Birding Birdday

     I'm not one for birthday gifts, so when Tim asks me what I want for my birthday, it's usually just his company on a weekend trip to explore somewhere new! I have heard about Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge and had my sights on that. So, off to Dover, DE.
     What is there to do in Dover, DE? Not a whole bunch, actually- but for birds, it was perfect for a weekend. Aside from birding we did find the Air Force Base in Dover has a pretty cool museum with planes that you can walk under, around, and (on some days- not when we went) inside of. We went into an air control tower, saw flying cargo planes bigger than any plane I have ever seen- all while swallows flew all around. We also visited a brewery, Fordham & Dominion looking for a post birding drink. It was good beer, but they only had a tasting room so we both had lots of tiny beers.
     The trip resulted in 2 life birds for me, lots of shore birds, some rarities to the area and some good company with Tim!

We began at Bombay Hook and after going inside the visitor center, we come out and hear a loud "BOB-WHITE!"
I freak, first bird is a lifer!
Myself, a gentleman parked next to us, who is congratulating me on my first bob white, as he hears me flipping for joy, look for the bird.
Tim spots it- I'm so proud of him for finding it!

Now, at this point, nothing bad can come of our visit to the refuge!

The refuge has a purple martin colony - got to see a few adults and immature birds following their adults.

BIRD OVERLOAD.

I especially loved the large volume of American Avocets here, swooping their heads as they fed in the shallow, muddy waters.

Along the roadside, thistles attracted goldfinch.

This was cool.
We see vultures landing, so we pull up in the car (Bombay hook is a drive with some side trails to hike, unless you have netting over you to keep the insects out, don't hike the trails) and we smell what's drawing them in...
In my pictures the skeleton looks mammalian.
A turkey vulture, left and a black vulture, right - pick at the ripe remains...
It was pretty warm out and if you look at the turkey vulture's legs-- you can see their cooling remedy-- pooping on their legs. The whitewash on its legs are just that. 

Vultures are awesome. For some this might be gross-- but for all, this process and this chunk of the ecological world is vital

Yum Yum Yum!

Not a bird: Common snapping turtle

Not a bird: Red fox

This is my first wild fox, this was exciting. Tim found this gal while my eyes were on birds.

An immature, begging Eastern Kingbird. I love seeing this species.

Not a bird: Red-bellied Turtle

Not a bird: Green Frog

Totally love seeing me some frogs!

On Day 2, I visited Big Stone Beach, where there isn't a beach (well, there is-- it's just not where you go for the birds) but a small dip in the reeds, overlooking a muddy, shallow water area.
I saw reports of a roseate spoonbill-- and there it was!

It fed, swinging its open mouth through the water catching up small crustaceans and whatever is in there.

Also, bonus- an immature white ibis!

So many snowy egrets roosting just above the viewing area. Also, sprinkled throughout were tricolored herons.

And then a slew of glossy ibis flew through, what an amazing contrast in dark and light among the green- such a beautiful sight!

Do you see the white ibis in there??

It was a treat seeing a roseate spoonbill, who after wading flew up and roosted in the trees among the egrets.

On the way back to Dover, we drove Port Mahon Rd-- which seems like if there is a high tide, the road could flood, as we noticed puddles and mud from the beaches flowing out onto the road.
We stopped a few times for views-- DO NOT go onto the beach--- my foot sunk it-- it's mud. So just drive along and use your car as a blind, the birds won't flinch.

Lots of osprey...

... with interesting tenants.

Also, lots of Royal tern- juvenile and adult. This one is a juvenile.
Lots with readable bands too! This one is 799.

Band: 4AP

Fights over favorable perches were the most action one saw on our drive through.

A least sandpiper on the road.
A very successful birdday weekend- I did get to see (not grab a photo) of black necked stilts, another bird I was hoping to see and add to my life list. I was most happy to share this with Tim, he is such a good sport who puts up with and supports my unhealthy obsession with birds.