Video: Robins at the bird bath
Robins are natural born bathers, and will use a bird bath frequently. The Birdsy camera captured this hilarious scene involving three excited Robins and a Starling that was not tolerated at bathing time.
Video: Orchard Oriole
This morning, we were greeted by snow and this happily singing Orchard Oriole. I usually get one male visitor per season, and it is always a special occasion. They are slightly smaller than the Baltimore Orioles. I had left the feeder out for the night, and it seems the edge was a little sticky. I cleaned it right away this morning. This is a good reminder to not offer grape jelly in large containers or plates and cleaning those regularly. The sticky residue can easily get on bird feathers or feet, making it harder for them to fly. Snow in May is pretty crazy and unusual, but I also haven’t seen any hummingbirds this year yet either.
Video: It's hatch day!
The Bluebird babies are hatching this morning. A cold front is supposed to come but they are on schedule. So far, only one made it out, and he was wearing a cute helmet.
Video: Northern Flicker drinking
First he does a drum, then he takes a sip. This Northern Flicker is loving our gutters lately. He uses them to make noise to get the attention of the Flicker ladies in the neighborhood. We have updated the woodpecker nest box to fit the likes of him. Maybe we will get lucky this year.
Video: White-crowned Sparrow bathing
White-crowned Sparrows are a native species of America, and I only get them in my yard during migration time. It is hard to capture photos of them too because they are quick, shy and only rarely go to the feeders. The Birdsy camera caught him taking a bath, and he goes into the pool just like me :D
Video: A dispute at the bird bath
Now that the days are getting longer and the weather a bit warmer, the pools get more frequented. For some reason, the tiny bird bath on the pedestal is very popular, and they all want to sit there. The female Rose-breasted Grosbeak didn’t give in and won pool rights. Lens and bath were cleaned and replenished. Captured with the Birdsy camera.
Video: The female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
have arrived now as well. These birds are true badasses. They will sit through a thunderstorn when they have good seed in front of them. They have a very beautiful song and begging sounds, too, but when they are angry, they squeal like a rubber ducky :)
Video: Screech Owl this morning
6 AM, the Robins are already awake. Screecher goes for some more sips before bedtime.
Video: Baltimore Oriole FOY!
I thought I heard one yesterday, and a bird migration forecast page said there was a huge movement coming, so I was excited for today. And nature did not disappoint - it felt like Christmas! First thing I saw out of the window was a Rosebreasted Grosbeak, and when I checked the Birdsy camera, I saw this beautiful guy :D I have not seen a Hummingbird yet, but they are usually all coming on the same day. Spring is here!
Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles (I get them here as well occasionally) love oranges and grape jelly. This is what I put out for them. The jelly dish should not be too large so they don’t get their feathers sticky.
Video: Eastern Screech Owl at the bird bath
I just casually checked the livestream when, much to my delight, I spotted this adorable Eastern Screech owl taking a dip and a sip in the bird bath. I never even knew I had them in my backyard before I had the Birdsy camera. I am loving the bird bath setup, it is a nice little change from the feeder, and it might capture some of the spring migrants that never actually make it to my feeders. They all need to drink!
Nestbox camera: The House Wren is back
For several years now, a House Wren has raised broods in a nestbox that we made with the intention to get woodpeckers to nest in there. It is quite a mansion for such a tiny bird, but they seem to like it. I am excited to see how things progress.
Livestream: at the bird bath
The livestream today comes from the bird bath, and I hope you enjoy. It is rather windy, so maybe turn the sound down. In the meantime, I heard that Orioles were seen in Michigan today, but I have seen nothing here yet. The masks in the Zazzle store are still stuck in “under review” but since it’s been more than four days now, I assume they don’t work during the weekend and they will be available tomorrow. I hope you are all doing good out there. Enjoy the water ballet! (You can also find the livestream by clicking here.)
Video: There's a new friend in town
I have seen a couple of Chipping Sparrows in the last few days but never on the feeder. This one was brave and checked it out this morning. Chipping Sparrows are native to the US. They are smaller than House Sparrows and overall adorable. I am glad to see them back.
A double puff
is better than a single puff. Grackles have a very impressive way of showing their beauty and dominance during mating season.
Video: Bird identification - the Brownheaded Cowbird
This is the time where many people see these birds and wonder what the heck they are.
Well, this is a Brownheaded Cowbird, either a female or a young adult. Many people dislike them for their nesting habits (they lay eggs in other birds’ nests so that they raise their babies) but this is how they evolved. They used to follow cattle and never settled anywhere to nest. Now that humans are destroying habitat, not as many herds wander around, and the Cowbirds come to our backyards (it is of course more complex than that, but that is the gist). It is their survival strategy, and other birds have found ways to survive nevertheless. Cardinals for example have several broods, and usually only the first one seems to be affected. (This was recorded with a Birdsy camera.)
Video: The evolution of a mohawk
A quick hello! I have been extremely busy in the last few days and did not have a lot of time for bird pics, but things should be better now :) Have a great day!
Video: She's got a voice!
Lagertha the Bluebird lady came in the early morning and could not stop singing. She has been very busy in the nest and still is trying to make it comfy. Ragnar, her partner, has been bringing feathers into the box occasionally, and I always wonder if that is something like gift-giving amongst them.
Video: Lagertha comes for breakfast
And here we have Lagertha again (I guess the male should now be Ragnar, not Rick because I am not really sure if he is the same.) As you can see, she looks a bit different than Ilsa, and also eats in a different manner. And the only thing she fears is that peanut addict. Lagertha is now busy preparing the nest, so I am thinking there will be new eggs soon. In that sense - happy Easter to all of you, celebrating or not.
Video: Starlings trying to get into nestbox
My second nestbox has a small entrance hole that would only fit Chickadees or Wrens but has a door slab that woodpeckers could modify in their own style. Now that nesting season is beginning, Starlings are also showing interest. They can’t get in, but you can hear how much they wanted to. I am trying a new camera solution in there and I am excited to see what the season brings with this box.
