Four species are in this video--but you have to be fast to see them all! There are two migrant warblers--Nashville Warbler and Wilson's Warbler. There are also two resident hummingbirds--White-eared and the sough-after endemic Mexican Woodnymph. Not to mention the dozen or so other species that visited, including Fan-tailed, Hermit, Townsend’s and Golden-crowned Warblers, Slate-throated Redstart, Flame-colored Tanager, Mexican Hermit, Golden-crowned Emerald, and White-throated Thrush.
Broad-winged Hawk kettle from Veracruz, Mexico!
A quick update from the field!
Adam's group is having an excellent time soaking up the wonders of migration in Veracruz, Mexico, where one of the top migration spectacles occurs every fall. Over the course of the 3 days in the valley north of Veracruz City, the group has encountered hundreds of thousands of migrants. This includes over 200,000 migrant Broad-winged Hawks, a portion of which can be seen kettling in this video.
Migration in Veracruz is pure magic.
https://www.redhillbirding.com/veracruz
An update from the field: Adam’s Colombia group has arrived in the highlands of the Central Andes where the views are outstanding and the antpittas are starting to show off! This juvenile Tawny Antpitta was right at our feet!
Black Oropendola digiscoped video by Adam Sell.
Harpy Eagle digiscoped video by Adam Sell.
Josh is currently in South Africa guiding a private tour with Georgia Audubon. They are staying in Kruger National Park right now, where close encounters with wildlife seem to be the norm. Hanging out next to the vehicle, these African Wild Dogs will definitely be one of the high points of the trip!
https://www.redhillbirding.com/southafrica
African Wild Dog playful pups!
How cute is this?? We were very fortunate on my recent tour to South Africa & Victoria Falls to get to spend time at an active den of African Wild Dogs. Just like your puppy, these pups were super playful and noisy during our visits (hint: turn on the volume). This is an endangered species that we don't see on every trip, let alone getting to experience them like this! -Josh
We give back to the birds any way we can! On my recent Upper Texas Coast Spring Migration tour, I helped rescue this Laughing Gull that had gotten its wings tangled in a fisherman's line. At the end of the video you can see that it flies off just fine. (This was at the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. Just out of view: about 2000 American Avocets.) Thanks to Chris Holden for the video. -Josh
Bat Falcon!
We had an amazing experience watching the celebrity Bat Falcon, the first one ever seen in the United States, on our South Texas tour this morning. We were very fortunate to find it easily, have close and prolonged views, and even watch it hunt, eventually leaving while it was still sitting on its favorite pole. Incredible!
I guided my first international client since pre-pandemic times around Chicago yesterday. Bird of the Day no doubt was Snowy Owl, but Bird Behavior of the Day was surely watching a kestrel hunt, catch, and eat a meadow vole. There was a great supporting cast, too, with Black and White-winged Scoters, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a flock of about 700 diving ducks crammed into a patch of open water on the mostly iced-over Lake Calumet. --Josh
Our first of two Illinois River Valley Shorebirding Specials wrapped up over the weekend! Over 15 species of shorebird were around for close study and enjoyment, but we also took time to explore the area for migrants and local specialties, one of which was quite vocal! Which species are you hearing in this video?
Although our next shorebirding weekend is full, we still have some open spots for our upcoming fall local field trips. Check them out here: https://www.redhillbirding.com/localtrips
Northern Flicker drumming on a street light!
Volume up! Like many of you, we've been doing a lot of birding in our respective yards over the last year. The Red Hill Birding office (aka Josh's house) has had a flicker or two around for a week now, and the male has taken a liking to the sound of its drumming on a street light next to the yard. And if you want an added challenge: what other birds do you hear in the video?
Black-backed Woodpecker feeding in slow motion!
