Chirps and Cheeps

Today was the October Count for the BOS (Buffalo Ornithological Society).  It was a chilly, windy, and cloudy day - not generally good for birding!  However, the birds must not have tuned-in to the weather report because there were still a good number to be found.

The best find of my day was a late Philadelphia Vireo.  I love this species for its contrasting colors of soft butter yellow throat and underside with its olive/gray back.  One of my favorites!

Three Bald Eagles were nice as was a handsome Eastern Towhee who was belting out its "chewink" call.  There were more kinglets (both kinds) than I could shake a stick at and American Goldfinches were in no short supply either.

I had a Red-necked Grebe yesterday at Times Beach, by the way, but he didn't hang around for long.  I'm hoping he can be added to our count numbers as I heard 3 days before and 3 days after a count somehow allow for special birds.  I'll have to find out more about that!

A few misses were: White-crowned Sparrow, Blue Jay, House Finch, and Swainson's Thrush.  It's always a guess what you're going to see (or not!).