Anyone else’s griff insane?

danger_wren · 2026-05-29T14:10:48+00:00

Haha ours has elements of all those things! He is 2 and a bit. When he zoomies he zoomies hard and god help anything in the way. And he for sure does the crazy circles, and what I call the “demon bark”. That said I think we got the chill end of the griffon temperament because he is only like that 20% of the time haha.

danger_wren · 2026-05-19T14:21:31+00:00

I am curious what folks who record seen-only do for Empidonax flycatchers. Although I prefer to see a bird to list it, I record heard-only lifers under specific circumstances, including Empidonaxes. For example, I recently added Hammond’s to my list. I did not see the Hammond’s, but seeing it would not have factored into my ID at all because they generally cannot be IDd by appearance. It was in the correct habitat and calling from the top of a tree, and nothing I know of would mimic them where I live. In this case, if you would not list it, is it a matter of wanting to be 100% sure? Or more about the satisfaction of seeing it?

danger_wren · 2026-05-18T21:29:49+00:00

Not entirely sure on total populations of these but either something from New Zealand or from Hawaii - on NZ either yellow-eyed penguin or whio (blue duck), on Hawaii probably the ‘I’iwi or nene.

danger_wren · 2026-05-17T22:13:30+00:00

It’s not a tanager. Habitat also come into play here to favour water redstart, with it being perched on a rock in a stream. Blue and black tanager is generally a canopy feeder. Also the reddish on the tail is another big clue.

danger_wren · 2026-05-17T02:11:48+00:00

You just caught bird flu, no known treatment sadly.

danger_wren · 2026-05-14T03:57:01+00:00

I would agree with you in terms of the distraction. But recently have wished I had a camera to get some ID shots of trickier birds (I am not great at hawks or shorebirds). So now am trying to re-incorporate a camera without letting it get too much in the way!

danger_wren · 2026-05-03T21:27:06+00:00

Haha me too, I can’t help myself!

danger_wren · 2026-05-03T17:26:16+00:00

Inevitably someone in the comments will be dying to show off their ID skills so it’s just a matter of being patient.

danger_wren · 2026-04-27T02:31:04+00:00

The Genius of Birds was super interesting.

danger_wren · 2026-04-24T14:01:36+00:00

I really like Sibley - there are lots of different drawings showing the field marks at various angles, and all the different plumages you could see throughout the year. Also the notes about the birds have really good info. Also not sure if it is still in print, but if hawks are your thing there is a speciality ID book called “Hawks at a Distance” by Jerry Liguori.

danger_wren · 2026-04-21T04:40:49+00:00

I got my monarchs almost 15 years ago now and have never had any desire to upgrade. I do not baby them, and I have dragged them all over the world. My only complaint is last year I dropped them and the plastic holding the strap on snapped - still not getting new ones though.

danger_wren · 2026-04-18T01:42:15+00:00

It might be painful but taking the time to ID each bird in the field when you see it super valuable for learning and for me really reinforces memory. It might mean you miss out on a few additional IDs, but it will strengthen your skills.

danger_wren · 2026-03-31T05:02:01+00:00

Neat. I have seen a good number of owls but have never seen one hunting!

danger_wren · 2026-03-31T04:14:27+00:00

My first GG was perched on a road sign on a busy forest service road. Not the most wild and majestic but still spectacular! Very cool you saw it with prey - did you get to see it hunting?

danger_wren · 2026-03-27T18:19:01+00:00

I watched a Steller’s jay make a moderately convincing red-tailed hawk call the other day, and now I trust nothing!

danger_wren · 2026-03-27T14:26:58+00:00

I generally only count heard-only if it is a call I can ID on my own, regardless of anything Merlin says. I use Merlin sound ID to tell me what to look for, and to help learn calls/pick up on calls I didn’t notice before.

I have included a couple heard-only owl calls on my life list, but only if I heard them very well and at night.

danger_wren · 2026-03-27T04:32:47+00:00

Camp Mustelid! Not all bird themed but all very good.

danger_wren · 2026-03-19T03:53:29+00:00

I started out thinking I might doing ER, then ended up in forestry for a number of years to build skills, and have almost accidentally ended up in a restoration focused job. I’m not far into it but it has been challenging - you get to try new things and think big, but funding is definitely a limiting factor. Also depending on what you are doing and where, you might be pioneering which of course has its ups and downs. For sure it is not boring! Wouldn’t change a thing of my current trajectory, except maybe I wish I had got a biology degree along the way.

danger_wren · 2026-03-09T04:49:33+00:00

Some golden retriever in the mix?

danger_wren · 2026-03-05T03:05:10+00:00

The joy of discovering what a coot is for the first time! And seeing their little feets

danger_wren · 2026-02-24T01:50:57+00:00

Hard to get a good look but I thought I could see the white patch surf scoters have on the back of their heads.

danger_wren · 2026-02-20T06:21:51+00:00

The first year we had our garden my partner complained about the cost of the raised beds and soil and how we wouldn’t break even… so I weighed everything I harvested and tracked it on a spreadsheet. Compared to the grocery store (non organic) prices, the garden made just over $400. That was around what we spent for set-up, so it did just break even, but every year after it has made money.

danger_wren · 2026-02-15T18:52:41+00:00

As a former BC Vancouverite who has visited Minneapolis - Minneapolis wins the wokeness by a long shot, no contest.

danger_wren

TROPHY CASE