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Well, Happy New Years to everyone who has read this list. This was my first complete year of birding, and an amazing year it was. I saw 311 species, out of my life list of 319. I had 155 lifers. I was lucky enough to bird in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Jersey, North Dakota, Colorado...

Drove out to Lawrence county, near the Wyoming border early this morning, where I saw a Long-eared Owl, and later saw Black-billed Magpie, Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and some wintering Red-winged Blackbirds. Decemer 19 - Lawrence County, SD 311. Long-eared Owl

A cold overcast morning, which became snowy as we drove around Pennington County looking for Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. Saw a number of Bald and Golden Eagles, which are always impressive, a likely Merlin, although we couldn't be sure, and maybe 65 Sharp-tailed Grouse. After driving...

Well, its my last day in New Jersey before going to Boston for some business. Took my daughter to the airport very early this morning, then, as long as I'm already up, figured I might as well pay a quick visit to Conaskonsk Point, a terrific sight that I found last spring. Got there a little...

In New Jersey for Thanksgiving. After an early morning trip to Newark Airport, I headed down to bird a few locations along Raritan Bay, south of New York. An absolutely beautiful morning, with temperatures warming up quickly and no wind, the only negative was that I did not have my scope...

Today was the second day of the SDOU meeting. I drove down with a small group to the Big Bend Dam, south of Pierre along the Missouri River. Lots of gulls, and waterfowl, and a few surprises. Our first stop turned out to be the most productive, as we saw both Thayer's and Glaucous Gulls on...

I'm in Pierre, the state capital of SD for the weekend meeting of the South Dakota Ornithological Union. Had a short outing this morning - focused on locating a Red-throated Loon, that had been seen a bit north of here during the last few days, but maybe seen only half a dozen times in SD. A...

Had some first of Season birds this weekend: Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, and Townsend's Solitaire. But the highlight was: November 15 - Bear Butte Lake 301. Greater Scaup

At the Salton Sea, for a marathon day with Henry Detwiler from Southwestern Birding. A description of the day is at http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=155532 October 30 - Salton Sea, California 295. Greater White-fronted Goose 296. Sandhill Crane 297. Sora 298. Virginia Rail 299. Ross's...

At the Salton Sea, for a marathon day with Henry Detwiler from Southwestern Birding. A description of the day is at http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=155532 October 30 - Salton Sea, California 290. Heerman's Gull 291. Yellow-footed Gull 292. Inca Dove 293. Common Ground-Dove 294...

At the Salton Sea, for a marathon day with Henry Detwiler from Southwestern Birding. A description of the day is at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1635157#post1635157 October 30 - Salton Sea, California 285. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 286. Brewer's Sparrow 287. Greater Roadrunner 288...

At the Salton Sea, for a marathon day with Henry Detwiler from Southwestern Birding. A description of the day is at : http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1629375#post1629375 October 30 - Salton Sea, California 275. Anna's Hummingbird 276. Phainopepla 277. Abert's Towhee 278. Black...

In California for a few days, split between business and birding. A more complete account at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1629375#post1629375. October 27, 2009 Along the Palms to Pines Highway, California 269. Western Scrub-Jay 270. Acorn Woodpecker 271. Western Bluebird 272...

I have been getting reports of sightings of Harris's Sparrows recently, and have been totally unsucessfull in finding it until today. Ironically, I was watching some football on the TV, and looked out under our feeders, and saw an unfamiliar sparrow. Sure enough, a first winter Harris's...

Got a call yesterday from a friend who observed a Surf Scoter about 55 miles east of Rapid City, in the wonderful town of Wall (of Wall Drugs fame). Drove out early this morning arrived at the sewage lagoon at dawn, and there it was. An adolescent, this bird has only been seen in Western South...

Went to Bear Butte Lake in the morning, looking for Gray Partridge. Spent quite a while looking, then scanned the lake, finding Western Grebe, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, among others. Then walking around a small pond, I flushed a group of about 10 Gray Partridges. Been looking...

Had some good birding this weekend despite ridiculously cold, wintry weather. It's been snowing most of the weekend, with temperatures in the 20s (F). Yesterday, I went out to Sevey Lake, found it mostly frozen over. Did get some good looks at a Prairie Falcon, and and a Northern Harrier...

A busy weekend. Yesterday I led a birding outing for our local club - my first time. It was reasonably sucessful, as I worked hard to produce great weather. And we saw one of our primary targets - Burrowing Owl, which live in Prairie dog villages. Also saw White-crowned, Clay-colored, and...

I've been in central South Dakota for the last three days, for business meetings, and have managed to do some birding early and late. Visited a few locations, highlights included 75 American White Pelicans, hundreds of Western Grebes, numerous Great and Snowy Egrets, Long-billed Dowitchers...

Drove to Hot Springs, SD early this morning. A cemetary there has the only Lesser Goldfinches in South Dakota, and I got several good views. Made a few other stops in the area, with highlights including lots of Mountain Bluebirds, a Hairy Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwings, about 60 White-throated...