Pandemic distractions chasing Cruisers

After the stay at home started in March 2020, I stuck close to home as much as possible.  It took us quite a while before we were willing to drive an hour or more to explore nature even though this likely would have been an acceptable choice for many.  We chose to be cautious, yet still got out close to home even though we knew others that traveled even less than us.  As months passed we traveled to extended family and created a small bubble of close contact (limiting interactions with others to only outdoors) in the summer of 2020 and continued with that for the next year until vaccinations.  For the first time in almost 16 months, this summer I rode in the car with others outside of my immediate family. This time away allowed me to more easily which interactions I enjoyed as well as those on the other end of the spectrum. One of the activities that I thoroughly missed was time with birding friends exploring small water sources searching for Odonata. Carpooling allowed us to share checklists, chat while driving rather than being outside listening for birds, and have extra sets of eyes and ears to catch movement and track the flying dragonflies. 

Back in 2018 I set a goal for the next year to add 100 new county records of a dragonfly and damselfly species to OdonataCentral.  I achieved that goal with the help of friends and traveling. Along this journey we even found the first record of Plateau Spreadwings for the state with Jeff Calhoun.  At the time, a picture was required to submit a record and there was a real challenge to photographing certain families of dragonflies. Since 2019, an update to the website allows for submissions without photos, but they simply aren't vetted. 

There are ten families of damselflies and dragonflies within Kansas. The Macromiidae family (Cruisers) is one that has been quite frustrating for me.  Of the first 10 cruisers I saw, only two perched and both were ones found by Kathy Carroll near her home.  All the others were flybys and of those only a couple did I get identifiable fuzzy photos. I find that patience is needed for these species. They often return to the same area while patrolling larger areas. I also need more practice of in-flight shots and that I should celebrate the successes rather than focus on the many that are deleted.  Here is a recent success of a Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis) flight photo from Wilson County Kansas this past weekend.  

A male Illinois River Cruiser.

We have the geogina subspecies of the Swift River Cruiser in Kansas as well. This poses an identification challenge to separate it from Gilded River Cruisers that overlap in range.  Hopefully more opportunities and more in-flight successes will allow us to fill in county records for these two species as well as other Cruisers (click this link for county level maps of all four cruiser species in Kansas).

Are private blogs possible?

Birding during a stay at home order?

Legality versus morality

A friendly "Is it Legal?" versus "Is it Moral?" discussion often will reveal similarities and differences among us. A congruence of ethics and laws is possible. Most people agree that murder is illegal and immoral while helping someone is legal and moral. The possibilities of illegal and moral or legal and immoral shed insight however.

I have friends that don't speed, yet many are okay driving over the speed limit.  This act is illegal and morally accepted by the masses. For the individuals that are law abiding, I doubt even they keep track of internet purchases that collect and don't collect sales tax to report on their annual tax forms. Current state level reforms on marijuana are following historical laws on "Medical Liquor" during prohibition. Some have predicted that federal law on this topic will reform, especially with the amount of research focused on addictive qualities of drugs, social norms, and individual of physical characteristics.  All of these are fascinating topics for public policy but I digress.

The combination of legal and immoral actions yields a set of interesting perspectives as well as examples. Killing a person during time of war is not something I would want to impose on anyone, yet it is legal. Breaking a promise or a contract is an optimal strategy in some cases, yet the value of your word likely will not mean anything for those that can remember or research an individual. I wonder how often people that own a casino, sell alcohol or tobacco, or sell guns wonder about the lives that their establishment have destroyed.  Cheating on a spouse, usury and payday loans, and using abortion as birth control are other examples. I offer no insight into topics that likely will garner response from thousands or millions, but instead pick a topic with a smaller base.

Before you read my thoughts about birding in today's environment; answer two questions for me.
1. Do you break promises made to friends?
2. Do your friends break promises made to you?

So should you go birding during stay-at-home and social distancing orders?

Male Surf Scoter (left) with Ruddy Ducks at Lone Star Lake in Douglas County Kansas

The stay at home order in Kansas issued over a week ago and in place for a week now. It seems some use the socially distancing in nature exception as reason to drive and actively bird away from home. Some states with stay at home orders have stricter rules, some states just recently imposed them and were hesitant of the restriction, and some states still haven't taken any action.  I hope the future deaths, number of illnesses, and effects on everyone's lives is minimal such that a debate over the appropriate response is possible in the future.

I believe it is in the best interest of public health (the benefit of society) if everyone stays at home if possible and am wary that localized lock downs might occur. I also realize the risk to the individual, to ones family, and to others is minimal as long as other guidelines are followed. The risks increase as less people adhere to the stay at home order though. Tragedy of the commons is a problem that most contribute to and don't feel the consequences from their decisions.

I fear the "it is legal" response justifying these actions are individuals that also turn a blind eye to the negative effects their actions have on others. So I went out last week, the last possible date where I didn't have to explain a caveat to justify my nonessential travel.  I knew in my heart it wasn't the moral thing to do. We stayed in the car the entire time and the only interaction was carryout pizza. Our first food away from home in three weeks as well. It was wonderful yet seriously disturbing.

We saw the lake full of people fishing. I wonder how far they drove to get there. I wonder if they have the opportunity to stay at home in the future or if this was their normal weekend activity. I wonder if they will follow the orders anyways. The intent of these orders is to stop the spread of the virus. Using legality and caveats to justify your getting out causes concern for me.  Does it for you?

Back to those two questions.  I doubt many want to be the disappointed person that has friends break their promises yet justifies when they need to break promises themselves. Why is this any different?

Central Kansas Trip Report

This past weekend I visited central Kansas with a Burroughs's Audubon Society field trip with approximately 20 participants. We focused on finding birds at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

A view from the road along the northwest side of Cheyenne Bottoms during a past family visit.

My first trip to central Kansas was five and a half years ago. I was the chauffeur with no prior knowledge, with no expectations, and merely an interest in visiting the locations that others talked about.  That initial trip with Mike Hudson and Nick Varvel created many wonderful memories. I added 5 lifers. I saw my first Massasauga on the trip (it is a snake for those that don't know). We camped under a family of Great Horned Owls and I could easily see why others hold these locations in high regard.

Sunrise over Pool 23 across from the Environmental Education Classroom at Quivira NWR..

Since that initial visit, I have driven the 4 hours one-way to return many times. I've taken family trips that are relatively laid back and less structured, one-day mad dashes with friends to get our fill of birds, and everything in between with stops at these locations on my way further west. Occasionally I take pictures (yes there are snake pictures linked here too) yet more often I don't. Sometimes I am alone, sometimes I am with a friend or two, and sometimes I am with large groups.

This past weekend was the third time I've organized and led an overnight field trip to these locations. The group of birders had a wide range of experience. For some, it was the maiden voyage to these locations and many of the birds we were about to see would be lifers. My simply strategy for the handful of cars was to drive until we found a pocket of birds, stop and get out of the vehicles, and scope everything we could see. I attempted to balance seeing as many birds as possible with a laid-back and relaxed agenda.  Here is a rambling account of this past weekend's adventure. 

 

Jill Bell's photo of Friday's Rock Wren (left) and a King Rail from a previous Burrough's Field Trip.

Early in the year I looked at the calendar and coordinated with Joseph Miller to set the dates for this trip. Little did I know that my work schedule, set 5 months later, would require a later departure than I initially hoped. I modified the initial itinerary and the field trip started at Cheyenne Bottoms late Friday evening. Not included in my great wisdom of date selection was any referral to hunting seasons. The Cheyenne Bottoms parking lots were full of camouflage wearing hunters scouting for duck opener the next morning. We pulled into the full campground with the intent of listening for Owls and left speculating what the hunters thought of birders (and mostly a group of women this night) stopping in before dusk. A Rock Wren was the at the Headquarters was the evening avian highlight.

Saturday morning we left the hotel and arrived at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge shortly after daybreak. Our first stop was unit 49 along 140th Ave. As we scanned the shorebirds, herons, and ducks a KING RAIL walked out from the reeds on the far shore. This little pond has been good to me as it held a Red Phalarope in 2016 as well! Our drive around the Wildlife Loop included a juvenile SABINE'S GULL flying close by and we found roughly 50 species in a couple of hours.

Field trip participants walking a field for Sprague's Pipits.

With the gracious assistance of the Millers, the field trip walked a private field and observed SPRAGUE'S PIPITS. The group was smitten with Joseph, Andrew, and Anthony and I think the trio have many new fans. The group enjoyed their friendliness, their knowledge, and their ability to hear and point out the birds. We said our goodbyes to the Millers and returned to Quivira in the afternoon. We scoped birds at Little Salt Marsh and heading back to Wildlife Drive and Big Salt Marsh. Sandhill Cranes flew in to roost north of 170th near the end of the day. We called it day after seeing over 80 species and went out to eat to enjoy new friendships and talk smart.

A different Barton County Clark's Grebe from earlier in 2019.

Sunday we visited Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. The wooded trail near the Kansas Wetlands Education Center contained a few passerines in the brisk calm morning hour. By the time we drove around the loop many of the hunters were packing up and the number of shots was significantly less than those heard at daybreak. Four SABINE'S GULLS, a leucistic AMERICAN COOT, and our only AMERICAN BITTERN of the trip were found near the north end of Pool 1A. In Pool 2 a large flock of Western Grebes contained a CLARK'S GREBE. With many miles to drive for most in the group, we finished the trip shortly afternoon and headed our separate ways. 

The trip contained many birds. I think we had more than our fair share of notable sightings (vaguely made up of unexpected species listed above) and many in the group saw multiple new species for the first time. The joy of the trip however was time observing birds with others. A huge thankyou to friends for land access and local guiding, for friends that drove and allowed me to hop between multiple cars, and for new friends that assisted in geting everyone on birds. 

FB Group Irritations - Part 1

I was struck by the similarity of my thoughts regarding Facebook groups to my response to a domestic circumstance.  You see, my wife has had a sore finger the last couple of nights. She knew it was jammed while playing Pickle-ball. I suspect it was a mild irritation because of the event and that with time her soreness would go away. To ease her concern, I asked her to give the finger a week to heal and if it didn't that we'll go into the doctor and try to find a remedy.

Are Facebook Groups any different?

It seems that as long as I have been on Facebook, I've had irritations with groups. Now don't get me wrong, there are some amazing groups that I thoroughly enjoy. The world of social media allows individuals to self-select into groups and find areas that they enjoy, identify with, and often confirm their own beliefs. Most of you reading this post know me personally, but in case you are blog walking and came across this by pure happenstance let me self-identify for your reference. I prefer knowledge over opinion, have a deep respect for nature even though I still consider myself fairly ignorant to all its wonders, love birds and birding, and got reintroduced to birds through my wife's photography and have since taken many photos myself. Now with that said, there are some groups that seemingly provide mild but constant irritation.

So what is the irritation you might ask? The irritation is when groups try to do everything and cater to all differences of personal motivation that often disguise themselves as a similarity. Perhaps you are wondering what this might look like. In my home state Facebook birding group there are so many differences for why people are part of the group, that we end up with a fairly inactive group in comparison without robust discussions.

Sometimes words seemingly have little relevance without an example, so let's consider a simple difference. While many differences exist, one repeated case is when there are repeated photo posts of the same bird on a daily and even hourly basis. So before I go further, know that this is a mild irritant.  I strategically chose a topic where I often straddle the line and can go either way on the repeated posts. On the one side, you have individuals that are proud of their photo of a species (often a rarity) and want to share it with everyone. On the other side, you have repeated non-informative posts that muddy the news feeds and often hide other posts. Like many policy topics, there are winners (those that gain from this) and losers (those that are harmed from this) when repeated posts are allowed. For what it is worth, I am only part of one group that has specific policies directed toward this exact topic. That policy is "In the event that additional discussion is warranted it is most appropriate in the comment stream within the post itself rather than as a new post." This policy is in support of the primary purpose, which is the dissemination and discussion of rare bird reports in the ABA area. Luckily for me and the nearly 18k members, the information is shared freely and kindly moderated to this one goal. Multiple posts of the same information are deleted after a comment is posted indicated that the information is already found on another post and that all comments about the same rare bird should be directed there. I suspect a simple majority of this group's members know this policy exists.

Other low-stress topics might include the ethics of bird photography, the decision to focus on reporting all birds versus only rare birds, a decision to focus on AOU or Clements, to eBird or not to eBird and nesting the previous issue within it, a larger topic of whether to even identify species or not (or simply just accept inaccuracies), or to discuss bird knowledge and identification skills versus simply providing an answer. These questions seem to be a struggle almost everywhere and, in my opinion, are only alleviated with one of two outcomes. First, the group moderators are experts and willing to politely address almost all topics and enforce the stated goals. This happens rarely and often I see all three items in that logical statement fail. Second, policy revisions that state what the purpose of the goal could be made. I've been privy to these conversations across multiple states. I've seen new groups formed because of rifts. I've seen individuals try to form groups on topics they know little about. All of those items seem to fail to alleviate this irritation and please quite telling me that it is okay because it happens elsewhere too. I am not part of those groups for a reason.

This fall I've enjoyed looking through a ton of Red-breasted Scoter photos in the same tree, Black-White Pelicans at the feeder, and those adorably cute American Nuthatches that I simply want to take home and snuggle with.  They have so much personality I can't stand my own excitement and my love for that gorgeous upside-down orange bill.

Don't worry if I confused you, it is all in satirical jest of three awesome birds the American-White Pelican, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, and Black Scoter. Each of which has a ton of information available online and most sights have better photos than my linked ones or those shared in the groups. Moreover, the jest clearly ignores the informational gap about sharing bird sightings by included anthropomorphized interactions that could only be made more irrelevant with camera settings. Luckily the love of birds is contagious and often we give each other a free-pass when you know that items are shared in the excitement. Don't worry, I keep names of people that seemingly post purely to get photographic comments and are more excited about that attention than the cool bird.....you go on the naughty list, get birding coal for Christmas, and I hope are involved in photo groups where you are required to comment positively on 5 photos before you can post one of your own. Those groups have the absolute best photographers  based purely on comments ;-)

So for those of you that are still curious to what the author thinks on the topic you will have to wait until I get a second post drafted about  nuances of Facebook group policies regarding photography and birding. If not, I wish you well even if you are someone that could help this mild irritation go away. To the best of my knowledge, there is no medical remedy and I found out that when I left Facebook, only two people took notice and sent text messages regarding rare local birds. 

To end, perhaps it is time for me to get that sore finger finally looked at.

A Merlin sitting on this post. Ironically this blog post may be more intriguing with an unrelated photo too.  

Southwest California

After visiting the Salton Sea we drove through Joshua Tree National Park at dusk before spending the night in Riverside California. With plans to meet my sister's family around noon our morning was relaxed. Others slept in while I borrowed the family van, woke early, and went searching for a Painted Redstart near Box Springs Mountain Reserve Park with Danielle. 

  

Danielle like the Burro family best from our walk. A family photo from Joshua Tree National Park.

I've been conflicted recently with alternative opinions regarding reporting species. Some individuals have a strong preference for GPS locations for rare birds and the ability to drive up and tick the species. Reporting at this level makes it easy for visitors to maximize their life list with the limited time and allows locals to find the rarities easier. Some individuals report rarities but add it to a general list with a broad description of where to find the bird. This information is extremely helpful for anyone determining where to go and can give a starting point, but often requires at least a minimal amount of work to chase the bird. I've seen more than a couple individuals pissed off at people reporting this method since they want the easy tick. Not surprising given this response, a third type of individuals chooses not to report rarities knowing that the circus might come to see it.

I see merits for each of the decisions listed above and depending on previous reports and the likely affect on the species I will actually alternate between them. Sadly another type of individual actually exists, but these are people that don't understand or consider the effects of their decisions on others. They seemingly share photos of rare birds on social media but don't tell where. Seriously, if you choose not to share locations that is your choice and nothing wrong with it but if you have to share a photo to a birding group you immediately reveal your lack of respect for others.  Just in case you fit in this last category please understand that we all have an @$$hole but most people prefer not to let that be the part of body that that others remember you by.

The Painted Redstart had been reported to the general area with a broad description "Continuing just south of 3-way trail intersection". So Danielle and I walked the trail and focused on where it split (from at least three locations) a couple of times. I would have loved to known where the bird had been seen with more precision but was okay not knowing as we left without seeing that bird. It was reported the next day again and I likely just missed it.

Seeing a new bird is great and the rush and excitement is addictive. A peaceful walk enjoying what birds were around at first light with my daughter is awesome as well. While it wasn't the bird I had hoped to see for the first time that morning, a Nuttall's Woodpecker was a pleasant addition to the life list.   

 

(L to R) California Towhee and Gray Flycatcher. 

We met the rest of family after lunch and described out day plans. I didn't really want to walk around a museum so I dropped others off at the train station so they could visit the USS Midway Museum while I was free until supper time to do as I pleased. 

My two goals were Red-throated Pipit and Nazca Booby. These were the two code 3 or higher birds in the area! I knew where both had been reported and took off. The Red-throated Pipit was regularly seen from Berry Park, a very small park in San Diego County. It was right next to a school and when I arrived there were three other birders there looking through a scope and binoculars toward the vacant school playground.  I decided to simply stop as close as I could to the birds and start scoping.  Within 5 minutes two of the three left and the remaining individual walked down to say hi.  They hadn't had any luck the last half an hour!

The guy introduced himself, and unfortunately I have forgotten his name, and asked if I had any luck.  I revealed that I had no initial clue what plumage this bird was in, that I saw an odd looking American Pipit in the group at one point and opened the book and think I saw it, and was left wondering how the heck anyone picked it out based on those subtle differences. He pulled up a photo of this bird and informed me that it was likely identified first by call.  Well duh! The proverbial light-bulb turned on in my head.

Within minutes I was able to pick it out of a small group when it flew and vocalized! I didn't know what it sounded like, but it was easy to tell it wasn't an American Pipit. The other gentleman could not hear it but with my scope we both got amazing looks at the streaking on the back!  Red-throated Pipit Lifer!!

I was a tad more excited than the other guy, as he had seen them in Alaska before. The gentleman from North Carolina thanked me for my ears and scope as he figured he never would have picked it out of the small flock using only binoculars. I thanked him profusely for the knowledge he had shared. I was not prepared to identify this bird and likely would not have been able to without the help of a stranger.  This was now twice in two days that I had been on the receiving end of stranger kindness. Amazing! We went our separate ways as he had already seen the Nazca Booby and was contemplating a stop at the Thick-billed Kingbird just down the street.

I drove to Attu Avenue hoping to spot one of the birds first seen two weeks earlier by Paul Lehman. The names of both inspire dreams of amazing birds for many. I scanned the bay once without luck but then on the second pass saw a distant bird. Using a satellite image I figured the bird was just over a mile away. Fortunately there was no fog and almost no heat shimmer with air and water temperature similar on a light overcast day.  

I grabbed the crappy digiscoped photo for documentation. Walking back to my car I encountered an elderly gentleman, with only binoculars, that pointed out a Say's Phoebe perched on the brush. I decided to turn around to offer the use of my scope, knowing the bird was sufficiently distant that it may likely not be picked out without a scope. A third gentleman joined us and quickly they got scope views of the bird. The views were not ideal, but the given patience we could see the blue base of bill with orange tip that separate this species from the more common to these waters Masked Booby.  Here we were a person from northern California, another from Texas, and myself from Kansas hoping for closer views and discussing renting a boat to see it better.  Based on other's photos we figured we had a chance. Alas, time was against us so we went our separate ways. I shared pipit location information with the Texas gentleman and passed along KC field-trip information. Fortunately he found the pipit and three months later drove up from Texas to see American Woodcocks! 

I still had an hour and half free before the family was expecting me to pick them up on at the train station.  I quickly backtracked to the Thick-Billed Kingbird location. I really wish that I could learn calls of flycatchers easier but at last consider myself fortunate being able to hear them. An odd call note was different from the many Cassin's Kingbirds in the area and minutes later I was looking at the target bird! I had hit the jackpot; I saw both target species for the afternoon, had added four life birds this day, and spent most of the day outside enjoying nature with others that loved it as well.

 

(L to R) Thick-billed Kingbird and Lesser Goldfinch.

I made it back to the train station 5 minutes before the family returned (whew) and started to think about what else I could look for the rest of 2017. A return flight on December 31st for my mother had us heading back east in three days. Those birds are left for the last post from this trip.

Salton Sea

I loved the morning walks and two full days of Yuma, in fact, I would have loved to simply stay in one spot to take photos longer, I was thinking ahead to the change in habitat and what birds might be down the road. We loaded our van for the final destination of San Diego with 7 people and 4 generations, a limited pile of clothing and the necessary hodgepodge that couldn't be stored in Yuma for our return trip. An hour and a half later we arrived at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. As we drove up we saw a pair of photographers near the entrance, who kindly stopped at our vehicle as we lumbered out informing us of the Burrowing Owls they had just been watching.

 

Danielle and everyone else got a good look at the two "Burrowing" or pipe borrowing Owls. 

The visitor center offered many different directions that I wanted to go feeders close by with plenty of birds for me to look at, an opportunity for a walk near the trees and maintenance buildings away from people, and access to the Salton Sea. I started with the feeders!  Luckily Christine grabbed a camera as well while the girls ran off with grandparents.

 

Top (L to R): Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Golden-Crowned Sparrow
Bottom (L to R): Common Ground-Dove and Gambel's Quail

 

I had seen these four species before but I was very happy to have seen them all in an environment where they expected people and were close enough for one of us to get a photo. By the time we spent 30 minutes taking photos of these birds the rest of the family was ready to go.  The parking lot that was about half a mile away from the Salton Sea and any potential for scoping shorebirds or gulls.  Normally the half a mile is not an issue, but when you have non-birding and non-lounging family that half a mile might as well be up-hill, through 30 inches of snow, 6 miles both there and back! No one really wanted to walk with, so I hastily walked to the Sea only to find shorebirds and gulls sufficiently distant to be unidentifiable. The girls had driven the area with Grandparents and spotted a Greater Road-Runner, but considering this was one of two stops I wanted to spend time at on our entire drive west (Hassayampa River Preserve fell through when Eric got sick) I was frustrated. I crawled in the back and decided it was time for a nap to cool off mentally as we drove for Joshua Tree National Park. I suspect my frustration was palpable, for when I woke the family said it would be okay to stop somewhere else if I wanted.

Following up on eBird reports I walked the campground as everyone else walked to the water and paid for a day-pass. A lady came up to me asking if I was a birder and if I was looking for anything specifically.  I told her that I try to be a birder and that I was looking for a wintering sparrow.  What happened next completely blew me away.  She said that she had been reporting them the last three days and was willing to show me where they were!  YES PLEASE!!!! After quick introductions, half the family joined us as we walked through the brush, and then there they were. A couple of Sagebrush Sparrows. They were the target bird for the stop and a new lifer! Christine's photo is below.

Trying to better respect the diverse interest of the family we quickly returned to the van to get down the road further. It was nice chatting with the amazingly kind lady, as it turned out that her daughter lives in the KC area. Tina and I swapped contact information and I hope to always remember the act of kindness that turned the day from okay to amazing. The birding pushed everything else a bit late into the day and we didn't get through Joshua Tree as early as expected.  This merely afforded me an opportunity to get out early the next morning while everyone else slept in.