January 4, 2017 WOW ! What a day

I have been aware of a Crested Caracara sighting near Rehoboth Beach and finally had a day off which coincided with nice weather. This is the second sighting of a Crested Caracara since 2013 in Delaware – way out of range. Reports indicated the bird has been routinely seen in the morning and afternoon so I headed out. I arrived at the location, parked my car next to the other birders, aimed my camera and started shooting. I thought for sure I would have to sit for a few hours to see him but luck was with me today. After he flew off I decided to check out a few other spots nearby and had the best birding day ever (for me). On the way home, I decided to stop by Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge for a quick drive through and I am so glad I did. I photographed my first owl - a Screech Owl. Twenty-six identifiable birds were observed today, including another out-of-range bird, the Ash-fronted Flycatcher.

1. Ash-throated Flycatcher
2. Belted Kingfisher
3. Black Duck
4. Black Vulture
5. Bluejay
6. Brown Headed Nuthatch
7. Canada Goose
8. Cardinal
9. Carolina Chickadee
10. Crested Caracara
11. Dark eyed junco
12. Double Crested Cormorant
13. Eastern Bluebirds
14. Eastern Goldfinch
15. European Starling
16. Great Blue Heron
17. Herring Gull
18. House Finch
19. Red Breasted Nuthatch
20. Robin
21. Screech Owl
22. Snow Geese
23. Song Sparrow
24. Tufted titmouse
25. Turkey Vulture
26. Yellow Rumped Warbler

Posted on January 4, 2017 10:45 PM by ellendale