A rare visit by a painted bunting male at Great Falls National Park .
to record the details of their finds .
Birders also love discovering first-of-season or FOS species . Maryland Master Naturalist and birding enthusiast Jackie Weaver said she looks forward to the return of a pair of osprey who show up at her home along the banks of the Potomac like clockwork on her birthday in mid-March . The arrival of the nesting pair signals the beginning of Weaver ’ s annual birding activities .
In this time of socially-distanced outdoor activities , birding is the perfect hobby that can be done as close as one ’ s backyard feeder or bird-friendly garden . Fresh seed and a clean water source are enough to attract a variety of birds . However , to discover the most diverse variety of birds , it ’ s best to venture out to the areas where birds spend most of their time : places like local woods , ponds , trails , fields ,
Occasionally , migrating birds are discovered in unusual territories where they are not typically found . A handful of painted bunting sightings occurred this winter in Maryland , including one male first spotted near the towpath at Great Falls National Park . He has been delighting visitors daily , feasting at the same rock cropping with its plentiful food sources and protection from the elements . No one knows for sure why the buntings are so far off course or how long they will stay . They normally reside in places like Florida , Louisiana , and Texas in the summer and points even further south in the winter .
Birders look forward to the spring migration like some children look forward to Easter Egg hunts . Indeed , the activity has many similarities , with eager participants trying to find the best hiding spots for their prized finds . Some birds spend most of their time closer to the ground , in the shrubs , marshes , shorelines , or woods , while others are usually found high in the treetops . Binoculars are essential for spotting birds at a distance , and many birders learn to recognize the calls of various birds , keeping a notebook
Clockwise from top left : Common yellowthroat ; blue-gray gnatcatcher , one of the tiniest of the visiting birds ; American redstart . plenty I Spring sowing 2021 45