it's own right, as well as great birding and sea-life watching. Just a short distance inland and the habitats change completey, so there is great diversity. In addition, the area is heavily birded already which means there is alot of site information available on the net for you to research. Follow the link "local birding" from the MAS website, for example.
http://www.montereyaudubon.org/
You will be able to plan in detail 20 or 30 birding sites in the Monterey area and what species to expect just by using the info on a few websites like the above and possibly purchasing the local site guide.
Because of the deep canyon and cold water upwelling, Monterey Bay is great for pelagics and is the most famous pelagic cruise spot for USA birders.
In addition, 2 buildings: the aquarium and the natural history museum are well worth a visit if you want to get some natural history perspective on the area with your "ticking."
A great spot. I highly recommend it.
Oh, and the scenery and ecosystem is breath-takingly beautiful at Point Lobos. Not to be missed!

[ayasuda]

Depending on when you come - California
In the next three/ four months:
Yosemite - Autumn is a great time to visit, crowds should be down A LOT! (Woodland bird species)

Lodi (near Sacramento) - Sandhill Crane flocks should be arriving soon.

Marin Headlands (San Francisco) - Hawk Hill - harriers, hawks, buzzards, (migration is right now-until November) - surround counties have dark morph buzzards during the year.

Any of the Wildlife Refuge Complexes (greater Sacramento) - Pacific Flyway - waterfowl and eagles (not like Oregon)

Pelagic Trips - Has been extraordinary this year. Dolphins, whales, seal, and pelagic bird galore. Timing is crucial, winter storms have not arrived yet, but will come fairly soon. Must time your visit with the ocean currents, if you want to maximize your visit.

Elkhorn Slough - walking or boat tour a must. Always something unique there - sea otters, shore birds, array of gulls, terns, cormies...etc.

Ano Nuevo - Bachlor males should be come in soon, big boys come later, females (Dec)- pups (Jan) Check website for details. Oops, Elephant seals.

Giant Redwoods - Sequoia National park, Humbolt State Park, Muir Woods, S.F.
(quicky), the last inland stand - Big Tree (sierras-Tahoe) - walk almost upright through a tree trunk.

White Mountain - Oldest pine trees - Bristle Cone Pines 3,000-4,000 yrs. old - Bishop, CA

Joshua Tree/ Mohave desert - probably like arizona.

Death Valley - go in the spring (plan by weather).

Volcano/ lava tube exploring - Lassen, Shasta, Lava Bed (northern Calif), Crater Lake Oregon.

Hwy 1 - a classic. Mostly ocean all the time.

Route 66 - go east at a leisurely pace, and see what there is to see of the american west. (haven't tried this one yet)

Here's my pitch.

[Robert / Seattle]

Originally Posted by jedku

I agree completely with Robert (Washington/Oregon/BC). But, Joanne's idea of Monterey, CA and around is also good.

Of course, James could easily do both as a comprehensive regional tour. Very do-able, depending on the length of his stay - say 10 days or so.

PS -- Olympic National Park; Heaven on Earth!

Robert / Seattle

[Brookie]

Monterrey is beautiful. A trip there last month kind of revived my interest in birding. Nevertheless, I've got to put a plug in for Texas.

For birders, the Texas coast is a marvel of tanagers, buntings, orioles, warblers, and hummingbirds. With 613 documented birds, Texas exceeds all other states in opportunities to see a variety of birds. Texas specialties such as the green jay, ringed kingfisher, and great kiskadee provide birders with unique viewing opportunities. No wonder travelers converge on Texas to marvel at this colorful array.

[OwlTalon]

New York of course Naw, nothing to see here really. I'd go for the Pacific Northwest or the western states such as Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada!! They are all beautiful!! Take it from me, I've been to 45 states!!! The American West is a beautiful place!

[ayasuda]

Give them a teaser. American Southwest/ west is known for ancient indian ruins, spectacular rock formations created by wind and water Grand Canyon. Coming from a country that is mostly green, the southwest is will be a visual shock and definitely an unusual experience. Take a look at Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce Canyon. (These are near Wyoming, I think)

You will have to grill the others for birding hot spots.

OwlTalon is being modest. East coast autumn colors are legendary, they have a huge migration route for passerine, hawks, waterfowl. Check out Pale Male and his kids in NY central park. Pale Male is a red tail hawk with his own website.

[Robert / Seattle]

James,

Olympic National Park:
http://www.olympic.national-park.com/ ... or
http://www.nps.gov/olym/

Mt. Rainier National Park:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/home.htm ... or,
http://www.nps.gov/mora/

North Cascades National Park:
http://www.north.cascades.national-park.com/

Yakima Canyon:
http://www.experiencewashington.com/...y.aspx?bwid=17

Grand Coullee, and High Desert:
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washingto.../Dry_Falls.htm

Mt. St. Helens:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/

Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan Area:
http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1630 -- also:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/...ica/baker.html

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:
http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges.../resources.htm ... and,
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=13551

All of the above are within 3 hours or so of Seattle, previewed here:
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/html/visitor/

Which is about 2 1/2 hours from Vancouver:
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/


The entire West is enchanting, but if you want to diversify and complement your previous 2 visits, this is the place. And feel free to send me a PM for more specifics.

Good luck,

Robert / Seattle

[Accipiter91]

I can't really speak from experience because I have never actually been to any of these places (obviously I have been to NC...I live there! I have never been to the mountians or outer banks before) but I have always heard that North Carolina is a very good state to experieince a wide variety of bird watching. Not to mention the beautiful scenery! If you do visit North Carolina I would recommend birding the mountians or the outer banks or perhaps charter a pelagic trip off the coast. If you visit the coast you should consider checking out the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore harbors an incredible variety of birds, making it one of the East Coast’s year-round birding hotspots. The park’s open spaces provide habitat for birds who live here all the time and those that visit for only part of the year to breed, feed, rest, or nest. Salt marshes, tidal flats, salt ponds, impoundments, dunes, beaches, small pockets of maritime forests, and sound and ocean waters provide varied habitat for waders, shorebirds, waterfowl, landbirds, and songbirds. The area is especially interesting for watching migratory birds and waterfowl and pelagic birds. The National Audubon Society named both Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge as Important Bird Areas, and it is easy to see why. More than 400 species of birds have been sighted in these areas and the surrounding waters. This impressive number is due to the varied habitats, the area’s location along the Eastern Flyway, and the fact that strong winds and storms often bring in unusual “vagrant” birds. Pea Island and Cape Point are prime places for spotting accidental avian visitors. If you visit the mountians you might want to check out Linville Gorge. Linville Gorge and the wilderness area that surrounds it are among the most spectacular natural features in the eastern United States. The gorge, formed by the Linville River and starting at the Linville Falls, runs for about 15 miles to the head of Lake James. Elevations in the Linville Gorge area range from nearly 4,000 feet on the highest portions of the ridges to just over 1,500 feet near Lake James. The gorge itself and much of the land around it constitute Linville Gorge National Wilderness Area. Habitats: Hardwood forest, dry pine forest, Eastern hemlock forest, rhododendron thickets, mountain streams. Key birds: Summer: Broad-winged Hawk; Black-billed Cuckoo; Chuck-will’s-widow; Whip-poor-will; Red-headed Woodpecker; Least Flycatcher; Louisiana Waterthrush; Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Kentucky, Canada, Hooded, Swainson’s, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, and Worm-eating Warbler; American Redstart; Summer and Scarlet Tanager; Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Orchard and Baltimore Oriole. Winter: Brown Creeper. Year-round: Ruffed Grouse; Peregrine Falcon; Common Raven; Winter Wren; Brown-headed Nuthatch; Red Crossbill.

Here is a picture of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (a must see) and a picture of Linville Gorge (stunning)

[Tero]

I like California, but have been putting it off for a while. Bit crowded, Yosemite and all. Have only done bits before my birding days.

If you flew to Vegas, could get there and explore the interior parts. Maybe a bit too much like Arizona.

[bkrownd]

Minnesota in May, when the warblers etc return. First week of June I visited the Superior Hiking Trail on the North Shore and some prairie restoration areas around MSP, and it was wonderful.

[ceasar]

New York City. Central Park in the Spring.http://www.philjeffrey.net/cpb_index.html
Side trips to Jamaica Bay for Shore Birds. Plenty of other things to do there also!
Cordially,
Bob

[Dave B Smith]

Depending on time of year, considering you have already visited Fla and Az ( two top choices by the way) I'd suggest California over Texas just to give you some more variety, though both are fantastic. Next choice if during migration would be New Jersey shore - Cape May. During breeding season, maybe further north along the coast to Maine or the Canadian coast. Another inland location during late spring/ early summer would be Colorado. What a variety of habitats there! Any of these places will be very good!

[emupilot]

The Texas coast can be spectacular in spring migration, but if you want variety of habitats and birds, I humbly recommend California. Here there's good pelagics, rocky shoreline, sandy shoreline, marshes, chaparral, many different types of forest, alpine tundra, and at least 3 different types of deserts. We also have several endemic bird species. July and August can be quiet when it comes to land birds, but the rest of the year is very good.

[Gingling]

The Saddle Mountain wildlife area in eastern Washington is great. Wahluke etc.
At least 246 species of birds there and nice open views to see them in. Down on the Columbia river from the Wahluke boat launch to the old wooden towers is outrageous for birds and many other types of critters.

Up north near ford Washington the birding is also fantastic. Many types of wood peckers and raptors , grouse.

The marshes nearby Wilson Creek are one of my favorites. The swans passing through and so many types of sparrows.

The sand dunes on the north end of OSullivan reservoir are a birders paradise in the spring and early summer. It is a very massive chain of small ponds and holes. Over one thousand of them in fact.

You can actually get lost in their without a compass and Arial map to guide you around. But remote it is.

Many of the coastal birds seen on the coast of Washington can also be seen on the Columbia river at Wahluke. Pelicans , Turns etc.

Around Flathead Lake in Montana is very nice. Good variety of birds and splendid views. Goat island is a good place to just site for the day and get an eye full.

Short of my home , Arizona is swell. Mighty fine out there in the hills and desert.

JR.

[ayasuda]

We haven't heard from Alaska. I think one that should be considered if you are birding.

[Robert / Seattle]

Originally Posted by ayasuda

We haven't heard from Alaska. I think one that should be considered if you are birding.

Very good point! Or Hawaii, for that matter -- a land of tropical endemics.

[ceasar]

Here's another website on New York City Birding. Very recent too!http://josstratford.co.uk/index.php?...d=68&Itemid=60

Bob

[prairiemerlin]

You can't go wrong with California - more than 600 species recorded, with a couple counties boasting lists of almost 500. However, I think the east is a bit under represented here - many of the eastern states are good. Michigan (where I was formerly from - hehe) is good - a combination of boreal and southern species, along with all the eastern warblers and water birds from the Great Lakes make it a very productive state. It also has an excellent guide, Birder's Guide to Michigan, which is very helpful and one of the best state bird-finding guides I've seen.

Neil G.

[danehower]

yeah...... Maine, New Hampshire, Northern NY, and Vermont aint to shabby - And you can't beat them for NA wood warblers - but that is just my bias . The Maine coast is in my opinion unrivaled in the continental US for it's beauty. Plus , less travel time.

[steveo]

Shabby come on Dane Vermont is the shiznit. You can really be unseen. Im talking out in the forest in a blind FAR away from other humans. In your own small zone ,silent, and camo. A Bicknell,s thrush may pass by but be sure to take an extra bluury photo for the Bird ID q and a.

[danehower]

Originally Posted by steveo

Shabby come on Dane Vermont is the shiznit. You can really be unseen. Im talking out in the forest in a blind FAR away from other humans. In your own small zone ,silent, and camo. A Bicknell,s thrush may pass by but be sure to take an extra bluury photo for the Bird ID q and a.

LOL Steveo - hey man, sounds good to me !