Jan./Feb. Birding Journal observations

Lowcountryoutdoors.com seeks to educate others about the simple satisfaction derived from the watching and identifying of birds. Six years of birding journal entries have helped me graduate from being a novice birdwatcher and mature into a more seasoned category of birder, and with several years on the board of the local Audubon chapter in the 1990's, I am well-rounded on all things avian. (Not to mention I now have a bird dog - who at seven months old is already 'birdy.') The spring of 2008 saw me witness a concentration of neotropical migratory songbirds that made for some great birding, and a neat article for The Charleston Mercury too. Sharing my sightings with readers in 2009 starts right here, with a recap of January and February. Hopefully, a monthly report will be a suitable format for this information, but tinkering with the format is a possibility - and comments or observations from my fellow birders are encouraged on this blog. Observations are mostly from rural Colleton County with dates (and comments) provided when pertinent.

1/10/2009 FIRST Two goldfinches (very early arrivals), also - first bluebirds checking out a nest box

1/27/09 FIRST Cedar waxwings

2/20/09 FIRST pine siskins

Jan./Feb. sightings - cardinal, mockingbird, tufted titmouse, chipping sparrow, dove, downy woodpecker, towhee, red-bellied woodpecker, white-throated sparrow, brown thrasher, hairy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, carolina chickadee, blue jay, cooper's hawk

My photos show baby mockingbirds from spring 2008, a very large version of a painted bunting ha, ha (actually, its a lorikeet from my trip to Australia in 2006 to visit friend Carly Nichols), and Chester the English Setter acting birdy in a field edge.