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.
I keep saying
that this is a boring part of the season but it is not like nothing is happening, I guess I am just too excited for the migrants to arrive. However things are changing around here too. A Chickadee has checked out my other nestbox, there are several Robins patrolling the yard now, the Blue Jays have started to come in pairs, the Goldfinches are sporting a very adventurous look, the Juncos are still having fun here and the MoDos are beginning to flirt. The crocuses and narcisus are coming out and trees are starting to bud. I’d say spring has sprung.
Video: Mr. and Mrs. Snowbird
The Juncos won't be here for a lot longer, so I am enjoying them as much as I can. This was a fun little clip, first, there's the male, and then the female comes. He makes way when he hears her.
For this setup, I placed a camera on a tree and just put a small speck of peanut butter on there in hopes that someone would inspect it. The zoom is very close, and I love that this actually worked out.
This time of the year
can be repetitive and a bit boring when it comes to backyard birds, but it is still fun to see the current regulars having a good time. There are many Goldfinches right now, the Chickadees are ever so present and adorable, and I wonder if the Juncos feel like they are on vacation.
The week has been busy workwise,
and there was so much bird traffic, so it took me a while to go through the bounty. Without further ado, I present part of the blizzard crowd. The Juncos had a blast. To be continued. Good night and come good into Friday!
(Junco, Blue Jay, House Finch, House Finch, Bluebird, Junco)
The Juncos
are plentiful this year, and they are loving the cold temperatures. Usually they do their own thing strutting along on the ground, trying to find seed, but when it gets really frosty, they will also visit feeders. They are such perfectly wonderful and round little birds, I love them. You can also see a bit more of the color variety in the third photo. Both the birds are Juncos.
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.
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.
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!
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!