This morning I watched an SY male Purple Martin performing the "Claiming-Reclaiming Display." In the Stokes Purple Martin Book, they describe that behavior as "accompanied by song and involves the male leaving a nest hole, flying in a large circle, and returning to the hole in a steep dive punctuated with fluttering wings as he lands. He then quickly enters the hole, turns around, and sings from this position. It is done most frequently when male martins are trying to attract females to their territories." (pg. 36) I can't describe how happy I would be if I could get martins. They would have a good home here.
One reason I'm cautiously optimistic is this is the first time I've seen an SY male martin doing anything around the house. In the past, I would hear martins around it, but they were always ASY males with females just coming to check it out. So, combine the fact that this is an SY male (SY males are the ones that almost always establish a new colony) and he's doing the claiming-reclaiming display, I'm cautiously optimistic. I'll keep you updated.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Back Online! Finally!
We finally have our computer back. I was able to input all my birding records for the year since I had backed them up. I had to add the birds I've seen over the past couple of weeks. Anyway, now I know where I stand in my property big year.
Birds Seen as of 5/29/08: 111
Birds Seen as of 5/29/04: 106
When I was inputting the birds I've seen over the past couple of weeks, I started thinking of all the birds I haven't seen this year: Worm-eating Warbler, Canada Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blue Grosbeak and all the thrushes. I was a little worried I would be behind quite a bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was ahead by six!
A little plug for backing up - If you don't, start today! If I hadn't had my records backed up, I would have lost everything. Now I've got them backed up in three places: on my hard drive, on my external hard drive and on my flash memory stick. I will back up everytime I enter new data in all three places.
Birds Seen as of 5/29/08: 111
Birds Seen as of 5/29/04: 106
When I was inputting the birds I've seen over the past couple of weeks, I started thinking of all the birds I haven't seen this year: Worm-eating Warbler, Canada Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blue Grosbeak and all the thrushes. I was a little worried I would be behind quite a bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was ahead by six!
A little plug for backing up - If you don't, start today! If I hadn't had my records backed up, I would have lost everything. Now I've got them backed up in three places: on my hard drive, on my external hard drive and on my flash memory stick. I will back up everytime I enter new data in all three places.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Warblers! Warblers Everywhere!
I knew this morning was going to be good. The front passed yesterday with a pretty good line of rain. The north winds were blowing 10 - 15 mph. The blew all night, so I knew the migrants that came in yesterday afternoon would have spent the night here and would be feeding waiting for more favorable south winds to continue their journey north. I wasn't disappointed.
In about 2 hours of birding, I saw 16 species of warblers! Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Golden-winged, Hooded, Kentucky, Magnolia, Orange-crowned, Tennessee, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird. The one that surprised me the most was the Golden-winged. I saw six individuals, which is more than I've seen probably in my whole life! At one point, I had a Black-throated Green, Magnolia and Chestnut-sided in a single binocular view! I don't know that I'd call this a fallout, but it was definitely busy! I wish I could go out this evening when the new wave of migrants comes in. Maybe I can get out for an hour in the morning if there is still a north wind.
Another thing that kind of surprised me today was the number of White Ibis I saw flying over. I saw flock after flock of 20+ birds fly over. Everytime I got a clear view of the sky, a flock would fly over. I don't think I've ever seen that many.
A note from 4/26: I saw a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the mulberry tree on the east side of the house. I haven't seen them at my feeders yet, but it was nice to see him there. Also a Tri-colored Heron flew over. He was the first one I've seen from the property all year.
Birds Seen 4/28 (47 species): Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Carolina Chickadee, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Cattle Egret, Red-shouldered Hawk, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Purple Martin, Ovenbird, Barred Owl, Northern Parula, Eastern Wood-Pewee, American Redstart, Spotted Sandpiper, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Summer Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Common Yellowthroat
In about 2 hours of birding, I saw 16 species of warblers! Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Golden-winged, Hooded, Kentucky, Magnolia, Orange-crowned, Tennessee, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird. The one that surprised me the most was the Golden-winged. I saw six individuals, which is more than I've seen probably in my whole life! At one point, I had a Black-throated Green, Magnolia and Chestnut-sided in a single binocular view! I don't know that I'd call this a fallout, but it was definitely busy! I wish I could go out this evening when the new wave of migrants comes in. Maybe I can get out for an hour in the morning if there is still a north wind.
Another thing that kind of surprised me today was the number of White Ibis I saw flying over. I saw flock after flock of 20+ birds fly over. Everytime I got a clear view of the sky, a flock would fly over. I don't think I've ever seen that many.
A note from 4/26: I saw a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the mulberry tree on the east side of the house. I haven't seen them at my feeders yet, but it was nice to see him there. Also a Tri-colored Heron flew over. He was the first one I've seen from the property all year.
Birds Seen 4/28 (47 species): Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Carolina Chickadee, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Cattle Egret, Red-shouldered Hawk, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Purple Martin, Ovenbird, Barred Owl, Northern Parula, Eastern Wood-Pewee, American Redstart, Spotted Sandpiper, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Summer Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Common Yellowthroat
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday Bluebird Update
Still just three hatchlings in the nest. If the other two eggs don't hatch today or tomorrow, they're probably infertile and will need to be removed from the nest. I'll give them a few days.
More Bluebirds Hatch
The kids and I checked the box this afternoon and two more of the eggs had hatched. I hope the other two hatch soon and aren't infertile. If they don't hatch by Tuesday, I'll consider removing them from the nest. Here is a picture of the three that have hatched. The one on the top left is the newest. The downy feathers were still wet.
The Swallow-tailed Kite made a brief appearance today. I grabbed the camera, but by the time I got outside, he was too far away to get a picture. He couldn't have stayed around for 10 minutes like he did on Friday! I'll have to have the camera ready for future appearances.
Saturday, April 12 - Hatching Day!!!
The bluebird eggs began hatching today! One egg hatched today. Now comes the tough job for the parents. Here's a picture of the newest bluebird. I put some Tanglefoot on the pole to keep the ants from getting to them. They should be pretty well protected with the Tanglefoot and the raccoon/snake baffle on the pole.
I was pretty excited about birding Saturday morning. A front moved through on Friday. Humidity was low. There were light north winds blowing. I was hoping some of the birds that might have headed north during the night decided to stay put until more favorable breezes began blowing. I wasn't disappointed. Swallows were everywhere! Barn, Bank, Cliff, Northern Rough-winged and Tree Swallows flew over in large numbers while I was down at the new pond. Vireos were out in good numbers too. Blue-headed, White-eyed and Red-eyed were singing quite a bit. Philadelphia were foraging in the trees. Warblers also made a good showing. Black-and-white were out in good numbers. A couple of Black-throated Green showed up in the tops of the trees. A Golden-winged was singing from the top of a tree. It took me about 15 minutes to finally locate him! The Northern Parula was singing at his tree. A male Hooded popped out of some tri-foliate orange trees and posed for me for a couple of minutes. Yellow-rumped are changing into their breeding plumage. Every year I have to stop and wonder what I'm looking at when I seem them changing. They really are pretty warblers in breeding plumage. A Summer Tanager became my friend while I was searching for the Black-throated Green Warbler. He got in some low branches and just watched me as I scanned the treetops and looked at him occasionally. He would sing a low song and just look at me. That was pretty cool. Maybe he was people watching. With the cooler temperatures and lower humidity, the mosquitoes weren't as bad, which was nice.
Twice I was scolded by adult birds because I got too close to their fledglings. Just as I entered the woods, a Carolina Wren began scolding me and I found two of their fledglings with the yellow still around the edge of their beak. Later in the woods, a Tufted Titmouse began scolding me and I quickly found the juveniles, also with yellow still around their beak. They look so cute with their short tails!
Here's a picture of an Eastern Kingbird that showed up in our front yard a week ago. I just got it off the camera yesterday.
Species seen on April 12 (47 species): Carolina Chickadee, Neotropic Cormorant, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Killdeer, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Purple Martin, Northern Parula, Spotted Sandpiper, House Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Summer Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-headed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Black Vulture, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren
Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11
Thursday evening was pretty exciting for me. I got home from the office and went to change. I looked out of our bedroom window and saw hundreds of Mississippi Kites flying in a kettle. They flew around and finally went out of sight. I think it was the same group that showed up four more times. If it wasn't the same group, we had well over 300 Mississippi Kites migrate over our house on Thursday. That was a lot of fun to watch! I also saw my first Chimney Swift of the year.
I got out early on Friday morning. It was warm, humid and a decent south wind was blowing. The skies were threatening rain, although we got just a light shower during the day. One of the first things I noticed was the mosquito larvae had completed their cycle to become adults. They were really bad! Fortunately I had a can of Off! with me.
I wasn't expecting much with the south wind blowing. I did get a couple of new birds for the property year. I found a Black-and-white Warbler foraging in a tree. A Philadelphia Vireo was deeper in the woods. An Eastern Wood-Pewee was showing off his flycatching skills not too far away from the vireo. He would sit on a dead branch and fly off, catch and insect and fly back. One of the more exciting birds I saw flew over while I was mowing. I had just turned and started heading north and saw the Swallow-tailed Kite flying toward me. He was eating something on the wing. I couldn't tell what it was. He was flying maybe 100 ft. off the ground. After he finished eating, he started gaining altitude until he was probably 1/4 mile high and flew off to the north. He stayed around for about 10 minutes. That was a lot of fun to see him again this year.
I did get to witness some avian drama on Friday. I made my way over to the new pond to see what was going on with the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest that I watched them excavate. As I got closer, I saw the male woodpecker diving at the tree and calling. I thought that was a little uncharacteristic of him. As I got closer, I could see what he was so upset about. A 4' long rat snake was climbing the tree. The nest is probably 10' to 12' from the top of the tree. The snake climbed to the top, inspected an old nest hole, and turned around to head down the tree. I kept hoping he wouldn't find the woodpecker nest, but he found the hole, stuck his head in and then went in for a meal. I think there were just eggs in there at the time because I don't think they would have had time to lay their eggs and have them hatch yet. But, these woodpeckers will have to start over if they want to have a successful breeding season this year. It's a tough life being a bird.
Species seen on April 11 (37 species): Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Cattle Egret, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Little Blue Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White Ibis, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, Purple Martin, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Parula, Eastern Wood Pewee, White-throated Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chimney Swift, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren
I got out early on Friday morning. It was warm, humid and a decent south wind was blowing. The skies were threatening rain, although we got just a light shower during the day. One of the first things I noticed was the mosquito larvae had completed their cycle to become adults. They were really bad! Fortunately I had a can of Off! with me.
I wasn't expecting much with the south wind blowing. I did get a couple of new birds for the property year. I found a Black-and-white Warbler foraging in a tree. A Philadelphia Vireo was deeper in the woods. An Eastern Wood-Pewee was showing off his flycatching skills not too far away from the vireo. He would sit on a dead branch and fly off, catch and insect and fly back. One of the more exciting birds I saw flew over while I was mowing. I had just turned and started heading north and saw the Swallow-tailed Kite flying toward me. He was eating something on the wing. I couldn't tell what it was. He was flying maybe 100 ft. off the ground. After he finished eating, he started gaining altitude until he was probably 1/4 mile high and flew off to the north. He stayed around for about 10 minutes. That was a lot of fun to see him again this year.
I did get to witness some avian drama on Friday. I made my way over to the new pond to see what was going on with the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest that I watched them excavate. As I got closer, I saw the male woodpecker diving at the tree and calling. I thought that was a little uncharacteristic of him. As I got closer, I could see what he was so upset about. A 4' long rat snake was climbing the tree. The nest is probably 10' to 12' from the top of the tree. The snake climbed to the top, inspected an old nest hole, and turned around to head down the tree. I kept hoping he wouldn't find the woodpecker nest, but he found the hole, stuck his head in and then went in for a meal. I think there were just eggs in there at the time because I don't think they would have had time to lay their eggs and have them hatch yet. But, these woodpeckers will have to start over if they want to have a successful breeding season this year. It's a tough life being a bird.
Species seen on April 11 (37 species): Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Cattle Egret, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Little Blue Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White Ibis, Blue Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, Purple Martin, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Parula, Eastern Wood Pewee, White-throated Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chimney Swift, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren
Monday, April 7, 2008
Friday, April 4
Friday was fun. I was able to go birding with only minimal time constraints. The migrants were pretty sparse still. I have to keep reminding myself that it's only early April and the peak of migration is still two weeks away! For the remaining Fridays in April and the first couple weeks of May, I shouldn't have any time constraints, and I'll probably get to go out on Saturdays as well!
As far as the migrants go, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Northern Parula, and Red-eyed Vireo were calling. I thought I heard a Great Crested Flycatcher, but never could locate him for a positive ID. I did see my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year in the woods. An Upland Sandpiper called as it flew over. The Yellow-rumped Warblers are molting into their spring plumage. It's amazing the transformation that takes place. The drab, brown bird that we see all winter suddenly changes into a colorful bird that is fun to look at!
Speaking of Northern Parulas, I believe I have found the location of their nest. I have known they nest on our property, but never have been able to find a nest. I went out for an hour on Wednesday and observed a female going in and out of a clump of Spanish moss. She was doing the same thing on Friday. So, I'll watch for signs of them feeding young and set up a video camera to catch the action. Hopefully I can post a video of them on the blog.
On Sunday, I saw a Swainson's Hawk flying to the north of the house and got a good look at him. He is the first one I've seen for the year. Then this morning I was sitting in the living room before everyone got up and a Barn Owl flew somewhere near the house and screeched as he passed over.
Our computer is still down at the house. Apparently everyone except one guy from the Geek Squad at Best Buy called in sick today. Hopefully we can get it to them and get it fixed. So, I'm not sure where I am in comparison to 2004. I imagine it's pretty close still.
Birds Seen on April 4 (44 species): Cattle Egret, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Horned Owl, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow
As far as the migrants go, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Northern Parula, and Red-eyed Vireo were calling. I thought I heard a Great Crested Flycatcher, but never could locate him for a positive ID. I did see my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year in the woods. An Upland Sandpiper called as it flew over. The Yellow-rumped Warblers are molting into their spring plumage. It's amazing the transformation that takes place. The drab, brown bird that we see all winter suddenly changes into a colorful bird that is fun to look at!
Speaking of Northern Parulas, I believe I have found the location of their nest. I have known they nest on our property, but never have been able to find a nest. I went out for an hour on Wednesday and observed a female going in and out of a clump of Spanish moss. She was doing the same thing on Friday. So, I'll watch for signs of them feeding young and set up a video camera to catch the action. Hopefully I can post a video of them on the blog.
On Sunday, I saw a Swainson's Hawk flying to the north of the house and got a good look at him. He is the first one I've seen for the year. Then this morning I was sitting in the living room before everyone got up and a Barn Owl flew somewhere near the house and screeched as he passed over.
Our computer is still down at the house. Apparently everyone except one guy from the Geek Squad at Best Buy called in sick today. Hopefully we can get it to them and get it fixed. So, I'm not sure where I am in comparison to 2004. I imagine it's pretty close still.
Birds Seen on April 4 (44 species): Cattle Egret, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Great Horned Owl, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow
Thursday, April 3, 2008
A Little Spring Birding
When I got home from the office yesterday, no one was home, so I decided to walk in the woods for an hour or so. It was nice except for the extremely high humidity. The mosquitoes weren't bad at all, which was a nice surprise.
I did add a few new birds for the year. The migrants are definitely showing up. I got to the first tree that is covered in Spanish moss and a male and female Northern Parula were foraging together. A Yellow-throated Warbler was in the same tree. Indigo Buntings were calling and I finally saw a male and three females. Further south somewhere to the east of the new pond, a Red-eyed Vireo was calling from the tops of the trees. Barn Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows flew overhead.
I'm not sure where I am for the year or where I am in comparison to 2004. Our computer has a corrupt file and we can't get it started. We'll get it fixed soon. I'll be able to update it then.
Birds Seen on April 2 (33 species): Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow
I did add a few new birds for the year. The migrants are definitely showing up. I got to the first tree that is covered in Spanish moss and a male and female Northern Parula were foraging together. A Yellow-throated Warbler was in the same tree. Indigo Buntings were calling and I finally saw a male and three females. Further south somewhere to the east of the new pond, a Red-eyed Vireo was calling from the tops of the trees. Barn Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows flew overhead.
I'm not sure where I am for the year or where I am in comparison to 2004. Our computer has a corrupt file and we can't get it started. We'll get it fixed soon. I'll be able to update it then.
Birds Seen on April 2 (33 species): Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Bluebird Update
The bluebirds have laid five eggs. The last one was laid on Sunday, March 30. I am putting the projected hatching date at April 12. The female is diligently incubating the eggs. I only see her out of the box when I go over to it to check on them. I'm trying not to disturb her too much.
I haven't been able to get out birding much. I had a doctor's appointment last Friday and wasn't able to get out. Then on Saturday I was busy all day. Hopefully I'll get out on Friday if the 50% chance of rain will hold off. I know there are Hooded Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Summer Tanagers, Kentucky Warblers, etc. down there just waiting for me to see them. It's killing me that I can't get down there. I may go birding even if it's raining lightly.
I'm really looking forward to the third weekend of April. One of my long-time birding buddies is coming down from Abilene to go birding on my property and at High Island over the weekend. It will be fun. The last time we were at High Island together was in 2002. In 1997, we just happened to be there on the weekend of a huge fallout. It was absolutely incredible! Well, good for us, not so good for the birds. For our sake, I'm hoping for the same kind of luck, but I hope the birds have an easier time of it!
The Cattle Egrets have made a return to the property. On Sunday I was outside when a large flock of them came in. They all landed around one of the calves and kind of spooked him! He started kicking and running from them. They didn't seem bothered by his actions much.
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