Jerry R Oldenettel from Socorro, NM posted on ID Frontiers that there is a Sungrebe at Bospue del Apache. You can see pics of the bird at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/

I recently heard a podcast that featured Kevin Karlson speaking about his upcoming book - Birding by Impression. The concept is to use general impression upon viewing bird to narrow the identification choices or positively identify a species. Most of us are familiar with of “giss” - using our general impressions and experience to guide us towards an ID. I tend to think of impression birding as Giss 2.0.

Many of us have been unconsciously utilizing this right brain process only to switch to a totally left-brained analytical ID process. We wade into the minutia of feather anatomies and other details. Impression birding has us sticking with that creative thought process. In time, we train ourselves to recognize birds like we recognize friends and relatives. We know our friends without having to think about it, and with use and practice we can know our birds without thinking about it.

The basic key to impression birding are the following;

• Size: What relative size is the bird?
• Shape: What is the overall shape of the bird?
• Structure: What are the prominent or unique features of the bird?
• Behavior: Is the bird engaging in some differentiating behavior?
• Habitat: Where am I seeing this bird? (I love this one!)
• Coloration: What is the color of the bird? (I hate this one…colorblind)
• Vocalization: Is the bird calling/singing?
• Comparison: Who are the bird’s neighbors?

I am only paraphrasing Kevin’s methodology and he has a wealth of articles, written by him, on his site that discuss this topic. I encourage everyone to give it a gander or two.

Now, I feel that impression birding is a great weapon to add to our arsenals, but it is just another tool. I do not believe that it is a replacement for knowledge, experience or analysis; it is one more skill that we can employ to help us bird better.

Today we (Olivia and I) went for a little hike along South Cottonwood Creek. The weather was overcast and warm, and the trail was a little muddy. It took 3 changes of water to get Olivia clean when we return home. These kind of days bring that unique quiet where you only hear what you choose to concentrate on. The running of the water over the worn rocks. The unique dampened squish from the thin layer of mud under my boots. The rolling calls of Clark’s Nutcrackers in the forest. The bird count was slow and low with Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers and Mountain Chickadees making up the bulk of the sightings. I was able to scare up a lone Dark-eyed Junco.

This Saturday morning Olivia and I went up to Hyalite for a little hiking and check out the waterfalls. The weather was severely overcast with moments of sprinkles and glimpse of sunshine. Olivia loves to hike and explore rabbit trails. It was nice to see some old friends. Clark’s Nutcrackers were abundant and Golden-crowned Kinglets active fed among the spruce and fir.

Every year John Parker graciously leads the Sacajawea Audubon trip to Ennis Lake where the target species are scoters, loons (other than Common), and maybe a Herring Gull or two. While had a few gulls, but the waterfowl and loon numbers were way down. The lake was as empty as I have ever seen, but hey we’re out birding and the weather was great for Ennis (warm and windy). We had a great group with many good birders. Young Andrew continues to develop as a birder, and Peter was giving his calls and songs as usual. how someone can actually, first, know that many vocalizations, and, second, have the ability to imitate them is absolutely beyond me. We didn’t see any scoters or rare loons, but a cooperative Bonaparte’s Gull, two rather tame Great Horned Owls, and the first Herring Gull of the autumn.

* Notice brown washing indicating a first year Bonaparte’s Gull

Full Trip Report at WilderTrack.com

One day alone is wonderful to have at Ennis Lake during the fall, but to have two such days is sublime.

Sam Koenen and I took his mini-me, Jabe, out for a bit of guy time with some birding and breakfast at Yesterday’s Cafe (best sausage gravy ever…I mean ever…challenge me, I dare you!). Oh yeah, the wonder mutt, Miss Olivia was along as the offical bird dog. After breakfast, we headed towards Jeffers and the south end of Ennis Lake. The birds were the usual cast of characters for the area, save for a few Bonapart’s Gulls and Hooded Mergansers. The day was really about having a good time with good company, and little birding made it a great experience.

Oh almost forgot, at Harrison Reservoir, we had 3 American Pipits…probably the last I will see until next April/May

You can see the complete trip report here.

On Saturday, Sam and I went for an afternoon of birding to Ennis Lake and Harrison Reservoir. With the influx of Sabine’s Gulls in Montana, we were hoping for a glimpse or two of these northern Larids as they pass through our corner of the world.

Scanning from the Meadow Creek campground, there were the usual thousands of American Coots with up to 100 Common Loons feeding beyond them in the deeper portions of the lake. The smattering of Redheads added flashes of color to the rafts of coots. It was unusually calm and hardly any wind, which does not happen at Ennis Lake - ever.

Rounding the outlet end of the lake, we stopped at the turn-out just after the small hill, and there were 2 Sabine’s Gulls that quickly took flight. We were able to watch these birds as they flew tern-like over the water. The original two gulls were joined by a third, and we were able to get a few decent documentation photos of the birds.

After refueling at the Town Pump, we toured on to Harrison Reservoir, where we had Black-bellied Plovers and Long-billed Dowitchers along with the requisite Killdeer in the mudflats.

Leaving Harrison, we find a Ferruginous Hawk and a real nice Pronghorn buck.

Full trip report from WilderTrack.com

BirdLife International has released a report that shows frightening and serious declines in bird populations worldwide. every bird species is the proverbial canary in the coal mine. I pray that we and the planet can reverse these alarming trends.

The Independent - September 22, 2008

BirdLife International Report

This morning I went out to the Shields River Valley with Sam and Jabe. The main goal was shorebirds; however, the high water levels of the Cottonwood Reservoir were not conducive to viewing any shorebirds other than both Yellowlegs, a lone Willet and a single American Avocet.

We continued north towards Ringling, and we were able to pick up many Golden Eagles and 4 Ferruginous Hawks (totally awesome!!!). The Regal Buteo never disappoints the observer. There were 3 adults and 1 juvenile.