Any fellow birdwatchers out there?

[jnicholes]

An American Goldfinch visited this morning. It was cool to see.

 

[texsuze]

Another birder here! Glad you started this thread. We're in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the central flyway, so we get to see lots of neotropical migrants come through each year, in addition to the "usual suspects" who frequent this area.

I've participated in Cornell University's Project Feeder Watch (citizen science) for 23 years. My husband does Cornell's Nest Watch--he has 51 nest boxes/nest sites that he is in the throes of monitoring right now. We submit our observations and data to Cornell through these two programs. Very cool. Cornell U has some awesome nest and feeder cams live-streaming now--http://cams.allaboutbirds.org

Our eastern screech owl has chicks right now; barn swallows are on their second clutch; eastern phoebes have fledged and are geared up for their second nesting; purple martins returned for the first time in several years; black-crested titmouse, Carolina chickadee, ash-throated flycatcher, Bewick's wren are all in various stages of egg-laying or nesting or feeding chicks. Lesser goldfinches are back along with cardinals and white-winged doves. Summer tanagers and Scott's orioles are back, too. A couple months ago the black-chinned hummers returned and now we typically have 30+ wrestling for spots on (only) 3 hummer feeders. Granulated sugar is ALWAYS on the grocery list.

Too much info!

 

[Sequel]

That's incredible! Please post pics!!!! My neighbor has Bewick's wrens nesting in a box and I have a crow who chases hawks away from my chickens but is eating all the baby robins in the area. I am very envious of your orioles and cardinals!

 

[Eggscaping]

Another birder here! Glad you started this thread. We're in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the central flyway, so we get to see lots of neotropical migrants come through each year, in addition to the "usual suspects" who frequent this area.

I've participated in Cornell University's Project Feeder Watch (citizen science) for 23 years. My husband does Cornell's Nest Watch--he has 51 nest boxes/nest sites that he is in the throes of monitoring right now. We submit our observations and data to Cornell through these two programs. Very cool. Cornell U has some awesome nest and feeder cams live-streaming now--http://cams.allaboutbirds.org

Our eastern screech owl has chicks right now; barn swallows are on their second clutch; eastern phoebes have fledged and are geared up for their second nesting; purple martins returned for the first time in several years; black-crested titmouse, Carolina chickadee, ash-throated flycatcher, Bewick's wren are all in various stages of egg-laying or nesting or feeding chicks. Lesser goldfinches are back along with cardinals and white-winged doves. Summer tanagers and Scott's orioles are back, too. A couple months ago the black-chinned hummers returned and now we typically have 30+ wrestling for spots on (only) 3 hummer feeders. Granulated sugar is ALWAYS on the grocery list.

Too much info!

We have a yard we've lived in for 28 years. When we bought it, it was bare. Now it's an urban oasis...small pond, 2 birdbaths, a dozen trees and more numbers of shrubs, lots of undergrowth and flowers for pollinators and birds. We have never used pesticides or herbicides. Aphids and the like we wash off with hoses.
Our reward is a small "Wild Kingdom". The good bugs eat the bad ones, and we are treated to songs, mating rituals, and many, many small birds that come within feet of us, knowing we mean them no harm. We have 3 hummingbird feeders, which are constantly fought over. Gold Crown Sparrows have nested in our yard, as have swallows and the others. Oregon Juncos hop within feet and Song Sparrows serenade us each day. I love it.
Now we will have to sell it and start over down in Lakeside, Oregon - a double lot, which is again....bare. (Except for nearly a dozen huge pampas grass which we will have to pay someone with equipment to pull out.)
We can't wait to start again - with chickens, raised gardens, rabbits, and lots of sitting on the dock and fishing! I can't stress how important to the Earth the 'no pesticide, no herbicide, no fertilizers, PLANT NATIVES for native wildlife and pollinators' way of life is. We only have one Earth. Please cherish it and treat it, and our fellow travelers with love and respect.

 

[jnicholes]

Haven't posted on this thread in a while. I got some awesome bird pics today, but, I'm an old-school photographer, so I have to wait for the film to be developed. Got some pictures of some ducks, and some other birds.

Here is a picture of a house finch I took recently. It visited my feeder. I've also had American goldfinches, and on occasion house sparrows.



I also have a video I took of a peregrine falcon diving in a fight against a hawk. It's late here in Idaho now, so I'll post that in the morning.

I'll let you know all know when my film gets developed.

Jared

 

[so lucky]

A couple years ago we had a leucistic cardinal coming to our feeder. He wasn't completely white, like an albino; he had pink wings and tail and head, with a white body. Just beautiful. I was so excited, I contacted the state conservation office, thinking they would be interested. They were pretty indifferent about it. I was envisioning a TV crew at my kitchen window, the interview, the whole works. Nope, nothing.

 

[Alexandra33]

Goodness sakes, beautiful birds, everyone! I'm loving all the pictures and stories!

A LEUCISTIC Cardinal? Certainly jealous about that one....I have yet to spot an unusual mutation.

Since first posting, I've gathered several lifers! Anyone else visit Magee Marsh (around Lake Erie) for the Biggest Week in American Birding? This was my third year attending, and I wasn't disappointed with the variety of migrating avian life.

Here's a PRECIOUS Common Yellowthroat I snapped last month in Killdeer Plains. Indeed common, as the name implies. He certainly felt the need to show off his stunning plumage and voice.

I've also been blessed enough to see a scad of Dickcissels.

Will be sharing some of my lifers soon, when this slow internet allows.

~Alex

 

[jnicholes]

Well, I almost forgot about this thread! Here is another picture I took of a gorgeous bird. The story behind is simple. It was Memorial Day weekend, 2019. Saturday. Me and my father were out mowing the lawn, when I stopped. He asked me why I stopped mowing. I pointed up above me, and there was a gorgeous bald eagle. It was so awesome to see! I got several pictures!



It was awesome to see!

Later on, I'll post a video of a peregrine falcon that dived in a fight against a red tailed hawk. That was interesting to see also.

I know I said that before, but I'll do it right now.

Jared

 

[jnicholes]

I am a man of my word. Here is a video I took of a Peregrine Falcon that dove in a fight with a red tailed hawk. You can hear when the hawk was hit if you listen closely.

Jared

 

[Alexandra33]

Aren't eagles a sight to see? Even since population explosion, it's impossible to tire of their magnificent aura. Beautiful sounds, too. Yours is particularly stunning.

Here's one I observed around a nearby reservoir.


Fantastic footage!! Who won? I've decided that larger birds are often afraid of their tiny, aggressive attackers.

~Alex