Birds on my Watch List

Despite my good fortune of seeing 223 different species in Newfoundland over the last three years, there are still several birds that I have repeatedly missed. Time and time again, I have made trips to areas where my wish-list birds have appeared. I often see other great birds but not my target birds. I have made a list of species I hope to see during this year.  These include: Harlequin Duck, Piping Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Blue-headed Vireo, Gray Catbird, Blackburnian Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Chipping Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, and a Hoary Redpoll.

Some of these may be quite attainable. These 13 species have been reported in the near past,  and seeing them is a real possibility.  I will watch postings closely, and if an opportunity arises, I will be on the road in pursuit.  The most readily available of these birds now is the Gray Catbird currently being reported in Trepassy.  Hopefully, I will get to see it before it moves on. I had hoped to see the Lapland Longspur reported around Cape Freels, buy my trip to the area yesterday was just too busy.

While watching and wishing for birds on my list, who knows? I just might see something really rare - like a Scarlet Ibis maybe?

 

UPDATE: September 16, 2012: I can now scratch one bird (Lapland Longspur) off my wish list as I saw two yesterday at Cape Spear. In the process of looking for my ideal birds listed above, I have found a Yellowthroated Warbler (special) and two Lark Sparrows (very unexpected.) With 12 to do, I keep looking.

 

UPDATE: October 5, 2012:  I can now scratch the Blue-headed Vireo off my wish list as I found this bird at Virginia River.  I would have liked to get a better view, but it was certainly special to see this one. I have reduced my "watch list" to 11.

 

UPDATE: October 29, 2012:  Yellow-breasted Chat seen a Cuckhold's Cove.

 

UPDATE: November 3, 2012: Ovenbird at Cape Spear. (Hence reducing my watch list to nine. Many remaining on my list are seasonal and will not be seen this year.)