First Trip of the School Year

Today one of my suitemates and I went to the OSU Wetlands (click here for more information) so that I could scout out the area and figure out some locations for birdwatching in the area. We took the COTA 7 bus, which drops off right at the entrance, and walked the length of the driveway into the Wetlands. We immediately heard a Blue Jay calling, and saw a group of Robins on the ground, with a Northern Flicker and Mourning Dove mixed in. In the distance we could hear some Carolina Chickadees calling, my photographic goal for the day.

We walked many of the trails, and while attempting to get a photo of some of the Chickadees, actually spotted a young Magnolia Warbler hopping silently through the branches. Some Canada Geese and Mallards were spotted in the Olentangy, and the robins were actually everywhere. Alas, no clear photo of the Chickadees was taken, however I did successfully get a couple of a White-Breasted Nuthatch that I called closer to us to get a nice view. Overall the trip was successful in scouting the area. My only wish is that we had more access to the swamp area and the boardwalks, which we learned are only available with a tour.

Check my Flickr feed for the new pictures!

Want to see the full checklist from today? Click here.

Welcome to “A Birdwatcher’s Life”

Welcome to “A Birdwatcher’s Life.” My name is Matthew Bell, and I am a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Scholars here at The Ohio State University. I am pursuing a dual degree in Earth Sciences and Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, along with a potential minor in Molecular Genetics. My long term goal is Vertebrate Paleontology and De-Extinction, specifically focusing on the evolution from Dinosaurs to Birds. I am an avid birdwatcher, or birder for short, starting in June 2013, as an alternate final for my Advanced Placement (AP) Biology class. I credit my teacher for showing me this wonderful, flying diversity in our world.

I will update this site after each of my trips into the field, with a summary of that day, and some of the pictures that I took, the rest of which can be found on Flickr, accessible from the right side of the main page. The goal of this site is to help instill in others the love of birds, and to show just how many species can be found in one’s own backyard.

I hope you enjoy, and Happy Birding!

-Matt