Video: House Wren cleaning up and starting nest
The "Starling-proof" Flicker box that we built and hung did not attract the species it was designed for, so I decided to change things up a bit and hung the Troyer that I built in that spot. I saw a Downy checking it out and packed it tightly with wood shavings in case she wanted to excavate a roosting spot. Then, a differently looking beak showed up and started to get to work. A House Wren! It started taking the shavings out, one by one, hyperactively, and now has begun to bring sticks in. Wrens have nested in that spot before and I am happy to see them back. I don't want to tinker with the door to restrict access to larger species now, so we will have to see if the Troyer style works out. At least with the camera I can monitor precisely.
Yesterday,
we finally got a good amount of rain. It cooled the premature summer heat down and made the garden happy. The birds looked a bit pitiful and drenched but you know I love a good wet birb because the textures are so interesting. And interesting things are welcome right now because this is a very boring season so far. And I don’t seem to be alone in my observations, the local birdwatching groups are full of people stating that they don’t see as much activity as in previous years. This is concerning, and one can only hope that populations will bounce back. If you are inclined, this article from the Smithsonian Magazine is shedding some light on things. It is from last December but seems to be appropriate now.
Wet birbs* pictured: my current favorite House Finch with the orange patch, a Blue Jay, an American Robin, Dr. Clara the Bluebird, a Starling and a MoDo.
(*I use this spelling on purpose and as a term of endearment, it is not a typo. Audubon is in agreement 🤓)
Video: Mr. Matt Fowley, the owl
has returned last night and seemed to enjoy the splish splash as much as I did my shower after this extremely hot day. He still looks nervous but the sound of the water must have been too tempting. His bathing moves are also getting more bold. I will never get tired of watching this 😄
(Now people are telling me that it is a Screech owl. I am no owl expert, I thought Screech initially and was then corrected and found the roundness fit for the Saw Whet. If there are owl experts present, feel free to shower me with your knowledge.)
Video: After about two weeks
of not seeing any hummingbirds, yesterday this shy female came around. This was lovely because it was also my birthday :) She was back this morning, looking a bit like she had spider webs on her beak, so hopefully there is nestbuilding underway somewhere and activity will pick up.
I have empty nest syndrome,
since the last BB baby fledged this morning. I cleaned the box and rehung it so Dr. Clara can start another nest, and that helped with the little sadness of not having seen any of them leave the box. Meanwhile, I keep an eye on the events and visitors on the yard. Yesterday, I saw the first Hummingbird, just briefly in the evening, today a female and male Rosebreasted Grosbeak. There is a very vocal Oriole, too. May is starting nicely but so far, also very wet. I am ready for some sunshine. Peanut the Redbellied Woodpecker seems to have a girlfriend nearby. He comes very frequently and also announces himself loudly. Sail smoothly into Wednesday!
Tales from the Crypt
The Bluebird babies are looking really good. Their eyes are open, they are awake a lot and they all look like tiny grandpas with their fuzzy heads. Often, when the babies get fed, they poop right after in what always looks to me like some sort of a “praise” pose - they spread out their wings and lift the butt so the parent can take the “diaper” right out. Their poop looks white and is encased in a so-called fecal sac which holds it together. It looks like a diaper when the parents take it out. Anyways, I thought it was funny here how the diapered and fed baby is all content afterwards while the rest still go wild. It’s day 12 after hatching, not that much longer to go.
Round is the word of the day,
for one because we are experiencing what is hopefully the last frost and for two because it’s Earth Day! The weather might not be good for gardening everywhere yet but this time is perfect to get a little garden planning on. There are lots of possibilities to make your garden more inviting for birds, also some that might not come to a feeder. Native flowers and berry bushes and trees can help creating more habitat for the wildlife around us. Stay warm! (MoDo, Grackle, Robin and Cardinal)
Women are worthy
to be celebrated every day, but since today is the official International Women’s Day, I would like to take the opportunity to send my love to all women out there! You are beautiful, important and loved, and I am glad to have so many sisters on this planet. I hope you all get a bit spoiled today, by others or yourself. I started the day with cake, which is never a bad thing ☺️🎂👑
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 🙂
Video: Blue for breakfast
The sun is out today, and the Bluebirds came for a quick breakfast. Followed by a Chickadee that had some grievances to air. Happy Saturday!
It's been an exciting day.
Here are some borbs for your pleasure and relaxation.
(Blackcapped Chickadee, European Starling, Redbreasted Nuthatch)
Pretties
on another murky day. The Redbellied woodpecker situation is interesting this winter too. I seem to only have females around. The male has not shown up in a long time. The Blue Jays seem to know the sound of my back door by now, they swoop down immediately as soon as I leave from a refill. I hope the sun will come out at some point this coming week. Here's to Monday, may only good things happen!
The MoDo population
is enjoying the relative quiet and less traffic at the moment. They love to hog the camera feeders but also seem to have a similar heat sensor as cats - I often see them hanging out in groups by the heated bird bath. Such goofballs. Come good into Sunday!
Happy National Bird Day!
Well, to be honest, every day is bird day to me but it is nice to see that there is an official date to celebrate our feathered friends too. My personal bird ambassador this year is the Red-breasted Nuthatch because I am so happy to have them back in my yard after a two-year absence. Quick as always, and almost not in frame.
Have a beautiful Tuesday!
Of all the birds that visit my feeders,
I think it is safe to say the Mourning Doves take most portraits. I think it has to do with their greediness a bit, they love the small bowl that only allows for one bird to feed at a time. If another bird approaches, they put the wing up and move around to protect the bounty. They can be overwhelming in numbers and appetite. But they are experts at being models for bird portraits, so that evens things out a bit.
More wet mops
from the last rainy few days. It is nice that is is not freezing yet but snow looks better than all the dull wetness. And the birds always look a little pitiful when wet too. Here are Hazel the Redbellied Woodpecker and one of the Bluebird males.
Lots of rain today,
and I am gazing at the fascinating wonder of rain drops on bird feathers outside. I hope you all have a dry spot today, and a belly full of food. I am thankful to have you to share my photos and stories with, and also grateful to have the luxury of feeding birds. I hope you all have a good day today. It might be different from other years, but it is the spirit that counts. And always has, if you are being honest :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Amongst the several Titmice
that are here right now, there is one that is more distinguishable than the others, it looks like it has eyeliner on. It is the one in the middle. They are all very good at guilt-tripping! Don’t let that get to you though, I hope you all have a fantastic start into the week.
