Ah, the conundrum: to survey for breeding birds or chase life birds

[semillama]

So, I'm going to attempt some birding this weekend. My problem is that there are two species of birds in fairly close proximity to Columbus (an hour away), but in opposite directions: Eurasian Collared-doves and Mississippi Kites. I have not seen either species before. But - it's still breeding season and I have three atlas blocks I volunteered for.

Since we're a one-car family, I can't spend all day in the field with the car like I did when I was living the swingin' bachelor lifestyle.

What's a good birder to do?

[XemaSab]

1. Go for the kite

I'll send you a collared dove. Their range is expanding rather gruesomely, and in 5 years I promise you will have them as a yard bird. :P

[semillama]

2. Yeah, we probably have at least 2-3 pairs of breeders in the state now

whereas last year there were none.

I did decide on the kite. It (or they, could be a nesting pair for a first Ohio record, I think) is hanging around a golf course, of all places.

[vireo]

3. Might as well go for the rarities

Since there's not much breeding going on now.

If this was mid-June, I might give different advice. ;-)

[semillama]

4. I went and did both.

I got the kite pretty easily, but didn't see both of them. (that's life bird #362).

Then I went and spent about 2 hours in one of my atlas blocks, confirmed a number of birds - although not a lot of birds are actively breeding in late July, lots of newly fledged young are about, so I added a few that way.

[Maestro]

5. Kites are fun to watch.

I am glad you were able to see both birds. I am currently observing some kites in my area as well. Here is a pic.

[semillama]

6. There's been a report of THREE birds now, but not confirmed.

Everyone's pretty excited about this occurrence. Stuff like this is really good to get people fired up about volunteering for our state breeding bird survey.