Scouting, Fund-raising updates

One last push in the fund-raising department has helped us reach our original goal of $800! Not too shabby - although we'd still love to get to our slightly loftier goal of $1000. Time isn't up yet, folks. If you're still thinking of donating please feel free to contact us or use the PayPal button on the right-hand side of the blog.

We headed out on Saturday to scout and map out the Great Swamp NWR - but unfortunately our days were mixed up and we weren't able to access the management areas. On the bright side (pun intended), the sun came out and we were able to get some casual birding in. Highlights included Lincoln's Sparrow, a stunning White-Crowned Sparrow, Yellow-Throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, a lone Solitary Sandpiper flying overhead, and a female Hooded Merganser which might be worth checking up on before the big day. It's late in the season for them and if she's still hanging out it wouldn't be a lengthy detour to add another species to our list.

Charlie and Bill continued to bird the area and visited Scherman-Hoffman Audubon Sanctuary. A Pileated Woodpecker swooped in and gave us some good looks right out of the car. House Wrens aplenty, with Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Wood Thrush, and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak rounding out the afternoon.

Brian will valiantly time our northern route this week, and hopefully the team will be able to lock down a few final breeding bird locations. The World Series of Birding is less than one week away...let's hope it's not going to pour.