I've also been working on my yard and have continued the turf-wars. I'm committed to removing large swaths of lawn and planting much less water-needy native shrubs and trees that will also feed birds, bees and butterflies...not to mention attract benificial insects. I'm also more than a little aware native plants take less care in general...and that saves both my time and my back. LOL
Once, I created a bit of a hubbub by posting a photograph of what appeared to be a female Caliope Hummingbird...in early May. That raised some 'rare' bird alert; apparently they just don't show up that part of the year!
I've had bigger birds visit too; Wild Turkey, Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks and for a few days Turkey Vultures roosted in my front yard. They didn't like me wandering around pointing a camera at them, however...and moved down the street
(I'm happy to say.)
I've had a few interesting fly-overs, not the least of which were Sandhill Cranes. I heard them before I saw them and recognizing their chatter when I finally looked straight up. They were flying quite high, which says something to that chatter; I'd not have noticed them except for recognizing their voice. I saw several; in a large check-mark in the sky. It was thrilling.
At any rate, I thought I'd finally post my complete list (so far) of Yard-birds:
- Wild Turkey
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Swansion’s Hawk
- Great Horned Owl
- Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- White-winged Dove
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
- Black Phoebe
- Western Wood-Pewee
- Blue Jay
- Steller’s Jay
- Black-billed Magpie
- American Crow
- Common Raven
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Mountain Chickadee
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Bewick’s Wren
- American Robin
- Hermit Thrush
- European Starling
- House Sparrow
- American Redstart
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Yellow Warbler
- Song Sparrow
- White-crowned Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow – tan
- Dark-eyed Junco (all five)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Black-headed Grosbeak
- Lazuli Bunting
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Yellow-headed Blackbird
- Brewer’s Blackbird *
- Common Grackle
- Great-tailed Grackle
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Bullock’s Oriole
- Western Tanager
- Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
- Black Rosy-Finch
- Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
- Purple Finch
- Cassin’s Finch
- Evening Grosbeak
- Pine Siskin
- Lesser Goldfinch
- American Goldfinch
- Black-crowned Night-Heron
- Sandhill Crane
- Canada Goose
- Geese (species)
- Ducks (species)
- Gulls (species)
- Swift (species)
- Bats (species)...oh, sorry
* = ID not confirmed
Italics = Flyovers
4 comments:
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!... and many more.
Awwwwww, thanks Bill!
It was the return of the Yellow-headed Blackbird that made me realize it's been a full year, now.
This morning, I was graced with a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk sitting quietly, high in a tree overlooking the feeders. I can always count on finding a raptor of some sort...when the songbirds are late to breakfast. LOL
Good to 'see' you... and thanks!
Beverly, I've been a bit delinquent here. I'm envious of what you've seen in the last year. I've learned a lot from your blog too. I've been watching the birds since late September/October of last year. I just love it.
It seems to me that some of the Red Crossbills are a little brighter now. I've got Rosy Finches every day now -- I figure they are going higher as the weather gets warmer. I've got all three races, but only have seen one of the Black Rosy Finch. I thought I heard a robin yesterday, but didn't see it.
I've thrown out nesting material into the trees and have a box set up on my window, but no takers so far. Have you started putting fruit and grape jelly out yet?
Debbie, so I’ve got a couple different seasons on you…that would be a big part of why I’ve seen more species than you have (so far). Plus, I live on ground level and have several many feeders…another advantage: I see birds that feed on the ground, as well as at feeders.
However, I’ve yet to see a Crossbill in my yard; though they are around. And I only see Rosy Finches when it snows and we haven’t had snow for over a month! This drought is really, really bad!
Having said that…robins are thick here. LOL Oh, and I’ve been watching the *&%$#! Starlings collect nesting material for a nests; ugh. Birds apparently like the dead grasses from last year, which I leave around the parameters, as well as the hair from my big ol’ dog.
I have been reluctant to put out nesting boxes, as there are at least a dozen squirrels that frequent my yard. I’ve actually counted nine at once feeding under the birdfeeders and several times I’ve caught them IN the feeders. [sigh] I need to get some sort of extender for some of the poles, as the damn things can jump right up onto the larger (longer) feeders that hang from a 5’ pole.
Funny you mention fruit and grape jelly…I’ve been planning both, as well as food for hummingbirds: did you see they’re already in Monument? Last year I had one in early May and it caused quite an uproar for ‘early’. Go figure, but with this weather they might be even earlier.
Anyway…good idea about the fruit and jelly. You know, Connie Kogler (Birds o’ the Morning (see my sidebar)) had a rare bird spend part of the winter with her…because she always keeps fruit and jelly out!
Oh, and I’ve got to get some mealworms, too.
Post a Comment