I awakened well ahead of daybreak after my first night in the Canopy Tower. The local Mantled Howler Monkeys were up shortly afterwards, their wild, thunderous shouts ringing out from all directions around my lofty perch on the observation deck. Slowly but surely, the dawn chorus of birdsong stirred to life as light returned to the landscape. I don’t know … Read More
Going Wild in Panama, Part 1
I’ve spent most of my adult life dreaming about Panama. The country has ranked highly on my short list of priority destinations for years, largely due to its relatively close proximity, accessibility, and rich biodiversity. For birders who seek the natural treasures of the Neotropics, Panama is a fantastic first choice. It boasts more birds than any other nation in … Read More
Finch Flight Frenzy
“Mr. Healy, I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask you.” My coworker approached me as I was stowing my binoculars after a brief pre-work survey of the schoolyard. “I’ve been at my place in northern Jersey for years now, but this year I’ve noticed something different. There are these birds, I can only describe them as…finches?” I smiled, … Read More
Sparrow Survey: Assessing Environmentally Friendly Land Use
It’s been some years since I worked full-time for any kind of field research project. My current job as a biology teacher doesn’t offer quite as many opportunities to “do science” outside the classroom, but I still find ways to get my fix. Ecology-focused field trips and school projects allow me to share the importance of the natural world with … Read More
Listing Priorities
The week began with a Barred Owl. Just minutes after midnight, my tired brain registered a series of emphatic hoots somewhere in the woods beyond the campground loop. I smiled as I continued preparing for bed. It had been 14 months since I last encountered the species, which is essentially unheard of on Long Island. These birds are quite common … Read More
Snowy Owl Season: Reflections on Winter 2017-18
Bubo scandiacus is a highly evocative species. As one of the largest, most striking members of the ever popular owl family, Snowies have a special magic that drives people wild. Wherever these Arctic predators go, excitement bordering on chaos usually follows. I’ve been hooked on Snowy Owls my entire life. I spent my early childhood dragging around a beloved plush … Read More
One-a-Day eBird Challenge
Robert Mortensen introduced the One-a-Day eBird Challenge several years ago and now eBird is taking it to the next level. The goal of the One-a-Day eBird Challenge is to submit at least one eBird Checklist per day. Starting in January 2014, eBird will be giving prizes away from Carl Zeiss Sport Optics and Princeton University Press for a new challenge each … Read More
National Wildlife Refuge Week eBird Challenge!
OK bird nerds, now that everyone knows how to look like a cool birder (if you don’t, follow these 12 steps), there is a new challenge that involves prizes. Interested? Read on. National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 13-19, is just around the corner. There is at least ONE refuge in every state (check out this link to find one near … Read More
Introducing eBird Hotspots Explorer
eBird just released an awesome new feature that really lets you figure out great places to bird, as well as giving us new ways to look at our favorite birding spots. Hotspots Explorer is epic! The first view shows a heat map, where you can see which areas of the world have the highest diversity. Not surprisingly, the coast is … Read More
Duval County Tickin’
During the last week of June one of my cousins was getting married in Orlando, so I took some time off work on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and drove down to spend a few days with my family. There was no way I could go down to Florida and not find a little time to go birding, so I … Read More