We had our annual sighting a few weeks back. Close to the seed feeder. We put and orange half out right away to entice it. Nope. Tried it for a couple weeks and nothing. I hear them serenading now and then but no more sightings.
I hear them in the thickets next to my wood storage. Their distinct "mew" a sign of the season. They aren't very frightful.
Found another cardinals nest this evening. Got close enough to see there were live babies in it but the adults were having a fit. Could hear wings flying by my head several times. I'll try and get a picture some other time.
I've seen the catbirds several times since posting. For whatever reason (a different family perhaps), they have chosen to nest elsewhere -not in the big rhodie out front. I believe they are nesting in the yard to the north of me (the backyard of an apartment building), but I could be incorrect. I'm using the fact I've seen them fly that way several times as the basis of my assumption. When I had a pair in the rhodie, it was very obvious as I heard the calls regularly from my living room and would see them in and out of the shrub all the time. Most years there is a group of starlings that hang around intermittently - they show up for a couple of days, then come back 7-10 days later and stay a couple of days, repeating that cycle until late fall. They have always hung out near the feeder that is on the extreme south side of the yard. This year, they seem to be here on the regular. Although they do hang out by the feeding area, I've seen them on the north side of the house, within a 15' range of the house. The only thing I can figure is they are trying to help me out with ants - I always have a terrible problem with ants and there are hills all over. So, if they are doing that, then I can forgive their hogging of seeds and mealworms.
We've always had catbirds. They seem to like the suet feeder more than the seeds. Starlings and grackles come and go. I hate when a gang shoe up. I'll chase them away and they leave. Several days go by, and a couple will return. Not really a major issue here. But there is dis-like for them.
Cant say ive ever seen a catbird at the feeder, just hear them for the most part. Blackbirds on occasion at the feeder. Saw a cowbird come it yesterday for a seed.
I have a family of newly hatched blue jays surrounding me in my garden chair. Not the best picture but, but this is one of four rose breasted grosbeaks we have around. They comprise 2 pair, so hopefully a lot of babies soon. I captured this male ruffed grouse drumming on a log next to the cabin. You could set a watch by his drumming every four minutes. There was a symphony of four different males within earshot of our deck.
Dont know how many pairs we have but have seen three males at the feeder at once. They showed up a few years back and have returned every Spring. Prior to that I had only saw one a couple times. Better you than me with the bluejays. They are noisy things.
That's hard to like. I found one of my swallow babies this week in about the same position, except it tried to fly through the window...
Im always amazed at how a few birds can stay crammed in a nest as they grow with seemingly no room to move.
Definitely crazy how they all fit in there. That one of yours looks big enough to fly, maybe? I guess I never posted it. Back may 26th. I was checking my swallows nest and they all decided to fly the coup when I started to pull the camera away. I have it on video but here are the screen shots.
From watching my feeders I thought the red bellied woodpecker was the most respected bird at the feeder. No one messes with them and they usually mind their own business. Just saw a red headed woodpecker chasing a red bellied woodpecker.
dont mess with red heads! Never have seen one (the bird kind) in person. Plenty of RBWP's here. They can be noisy at the feeder.
Stopped at Walmart late this afternoon and this small flock of crows were pecking away at this when I pulled in. Some type of clear plastic container that was squished shut. I got out and they flew and I watched as one returned. I was amazed at the birds intelligence and tenacity to get what was inside. Holding it with its foot while trying to get inside. I tried to bend it open but it wouldn't stay. Came back after and they were still at it. I also spotted this one in the distance trying to land on this shrub. Probably to raid a nest of eggs or fledglings.
I agree with the part about the crows intelligence and tenacity. I have read that ravens in parks learn to zip open saddle bags on snow machines to get at the lunches inside. When camping, I once left my ditty bag on the picnic table when we left camp to fish. When we returned, the bag was zipped open and my plastic bath soap container was open with about a third of the soap pecked away. I'm sure there were some bellyaches from that as well as frightened campers reporting rabid crows foaming at the mouth ...err beak. Around our home it is pretty much live and let live (except for moles of course). The other exception is when I see the crows attacking fledglings or nestlings. When that happens, the pellet gun comes out!
These hummingbirds are gonna make me put a feeder out for em. 4-5th time I've seen them come to the window or reg bird feeder.
Mullberries starting to come on. Won't be long and I can relax after chores by the river and watch all the birds come for the berries. I have seen many varieties (that I can't name) come and enjoy the fruit. That's my main bird 'watching' that I do. I am one to *notice interesting birds, but don't consider myself a watcher.
