Keeping track of the eye of Hurricane Sandy

If you are trying to keep track of exactly where the eye of this massive hurricane that is currently attacking the north east, "wind map" is extremely useful.  Check it out here! http://hint.fm/wind/ There are pretty ridiculous wind speeds reaching very far out from the eye of the storm...but note how there is very little wind in the actual eye!!!

Gearing up for my trip to the Azores...

During the first week of October, I have planned a trip to visit my sister who lives on the island of Terceira in the Azores, Portugal. The Azores is an archipelago of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. From the coast of New Jersey, it is about 2500 miles to the Azores. From Newfoundland, it is about 1200 miles to the Azores.  On the other end, from the west coast of Portugal and Morocco, it is about 800-900 miles to the Azores.

This location in the middle of the ocean makes the Azores a great landing spot for vagrants from both directions. In addition, there are a number of endemic birds on the islands, and also a few introduced species. I really have no idea what I will come across, but I will likely see many familiar birdy faces from North America.  For the not-so-familiar faces, I ordered this book, on the advise from a few birders I tracked down on the internet who have spent time in the Azores.  Field Guide to the Birds of Macronesia

                                 

This book is going to be extremely helpful, as it lists all the birds recorded in this region, in addition to which islands they have been seen on, along with range maps specific to the Macaronesia region. Only a handful of birders have entered their sightings onto ebird, so this book will really come in handy.

On my way to Terceira, I have planned a 12 hour layover on Sao Miguel, home of the Azores Bullfinch, an endemic species, and my target bird for the day. So, page 300 is clearly my favorite.

(pretend this page isn't in Spanish)

I'll post more on this book after my trip, and hopefully will have some advice for other birders in my situation planning a trip to the Azores!

I am still here...

If you haven't noticed, I've been posting exclusively on Nemesis Bird.  But I realize this blog has captured most of what I have done for the past 5 years, so no need to let it die into the neatherrealm of the internet. Field work has taken me to some great places, and this blog captures some of the more memorable days. Like the time I found a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher in La Paz County, Arizona. Or the day I found 327 over-wintering Wilson's Snipe in Arkansas. Or, the day I came across my first Ferruginous Hawk and multiple Rough-legged Hawks. Or, two years of awesome nightjar photos. Or the day I got dumped on with snow in Nebraska. Or, any day in south east Arizona. Or any day in Caribou-Targhee National Forest where I could have easily been attacked by a moose. Or this awesome weekend of good birding and great lighting in Florida. I could go on. The point is it is sad to see a blog die (even though google image search keeps it alive), so I'll keep posting here occasionally. Besides, some things just aren't appropriate for Nemesis Bird. Like this.

My lionhead rabbit, Wookie.

Or this.

How is this van still running....

Or this.

A baby burrow

Or, a link to this video. 

I'm living in State College, Pennsylvania for the next year, which might be enough for someone like me to lose their mind, but this isn't the worst place to be. Right now is peak warbler migration, and I live a mere 3 minutes from Jo Hays Vista hawk watch. I also have a trip to the Azores planned in early October to visit my sister (in which I have planned a 12 hour layover on Sao Miguel to find the Azores Bullfinch).   So, I think I'll be keeping busy. In the meantime, I am looking forward to more field jobs starting next summer, and wherever they will take me (and now Wookie).

I will resist the urge to rename my blog "Birding with a Wookie."