Latest posts
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Summer Birding with The Times
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and The New York Times are collaborating on a science project, and they’re asking for your help. New birders and experienced birders are invited to help gather observations and fill in some data gaps using Cornell’s free apps, Merlin and eBird. If you’re interested in participating the details are included in
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Ask SIB: Brood vs Clutch
Question: We’ve been watching and sharing our photos and video from the Eastern Bluebird nest box containing the camera, and I realize I really don’t know when to use the term “clutch” vs “brood.” Can you you please help me know the correct usage? Nancy Brown Answer: Cornell Nest Watch has defined these terms as
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Advice on finding an Injured Bird
One recent morning at around 10am, I was sitting on a screened-in-porch listening to the birds with my aunts, Nancy and Flo, when I saw, and heard, a dark shape hit the screen door into the porch. I got up to check what it was, first checking the area immediately in front of the door,
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Update: Let’s make 2023 a “Big Year” for SIB!
At the end of 2022, we challenged our members to make 2023 a “Big Year”. A copy of that original post is below. With the year half over, we wanted to give you an update. If you have forgotten to share a list from earlier this year, you can still do so at any time.
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In search of a Northern Bobwhite
In late April, a Northern Bobwhite was reported at CawCaw. It is the only quail native to the eastern U.S., where populations are declining sharply. The All About Birds site states “Despite their sharp population decline, it’s still possible to find Northern Bobwhite in fields, rangelands, and open forests over much of their range.” This
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SIB Travels: 10 days in the Northeast – a graduation & birding!
On May 10 we set out for Boston and the graduation of our granddaughter from Emerson College. What a great time to travel north, the peak of warbler migration! And what a great way to combine family and birds. Our first stop was in Lebanon County, PA and a rare Common Shelduck which is native to
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SIB Travels: Birding for Warblers
On April 22 2023, while eating dinner with friends at the Seabrook Island Club where we talked about our great trip to Panama, the question was asked, “What’s next?” Eileen popped up with conviction, “Magee Marsh in Ohio.” Magee Marsh hosted the annual Greatest Week of Birding festival from May 5 to May 14, 2023.
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SIB “Bird of the Week” – Gulls vs. Terns
If you guessed GULLS vs. TERNS, you are correct! All those birds on the beach – it’s very confusing. To make things a bit clearer, let’s discuss two very common and very similar groups: terns and gulls. What they are NOT are those little birds that run along the edge of the water, or the
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Best Bird Dads – Happy Father’s Day from SIB!
As I sit in my favorite “office” writing this (which is our screened porch, overlooking our back yard and feeders), I can’t help but notice a male Eastern Bluebird. He’s flying back and forth, from the trees to the nest box we added this year. He’s definitely working overtime, delivering food to his hungry family.
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Ask SIB: Can birds choke on large food?
Question: I recently encountered a dead Laughing Gull on the beach with a fish in it’s mouth. Could have he choked on this? I’ve seen birds eating extremely large items without any apparent problem. Response: A Google search didn’t result in many responses. When humans choke, it’s because food (often poorly chewed) gets lodged in