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.
January is slowly
dragging on, and there is not a lot happening right now except for a steady stream of regulars. And with February approaching, I am beginning to think of spring. This is a good time to work and make plans. I have gotten seeds for the garden the other day and think about what plants could be added to make the yard more bird-friendly. Doing that may include planting berry bushes, a pollinator garden and landscaping that accomodates native wildlife. I am also doing some maintenance this weekend which means that the livestream will be off for a couple of days. Have a great Thursday!
(pictured - some of the regulars: Eastern Bluebirds in the top, a Redbreasted Nuthatch, a Blue Jay and a Junco on the bottom)
These little guys
are just so entertaining! We only get them in the cold season. Dark-eyed Juncos are a migratory bird in Michigan. They are also called “snowbirds”, and I think it is because they seem to LOVE it when it is cold but they are also perfectly camouflaged when they hop around in the winter. They do a special back and forth hop to scratch on the ground, but they will also grace my camera feeders. I love their shape and colors and lovely colors as much as their sounds.
After the excitement
of the very frosty snow days, activity has mellowed out a bit again. Many birds are coming to feed but there is nothing super exciting happening and the light is mostly murky too. I did love this House Finch and the Junco in the evening light. The Junco is one of those that have lots of brown muddled into the slate plumage. I always feel like they look more warm than the super sharp “snowbird” slate and white Juncos. Come good into the weekend and stay warm!
The Juncos
are also becoming a bit more brave around the feeders and venture away from the area around the bird bath to check out the goodies. They can look rather plain from afar but also here, a closer look can be rewarding because individuals can vary a lot in their colors depending on gender, diet and genes. This slate and white one is typical for the area, but I have also seen Juncos with brown tones all over as well as brown patches within the slate. If you want to go down the Junco rabbit hole further, do a little research on the Oregon variety.
Video: Happy National Bird Day!
There are plenty of Juncos around at the moment, they seem to thrive in ice and snow. I always loved their little pew-pew-pew sounds but this trill was completely new to me. How stinking adorable is that?
Despite the Starlings,
it was a super nice snow day, and today there was sun! Snow and sun are fantastic conditions for the cameras, and produce great photos and videos. Plus - lots of traffic! I was so happy because there was so little action in recent weeks. Here is a little potpourri. The Junco looked so unusual and cool with all the browns, I loved the two different Cardi ladies, and the Carolina Wren was back!
It is always funny how snow brings them all out. The Juncos love the area around the bird bath, and there is a large group foraging around there all day. They look so cute jumping back and forth to scratch up the snow. There are lots and lots of Goldfinches, and the Cardinal family ist huge, I counted seven individuals tonight.
Video: Scenes from the Santa Stop
The yard has been quite busy today, with many birds (including a hawk earler) visiting the bird baths and feeders. Here is a fun little scene from the bath earlier, a gathering at the Santa Stop. With Goldfinches, House Finches, Bluebirds, Juncos and at the end an American Tree Sparrow. I love snow days.
Happy Friday!
Today, I will continue with the introduction of the birds of this year’s calendar with the bird of January, a Dark-eyed Junco. Juncos, also nicknamed “snowbird”, are only visiting my area in the cold season, they stay from about November until April. This makes them harbingers of winter but also of spring in a way. They are hardy little birds that come in an astounding variety of color, depending on region as well as gender. They usually forage on the ground, looking for seed by scratching with both feet at the same time, which looks rather funny. They also sound like tiny laser guns, and their pink beaks make them extra adorable. The one in the photo has a little brown in the feathers, which makes it a bit special because my usual variety is a dark slate gray with a while belly. Come good into the weekend!
You can find the 2022 Ostdrossel calendar here: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
Yesterday, we had the first frost warning
of the season, and it is only fitting that on that day, a “snowbird” made his way to the camera. Dark-Eyed Juncos only visit here when it is cold, and the first ones have arrived earlier this week. They make the funniest little noises and are generally cool to have around. Pic number 3 shows a White-throated Sparrow that has been very curious but not made it to the food bowl yet. Maybe today is the day? Happy Sunday and stay warm!
This morning
temperatures were at -18 °C (I was born and raised in Germany, and Fahrenheit does not make sense to me, sorry). It was frosty but the sun was shining, and the snow was beautiful. Snow and sun always make for nice, clear photos, and some visitors showed their “chocolate side” as we say in German 🙂
And here's a gallery
of Dark-eyed Juncos. There are plenty around right now, and I thoroughly enjoy these little birds. Their pew-pew-pew sounds are echoing all over the yard while they walk around, scratching in the snow for seeds or competing with the Bluebirds in the caged feeder for mealworms. I think these are mostly females, with the exception being the few all “black and white” colored ones. Have a nice weekend!
The so-called Snowbird,
or Dark-eyed Junco, is a very interesting bird to watch for the cold season. They come in all kinds of funky colorings, and are another bird that birdwatchers have fun with to figure out if they have a rarity around. Look up the Oregon variety for a lead to go down the Junco rabbit hole. Anyways, I think this is a healthy female. In reality, I am not sure of the gender of this bird, though. Stay warm and stay safe and wear a mask while you slide into the week!