Shipman's field notes, Oct 2014

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2014-10-03: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2014-10-09: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2014-10-11: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
2014-10-12: NM: Socorro County
Notable: Black-legged Kittiwake
2014-10-15: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2014-10-22: NM: Socorro County
2014-10-24: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2014-10-25: NM: Socorro County
2014-10-26: NM: Socorro County
2014-10-28: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2014-10-03: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Verdin 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

Thrasher, Curve-billed 2 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2014-10-09: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Wigeon, American 4 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Coot, American 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Kingfisher, Belted @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2014-10-11: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Hawk, Cooper's 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Near the parking lot for the NRAO building.

Behavior:

I heard rising sequences of 'vip' notes coming from two directions: a mated pair, most likely. They took great exception to the Great Horned Owl they found roosting in a tall tree and were screaming and flying at it. One would distract it from the front while the other would try to rip chunks out of its back.

Really an unpleasant situation for all concerned. The owl had two bad choices, despite the fact that he outweighed the two hawks combined. Stay, and you are not going to get anything resembling rest. Move, and you're instantly under attack from a pair of powerful, agile predators who are used to working as a team.

Unfortunately, after watching this situation for about half an hour, I had to leave while it was still in progress.

Owl, Great Horned 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

See notes under Cooper's Hawk.

2014-10-12: NM: Socorro County

Notable: Black-legged Kittiwake

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@BdaBoard: Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

@SocCo: Socorro County

@road1: Luis Lopez to San Antonio

@road2: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Route

1115, leave Socorro.

1125, Luis Lopez.

1205, San Antonio via Farm-Market Road.

1255, Bosque del Apache NWR via San Antonio and a new route suggested by Josef Brown: from NM-1^S, take San Antonito Rd ^E, then south on Zanja Road which dumps you back onto NM-1 just north of the refuge boundary.

1330, Boardwalk pond.

Goose, white Snow 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Shoveler, Northern 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Quail, Gambel's 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Grebe, Western 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Pelican, American White 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vulture, Turkey

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern 2♀ @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Hawk, Red-tailed

1a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

The second shot shows the bird jumping out of the frame. Nice clear picture of what the famous red tail looks like from close up. And nice detail of its weaponry, too.

1i @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

1a @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kestrel, American

3♀ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

1♂ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

2♀ @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Crane, Sandhill 22 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Sandpiper, Least 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Kittiwake, Black-legged 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Boardwalk Pond.

Description: A small gull I initially miscalled as a Ring-bill when it was at the far end of the pond. Bill short, entirely very light greenish-yellow. Black eyepit. Black mark behind eye extending onto nape. Light mantle, black wingtips with very narrow white margins visible at close range.

A nice cooperative bird. The second frame is the only one that suggests the very narrow pale edgings on the folded primaries. Only direct viewing in the scope revealed this feature clearly.

Some of the shots were taken with my usual 900mm + D300 rig (5xxx frame numbers), but some were taken with my other D300 body on my 1975-vintage Questar 3.5" Field Model, which with the DX multiplier would make it roughly a 2200mm f/16 (frame numbers in the 3xxx series). I thought there was a clear winner, but what's your opinion?

Dove, Mourning

1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Roadrunner, Greater 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Phoebe, Say's

# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

I went back and forth on this between Cassin's and Western several times. My usual first rule is to draw an imaginary line between the base of the lower mandible and the vent: in Western the color changes along that line are generally gradual, while in Cassin's there seems always to be a sharp transition from white chin to dark upper breast.

The photos from the two angles show a very different picture of that color gradient. In some it looks quite sharp, but the ones with the bird facing left look very light, with no sudden changes along the midline. And in several frames the tail edges look white, but that's treacherous and can occur due to lighting, just as the light tail tip that one expects for Cassin's can also be treacherous, and occur due to wear.

I finally went with Cassin's because the upper breast color appears a bit darker, a bit greenish, which is uncharacteristic of Westerns. Also in the fifth shot it looks to me like there is a pretty sharp transition from white chin to gray upper breast, and that area is all getting the same light. Differing opinions gladly solicited!

Crow, American # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Vocalizations: 'caw'

Raven, Chihuahuan 50 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Description: Wedge-shaped tails.

Vocalizations: 'rack'

Swallow, Barn # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Boardwalk

Verdin 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

The first photo, showing the bird in mid-air as it jumps around inside the bush, and also showing the characteristic chartreuse head color and rust at the wrists, is one of my favorite shots of the year. Dumb luck is proportional to time in the field!

Warbler, Audubon's # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Where the first southbound leg of Zanja Road turns west.

Sparrow, White-crowned 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Finch, House

# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Sparrow, House @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

2014-10-15: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Wigeon, American 15 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Grebe, Pied-billed 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Coot, American 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Warbler, Audubon's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2014-10-22: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@SocCo: Socorro County

@road1: Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Route

1035, leave Socorro.

1045, Luis Lopez, take Farm-Market Road.

1130, Bosque del Apache NWR.

1225, afoot at Boardwalk.

1300, rolling.

Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Redhead # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pelican, American White 5 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Red-tailed 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kestrel, American

2♀ @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

1♂ @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

1u @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Say's # @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vocalizations: Singing with gurgles and churr notes. Adorable.

raven sp. # @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Crow, American # @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

Nuthatch, Red-breasted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Near NRAO Domenici Science Operations Center.

Vocalizations: Long series of 'yak' notes about 2/second.

Towhee, Spotted 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Song 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Blackbird, Brewer's # @Luis Lopez to Bosque del Apache NWR

2014-10-24: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Wigeon, American 21 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Grebe, Pied-billed 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Coot, American 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Warbler, Audubon's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2014-10-25: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@SocCo: Socorro County

Route Perfunctory notes, as I had guests at the refuge.

Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pelican, American White 5 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Red-tailed 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dove, Mourning # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Crow, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Waxwing, Cedar # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Parking lot of the NRAO Domenici Science Operations Center.

Warbler, Audubon's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR

2014-10-26: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@MVT: Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

@SocCo: Socorro County

@road1: Socorro to Luis Lopez

@road2: Luis Lopez to San Antonio

@road3: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Route

1010, leave Socorro.

1025, Luis Lopez, take Farm-Market Road.

1120, Farm-Market Road south of US-380, then El Alto loop.

1155, Bosque del Apache NWR.

1345, Marsh View Trail, clockwise.

1530, rolling.

Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Pelican, American White 5 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Ibis, White-faced 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

1ϕ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Hawk, Cooper's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Hawk, Red-tailed

1i @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

1a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Harlan's 1a @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Flying east from the famous Palm Warbler spot just south of US-380.

Description: Dark phase, mostly white tail with black gradient distal margin.

Kestrel, American

2♂ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

1♀ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

2♀ @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Coot, American

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Avocet, American 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sandpiper, Least 4 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pigeon, Rock # @Socorro to Luis Lopez

Collared-Dove, Eurasian

# @Socorro to Luis Lopez

1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Dove, White-winged # @Socorro to Luis Lopez

Dove, Mourning

1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Roadrunner, Greater 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Flicker, Northern @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Phoebe, Say's # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

raven sp. # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Bluebird, Western # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Starling, European # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Phainopepla 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Towhee, Spotted 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Black-throated 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Sparrow, White-crowned

# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Junco, Oregon # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Pyrrhuloxia 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Saw it from NM-1 a few blocks of US-380, in a thorny thicket on the east side of the road.

Vocalizations: A sequence of rapid 'jip' notes on various pitches.

Blackbird, Red-winged # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Meadowlark, Western 15 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

On the north side of Farm-Market Road between the rail crossing and its turn to the south, all in one field with sparse sunflowers.

Finch, House 25 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh View Trail

Southwest corner of the loop, in one group moving together through the taller trees.

Siskin, Pine # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Goldfinch, Lesser # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

Sparrow, House # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

2014-10-28: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Nuthatch, Red-breasted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

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Last updated: 2016-11-28 22:47 MST