Video: fuzzy night visitor
Last night, the trifecta of Michigan nightly visitors came to the waterhole - a raccoon, a skunk and then this adorable fuzzy butt, an Opossum. I am happy to see him, it has been a while. I am busy with work this weekend, and bird traffic is not extraordinary, so I am a bit slow with photos. However, the calendar is in the works, and the cameras are out to capture whatever fun stuff might happen. Have a great Saturday!
Video: FOY Grey Catbird
Grey Catbirds are also migratory visitors to my yard. They are named so because their call resembles that of a cat. They love insects and will also go for grape jelly. Which this one actually did this morning too. He checked in before 7 AM, and if it wasn’t for the Birdsy camera, I would probably never have seen him, which makes this little video extra nice. I hope he comes back!
Video: Robins at the bird bath
Robins are natural born bathers, and will use a bird bath frequently. The Birdsy camera captured this hilarious scene involving three excited Robins and a Starling that was not tolerated at bathing time.
Video: White-crowned Sparrow bathing
White-crowned Sparrows are a native species of America, and I only get them in my yard during migration time. It is hard to capture photos of them too because they are quick, shy and only rarely go to the feeders. The Birdsy camera caught him taking a bath, and he goes into the pool just like me :D
Video: The female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
have arrived now as well. These birds are true badasses. They will sit through a thunderstorn when they have good seed in front of them. They have a very beautiful song and begging sounds, too, but when they are angry, they squeal like a rubber ducky :)
Video: Screech Owl this morning
6 AM, the Robins are already awake. Screecher goes for some more sips before bedtime.
Video: Rosebreasted Grosbeak FOY 2020
It is funny that all the spring arrivals are happening on an especially wet day, but here we are.
(Since so many keep asking - I got the feeder at my local Wild birds Unlimited store. It should also be available online. Google “Oriole feeder”.)
Video: Baltimore Oriole FOY!
I thought I heard one yesterday, and a bird migration forecast page said there was a huge movement coming, so I was excited for today. And nature did not disappoint - it felt like Christmas! First thing I saw out of the window was a Rosebreasted Grosbeak, and when I checked the Birdsy camera, I saw this beautiful guy :D I have not seen a Hummingbird yet, but they are usually all coming on the same day. Spring is here!
Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles (I get them here as well occasionally) love oranges and grape jelly. This is what I put out for them. The jelly dish should not be too large so they don’t get their feathers sticky.
Video: Eastern Screech Owl at the bird bath
I just casually checked the livestream when, much to my delight, I spotted this adorable Eastern Screech owl taking a dip and a sip in the bird bath. I never even knew I had them in my backyard before I had the Birdsy camera. I am loving the bird bath setup, it is a nice little change from the feeder, and it might capture some of the spring migrants that never actually make it to my feeders. They all need to drink!
Livestream: at the bird bath
The livestream today comes from the bird bath, and I hope you enjoy. It is rather windy, so maybe turn the sound down. In the meantime, I heard that Orioles were seen in Michigan today, but I have seen nothing here yet. The masks in the Zazzle store are still stuck in “under review” but since it’s been more than four days now, I assume they don’t work during the weekend and they will be available tomorrow. I hope you are all doing good out there. Enjoy the water ballet! (You can also find the livestream by clicking here.)
Video: There's a new friend in town
I have seen a couple of Chipping Sparrows in the last few days but never on the feeder. This one was brave and checked it out this morning. Chipping Sparrows are native to the US. They are smaller than House Sparrows and overall adorable. I am glad to see them back.
Video: She's got a voice!
Lagertha the Bluebird lady came in the early morning and could not stop singing. She has been very busy in the nest and still is trying to make it comfy. Ragnar, her partner, has been bringing feathers into the box occasionally, and I always wonder if that is something like gift-giving amongst them.
Video: Lagertha comes for breakfast
And here we have Lagertha again (I guess the male should now be Ragnar, not Rick because I am not really sure if he is the same.) As you can see, she looks a bit different than Ilsa, and also eats in a different manner. And the only thing she fears is that peanut addict. Lagertha is now busy preparing the nest, so I am thinking there will be new eggs soon. In that sense - happy Easter to all of you, celebrating or not.
