And then, for my 199th bird, I spotted an elusive and shy Virginia Rail...with a little help from some birding friends.
While I didn't take these fabulous pictures (though I wish I had!), I did see these amazing birds. Fingers crossed that next year I can add #200 to my bird list. The bird I would most like to spot? The common loon! Although a barn owl would be cool, too. And if I make it to the Oregon coast next June, I'd really love to see some tufted puffins. Wish me luck!
In other, bird-related news, I recently learned to play Wingspan, a fun board game where you collect different bird cards and build your own bird habitats, earning points for both the number of birds you have, and any eggs you've collected. It wasn't too difficult to learn. And it plays fairly fast once you get going. I loved the beautifully illustrated bird cards, and the little round eggs, too. If you love unique board games, this is a fun one to try....even if you're not a birder.
 |
Happy Birding!
I hope you'll get to spot your 200th bird soon! The yellowthroat bird looks adorable. :) Wingspan sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteDon't you love that yellowthroat? I bet you have a lot of pretty birds in Singapore.
DeleteThe only common ones we can find are sparrows, crows and one or two which I can't name of. Those pretty ones are in the bird park. :p
DeleteYou'll get to 200 eventually - and man, what an accomplishment you've already made. That game does look fun!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! :)
DeleteMy dad loves watching the birds though he never gets the chance to see anything rare. My highlight was getting to stroke a Golden Eagle at a bird display. She was gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGolden eagles are amazing. We get them here in Utah every summer.
DeleteGood luck on spotting number 200! Wingspan sounds like a ton of fun! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley!
DeleteCrossing my fingers that you will spot #200 very soon! Do you keep a notebook of your sightings? Or is there an app for it (I'll bet there is...there is an app for everything!). :D
ReplyDeleteEbird has a great online tracking system for birders, but I prefer to keep my list in my little birding notebook that I bought years ago. :)
DeleteGood luck on #200, loons, and puffins! The game seems both fun and educational, learning to recognize birds and eggs as you play. :)
ReplyDeleteThe illustrated bird cards in Wingspan are amazing. I get so busy looking at them I forget to go when it's my turn. ;D
DeleteI wouldn't even be able to recognize 200 different birds! Good luck on finding more new ones to enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteI bet you'd be surprised by how many birds you do know.
DeleteWingspan looks like fun! What a cool game. I wish I was more knowledgeable about the different varieties of birds lol. Birding sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteStart with the birds in your own backyard and go from there. That's what I did. And now look. :D
DeleteYou are so close! Those are beautiful birds. Wingspan sounds like a lot of fun. I will have to look into it for us!
ReplyDeleteWingspan is a lot of fun. And it's different from other typical board games, which I also like.
DeleteI'm going up to Trinidad, California very close to the border of Oregon in the beginning of October. Would I be able to see Puffins up there?
ReplyDeleteI love looking at birds, but I'm not a birder. My mother-in-law is a birder, and I bet she'd love that board game. That's a great idea for a gift. I never know what to get her.
The best time to see Puffins is from May to August when they're nesting. Not sure if you'll be able to see any in October. But the Audobon society has a great website that'll tell you what birds you can see up in Oregon throughout the year. Here it is: https://www.audubon.org/news/birding-oregon
DeleteOh, nice! I'll definitely look it up. Thanks, Lark! :)
DeleteI always love the photo's you take of birds, I really like this little fellow with the bright yellow feathers!
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Isn't he darling?
DeleteOddly enough, I saw my first common yellow throat this May in Cortez, and I've never seen a rail! Kudos to you--I am pathetic at audio birding, so I still haven't counted one on my list.
ReplyDeleteThe game looks like fun
The game is awesome. And how cool that you got to see your first common yellowthroat this year, too! :D
DeleteWhat a cool game and I bet it would be a great way to learn about birds. I hardly know anything about birds but do so enjoy seeing them and hearing them. So do you keep a journal on your bird sightings? you'll have to share more with us!
ReplyDeleteI keep a notebook which mostly consists of lists of birds, times and places. If I was a better artist, it'd include sketches, too. Maybe someday. :)
DeleteAhhh, so close! Wingspan does look beautiful btw!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very well done game. And maybe I'll hit bird #200 next year. :)
Delete