The Great Backyard Birdcount: Feb 18-21, 2011

The Great Backyard Birdcount is an annual event in which birders count the birds in thier backyard (or while out birding) and report on the number of each species. This "citizen science" project, run by Cornell University, provides valuable information on bird population and migration.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Male Common Goldeneye trying to get the attention of a female

Mike returned to the area of the Palo Alto Baylands where he saw the female common goldeneye a few days prior. This time, he also saw a male trying to get the females attention.






It worked for a while, but soon another male goldeneye arrived. They got into a dispute over the female. Eventually, a canvasback duck came over and chased the males away and he pursued the female for a while.



At the end, everyone was more interested in food.

Canvasback and Lesser Scaup from Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto

Canvasback


Lesser Scaup

On the way to the airport, Mike stopped one more time at the Baylands in Palo Alto. It was a little rainy, but the sun came out a few times.

Birding on Sand Hill Road In Palo Alto

Western Bluebird



Black Pheobe


Red-tailed Hawk

Mike had a little extra time after his conference and went birding on Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, CA. While none of these photos are worth a million dollars, he thinks the new camera was a good investment. There are supposed to be vultures on Sand Hill Road, but he only saw a hawk.

Baylands Nature Preserve: Palo Alto, California

Female Common Goldeneye


Long-billed Curlew


Northern Shoveler


American Avocet


Another American Avocet

Mike took a business trip to Silicon Valley and had time to stop at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. The highlight was a Common Goldeneye. We've seen them occasionally in NJ and once on Lake Nelson but never got a good photo before. A better camera helps but there's nothing like sunlight.