I worked in the veggie garden today,
and there was so much bird song going on that I put out Merlin to tell me who sings. Merlin picked up a lot, even a Tennessee Warbler, which makes me want to go explore. While I was shoveling, I spotted this guy, an immature male Orchard Oriole. I usually get an Orchard O at least for a day or two and was hoping this year too, so this was very nice. I love how his brown adult feathers are creeping in on the “bib”. I also saw a Catbird today, hopefully it comes to the feeders too.
When I was looking
through the photos from yesterday, I saw lots of familiar birds but then one chest caught my eye. A Pine Siskin showed up! They are the size of a Goldfinch, have very pointy beaks and some yellow on their wings. People often confuse them with female House Finches but if you look closely here, you can tell the difference. Beak, chest pattern and the yellow are good markers. Just like Goldfinches, Pine Siskins seem to suffer from a Napoleon complex - they are tiny but mega feisty and hardly ever get along with other birds. Very entertaining little buggers.
Video: Surprise night visitor!
Yesterday in the evening, I decided to put some peanut butter on the branch to see if anybody would come to check it out during the night. We have several species of squirrels in Michigan, and this is one of them - a Flying squirrel. These guys look like straight out of an animation movie, and they are so elusive and fast that it is hard to spot them, let alone capture them on film or photo. This is not perfect but still a lot of fun to watch, and only the second time I saw one in my yard.
While the winter crowd
can be a bit boring at times, surprises can happen any day. I think this is part of why I enjoy birdwatching so much. Every day has the possibility of something fun happening. Anyways, yesterday, I had this lone Cowbird lady on the feeder, and I also saw a Redwinged Blackbird. They sometimes travel with Starlings, so it makes sense that they were around. Here’s to a good week with fun surprises!
Video: A new pond visitor
I love it when a new bird comes and the pond cam lens is clean. (I run out all the time to wipe it but sometimes my timing is off. It's a good workout in this weather 😁)
I am thinking immature Cooper's. Never had any other ones here and it feels like the legs and overall size are bigger than a Sharp-shinned.
Video: A very elegant nightly visitor and a PSA
During more boring times like right now, it is often wonderful to see something unusual. Like this Fox that came at night for a drink. He looks so elegant, and I love how attentive his ears are.
PSA - the livestream will be inactive for a couple of days but will be back live soon again.
The Common Redpoll
turned out to be a very cooperative little bird, checking out the camera feeders after he took at sip at the bird bath. Someone asked yesterday how to tell House Finches and Redpolls apart, and maybe these photos help a bit. Note that they are smaller than House Finches as well. And they seem to have a temperament similar to that of the Pine Siskins and Goldfinches.
Video: Backyard lifer!
Earlier today, a Common Redpoll graced my backyard. This was a wonderful surprise. Due to the irruption, they have been abundant in Michigan this winter, but I never had one right here. Now we can really move on to spring!
My new friend,
the Red-headed Woodpecker, seems to have moved on from his brief visit to my yard. I have not seen him yesterday or today. I am happy I got to meet this gorgeous bird, and I hope he will come back at some point. Someone suggested the name Roland, and I think this fits. Safe travels, Roland!
Video: surprise visitors
I just looked out the window when I saw three deer walking across the yard! Thankfully, an attention-seeking Robin and a Starling parent and his kid jumped into the frame, so Birdsy recorded it. This is only the second time I have seen deer in my yard, it was quite cool to watch.
