Video: I guess I was
a bit too optimistic about spring… Or actually not. It’s been close to freezing these last couple of days, and today we got this. Gayle is probably happy in her nestbox, and the Juncos are having a blast. On Thursday, we are expecting much milder temperatures. I have added this camera to the livestream page, too.
The small crowd
is not less entertaining right now. It is a funny time because summer and winter kind of meet. Spring can be felt and seen. The Goldfinches are starting to get their bright yellow summer plumage but at the same time, Redbreasted Nuthatches are still hanging around, as well as Juncos who do the most insane flight manoeuvers right now. (The lens fogged up when the Junco was there, and I think it created a cool look.)
I was feeling adventurous
and put one of the hummer feeders on my photo setup. They are coming but I have not seen one yet and we got snow today. But oh well. I did get a Tufted Titmouse, which I haven’t seen in quite a bit.
These are strange times,
when bird migration is underway but you can’t see results yet, the weather is spring-like but also still full of frosty surprises, and we are kind of in an in-between. However, there is also a lot of love in the air! House Finches, like many other birds, strengthen their bond during mating season by feeding each other. It is adorable to watch. Come good into Friday!
The days are getting longer,
the grass is slowly getting greener, but things are off to a slow start with spring still. It feels like Goldfinches, Grackles and Doves are domainating the yard. But today, I had a Titmouse! And Mandrake, the Bluebird, came to the feeder too. He is guarding Dr. Clara in the box and occasionally bringing her snacks. Have a good Easter Sunday!
After seeing Orioles with nesting material in the yard,
I decided to try and capture them taking it with Birdsy. I filled a suet cage with sheep wool that is sold as nesting material, and added pieces of natural string that I disintegrated into pieces that are less than 9 inches long and separate at an instant. You can see that too when the bird takes off. The blue and white plastic ribbon was something an Oriole brought to the yard, and I thought I would just add it too.
Please do not put out dryer lint or pet hair from a pet that has been treated with medication or flea/tick stuff. Bird babies will not be able to tolerate the chemicals. there are informative articles by Audubon and Cornell Labs out there about what nesting material to offer. Try to be as natural as possible.
The Gray Catbird
is still around, and I think yesterday, I saw two of them. This is very exciting and makes it more possible that they might stay for the summer. He was not very enthusiastic about the constant rain yesterday, but today we have wonderful sunshine! (No flooding in my area, and I hope everybody out there is ok, given the circumstances.)
What a strange spring this is.
After having seen a male and female Hummingbird the other day, I haven’t seen any more. Things really seem to be off to a slow start this spring because of the weather but hopefully we will catch up with everything soon. Here’s to a great start of a new week. Be safe all of you who go back to work! And if you need a mask with a bird on it, check out my Redbubble shop.
All profits will be donated to Feeding America. The way Redbubble works is that I am getting paid each month. I am waiting to make my donation until June because that is when the bulk of the mask profits will get paid. I will post about it here once the donation is made. This is all very exciting!
The Baltimore Orioles
are so much fun to have around.
I have not seen the Orchard Oriole yet, but I hope it will show up this year too.
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”.)
What weird weather.
One day you want to walk around in a t-shirt outside, the next day it is snowing. But I guess that is April. Snow days always mean good traffic at the feeders too. While I have prepared the Oriole and Hummingbird feeders because there are reports that at least the latter are already in Michigan (journeynorth.org is a fine ressource for that), I have yet to see or hear any of the two. The Finches, however, are having the time of their lives right now. The House Finches are flirting, the Goldfinches are fighting, and in between, they sit down for a peaceful snack. I loved this House Finch, He is so wonderfully round.
