Author Archives: George C. Wood

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About George C. Wood

A birder since age ten, but not necessarily an avid "lister", I am closing in on 700 (*800!) species seen in North America.....hoping to capture each sighting with my camera.

Rio Grande Valley: Groove-billed Ani (#706)

Posted on March 23, 2015 by George C. Wood

A snowstorm ushered in Philly’s first day of spring but it did not prevent USAIR from whisking me to McAllen, Texas in search of two “code 4’s”. You will recall that a code 4 is a mega-rarity…a once every ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 8 Comments

It has been six months since I chased a rarity I needed for my North American life list. Suppressing my urge to bird meant more weekends with family, friends,…. and my employer. That was definitely a good decision. I enjoyed … Continue reading →

Posted on March 14, 2015 by George C. Wood | 10 Comments

Whiskered Tern…3rd North American record!!!

Posted on September 13, 2014 by George C. Wood

I thought I was done blogging after I saw my magic #700…an Aleutian Tern in Alaska last May. But I cannot resist sharing this with you, before you read about it in The New York Times. Late yesterday afternoon I … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 28 Comments

#700 – ALEUTIAN TERN (Kenai NWR, Alaska)!!!

Posted on May 21, 2014 by George C. Wood

One is not likely to run into an Aleutian Tern (code 2) unless you are in the Aleutian Islands…..or at Headquarters Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, 150 miles south of Anchorage. I received a tip that these maritime … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 54 Comments

In pursuit of the rare BLACK RAIL….call it 699 1/2 ???

Posted on May 19, 2014 by George C. Wood

699 1/2…What does that mean? The short version is: I heard the Black Rail…. but never saw it. The longer version follows. Nailing the Mountain Quail (#699) early Saturday morning meant that I had two days and nights to devote … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 8 Comments

#699! MOUNTAIN QUAIL (north of SF)

Posted on May 18, 2014 by George C. Wood

I am often asked, “Can you count a bird if you only hear it?”. Technically, the answer is yes but my answer has always been “NO”. Birders will debate the pros and cons…but for me it is really clear – … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 18 Comments

Susquehanna River delivers a LITTLE GULL…#698!

Posted on April 7, 2014 by George C. Wood

The Susquehanna River has been hosting several rare Little Gulls (code 3) this winter but I’ll admit, I am not super confident in my gull identifications. Besides, the Susquehanna isn’t exactly a creek! The fact that thousands of other similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 18 Comments

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL! “Nemesis” bird = #697

Posted on March 31, 2014 by George C. Wood

The only location in North America that one has a decent chance of hearing and hopefully seeing the fierce Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, a diminutive (6″), diurnal hunter of small mammals and even larger southern invertebrates, is on the privately owned King … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 26 Comments

March Madness! Down to the Final 4….(#696)

Posted on March 28, 2014 by George C. Wood

While in Florida last weekend, the National rare bird alert texts were flooding my I-phone. New Jersey’s first EVER Eurasian Tree Sparrow was frequenting a feeder in Cape May. 57 people had reported it by noon on Sunday! Admittedly, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 8 Comments

“One out of four ain’t bad” (apologies to an old Meatloaf song)

Posted on March 27, 2014 by George C. Wood

I was in Florida last weekend with a chance to see FOUR new birds. Unfortunately, three of them did not cooperate. The White-cheeked Pintail was NOT in the pond near Vero in America’s first National Wildlife Refuge. The Black Rail … Continue reading →

Posted in Quest for 700 (*800!) | 10 Comments