As the expanding trail in Elkin offers new birding opportunities, the invigorated Elkin birding community is making reports to eBird from the trail, and from backyards around the area, that are revealing to others the exciting extent of the biodiversity with which we in the Elkin Valley are blessed. Recently, Joe Mickey shared that during last year's Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) he reported Purple Finch at his feeder and was subsequently asked for verification of his sighting. Joe responded with a picture of the Purple Finch in question surprising folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who were unaware that this specie inhabits our backyards during winter. 

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a citizen-science project belonging to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a leader in the Citizen Science movement since 1966. "More than 200,000 people contribute to the Cornell Lab's citizen-science projects each year, gathering data on a vast scale once unimaginable. Scientists use this data to determine how birds are affected by habitat loss, pollution, and disease. They trace bird migration and document long-term changes in bird numbers continent wide. The results have been used to create management guidelines for birds, investigate the effects of acid rain and climate change, and advocate for the protection of declining species." 

Last but not least, in my opinion as someone who enjoys birding, reports of bird sightings to citizen-science projects, such as the GBBC and eBird, provide traveling birders with up to date information about where to find good birding hotspots including our own Elkin and Alleghany Rail-Trail. Click here if you would like to know more about this:

Citizen Science

The Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz 2015 that kicked off on March 1 will continue until June 15.  The 2015 Blitz is intended to augment data gathered last year during the initial 2014 Blitz event. The international Rusty Blackbird Working Group is conducting this citizen-science project in partnership with eBird, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. More information about this study, how to participate in Blitz 2015, and how to ID the Rusty Blackbird is available here:

http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/

If you are interested or think that you might be interested in birding, please plan to join Brian Ratledge and me on May 2 at 8am for a birding hike along the E&A Rail Trail.  We will meet in the Recreation Center parking lot. I especially enjoy leading trips when novice birders participate.  All you need is a pair of binoculars.

Happy trails and good birding,

Ron Storey

Bird of the Month: Cedar Waxwing 

With thin, lisping cries, flocks of Cedar Waxwings descend on berry-laden trees and hedges, to flutter among the branches as they feast. These birds are sociable at all seasons, and it is rare to see just one waxwing. Occasionally a line of waxwings perched on a branch will pass a berry back and forth, from bill to bill, until one of them swallows it. This species has a more southerly range than the Bohemian Waxwing, and is a familiar visitor to most parts of this continent south of the Arctic.

The Cedar Waxwing is a medium-sized, sleek bird with a large head, short neck, and short, wide bill. Waxwings have a crest that often lies flat and droops over the back of the head. The wings are broad and pointed, like a starling's. The tail is fairly short and square-tipped.

Cedar Waxwings are pale brown on the head and chest fading to soft gray on the wings. The belly is pale yellow, and the tail is gray with a bright yellow tip. The face has a narrow black mask neatly outlined in white. The red waxy tips to the wing feathers are not always easy to see.

Cedar Waxwings are social birds that you're likely to see in flocks year-round. They sit in fruiting trees swallowing berries whole, or pluck them in mid-air with a brief fluttering hover. They also course over water for insects, flying like tubby, slightly clumsy swallows.

Look for Cedar Waxwings in woodlands of all kinds, and at farms, orchards, and suburban gardens where there are fruiting trees or shrubs.