Digiscoping workout

I went to Afton Forest Preserve this morning to check for new migrants and to practice my digiscoping technique. Golden-crowned Kinglets were everywhere, but proved to be too quick to digiscope. There were Lesser Scaup, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal on the newly reconstructed water bank at the south end of the preserve, but they were skittish and flew as soon as I approached. I also saw my first warbler of the year, a Yellow-rumped, but only for a flash of a moment. So I settled for a singing Song Sparrow, and a Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker on look out.


Song Sparrow, Afton Forest Preserve


Northern Flicker, Afton Forest Preserve

One of the more difficult aspect I find with digiscoping is being able to getting into a position relative to the bird where there is nothing obstructing the view (like the small branch in the above photo of the Song Sparrow), all while keeping from startling the bird. This is one element of digiscoping I will need to develop as I spend more time in the field. It's one thing practicing on stationary objects at home. It's completely different when you're in the field, and the birds are aware of your every movement.

Species Observed:
Lesser Scaup
Northern Shoveler
American Coot
American Wigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Mallard
Canada Goose
Coopers Hawk
American Kestrel
Mourning Dove
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Tree Swallow
Eastern Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
European Starling
Northern Flicker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Greater Yellowlegs
Killdeer
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Horned Lark
Ring-necked Pheasant
Turkey Vulture

All images © 2008 Derek Strom