I put the jelly feeder on the cam
to see how Oriole frequency is, and here is who hit it today. I also saw a female Hummingbird. However, this is Michigan. We have a frost warning tonight, and I hope everybody has a warm spot. The week should be warmer, and hopefully, May finally has a chance to really show off. Happy Monday!
(I realize the lens was dirty but I did not see it at the time.)
His lady was there the other day,
now here’s her man. I love Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and today, several more have arrived. They are very easy bird guests, they are happy with black oil sunflower seeds and safflower.
This beautiful lady
was new at the feeders today. She is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and I find it funny how she had a fabulous portrait on her first day while the male was messing up, being not properly in the frame. I love these birds, they have a calming and badass presence at the same time. I have seen them sitting on the feeder through tunderstorms, gobbling away calmly. Welcome back, beauties!
It rained cats and dogs today,
and overall it was a weird day. I saw two Orioles, and heard them singing all day, which was awesome. They have a very distinctive song. You might have heard it on the livestream too. I was also distracted by the Bluebird babies. Two were left in the box this morning, I took time to watch, nothing happened. Then I did some gardening towards the evening, and of course during that, one of them fledged. Now I was in position to watch the other one with my big lens… And nothing. That baby is spending the night in the box. But while I was watching, I saw a Hummingbird :D (Pictured wet mops: Blue Jay, Cardi lady, Oriole, Grackle) With this new set of birds, I am changing up my setups a bit, and things still have to settle in. It always is a bit like a game to capture all the new arrivals, and this is one of the most enjoyable times of the year for me.
Video: Here comes the sun...
…and one of Bette Midler’s new favorite birds, and I say - it’s all right 🌞 The last couple of days I have been pacing the windows and watching the feeders like a hawk. The local birdwatching groups were full of Oriole sighting reports, and there were none in my yard. But I am happy to report that they are back! and such a pleasing sight. Now with the Grosbeak back as well, I am ready for those glorious first days of May where anything can happen bird-wise. Happy Sunday!
A very interesting
spring day today. It rained a lot, I tried to keep an eye on the yard out for Orioles and Hummingbirds while also trying to focus on work because they seemingly had rained down onto Michigan today, but nope. None. I did see the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak though! A beautiful male quickly stopped by. The regulars seemed irritated by the new offering. Tomorrow might be the day, there is less rain in the forecast but temperatures are still not pleasant. (Titmouse, Robin, Cardi lady and House Finch)
Video: FOY White-throated Sparrow
Spring migration is underway, and while I haven't seen an Oriole or Hummingbird yet, this beauty stopped by the bird bath this morning. White-throated Sparrows are native to the US, and they look super cool with their bib and head markings. I only get them for short periods, so it is always a delight to see one.
I have seen numerous Oriole sighting reports yesterday, so they should also arrive here any day / hour now. The Bluebird babies had a huge growth spurt yesterday, are developing their dotted “PJs” and have started to exercise their wings. Dr. Clara did not spend the night on the nest with them but this could also have been because it was so warm. Things are looking up in the garden too. Baby veggies are getting bigger and the fruit trees are full of blooms. Even the Mulberry that we transplanted here a couple of years ago as a sapling has a bloom. I cannot believe my favorite month May is almost here.
Pond season!
I have been rather busy last week, so there have not been many photos, but things are more relaxed now. I put the pond back together too, and while it is not finished yet, the birds seem to be happy, and the livestream is back too. My prediction of Orioles and Hummingbirds last week did not turn out to be true but sighting reports are becoming more frequent, and historically, the last week of April and first week of May have been THE time for the first ones to arrive in my yard. Here’s to spring, it truly has sprung now!
A Grack appreciation post.
Because I love them and the week should always end on a good note. If my gut feeling is right, we have a great week ahead. I compared photos of my peach, plum and cherry trees from last year to today, and it turns out that last year, they only started barely blooming by April 27th. But today, they are already blooming. You can see the Serviceberry in the background here a bit too. I think we might see Orioles, Hummingbirds and maybe even Grosbeaks this week! It is just a feeling, don’t take my word for it. But get your feeders ready!
1 part sugar, 4 parts water is the recipe for Hummingbird nectar. Don’t waste your money on the storebought stuff, the red dye is suspected to be harmful to the birds.
So much is happening
with clock changes, temperatures rising and spring arriving. I am pumped for the week!
Videos: More good signs of spring
I have heard and seen them for a couple of days now, but they hadn’t made it to the cams yet. But this morning, a Robin finally checked out the bird bath. The bath is quite nasty looking from what must have been a critter party last night and it has been cleaned now.
The other sign of spring is the first recorded Grackle puff of 2021. “It’s here,” he shouts!
Have a great Saturday!
This is a bit
of a boring time at the feeders, but the peeps are plenty. Goldfinches start nesting late in the season but they are starting to change their plumage, and they are becoming much more agitated. They look so funny with their patchwork feathers. I also saw the first Robins of the year today and the BBs have continued to work on their nest. Spring is coming!
I like the Gracks,
and I cannot lie… And since nothing else is really happening here bird-wise, you’re getting another load of these glorious and majestic birds. Come good into Wednesday!
Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds
are still arriving or maybe even just passing through, but there are more each day, and the air is filled with their trills and snarls and calls. It is funny how certain sounds get you into a certain mood, and the songs and calls of these birds definitely have that effect. They are harbingers of spring.
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!
March is kind of the most boring time
of the year, especially bird-wise, but we have new visitors! The first harbingers of spring are here, and it is a reason to celebate. Today, the first Grack and Red-winged Blackbird found the photo cams, and the male Red-bellied Woodpecker was back!
Video: Look who it is!
After seeing the Red-winged Blackbird the other day, I was hoping to see Grackles soon too, and I am so happy they have returned. It was quite frosty this morning with -7 °C but we are unstoppably marching towards spring. Happy March and have a wonderful Tuesday!
Video: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
This morning at 6.30 AM, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird man checked in. I have so little hummingbird action this May that I had started to think they are avoiding my yard this year. And every time I see one, I hope it sticks around and comes back. We will see how this goes. I am glad I set Birdsy up with the Hummer feeder, otherwise I would have missed him.
Today is my birthday,
and I turned 42. It feels weird and I don’t feel like it, and after all, it is just a number. But birthdays are a thing in my family. We celebrate them in a big fashion. So today was a special day for me. I was lucky I did not have to work, and I worked in the garden today. And it was wonderful. I am achy. My one wish was that a Hummingbird would show up. And I got my wish granted. Here he is. And I hope he comes back. This is me, tipsy-posting. 42! What a weird number. Let’s spin some Binaural…