WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025   |   SUBSCRIBE    ARCHIVES   

BACKYARD BIRDING
With Project FeederWatch beginning in just 2 weeks, it’s time for last minute sign-ups. It’s also the best time to start a feeding station at school to involve classes of students to learn about birds. And the luckiest students have a teacher who helps them participate in the fun of FeederWatch as an associated activity to a science class or biology class. A couple bird feeders can add to the learning experience of any age group of students, ranging from preschool through college, and the activity will improve their connection to the nature that surrounds them.
BIRDING NEWS 1
The survival of the only self-sustaining population of migrating Whooping Cranes depends on the tallest birds in North America making a perilous 2,500-mile migration along the Central Flyway twice a year, during spring and fall. Now, photographer Michael Forsberg shows us what that migration is like after following Whooping Cranes by plane along the “Whooper Airway” to show the landscape as the migrating Whoopers see it. His insightful story is illustrated by a variety of impressive photographs of Whooping Crane flocks, families, and individuals in his recent book Into Whooperland, and in a newly published article in the Fall issue of The Living Bird.
BIRDING NEWS 2
Presented as part of the online Birds of the World discovery seminar series, “The Social Life of Cliff Swallows” will be described by Charles Brown tomorrow, October 16th at 9am CDT. Brown’s study of the social behaviors of Cliff Swallows stands as one of the longest-running research projects on any species of birds in North America. Dr. Brown’s work to understand the social behavior of colony nesting Cliff Swallows provides many interesting insights into social feeding and illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of group living, along with some surprising egg-laying behaviors.
BIRDING NEWS 3
If you are among the many people who are interested in owls, the “Wonderful World of Owls” poster is available as a Free printout. The poster features attractive artwork that illustrates some favorite owls, including a Barn Owl, Great Gray Owl, Burrowing Owl, Snowy Owl, and more, painted by artist Liz Wahid. There are also interesting tidbits of information included about owl’s specially adapted eyes that provide keen night vision, their remarkable binocular hearing, their specialized feet, their specially adapted feathers, and descriptions of each of the illustrated species – all provided online and as a printable PDF that you can download at All About Birds.

EDITOR AFIELD
Minneapolis was calling to me from 350 miles southeast last Thursday, and while I was hoping for some avian excitement along the way, the highlights only included sightings of a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a late flock of about 45 Long-billed Dowitchers in southeast North Dakota, plus a pair of Trumpeter Swans in Minnesota. But the following day I planned to visit my hotspots for Wood Ducks, Bald Eagles, Common Loons, and other Minneapolis birds. Even so, you never know what lies ahead as you are driving down the road headed for the next birding location.
GEAR
GoView USA is introducing their new Zoomr 10x42 Binoculars, designed specifically for outdoor birding adventures where brilliant image quality is essential. The Zoomer 10x42 Binoculars feature fully multicoated lenses and they were designed for discerning birders who want to see birds up close and in sharp focus. The 10x magnification in combination with the large 42mm lens diameter allows you to see even the smallest details in brilliant colors from an extended distance. The modern and ergonomic design of the Zoomr 10x42 Binoculars is accented by your choice of color – oak green or phantom black.
PRODUCTS 1
Providing all day comfort, AllBirds footwear is described as “The World’s Most Comfortable Shoes.” Lightweight, bouncy, and especially comfortable, AllBirds shoes make any birding walk or hike a breeze. Made from natural and renewable materials including eucalyptus fiber, merino wool, and sugarcane fibers – AllBirds shoes are soft, breathable, and made of materials that are better for the planet. They are available in a variety of styles and colors, they are all machine washable, and they have a 30-day guarantee. Slip in, lace up, or slide them on and enjoy the comfy support that AllBirds shoes provide.
PRODUCTS 2
On Sale now and available exclusively from Duncraft, you can attract more birds and save space by offering seeds and a suet cake in a long-view Blue Ridge Seed & Suet Feeder. As a group of birds perch to feed on your choice of seeds on the top, other birds can feed on high-energy suet in the lower section. This attractive combo feeder is made of rugged recycled plastic with an over-sized roof to keep birds and food dry during wet weather. Did we mention the Blue Ridge Feeder features clear plastic viewing windows?
RARE BIRDS
Lucky birders on a pelagic birding trip originating from Bodega Bay were treated to close views of the First North American Record Waved Albatross, an impressive seabird that also established a First State Record for California! Birders in Canada documented the First Provincial Record of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Nova Scotia and a Third Provincial Record of a Northern Wheatear in Alberta. A Sixth State Record Gray Kingbird was reported in Massachusetts, along with an especially surprising Mexican Violetear photographed in October in Michigan, a Tenth State Record – and there’s more.
 

Red-tailed Hawks have been the most common raptors in the area for several weeks, and I was momentarily surprised to find an adult standing near the road ahead, possibly with newly caught prey. Slowing down to a glide until the sunlight was illuminating the hawk in the best way, I realized that the Red-tail actually seemed to be on the hunt. The hawk was standing tall, watching the recently cut grass for movement, movement that probably attracted raptor to ground level in the first place. The hawk would occasionally reach forward into the grass with an open foot, even stomping an extended foot as if trying to scare a hidden small animal to move into sight. Of course, I had my camera lens focused on the hawk as soon as I turned the van’s engine off.

By staying alert and anticipating the next move of the hunting Red-tailedHawk, the initial strike toward an unseen target was documented at just the right moment to show the full impact of the action (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/4000 shutter speed, 800 ISO). 

I followed the hawk’s movements with an element of curiosity, and anticipated it might connect with a snake, vole, or mouse. The hawk continued its slow, measured pursuit, walking a step forward, reaching out, taking a few steps, watching, then testing the grass with its feet again; but definitely following something’s measured movements in the grass. Betting it was a garter snake, I was hoping the intent hawk would suddenly make a strike, spreading its wings in the process just at the moment of its pounce, which is quite typical behavior.

Cropping extraneous background provides a closer, more intimate look at the birds you photograph; and the positioning of the bird within the photo frame should be a bit off-center, usually with a little extra space in front of the bird (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/4000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

The hawk and mouse game continued for more than 5 minutes without sign of a potential prey animal as the hawk moved slowly but steadily in my direction, led by an unseen entity. Suddenly the Red-tail made a more spirited grabbing motion with its right leg and half-heartedly opened its wings, which I reacted to by taking a couple photos. But the scene calmed again, and after regathering itself into an upright position, a moment later the hawk made a rapid strike with an open talon-edged foot as it spread its wings high above its back. That’s exactly what I was hoping for as I reacted instantly by taking a series of attack photos as the raptor continued by leaning forward with its hooked beak to dispatch the “snake in the grass.”

Intent on the prize, it is always exciting to document hunting action in a series of action photographs. Timing is important, but patience often creates opportunity (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/2500 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

Eventually immersing its face in the grass, the hawk was definitely finalizing the hunt, and as the hunter began feeding I thought I saw gray fur. In a moment the hawk raised its head with a vole in its beak; and not just any vole, but the biggest meadow vole I’ve ever seen. Throughout the ground-based hunt, the Red-tail was unconcerned about my white van, and it finished eating the vole before taking flight to a nearby pole where it ruffled and regained its composure. Having spent worthy time in the company of the big raptor during the prime afternoon sunlight period (around 5:30), I resumed my birding drive to my intended destination of the skeleton tree.

Slowly edging forward to a point where I could turn south while trying not to flush the hawk during my approach, the satiated Red-tail didn’t budge. Of course, my interest in the skeleton tree was to check it for photogenic birds, but what would beat the photo episode this trusting Red-tailed Hawk just provided? And that’s what we all hope for – a trusting bird that will continue with its ongoing behavior without concern for our measured approach and presence within photo range. This photo opportunity was an example of the classic use of a “mobile photo blind” that paid off in a big way.

It was a little surprising that the Red-tail didn’t spread its wings to “mantle” its prey as it was eating, but apparently it was relaxed or confident enough that other animals wouldn’t try to steal its catch (600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/1600 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

If you try getting out of the vehicle or try to advance without the cover of the vehicle, you will probably flush the bird without a chance for a photo. Plus the window frame provides a good brace to stabilize your lens on after turning off your ignition. Of course, you hold your breath when taking any photos to help steady the lens all the more, and you want to use the fastest shutter speed possible under circumstances that may have some action involved. When you are in the moment, be on high alert, anticipate the next action, and take as many photos as you can during the few moments that really count.

In this case, patience was also an important element. In hindsight, you could say I predicted the action, but it took some time and more patience to stick with the photo potential presented by the grounded Red-tailed Hawk – but heck, that’s what we are out there for – to search for birds and try for a photo or a series of photographs while observing bird behavior, all while absorbing a bit of nature’s daily drama. Enjoy the birds you photograph, as well as those that don’t give you a chance, enjoy the great outdoors and the beauty of fall that birds animate daily.

Article and Photographs by Paul Konrad

Share your bird photos and birding experiences at editorstbw2@gmail.com

 
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