So there are
native sparrows migrating through my yard, namely White-throated, and I have seen and heard them and tried to get pictures. Cam on the ground. Here is my best effort, they are very skittish and camera shy, and other beings are also interested in the offerings. And a nice Blue Jay. Juncos are here, but activity is still low.
These birds
have a case of the Mondays 😆. But temperatures are rising, and it feels really nice to open the windows and be outside. Here’s to a good week!
It was very windy today
and is still storming, and I always like to think that these kinds of winds help the migratory birds to make the big trip. Meanwhile, over here, Dr. Clara has been super busy building her nest but did not do a lot today. The nest looks almost done. In my experience, she takes a couple of days off before laying, so maybe we are close to some eggs. Or maybe she just did not want to carry stuff in the storm.
March is kind of the most boring time
of the year, especially bird-wise, but we have new visitors! The first harbingers of spring are here, and it is a reason to celebate. Today, the first Grack and Red-winged Blackbird found the photo cams, and the male Red-bellied Woodpecker was back!
Video: Look who it is!
After seeing the Red-winged Blackbird the other day, I was hoping to see Grackles soon too, and I am so happy they have returned. It was quite frosty this morning with -7 °C but we are unstoppably marching towards spring. Happy March and have a wonderful Tuesday!
Everybody seems to feel
a bit like spring these days! Just from experience, I am always a bit hesitant to call it in but there are little signs all over. This Cardi lady with beautiful eyebrows has started to show up at the cameras, and today, a male joined her! The sounds in the yard have changed too, and I think spring is really seriously on the way. Spring is my favorite season, so I am always excited to experience it, but this year, somehow I am even more impatient.
I did maintenance work
on my BB nestbox cam today because it feels like spring is approaching - I heard Cardinals sing and also read that people in Michigan have seen Redwinged Blackbirds! The cam had stopped working for a bit and I replaced it. This cam cannot be livestreamed but I will share videos or photos when things happen. There were pine needles in there, and I saw a female adding more today. Fingers crossed for a good but not too early season. The Cardi watched me while I was doing this.
Video: BBs in sun and snow!
I had run out of mealworms the other day and my next load was delayed due to severe weather but arrived today. The Starlings had gone but the BBs remained loyal and had a field day.
The Starlings
know that there are mealworms fed here and occationally in the open, so they stick around. It is interesting to see that some of them are starting to change into their mating looks - the beaks are turning yellow, they lose the “stars” and the legs and feet are getting more red. The sun loves them and reveals why I also call them “evil rainbows”.
I was hoping
for all kinds of cool photos on the big snow day…. But. The Starlings are still here, there are also tons of Goldfinches, and to be hinest, there is not a lot of exciting stuff happening. But here is a Hazel standing up to a Starling. Here’s to a better Wednesday!
I have said before
that birdwatching is a bit like eating seasonally for me. I try to make the best of what is available at the moment. So here is another Hummingbird photo, from yesterday. If you look closely, you can see a tiny red feather coming in as the start of the characteristical gorget of this teenage Rubythroated Hummingbird.
More teens
Namely: Cardinal (it was getting dark so the photo is not superb but I was so excited to finally get her), Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, House Finch (she is the most adorable little thing, and somehow the only young House Finch I have been seeing on a regular basis around the feeders. She has some odd feathers on her tail, maybe that’s why.)
I am having a very busy work week, so I haven’t posted many photos, but I put the cams out and they have been diligently taking photos. I just need to find the time for editing. Hopefully, things calm down a bit next week. Have a beautiful Friday and weekend!
Teenagers!
The yard is full of teenage birds, so here is a little gallery. In order of appearance: Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Grackle, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Video: A Flicker in the Flicker box!
As you know, we built a Flicker nestbox earlier this year, but no Flicker or other bird came to nest in it. A House Wren inspected it a couple of times but that was it. I had taken the Starling shield away and put on a Wren whole restrictor, only to later also remove that to see what would happen since nesting season is basically over. And then this morning, a Northern Flicker actually went in there several times and hung out in it for a while, enjoying the view. These large wodpeckers are one of my absolute favorites, and I would be thrilled have them nest in this box. Hopefully, he remembers next year. I am so excited!
The balding Blue Jay
is not making a lot of progress, and I am not sure if he is molting. The patterns and textures on his head are fascinating, though.
These guys are not the same species,
but they look like kindred spirits and I loved the color combo. Teenage Gracks have the coolest colors going on.
Fall migration
seems to have slowly begun, but there are still Orioles visiting, so keep those feeders clean and filled.
More hummingbirds!
And I think this might be a young male because I see a teensy hint of red coming in at the neck (I added an arrow pointing to it in the second photo). I love his fuzzy little legs. I am not sure if the second one is the same bird. The light was different and I cannot see the red but otherwise they look pretty much identical with the little bulge on the neck and the black feathers in front of the eye.
The Hummingbird feeders
are of great interest not just for the Hummingbirds. I am experimenting with different setups, and I can be sure that there will always be an Oriole visiting too. They are such goofballs.
Video: Cardinal siblings!
As you know, I saw a Cardi girl being fed by papa the other day, and then there was also a couple feeding a Cowbird baby. But yesterday, this adorable sibling couple showed up at the bird bath. First she comes in, then her brother joins. They are so very hard to take photos of because they are very skittish and so well camouflaged. I especially love the males with the red coming in in the most adventurous ways. Their beak color changes to the typical red when they are one year old. (Yes, the lens is dirty and they are out of focus but I still love this video, so I wanted to share.)
