Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Countdown to 100 Birds!! 10 More to Go!

Allow me the opportunity to introduce you to the 90th bird I have seen this year. My 90th bird is the humble yet lovable Gray Catbird. These birds have been living around my house since I got here due to all of the wild berries I have in my yard. I will never forget hearing them for the first time one evening when I first moved into my house. It was dark out and I could hear a shrill call of something that sounded like an injured cat. I put on my shoes and ventured out with a flash light looking for the critter to see what was wrong with it. As I got closer the noise stopped and I went back to my house even more confused. This happened every night for a month and I finally figured out it wasn't a cat, but a bird of some type. Now I know what it is obviously.


Anyhow, I have 10 more birds to go to get to 100 which was my year plan for 2009. I am upping the anti a little and am going to get to 100 by the end of next weekend!! Is is ambitious??? Perhaps but I am a gal willing to take that risk. HA!! Wish me luck all and feel free to follow me to the final countdown.


Peace and happy birding!

23 comments:

Rick (Ratty) said...

Good Luck! I'll be cheering you on through all of the next 10.

Ginnymo said...

That's a cute bird Kim. I've never seen one. Wow!! You sure do see lots of birds!!!! Hope you make it to 100 as you plan!! By the way you are going you will be way over that..

Anonymous said...

Holy cow..I have 56 yard birds...You really have thrown yourself into this totally. I'm glad you are having so much fun with it. Thank you for your kind comments regarding Benji and the injured goose..I too hope she can make it as she was really suffering....Michelle

Anonymous said...

This is good news. I've been waiting for the Catbirds to come back.

Shelley said...

I have no doubt that you'll reach your goal!! I'll be cheering you on too!!

Ruth said...

I reached 99 birds the first year I kept a count, but I didn't know much about warblers. This is the month to get 10 in a weekend. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the best. You are one determined birder!

Ali said...

Awww, I love catbirds! 100 birds is a great goal, you will do it in no time! I am lucky to see 10 lol. I saw a bluejay for the first time (at our place) the other day and I got so excited. Over a BLUEJAY. Normally it is house sparrows, starlings and grackles. Mourning doves, killdeer and goldfinches are around as well, and I did see some woodcocks out in our corn field, that was cool. I know there are more, I think I will start taking pics and keeping track too, thanks for the inspiration! =)

Mary said...

Good luck on hitting 100! I love catbirds and think they sound so strange.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I'm sure you will make it SOON, Kim. You have spent alot of time and effort searching for new birds. I've enjoyed traveling with you on this journey.

My fav's that you blog about are definitely the Falcons. LOVE those cuties!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Kelly said...

...great photo of the Catbird!! You're going to blow past 100 at the rate you're going. Have fun and keep us posted. I wonder what your 100th bird will be? I can't wait to find out.

Chris said...

HI Kallen,
Congrats on your 90th and good luck for your 100. But you know eventually number 100 will come, you do not have to hurry for that, nature is very capricious sometime ;-)

Jayne said...

Congratulations Kim! Wow. That's an accomplishment! So funny about your hearing the cat birds being cat birds. :c)

Anonymous said...

The Gray Catbird fooled me too the first time I heard it. I thought there was a feral cat in the bushes and tiptoed up to see it and then couldn't see it and then heard it and finally saw it. I was stunned, came in and got my books down and found it. Gray Catbird. I never had them until after or around the time I planted two currant bushes and two blackberry bushes. I wonder if that is the connection.

Glad you got it in your collection. 90 birds is a lot. Do these have to be in your backyard to count? That's the way I do it. And that's what is in my birds blog with a sometimes exception.

Warren and Lisa Strobel said...

You Go! And, with spring migrants passing through, we are sure you will make it!

NCmountainwoman said...

GOOD LUCK! I think you will need to revise your goals when you do the June Strategic Planning!

Rene said...

Congrats! Very rare to see a catbird in California, so it's nice to see a pic. I really should keep better track of the birds I've seen. I don't think I've seen 100 yet! Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't know because I'm a disorganized birder! :)

Deborah Godin said...

You can do it!! (and I love catbirds, that's a very fetching little lady, or gentleman)

Steve said...

Great Catbird photo, and a great name for a bird. I'm on 104 for the year so far, not all yard birds though, only get about 10 of those. Keep going, you'll have the other 10 by Monday.

MaineBirder said...

Good luck Kim, I hope you have more than 100 by this weekend!

Tina said...

Cool pic of that catbird..he does look mischievous and prob enjoyed creating a puzzle for you to solve during those evening hours!!
I'm sure you will reach your goal..you seem to be birding quite a bit and see such neat finds..
wonder what #100 will be?

Dawn Fine said...

Yeah..gotta love that Grey Birdie with black cap...
You certainly have been a busy birder.. Cant wait to see what your 100 birdie will be.
I seem to be taking a few days break..checking out my new cameras and trying to decide what to keep..

FAB said...

My garden count is only 22 whereas total year list 125 (but should be higher, I'm slacking).
100 for you, no problem..go for it Kim.

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