I pulled into the quiet suburban neighborhood around 9:30 and was greeted by the homeowner Matt Tully. He’s a talented musician and wildlife rehabilitator who loves caring for the birds in his backyard.
And gosh what a great yard it was!
A nice mix of deciduous forest with a creek and cedar trees to round out the habitat plus a nice array of feeders to entice his feathered friends to stay as long as possible.
Matt was the one who first discovered the Townsend’s who was now visiting his yard up several times a day to snack on suet.
He’s had over 400 people show up to see the bird so far which is remarkable, a real testament to the cooperative nature of birders who want to share the joy of seeing a rare bird with others.
So cool!

Matt and I chatted for about 30 minutes before we heard the Townsend’s calls which are an odd mix of whistles and buzzing coming from the upper canopy of the tall cedar in the backyard.
It song sounded like a Hooded Warbler and Black-throated green Warbler hooked up to create the Townsend’s lol!
After 10 minutes of trying to see the tiny bird though the dark tangle of cedar boughs, the Townsend’s finally flew down and landed on the suet feeder on Matt’s deck.
Success!

Townsend’s Warblers are typically in the found west of the Rocky Mountains in a range that stretches from Alaska and Canada down through Mexico and into Central America. How this handsome little fella ended up in Charlotte NC is unknown but gosh it’s neat to see him thriving. With the arrival of spring it will be interesting to see if the bird moves on to migrate north or sticks around the Tarheel state for a few more weeks.
With that being said, if you’d like to tick this bird off if your NC eBird list, send me a message and I’ll forward ya the contact info for the homeowner.
I hope you get to see the Townsend’s too!

Photo by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5

Cooper’s Hawks are highly skilled and agile predators, known for their ability to dart through dense forests while hunting. They primarily prey on medium-sized birds, but they also eat small mammals, reptiles, and insects when available.
Like many other hawks, Coopers have specialized feathers that help them fly almost silently, allowing them to ambush their prey. Their flight is characterized by several quick flaps followed by a glide, which helps them conserve energy while pursuing prey and is a helpful behavior to notice when making an ID in the field. 
After catching prey, they often pluck feathers or fur from their prey before eating to aid in digestion. They may also cache their uneaten meal to consume later which seems unusual in the raptor world. As I watched the hawk disappear with its Gallinule into the woods, I wondered if perhaps that’s what this bird was doing.

Year round residents of the Carolina’s, Coopers Hawks are commonly found lurking in our mixed deciduous forests. 
They’ve adapted well to urban environments too as you can spot them hunting for a feathered snack at your backyard bird feeder or hunting House Sparrows in Home Depot parking lots.
Pretty neat huh?
It’s neat to see a raptor thriving out there no matter where I’m at.

Photos and video by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on the mighty mirrorless @canonusa#R5

Native to South America, Apple Snails are considered to be invasive species in the States. These hardy snails spread north via canals, rivers and during floods caused by hurricanes. 
The problem comes with the grazing habits of Apple Snails which can damage plants used by many native aquatic species, plus they have even been seen feeding on amphibian eggs.
Unfortunately they can also present human health risks too. Apple Snails have been shown to carry rat lungworm, which can cause a potentially fatal disease in humans if the snails are eaten raw or undercooked. The snail’s egg masses also contain a toxin that can cause skin and eye rashes.
Yikes!

Luckily though, the Apple Snail makes up the bulk of the Limpkins diet. Here at these ponds the birds have definitely put a dent in the population of snails judging by the number of their empty shells strewn along the shoreline.
I watched the pair snatch up several of these slimy snacks as they made their way on the pond.
It’s kinda difficult to fully appreciate the experience given the problem that the snails pose but it’s still neat to spend time with a pair of birds (relatively) close to home which normally I’d have to travel a couple hundred miles south to see.

Photos and video by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on the mighty mirrorless @canonusa#R5 and my magnificent 50MP monster, the Canon 5Ds 

Mealtime is a group endeavor for this species. The flock will swim around in a circle to corral their prey, dipping their bills down to scoop up fish in that enormous yellow pouch, then raise their bills skyward to drain water and then swallow their prey whole.
Here in the Carolinas , American White Pelicans are found in our coastal marine habitats such as bays, lakes and estuaries from October to early March.
Unlike the Brown Pelicans who are often seen hunting for a meal over the ocean, White Pelicans prefer to hunt in shallow, slow moving fresh or brackish bodies of water.
This is nice because one has a greater chance of seeing them (relatively) up close at a local (coastal) waterfowl impoundment or pond vs. trying to spot one over the horizon of the vast Atlantic.
Win win IMO  

Photos and video by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on the mighty mirrorless @canonusa#R5 and my magnificent 50MP monster, the Canon 5Ds

WELCOME TO THE BEST LIFE BIRDING SHOP

Click on any of the products shown below to visit the BLB seed store on Etsy.

So, what make my suet different than all the others out there?
It’s all about the ingredients.
It’s nothing but the best for our birds!
Smothered over large Longleaf pinecones, our homemade no-melt peanut butter-lard suet is combined with a premium blend of fruits, nuts and seeds such as Peanuts, Black Oil Sunflower Seed, Safflower Seed, Dehulled Sunflower Seed, Striped Sunflower Seed, Mixed Feed Nuts, Raisins, Dehydrated Papaya, and Dehydrated Cherries.
Long lasting and packed with the fats, protein, fiber and flavor birds crave, this suet is ideal for attracting the widest variety of bird species to your yard throughout the year with far less seed waste than with cheaper suet cones.

Harvested in central North Carolina, the Long Leaf pine cones are known for their hardiness. The cones remain rigid regardless of humidity or temperature changes which is why they make for the perfect long lasting suet pinecone feeder.
As seen in the photos featured here, they even hold up under extreme conditions like freezing rain with little to no loss of suet.

The cones work great for providing a more natural look for backyard bird photography too!
Plus you can sharpen your photography skills by photographing birds in flight from the comfort of your backyard patio. It’s a nice way to stay sharp behind the lens between migration seasons or rarity chases!
To preserve their natural beauty (and to provide cushion during shipping) the cones are individually wrapped &
ready for you to hang, easily installed at any traditional backyard feeding station or on a sturdy branch of a tree in your yard.

Coming soon… custom seasonal suet blends.
Summer meal worms, spring berries and autumn citrus suet.
Squirrel deterrent suet options will be available spring 2025.
Watch this page for details and continue shopping at the link below

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BestLifeBirdingShop

Happy Birding,

Sally

Purple Finches are considered irruptive migrants, meaning they move irregularly to areas with abundant food supplies during the winter months. Some years yield larger number of these feathered gems here in the south as flocks search for a stable food source. In fact Purple Finches can be spotted as far down as the gulf coast of the US in December and January.
They favor seeds and buds from trees like birch, elm, juniper, and maple but can also be enticed to your own yard if you offer suet and black oil sunflower seeds at your feeders.
In the field look for them in moist hardwood or mixed forests in the upper canopy of Sweetgum & Tuliptrees.
They’ll stick around the Tar Heel state until late March before heading back up north to the breeding grounds in New England and Canada.

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty 50 MP monster, the @canonusa#5Ds

VIEW CORIE LONG LATTA’S COSTA RICA GALLERY HERE

It was so much fun to hear her share her stories from the journey. As it turns out she had quite an adventure, but not without some challenges. In the end, it all worked out and she came away with some excellent pic’s and tips for birders planning on visiting this world renowned birding destination.
So here is some practical advice for birders & photographers who are planning a trip to Costa Rica that you probably won’t find anywhere else…

• Save up the money to hire guide(s) to take you birding.
• Don’t forget to include tip money in your budgeting. I know it can get pricey but don’t waste your time trying to do it on your own.
• You are better off booking guides and transportation through your resorts/lodges. I’ve seen too many times where individuals were scammed.
• Pay for the guide AND transportation, separate of each other. And pay them cash! Cash is King!
• Don’t rent a car! You will waste time trying to navigate it yourself and you will miss out on finding the max amount of species.

Having paid transportation (aside from your guide) means that someone is always with the vehicle for times when your guide needs to take you away from the car. Your items are safer with someone attending the car than with the car being unattended.
As with anyplace one might visit, not all places in Costa Rica are crime free and break-ins of vehicles do occur. Especially in tourist areas where rental cars are left unattended. That being said… I NEVER felt unsafe as my friends and I always had two males with us at all times. Our guide and our driver, both were wonderful!

The people are wonderful and very friendly in Costa Rica, plus there’s no need to worry about currency exchange either. They love the USD!

Understand the territory you will be visiting. While traveling through Costa Rica the changes in elevations can be dramatic. This is why it’s important to bring medication to battle altitude sickness, nausea and headaches.
Drink TONS of water several days before your departure and as often as possible throughout the duration of your trip. Now, I am not a doctor, and cannot give medical advice, but this is how my friends and I overcame the unfortunate side of our trip.

Here’s the real hack that could save your day…

Midol!

Don’t be thrown off that Midol is advertised for PMS symptoms. It works wonders on many things, including altitude sickness, nausea and especially headaches. Men can take it too, don’t be scared, haha! It should become a staple in your carry on bag. My friends and I took it each morning to combat any headaches, nausea, light-headedness or fatigue on the horizon. If you are traveling with the goal of seeing as many species as possible, it requires very early mornings and long days with lots of travel at times. Fatigue will set in, so early bedtimes serve you well.
If you get car sick, understand that roads are super twisty in CR, so bring something for motion sickness as well and do your best to sit in the front seat.
It’s also helpful to consider taking a portable oxygen canister for the days you might find yourself in very high altitude (or are prone to motion sickness).

Central North Carolina, which sits at about 325 ft above sea level, is a far stretch from the high peaks of Costa Rica. However, the day we went to see the Quetzals (who live way up in the mountains) we traveled three hours and up to 9,000 ft above sea level. When we made it to our destination, the altitude started taking its toll on one of my friends. She got very sick. That’s when the Midol and oxygen canister both come in handy.
* In the event that you or a member of your party gets sick from the high altitude, getting back down in elevation should ease the symptoms fairly quickly.

Some tips are not so pleasant to talk about, but need to be mentioned so that you are prepared.
After all, there’s nothing worse than anticipating such a magnificent trip only to get sick, miserable and not be prepared to combat it.
If you book a resort with meals included, know that their food is much different than here in the USA. Many resorts provide meals prepared by in-house chefs with freshly squeezed juices at each meal. Their food is fresh and delicious and is not full of all the preservatives and pesticides that our food is full of, which means more fiber than what most are used to. So pack stomach medications (like Pepto- Bismol) just in case, if you catch my drift, lol!
And on that note, most people don’t realize that high altitude can not only give you headaches/nausea, but can cause bloating as well. The combination of the extra fiber intake from those freshly squeezed juices, organic meals and the altitude has the potential to ruin your day, so don’t forget the Gas-X. It’s best to always be prepared.

A few other suggestions:

• Find out if your lodge offers laundry services and take advantage of it if you can. So you don’t need to over pack. If you get caught out in the rain, mud or just get sweaty it’s nice to have the option to be able to wash your clothes.
• It’s useful to confirm what credit cards your lodge accepts before you book your trip.
• Ask if your lodge/resort offers internet service. Not all of them do so it’s important to check before you book your stay if getting online is important to you.
• Only take the necessities. Leave your valuables at home!
• Make sure to research the area online first to see what other folks are saying about the region. Start by joining Facebook groups for travel in Costa Rica. A good one to follow is “Costa Rica for beginners”.

TO PACK:

Extension cord
Power strip (multiple outlet)
Poncho
Snacks high in protein for energy
Electrolyte packs
EXTRA SD CARDS!
Extra batteries for cameras
Tylenol – Advil – Midol
Gas-X
Pesto-Bismol
Bug spray
Backpack to carry daily needs
Or Fanny pack (just do it lol!)
Good binoculars
Insulated water bottle
Water proof hiking boots
Dry fit clothing (long sleeve and short sleeve – dress in layers)
Sunscreen
Hat
Plastic Bags for muddy boots
Cell phone battery bank
Extra charging cords with adapters for travel for cell phones.
Starlink Internet

And lastly, I should mention… start booking a year in advance.
Many of the the resorts in Costa Rica offer birding tours, but you better move quick as this service is in high demand. I just booked my next trip for March 2026. Thank goodness I did because the resort only had two rooms left!
If you find a resort you want to visit and it claims to be booked, call daily/weekly. Since the resorts book so far out, cancellations do occur all the time which might mean an opportunity for you. That’s why it’s important to stay in contact with the resort often and create a good relationship with them so they keep you informed of cancellations first. If you book your room online, call the resort to confirm your reservation with an actual human just to make sure everything is set before you go.

• Book resort/lodge first
• Book transportation to & from airport
• Book birding tour guide
• Book transportation to birding spots (have your tour guide coordinate with your driver)
• Lastly, book airfare

Check out this gorgeous set of photos from her trip and make sure you scroll down to check out her Instagram too. She’s freak’n awesome and I’m blessed to call her my friend

VIEW CORIE’S COSTA RICA GALLERY HERE

So there ya have it. Big thanks to Corie for sharing this info!

Get to know Corie and follow her photography on Instagram at @latta_ridge_photography

View this profile on Instagram

Corie Long Latta (@latta_ridge_photography) • Instagram photos and videos

PS. If your thinking of traveling to Costa Rica for birds, make sure you visit Tayutic Mountain Reserve! It’s the best spot to see all the birds in CR. If ya book a trip here, you won’t be disappointed!

-Sally

These little guys are one of the most widespread songbirds in North America, found across the continent. They’re especially common in forested areas, but they’re also frequent backyard visitors, especially in winter.
Juncos come in several color variations or “morphs,” including “Slate-colored” in the East, “Oregon” in the West, and other morphs found in regions like the Rockies and Arizona. These variations are based on geographic location, with each morph having slightly different colors and patterns.
*Check out the pic below to see the Oregon color morph which I photographed in Las Vegas NV earlier this year. 

Notice its brown sides and dark hood? Such a neat looking bird!

Though Dark eyed Juncos are only winter visitors to central NC, they do nest in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains in our western counties which makes them a year round resident of the state. 
Look for them in higher numbers from the Triangle-east from now through April and throughout western NC again next May.

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty 50 MP monster, the @canonusa  #5Ds