Update on the Martin Nest

I checked the gourd the Purple Martins are using and there is some significant progress on the nest. I grabbed the camera and took a couple of pictures:

As they collect mud for their nest, some gets on the entrance hole.


The entrance is to the left. There is quite a bit of stuff toward the front. You can see the mud mixed in with the nesting material. They are using the pine needles that we collected for them. We watched them land several times, grab a beakful of pine needles and take them into the gourd. This picture is already outdated!

I am so excited to finally have martins nesting! It's been five years of waiting. I'm looking forward to having them every year from now on!

Bluebirds Hatch and Purple Martins Build Nest

I checked on the bluebirds yesterday and the female was finally off the nest. All five eggs hatched! Here are a couple of pictures:



After I got the pictures of the bluebirds, I checked for any progress with the Purple Martins. They are slowly adding nesting material into one of the gourds. There was a lot of twigs and things that look like grass roots. They are beginning to add a little bit of mud as well. I'll know to start looking for eggs when the green leaves show up in the nest.

Saturday, April 25

Saturday was windy still, but there were several migrants still around. I guess the deluge we had Friday night was enough to keep them grounded into Saturday morning. The gully that runs through our property was as high as I've ever seen it. It was way out of its banks in several places.

I entered the woods in one of the most productive spots and it was the most productive again. I added three FOS birds there - Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and Canada Warbler. There were a couple of Ovenbirds around. A Kentucky Warbler and a Hooded Warbler were singing on territory. A Chestnut-sided Warbler chattered as he looked in the leaves for some caterpillars. When I got down to the new pond, a Dickcissel flew in and called from some of the trees that were knocked down during the hurricane. That's only the second time I've ever seen a Dickcissel on the property, although I know they migrate through here. I've got good breeding habitat for them.

Speaking of breeding, the bluebird eggs haven't hatched yet. I checked them today and they are still unhatched. They should hatch in the next couple of days. The Purple Martins have begun putting nesting material in the gourd. Hopefully it won't be long they lay eggs. I observed the female plucking feathers from her brooding patch on Saturday.

Bird species seen 4/25/09 (39 species): Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Laughing Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Tennessee Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler (FOS), Blackpoll Warbler (FOS), Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler (FOS), Yellow-breasted Chat, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel (FOS), Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird

Birding On A Windy Day

A strong southerly breeze didn't give me a lot of hope that there would be many migrants around today. Many of them take advantage of the winds and just keep going north once they hit the coast. Those that did stop yesterday take off at nightfall (you can actually watch that on radar between 8:30 and 9:30 usually) and continue their journey north. So, I went out this morning not expecting to see a whole lot. Unfortunately, I was right. Most of what I saw were either year-round residents or resident migrants that nest here. I was only out for a couple of hours this morning. I got back in and Eastern Kingbirds showed up in some really great numbers! At one time there were six of them trying to get to the mulberry tree on the east side of the house. A mockingbird was vigorously defending "his" tree. That was fun to watch. I thought maybe I could go out in the afternoon and catch some of the incoming migrants as they stop to refuel before continuing north. It was pretty much the same story, except for the ten to fifteen Baltimore Orioles that I found in the top of some trees. Those were the only two FOS birds I got today.

The mulberry tree has been pretty productive today. Along with the Eastern Kingbirds, I've seen Orchard Orioles grabbing a few berries. I thought I saw a Baltimore Oriole, but the mockingbird chased it away before I could get my binoculars to see very well. I keep looking for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in there. They typically show up in there every year.

An adult White-winged Dove showed up at my feeder today. I have never seen an adult at my feeders. That was kind of fun to see, although I know that if they start increasing in numbers, I'll soon want to get rid of them because of how much they eat.

I checked the bluebird nest this morning. The eggs haven't hatched yet. I projected them to hatch tomorrow, so we'll see if I'm right. The Purple Martins haven't continued their nest-building activities. It will happen, but I'm ready for them to get started now!

Even though it was a slower day, I did end up with 43 species. That's not too bad. I checked my list against the birds I saw last year on this date and I'm fifteen species ahead for this year. I'm not sure what to attribute that to. I have seen several birds this spring that I didn't get last year, but I don't think it is that many. Maybe I just had a better winter than I thought.

Bird species seen on 4/24/09 (43 species): Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird (FOS), White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole (FOS), House Sparrow

Update on the Purple Martins

I came home at lunch today to pick up Kristen for an appointment and went out to check the gourds where the martins are hanging out quite a bit. When I got out there, I lowered the gourds and as I got them all the way down, the male and female came in with the female carrying some nesting material! I was so excited! I didn't see any real efforts of nest building in any of the gourds, but today may have been the first day they're starting. We'll collect some pine needles this afternoon to put beneath the gourds for them to use.

On another note, there are a pair of House Sparrows trying to claim one of the compartments on the house. Once they get good and comfortable, I'll trap them and get rid of them.

Slower Day, But Still Good!

Today was definitely a little slower than the previous two, but still a lot of fun to be out there. The sheer numbers of birds weren't around, but there were still quite a few. I added six more FOS to the property list today: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chat. It was definitely the day of the thrush! I enjoyed seeing all of them. The Yellow-breasted Chat was in some of the thick yaupons along the trail to go into the woods.

I saw something today I've never seen before. There were between 100 and 200 Chimney Swifts flying low above the trees very, very fast. It was as if they were feeding on something. They stayed in basically the same area for long periods of time. Barn Swallows would join them occasionally, but mostly it was just the swifts.

This was a productive weekend for my yearly property list. I added 21 FOS birds this weekend. They really showed up in great numbers. I just wonder how many more I would have gotten if it hadn't rained quite so much and I could have spent more time birding. I saw a total of 74 species on the property this weekend, fifteen of which were warblers. This is definitely one of those weekends that I'll remember for a long time!

Bird species seen 4/19/09 (43 species): Turkey Vulture, Mississippi Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo (FOS), Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker ,Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo (FOS), Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush (FOS), Swainson's Thrush (FOS), Wood Thrush (FOS), Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (FOS), Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting

Fun Feeder Bird

Yesterday a male Indigo Bunting visited my feeder. I was pretty excited because they don't show up very often at the feeders. I remember as a kid having my feeders covered in blue with Indigo Buntings. Occasionally a blue head would raise to reveal the red chest of a Painted Bunting. I haven't had that here. But, seeing the one bird at my feeder was fun yesterday.

After I posted my blog yesterday, I added three other species - American Crow, Little Blue Heron and Blue Grosbeak. The Blue Grosbeak was perched on the fence surrounding our dog yard. That was fun seeing him up here around the house.

My Two-Hour "Big Sit"

Birding this morning was cut short by thunderstorms moving into the area. I knew they were imminent, and told myself as soon as I hear thunder that I would go in. So, I went into the woods to one of the birdiest places on the property. I decided to just stay there and see what would show up. I was reminded of the importance of being still and the rewards that come with it. We're always wanting to know what's going on somewhere else and many times we miss what is going on all around us. I just stood in one spot for over two hours and the birds were everywhere. When the activity would stop, I just waited and more would show up.

On the way into the woods, I heard a bird fly from my left and found a Green Heron that had been looking for breakfast in the water left from yesterday's rainfall. As I walked into the woods, a FOS male Rose-breasted Grosbeak flew into the top of a small tallow tree. He was still molting into his spring plumage. I saw one a little later that was completely molted. He was beautiful! I'm looking for them at my feeders. While I was in the woods, warblers were everywhere! The only FOS warbler I saw was an Ovenbird. A male Hooded Warbler was flitting around in the vegetation while singing on territory. A male Kentucky Warbler also sang several times while I was there. He showed himself pretty regularly. In all, I saw twelve species of warblers. There were Acadian Flycatchers and Eastern Wood-Pewees flying around. The Eastern Wood-Pewee was singing his territorial song. A Great Crested Flycatcher called in the distance. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets joined the warblers in the trees. Finally, I heard the rumble of thunder and went inside. Hopefully tomorrow the front will have passed and we'll have a nice day for birding!

Bird species seen April 18 (42 species): Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Killdeer, Laughing Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Eastern Screech-Owl, Barred Owl, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird (FOS), Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak (FOS), Indigo Bunting, House Sparrow

Record-breaking Day!

Today was an excellent day for birding on the property! Until today, April 25, 2007 was the day where I had seen the highest number of species which was 55. Today, so far, I have seen 56 and the possibility of seeing others is there because there are a few pretty common birds I haven't seen today.

On my way to the woods, a crow flew over and called, instantly identifying itself as a Fish Crow. I haven't seen one in quite a while. Barn, Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows flew overhead. A lone White-winged Dove flew over as well.

The woods were absolutely full of migrants today! I ended up adding thirteen FOS birds to the year list. I also added Warbling Vireo to the property list. I got some great looks at him! I had hardly gotten into the woods when I stopped to observe some movement in a tree to my right. Two Blue-winged Warblers were flitting around looking for a meal. An American Redstart was just above them in the tree. They moved on, but I could hear a lot of activity coming from around some thick stuff, so I started moving that way. A Kentucky Warbler flew in front of me and lit on a dead branch about three feet off the ground giving me several seconds of really good looks at him. A Worm-eating Warbler flew across low to some dead branches left after Hurricane Ike. I got to where all the birds were and it was almost impossible to look at just one. Yellow-throated Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, an Acadian Flycatcher were the most active. A male Hooded Warbler lit on an exposed branch about 15 ft. from me and sang. I spotted some movement in a little tree to my right and looked through my binoculars to see a beautiful male Cerulean Warbler. The Warbling Vireo flew in just above him. A Chestnut-sided Warbler hopped out behind the Cerulean. At one point, I had the Cerulean, Chestnut-sided and Warbling Vireo in one binocular view! I moved out a little bit an a Tennessee Warbler was in the top of an oak tree. I saw a larger bird fly into one of the trees. I found him in my binoculars and it was a Black-billed Cuckoo! That is only the second one I've ever seen on the property. To top it off, a Summer Tanager came flying in and began singing.

I moved on from that spot after the bird activity had quieted down. I came upon a spot where an Indigo Bunting was singing from the top of a small tree. I watched him sing for a couple of minutes. I found several other males and females in the branches of the tree that was laying on the ground. To my left, a Blue Grosbeak popped up out of the thick branches. I checked the radar on my phone and saw that the rain was making steady progress toward me, so I decided to move on.

There is a spot to the east of the new pond that has been pretty good for warblers in the past. I slowed down quite a bit there and I wasn't disappointed! A Yellow Warbler was hopping around in the branches looking for some food. Black-and-white Warblers clung to the tree trunks and branches. A male Blackburnian Warbler showed off his fiery throat for a few seconds. Black-throated Green Warblers joined the show. A male Scarlet Tanager flew in and showed off his brilliant red plumage. Red-eyed Vireos were busily looking for food, while one sang from a perch I could not find. I heard to my right the song of an Eastern Wood-Pewee and found him sitting atop a dead tree. I checked the radar on my phone again (which I found out when I got home was not showing the correct images!) and decided to call it a morning and go in. The mosquitoes almost carried me off when I got to the pond.

I loaded up our van with our trash and took it off. On the road to the dump, several Black Vultures were eating something and a Crested Caracara tried to get some of it too.

The Eastern Bluebirds have laid five eggs in their nest. The projected hatching date is Saturday, April 25. The Purple Martins are still hanging around the house and gourds. I haven't seen any nest building activity, but they are around a little more each day. They will probably start building anytime now.

Bird species seen 4/17/09 (56 species): Cattle Egret, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo (FOS), Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee (FOS), Acadian Flycatcher (FOS), Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo (FOS), Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Fish Crow, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Blue-winged Warbler (FOS), Tennessee Warbler (FOS), Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler (FOS), Chestnut-sided Warbler (FOS), Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler (FOS), Cerulean Warbler (FOS), Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart (FOS), Worm-eating Warbler (FOS), Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager (FOS), Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak (FOS), Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole, House Sparrow

More on Purple Martins and additional sightings

The Purple Martins hung around for most of the day. I grabbed the camera and got a couple of shots of them. Here is one:


As I sat outside on my backporch this evening, I added a few new birds to the day's list. A Great Horned Owl called from the woods. Cattle Egrets flew over. A couple of Killdeer chased each other around the yard. Chimney Swifts twittered overhead as the sun set. With those, it brings my daily total to 49 species.

Finally! Maybe . . .

I am cautiously optimistic today! There are four Purple Martins around my gourds and house today. They've been there all morning! I'm very, very excited about this! It's been five years since I put the gourds up. This is the most promising sign of them taking up residence with me that I've seen.

The Eastern Bluebirds are within a few days of completing their nest. They are using quite a few pine needles in their nest. Hopefully we'll see eggs soon.

The birding this morning in the woods was good. There are still a really high number of Northern Parulas flitting around and singing. Not to be outdone today were the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. There were parulas and gnatcatchers everywhere. I have never seen it like that. I did get a few FOS birds - Bank Swallow, Tennessee Warbler and Orchard Oriole. I saw several Black-throated Green Warblers. A male Yellow-rumped Warbler came out nearly in full breeding plumage. I always have to stop and figure out what they are when I see them like that. A Swallow-tailed Kite flew over while I was at the new pond and gave me some really great looks. A flock of eight Anhingas flew over while I was down there too. Red-eyed Vireos are beginning to sing on territory.

Birds seen 4/3/09 (44 Species): Anhinga, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Swallow-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Upland Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow (FOS), Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Tennessee Warbler(FOS), Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Orchard Oriole (FOS), American Goldfinch