Today, we have
the first more winterish weather here - it’s been murky and sleety all day. The birds are not amused. I hope you have a warm spot and will bob into the week as effortlessly as this MoDo.
When I first heard
the call of this woodpecker, I was confused as to what this bird was. The Redbellied Woodpeckers in my backyard are particularly vocal, and it is especially fun to listen to them when they have young ones to feed. Here is the resident female Red-bellied Woodpecker. For those who wonder about the name - the species has a red area on the lower belly. They are one of my favorites, and always willing to come to food bowls, even if just for a single sunflower seed.
These guys
are always around, always busy sampling and collecting food, and always stinking adorable and full of personality - Blackcapped Chickadees. I used to think that the European Coal Tit is basically looking alike but after a little digging, is is the Marsh Tit. They are so tiny that sometimes they are too fast for the camera, always quickly slipping in like someone who is in a hurry at the supermarket. I love that my family in Germany and all the European and British birdwatchers have something similarly entertaining and cute to look at.
And since it is Thursday,
here is another bird from the 2022 Ostdrossel calendar. The month of February is represented by Queen Red Eyebrow, a female Cardinal. I love this photo because it is so dramatic and wintery. In the back behind her head you can see a Blue Jay.
I occasionally get asked about prints of my photos. Generally I am not a big fan of selling prints, because not all photos will look good printed in every size or for every purpose and I want to avoid disappointment. However, all the photos in my calendar could probably be framed too. I have the large one here with me, and I can tell you they look great. You can get the calendar here: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
Speaking of blue...
Yesterday, eight Bluebirds swooped into the yard. I noticed they were around when I first got out in the morning. I could hear them. They have the sweetest call and song, and once you know what they sound like, you might find that you have them around without knowing it. I think it is the family of Dr. Clara and Mandrake. They will share food for a bit but are also often in a fighty mood. I love them so much.
Left is a female, in the middle a male and a female, and the third photo shows a male.
Here is the other regular
that currently dominates the yard along with the MoDos. And I have to say I never get tired of the Blue Jays. Their stunning looks make up for their sometimes overwhelming noise level. I also love how expressive their head feathers are.
Fall migration
is still going on, which also means that all of a sudden, large flocks of birds can descend onto yards and feeders and make quick process with the goodies. It’s often groups of Redwinged Blackbirds, Grackles and Starlings that travel together. I have not had large flocks so far, but there was the occasional single Redwinged Blackbird still this week, and some Starlings. Their winter plumage has the tiny heart shapes, their beaks turn dark again from yellow, and the legs are not as vibrant as in the summer. When the sun hits them right, they reveal their pretty colors, the “evil rainbow” as I call it.
If you get overwhelmed by Starlings and their big appetite for mealworms or suet, you can try feeders that restrict access for them. I use a caged feeder for the mealworms and the suet sandwich feeder. The upside down feeder for suet is not effective in my experience, they will figure it out.
Video: Cardinals are around my yard
all year but not always super present at the feeders. However, now that fall is here, they are coming out in larger numbers. And just like holiday lighting, the beautiful sight of them seems to help coping with the darkness of the cold season. Now that the clocks have changed, they are basically doing a public service in that respect. I’ve had up to eight of these glorious birds out there at the same time in winter before. That is one reason to look forward to snow 😁 A group has started visiting the bird bath in the evenings more regularly now. Here’s two of the males. Have a pleasant Monday!
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
There is often confusion
when it comes to the identification of Purple Finches and House Finches. I rarely have Purples visiting, so most of the time my Finches will be House Finches. They can vary in color a lot, depending on their diet. Here is a particularly vibrant male. Not a Purple Finch, even if the color might suggest that. This bird has the typical streaked chest, head and beak of a House Finch, and while they are not visible here, also the non-red wing bars mark him as a House Finch.
That Redbellied Woodpecker
with the interesting head colors is so intriguing to me. I do think it is a male, and it feels like I might have seen one like that last fall too but I am not entirely sure. The interesting part can be seen a bit better here. He has some of the grey-blue that the females have over his eyes. Usually, the males only have red. I think it gives him a more dramatic look.
In the last couple of days,
temperatures have gone down a lot. I got a kick out of my impeccable timing with the bird bath (I know, I am getting old, I guess 😛) - there was actual frost on the lawn and roof yesterday in the morning. The Blue Jays have returned to the feeders in larger numbers to sample and collect peanuts, which they then proceed to hide. This is the week where the serviceberry has beautiful fall colors, and I love how the Blue Jays couple with it.
Isn’t it funny
how the trees seem to change their color within a day? The sun was out too, and it was just spectacular outside with all the vibrance of nature, the greens (there is still a lot!), the yellows, the oranges, the red and even dark purples. I am a spring person, and fall is my second favorite, I think. And days like today are most enjoyable. The birds look fabulous against dramatic skies and foliage, and activity finally seems to pick up a bit. These are all from yesterday and today. There are at least three Redbellied Woodpeckers. One female, one male and one where I am not entirely sure (first photo). Everybody is cacheing - collecting nuts and seeds to store away for later.
Happy Halloween!
I had a bit of a technical mishap yesterday and was not able to work on photos. Today, I will use the sunny weather and mild temperatures to close the pond for the season and set up the heated bath, so the livestream will be off for a bit. I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween! Count Grackula is already excited 😎 New photos tomorrow evening.
The weather
has been gloomy and wet these last couple of days, and there is still not a lot going on. So I am taking this time to introduce the birds of this year’s calendar a bit over the course of the next days / weeks. The title photo this year shows a Cardinal couple. As one can also see from the sparse vegetation in the back, this was taken in spring. Cardinals are in my yard throughout the year but in spring they start appearing together more often because mating season begins. Part of their courting ritual is that the male is feeding the female. It kind of looks like they are kissing, and is always wonderful to behold. This photo was part of a series in which he fed her several times. I love how pretty they both look, it is no comparison to the rough molty look at the end of the season. Come good into the weekend!
The Ostdrossel 2022 calendars are available here.
As I promised,
here are some more Bluebird photos. And it is funny, but sometimes I feel like my setup was just made for them, they usually get the best shots and videos. It might be their size but maybe also their behavior. They seemingly like to sit and examine. With resting birb face 🤣 The second to last photo nicely shows the color difference between male (left) and female (right) 💙
Like many other parts of the country,
we got a lot of rain yesterday. The birds got properly sokaed but many flocked to the feeders, even for “seed soup”. When you have larger feeders that are exposed to rain or moisture, make sure to check for signs of mold and change out the food and clean the feeders accordingly. I loved the eerie quality of this Goldfinch photo.
MONDAY's (almost) HERE!
The BBs have returned every single day since they first started showing up again the other week. There is four of them, and they always go straight for the nestbox and excitedly sit and move around it, taking turns on looking in, and also go to the mealworm feeder. I am short on mealers right now but whenever I notice them, I will add a couple to the cam feeders. Curiously enough, the Starlings almost immediately show up too. How do they freaking know?! More BB pics tomorrow. Nighty and come good into the week!
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!
