On Sunday, Nov. 27, I was sitting down at the new pond watching for a huge hog that has been down there. I had backed the four wheeler up near the pond to try and get out of the strong north wind. A Marsh Wren was hopping around in the cattails growing in the pond. He gave me some great looks. I wasn't sure if I had seen one before on the property. I put it in my bird listing program, I ran a report and saw the number 200 on it. So, eight years, three months and 24 days after we moved here, I finally saw my 200th property species.
Project FeederWatch week three was pretty much like the first two weeks. I was able to add a Ruby-crowned Kinglet to the list of birds that come to the feeders. There is one that is consistently on the Bark Butter log. The Red-bellied Woodpeckers have found the Bark Butter as well. I'm looking forward to the Pine Warblers and American Goldfinches coming. According to my records, I should see Pine Warblers showing up next week. The goldfinches should show up at my feeders within the next couple of weeks.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
More Winter Birds
Today I had several Chipping Sparrows show up at my feeder. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet has begun visiting my Bark Butter feeder. I am still waiting on the Pine Warblers to show up. Yellow-rumped Warblers have visited my birdbath frequently today. It started off cool this morning but warmed up quickly through the day. The clouds were low and thick this morning an I heard several flocks of Snow Geese flying over. I was finally able to see some of them once the clouds broke. There were about twenty Eastern Bluebirds in my yard. Several of them must be migrants from northern areas.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Project FeederWatch Week 1
Project FeederWatch began for me on Sunday, Nov. 13. If you don't know what PFW is, it is a project that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology sponsors where they ask people will feeders across the U.S. and Canada to record the highest number at a given time of all the species that come to anything the participants have put up for birds in their yard. I watch my feeders, birdbath and brush pile for bird species. Participants pick two consecutive days to watch their feeders as much as they can. Then the reports are sent to Cornell where they compile them. They are able to monitor the populations of individual species, watch how different species are spreading across the U.S. and Canada or how they are declining and get an idea of different migration patterns. It's fun to know the information I get from my little spot is helping the scientists understand birds a little better.
My first week of PFW was a good one. Despite the birds not coming to the feeders in the same abundance as they did in the summer, I recorded 15 species. That is the highest first week species count since I've been participating in 2009/2010. The species were: Eurasian Collared-Dove (3), White-winged Dove (12), Mourning Dove (2), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2), Blue Jay (2), Carolina Chickadee (2), Carolina Wren (2), Northern Mockingbird (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1), Song Sparrow (1), Northern Cardinal (3), Red-winged Blackbird (2), Common Grackle (2), House Sparrow (6) and Brown Thrasher (1).
I was a little worried that my numbers were going to be down this year because my feeders in the woods are inactive. I cannot keep the raccoons (I'm assuming it's raccoons) out of them. I bought a BirdCam with a flash so I can put it down there at night to see how they're getting into the feeders to see if I can outsmart them. So far the score is Raccoons - 5, Paul - 0. Hopefully I can keep them out of the feeders and have them active as well to keep track of the birds visiting down in the woods.
My first week of PFW was a good one. Despite the birds not coming to the feeders in the same abundance as they did in the summer, I recorded 15 species. That is the highest first week species count since I've been participating in 2009/2010. The species were: Eurasian Collared-Dove (3), White-winged Dove (12), Mourning Dove (2), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2), Blue Jay (2), Carolina Chickadee (2), Carolina Wren (2), Northern Mockingbird (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1), Song Sparrow (1), Northern Cardinal (3), Red-winged Blackbird (2), Common Grackle (2), House Sparrow (6) and Brown Thrasher (1).
I was a little worried that my numbers were going to be down this year because my feeders in the woods are inactive. I cannot keep the raccoons (I'm assuming it's raccoons) out of them. I bought a BirdCam with a flash so I can put it down there at night to see how they're getting into the feeders to see if I can outsmart them. So far the score is Raccoons - 5, Paul - 0. Hopefully I can keep them out of the feeders and have them active as well to keep track of the birds visiting down in the woods.
Rufous Hummingbird
On Sunday, November 6, I saw my first Rufous Hummingbird on my property, giving me 199 property species. I was hoping she'd stick around for my first weekend of Project FeederWatch, but no luck. Here are some pictures I got of her with my BirdCam.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Winter Migrants and Project FeederWatch
It's been a while since I wrote about anything happening on the property. Between the mosquitoes and being very busy, I didn't get out to see what was going on with fall migration this year on the property. But I did get to see some neat things that aren't terribly common on my property.
On September 17, I drove in from work and saw a flycatcher sitting at the top of a tree. I ran in and grabbed my binoculars and saw it was an Olive-sided Flycatcher. That was only the third sighting of one on the property. On October 8, I walked out to hear the first Eastern Phoebe of the season singing his name. A Great-crested Flycatcher was in the top of the hackberry tree in my backyard. A Crested Caracara flew over the house. That was the fourth sighting of a caracara. On November 3, I was driving down the driveway headed to work and a White-tailed Kite was flying over the yard. That was the second time I've seen one of them on the property. On November 4, a Brown Creeper began exploring the bark on a tallow tree in my backyard. That was only the third time I've seen one of them on the property. Then on November 6, I was sitting outside drinking my coffee while watching my feeders and a Rufous Hummingbird came up to my hummingbird feeders. That was the first time I've ever seen one on my property. That gives me 199 property species!
Winter residents are showing up. A Brown Thrasher visited my birdbath a few weeks ago. Yellow-rumped Warblers are eating the hackberries and visiting my birdbath with regularity. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet joined them in the hackberry tree looking for insects. Eastern Phoebes chase insects while announcing their presence with their "phoebe" call. Chipping Sparrows have begun visiting my feeder. I see Song Sparrows in the grassy areas of the pasture. I heard a Northern Flicker calling from the woods on Sunday morning. I love the fall season with all the birds that migrate into the area. It won't be long before the goldfinches show up at the feeders. House Wrens will show up soon. Pine Warblers will start visiting the suet in the coming weeks.
Project FeederWatch starts on November 13 for me. Sundays and Mondays will be my count days again this year. It looks like I'll be able to get off to a better start this year than I did last year. There are several birds visiting my feeders and birdbath already this year. Last year was pretty slow to start the season. Hopefully that will continue throughout the season.
On September 17, I drove in from work and saw a flycatcher sitting at the top of a tree. I ran in and grabbed my binoculars and saw it was an Olive-sided Flycatcher. That was only the third sighting of one on the property. On October 8, I walked out to hear the first Eastern Phoebe of the season singing his name. A Great-crested Flycatcher was in the top of the hackberry tree in my backyard. A Crested Caracara flew over the house. That was the fourth sighting of a caracara. On November 3, I was driving down the driveway headed to work and a White-tailed Kite was flying over the yard. That was the second time I've seen one of them on the property. On November 4, a Brown Creeper began exploring the bark on a tallow tree in my backyard. That was only the third time I've seen one of them on the property. Then on November 6, I was sitting outside drinking my coffee while watching my feeders and a Rufous Hummingbird came up to my hummingbird feeders. That was the first time I've ever seen one on my property. That gives me 199 property species!
Winter residents are showing up. A Brown Thrasher visited my birdbath a few weeks ago. Yellow-rumped Warblers are eating the hackberries and visiting my birdbath with regularity. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet joined them in the hackberry tree looking for insects. Eastern Phoebes chase insects while announcing their presence with their "phoebe" call. Chipping Sparrows have begun visiting my feeder. I see Song Sparrows in the grassy areas of the pasture. I heard a Northern Flicker calling from the woods on Sunday morning. I love the fall season with all the birds that migrate into the area. It won't be long before the goldfinches show up at the feeders. House Wrens will show up soon. Pine Warblers will start visiting the suet in the coming weeks.
Project FeederWatch starts on November 13 for me. Sundays and Mondays will be my count days again this year. It looks like I'll be able to get off to a better start this year than I did last year. There are several birds visiting my feeders and birdbath already this year. Last year was pretty slow to start the season. Hopefully that will continue throughout the season.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Some South Texas Birding
On Saturday, June 25, I left early to travel to San Antonio to attend the Wild Birds Unlimited Annual Meeting. I traveled about 100 miles south of San Antonio to the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area about eight miles west of Artesia Springs. I arrived about 10:30 and had about three hours to go birding. My target bird was the Green Jay, but I knew that I would see several other species I'd never seen before. I pulled up to the office, stepped out of the car and saw a couple of Olive Sparrows hopping on the ground beneath a tree - life bird #1 of the day. Pretty quickly behind the sparrows, two Curve-billed Thrashers were, um, making sure of the continuance of their species, if you know what I mean - life bird #2 of the day. As I walked to the office, a Pyrrhuloxia flew toward a small pond. I had seen them before, but never this close. Being a Saturday, the office was closed. After a quick, unsuccessful search for a map, I walked back toward my car. A Cactus Wren flew to a small bush in front of me - life bird #3 for the day. Little did I know that by the end of my time there, I would be tired of seeing Cactus Wrens! I walked behind the office and found a couple of Bronzed Cowbirds - life bird #4 for me. I had seen a trail head on my way in so I decided to walk it. A Brown-headed Flycatcher flew into a tree and sang - life bird #5. Mockingbirds and cardinals were singing from various locations around the office. As I walked toward the trail, I had to walk toward the tree where I saw the Olive Sparrows. I saw a couple of Long-billed Thrashers chasing each other around the tree - life bird #6. Black-throated Sparrows were abundant on the trail. Those are really pretty birds. I had seen them in Junction a few years ago. Lark Sparrows flew from tree to tree as I walked along the trail. When I finished walking on the trail, a young lady who works at the WMA drove up and told me where my best chance to find Green Jays were. I drove about two miles to a campground used by hunters in the wintertime. The first bird I saw when I got out was a brilliant Vermilion Flycatcher. Brown-headed Flycatchers were more abundant at the campground. As I walked around the campground, an Audubon's Oriole flew into a tree on his way to a stock tank full of water - life bird #7. After deciding that there were no Green Jays at the campground, I got into my car and drove along the driving trail. About 3/4 of the way along the trail, four Cassin's Sparrows were foraging alongside the road - life bird #8. I finished the driving trail with just enough time to head to San Antonio to check into the hotel. I was disappointed that I didn't see a Green Jay, but I was excited to have eight new birds! I don't know the last time I added eight new birds to my list. It was exciting to see them as well as birds I don't get to see all the time. On my way to San Antonio, I stopped in Pearsall to get some gas and a male Bullock's Oriole flew into a tree near the station and sang.
Birds seen at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, 6/25/11: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Turkey Vulture, Crested Caracara, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, *Brown-crested Flycatcher, Black-crested Titmouse, *Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, *Long-billed Thrasher, *Curve-billed Thrasher, *Olive Sparrow, *Cassin's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Painted Bunting, *Bronzed Cowbird, *Audubon's Oriole
* = life bird
Birds seen at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, 6/25/11: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Turkey Vulture, Crested Caracara, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, *Brown-crested Flycatcher, Black-crested Titmouse, *Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, *Long-billed Thrasher, *Curve-billed Thrasher, *Olive Sparrow, *Cassin's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Painted Bunting, *Bronzed Cowbird, *Audubon's Oriole
* = life bird
Monday, June 13, 2011
More Summer Property News
The old pond continues to lose water. From Saturday evening to Sunday evening, the level went down about 3". There is still life at the old pond, though. A Yellow-crowned Night-heron is nesting alongside a Green Heron. A Little Blue Heron comes to feed at the edge of the water. I heard a Yellow-billed Cuckoo down there this morning. I found six baby alligators about 12" long on Saturday evening, but they weren't there on Sunday. A female hummingbird was gathering nesting material from a willow tree this morning. I couldn't see where she went when she flew off.
Little Blue Heron hunting at the old pond
My birdbath in the woods developed a larger crack than it had before, so I brought it to the house to fix it. When I pulled it off the four-wheeler, it had broken into two pieces. I'll have to replace it with a plastic one soon!
I still hear Red-eyed Vireos singing in the woods regularly when I go down there. Hopefully I'll get a new birdbath and be able to see some of the juvenile birds that come to it.
Little Blue Heron hunting at the old pondMy birdbath in the woods developed a larger crack than it had before, so I brought it to the house to fix it. When I pulled it off the four-wheeler, it had broken into two pieces. I'll have to replace it with a plastic one soon!
I still hear Red-eyed Vireos singing in the woods regularly when I go down there. Hopefully I'll get a new birdbath and be able to see some of the juvenile birds that come to it.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Nesting Birds and Low Water
The second brood of Eastern Bluebirds has hatched right on schedule! As of the evening of 6/5, three out of four eggs had hatched. They should fledge probably on the 22nd or 23rd.
Baby bluebirds on hatching day.
Mom and Dad bluebirds checking on their babies.
The Chimney Swifts have begun laying eggs. I couldn't see very clearly when I was checking, but I think they have laid one or two eggs as of 6/5. I'll take my binoculars and check soon. I'm glad to help them because they are heading toward threatened status with the changeover to metal flues, people capping their chimneys and not as many abandoned industrial smokestacks standing any longer.
In other property news, the old pond is lower than I have ever seen it. The water is easily four feet lower than normal. I'm thinking I need to take the boys down there and do a little fishing and transfer some of the fish to the new pond which is holding water pretty well, although it's down about three feet. The new pond doesn't have nearly as many trees and plants around it taking the water more quickly. I think if we don't get rain in the next two to three weeks, the pond will be completely dry. If that happens, I'm going to get down there and clear out some of the fallen tree branches and other debris.
Pond on 6/5 with the normal water level drawn on the right.
Several birds have had successful nestings already this season. I have seen juvenile cardinals, Blue Jays, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers and doves at the feeders. The Carolina Wrens that are nesting in a box on my aunt's carport are within a week of fledging. It's a fun time of year to see the young birds at the feeders figuring them out and begging for the parents to give them some food.
Baby bluebirds on hatching day. 
Mom and Dad bluebirds checking on their babies.The Chimney Swifts have begun laying eggs. I couldn't see very clearly when I was checking, but I think they have laid one or two eggs as of 6/5. I'll take my binoculars and check soon. I'm glad to help them because they are heading toward threatened status with the changeover to metal flues, people capping their chimneys and not as many abandoned industrial smokestacks standing any longer.
In other property news, the old pond is lower than I have ever seen it. The water is easily four feet lower than normal. I'm thinking I need to take the boys down there and do a little fishing and transfer some of the fish to the new pond which is holding water pretty well, although it's down about three feet. The new pond doesn't have nearly as many trees and plants around it taking the water more quickly. I think if we don't get rain in the next two to three weeks, the pond will be completely dry. If that happens, I'm going to get down there and clear out some of the fallen tree branches and other debris.
Pond on 6/5 with the normal water level drawn on the right.Several birds have had successful nestings already this season. I have seen juvenile cardinals, Blue Jays, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers and doves at the feeders. The Carolina Wrens that are nesting in a box on my aunt's carport are within a week of fledging. It's a fun time of year to see the young birds at the feeders figuring them out and begging for the parents to give them some food.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Summer Birding and BirdCam
Summer is here! It is hot and dry to begin the summer months. The birds are eating a lot at the feeders these days. It must be harder to find food with many of the plants being dead. I have seen fledgling Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays and Red-bellied Woodpeckers at the feeders so far this year. There is a pair of Carolina Wrens with a nest in a box I built for my aunt on her carport. The Eastern Bluebirds are on their second brood and the eggs should hatch on 6/5. The mosquitoes are thick down in the woods making walking around to see what birds are around nesting uncomfortable. Any insect repellent is sweated off within a few minutes! So, I let my BirdCam do the birdwatching for me. Water is hard to come by these days, so my birdbaths are extremely popular! I have to fill the one down in the woods nearly every day due to evaporation and the birds splashing it out of the bath when they are bathing. I've got a dripper on the one in my backyard and it stays full.
I have had my BirdCam for about a year now. I have really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. So far I have photographed 51 different species of birds with it. I just recently tried the video function on it and have been pleased with the results. There have been two new property birds that I probably never would have seen had it not been for my BirdCam. Just after I got it in June 2010, a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker showed up at my feeders. This winter a female Purple Finch showed up with the American Goldfinches at the feeders in the woods. I was able to "see" a few spring migrants that I missed when I was out birding, but they came to my birdbath where I had my BirdCam set up - Golden-winged Warbler, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Scarlet Tanager and Wood Thrush. I'm hoping that the weather patterns are more normal next spring and we don't have the strong south winds we had this year so more of the migrants drop in as they complete their flight across the Gulf of Mexico. I am going to put the BirdCam on the bluebird house on Sunday morning to see if I can get some pictures of the adults taking the eggshells out of the nest, and then I'll put it on it again the day the chicks are supposed to fledge and hopefully get some video of them leaving the nest.
I have had my BirdCam for about a year now. I have really enjoyed it more than I thought I would. So far I have photographed 51 different species of birds with it. I just recently tried the video function on it and have been pleased with the results. There have been two new property birds that I probably never would have seen had it not been for my BirdCam. Just after I got it in June 2010, a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker showed up at my feeders. This winter a female Purple Finch showed up with the American Goldfinches at the feeders in the woods. I was able to "see" a few spring migrants that I missed when I was out birding, but they came to my birdbath where I had my BirdCam set up - Golden-winged Warbler, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Scarlet Tanager and Wood Thrush. I'm hoping that the weather patterns are more normal next spring and we don't have the strong south winds we had this year so more of the migrants drop in as they complete their flight across the Gulf of Mexico. I am going to put the BirdCam on the bluebird house on Sunday morning to see if I can get some pictures of the adults taking the eggshells out of the nest, and then I'll put it on it again the day the chicks are supposed to fledge and hopefully get some video of them leaving the nest.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Spring 2011 Report
With spring migration winding down, I start looking at the birds that I missed during spring migration. This year featured particularly lower warbler numbers (18 species). I'm not sure the reason, but the howling south winds throughout the spring may have had something to do with it. They just didn't stop, and if they did, they didn't stop long. The warblers I missed on the property this spring are:
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Canada Warbler
Non-warbler species that I missed on the property this spring are:
Black-billed Cuckoo
Acadian Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Orchard Oriole
It's still possible for me to see Kentucky Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher since they nest around here. Of course, I can see nearly all of them in the fall except Blackpoll Warbler when they come south.
As I began looking at the birds I missed, I started wondering what the percentage of years I've seen each species. I've been keeping spring migration records since the spring of 2004, so this makes the eighth year. Here is a list of the warblers and the percentage of years I've seen them:
Blue-winged Warbler - 88%
Golden-winged Warbler - 38%
Tennessee Warbler - 100%
Nashville Warbler - 25%
Northern Parula - 100%
Yellow Warbler - 63%
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 88%
Magnolia Warbler - 88%
Black-throated Green Warbler - 100%
Blackburnian Warbler - 88%
Yellow-throated Warbler - 63%
Bay-breasted Warbler - 75%
Blackpoll Warbler - 50%
Cerulean Warbler - 50%
Black-and-white Warbler - 100%
American Redstart - 88%
Prothonotary Warbler - 13%
Worm-eating Warbler - 88%
Ovenbird - 75%
Northern Waterthrush - 25%
Louisiana Waterthrush - 38%
Kentucky Warbler - 50%
Hooded Warbler - 100%
Canada Warbler - 50%
Yellow-breasted Chat - 88%
That's one thing that makes birdwatching so fun - it's never the same. One year to the next is completely different and you never really know what to expect. One day to the next is different. It's constantly changing, even within the normal patterns of migration.
So far the Eastern Bluebirds haven't begun building a second nest. It's only been a week since the babies fledged, so it will probably be a least another week before they start thinking of brood number two.
I got a couple more good pictures with the BirdCam on Sunday, May 8.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler
A variety of birds including a Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Northern Cardinal
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Canada Warbler
Non-warbler species that I missed on the property this spring are:
Black-billed Cuckoo
Acadian Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Veery
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Orchard Oriole
It's still possible for me to see Kentucky Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher since they nest around here. Of course, I can see nearly all of them in the fall except Blackpoll Warbler when they come south.
As I began looking at the birds I missed, I started wondering what the percentage of years I've seen each species. I've been keeping spring migration records since the spring of 2004, so this makes the eighth year. Here is a list of the warblers and the percentage of years I've seen them:
Blue-winged Warbler - 88%
Golden-winged Warbler - 38%
Tennessee Warbler - 100%
Nashville Warbler - 25%
Northern Parula - 100%
Yellow Warbler - 63%
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 88%
Magnolia Warbler - 88%
Black-throated Green Warbler - 100%
Blackburnian Warbler - 88%
Yellow-throated Warbler - 63%
Bay-breasted Warbler - 75%
Blackpoll Warbler - 50%
Cerulean Warbler - 50%
Black-and-white Warbler - 100%
American Redstart - 88%
Prothonotary Warbler - 13%
Worm-eating Warbler - 88%
Ovenbird - 75%
Northern Waterthrush - 25%
Louisiana Waterthrush - 38%
Kentucky Warbler - 50%
Hooded Warbler - 100%
Canada Warbler - 50%
Yellow-breasted Chat - 88%
That's one thing that makes birdwatching so fun - it's never the same. One year to the next is completely different and you never really know what to expect. One day to the next is different. It's constantly changing, even within the normal patterns of migration.
So far the Eastern Bluebirds haven't begun building a second nest. It's only been a week since the babies fledged, so it will probably be a least another week before they start thinking of brood number two.
I got a couple more good pictures with the BirdCam on Sunday, May 8.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler
A variety of birds including a Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Northern Cardinal
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011
This morning I walked outside and was greeted by north winds, cool temperatures and lower humidity. The birds were very active today just about everywhere! A flock of Cedar Waxwings flew in to check if there were any ripe mulberries on the tree. Carolina Chickadees and Carolina Wrens attended to begging youngsters. It was the best species total of the spring - 51. There were no FOS (first of season) birds today, but quite a variety. I'm looking forward to walking down in the morning with these stronger north winds and see what all stayed overnight!
Some of the more interesting sightings today were large flocks of swallows flying low over the trees feeding. I couldn't see what kind of insect they were preying on, but they were going after something. I kept expecting two of them to run into each other as fast as they were flying, but never saw a collision. A lone Anhinga flew overhead. There were three female and one male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeders in the woods. They seem to like peanuts. While walking along the gully, a Belted Kingfisher flew in and announced his presence with his rattle call.
My BirdCam was quite active today. I put an empty card in around 4:00 on Sunday. At 6:00 pm tonight, it had 370 pictures on it! Here are a couple of my favorites:
American Redstart (female), Red-eyed Vireo (on fence), Baltimore Oriole, Tufted Titmouse, Black-and-white Warbler (right)
American Redstart (male)
And one from yesterday:
Golden-winged Warbler - a near-threatened warbler species
I have been very pleased with my BirdCam this spring! I'm glad I was able to provide some water for the birds. It's the best way to get photos of the widest variety of birds, but it also provides water that is hard to find with the drought conditions.
You can see all of my BirdCam images here.
Birds Seen 5/2/11 (51 species): Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Anhinga, Great Egret, White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Mississippi Kite, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Sparrow
Some of the more interesting sightings today were large flocks of swallows flying low over the trees feeding. I couldn't see what kind of insect they were preying on, but they were going after something. I kept expecting two of them to run into each other as fast as they were flying, but never saw a collision. A lone Anhinga flew overhead. There were three female and one male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeders in the woods. They seem to like peanuts. While walking along the gully, a Belted Kingfisher flew in and announced his presence with his rattle call.
My BirdCam was quite active today. I put an empty card in around 4:00 on Sunday. At 6:00 pm tonight, it had 370 pictures on it! Here are a couple of my favorites:
American Redstart (female), Red-eyed Vireo (on fence), Baltimore Oriole, Tufted Titmouse, Black-and-white Warbler (right)
American Redstart (male)And one from yesterday:
Golden-winged Warbler - a near-threatened warbler speciesI have been very pleased with my BirdCam this spring! I'm glad I was able to provide some water for the birds. It's the best way to get photos of the widest variety of birds, but it also provides water that is hard to find with the drought conditions.
You can see all of my BirdCam images here.
Birds Seen 5/2/11 (51 species): Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Anhinga, Great Egret, White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Mississippi Kite, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Sparrow
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Spring Migration Peaks
The peak of spring migration began with a flurry of activity on the property! On Sunday afternoon, the variety of birds was really good. I saw 39 species with 10 FOS (first of season) birds. On Monday, the activity seemed to slow down, but I still saw 42 species with three FOS birds. Over the two days, I saw 54 species. The birdbath in the woods is really attracting a lot of attention. Here are a couple of male Baltimore Orioles that were photographed with my BirdCam.
And an Indigo Bunting.
I have been watching a Barred Owl on a nest all spring. On the 15th, we could see movement in the nest, so we knew there was at least one baby in there. On Sunday, I walked along the trail and one of the babies was sitting on the edge of the nest, and I could see another in the nest. Here is what the baby Barred Owl looked like as he posed for his photo!
The Eastern Bluebirds had five babies and all five fledged on Tuesday, April 26. I'll be watching for the babies at my birdbath. In a couple of weeks, I should see nesting activity again as the adults start their second brood.
One of the most surprising finds on the property this spring didn't involve birds at all. While out birding on April 15, my friend and I went down to the old pond. We saw a Yellow-crowned Night-heron sitting on a branch low over the water. After he flew away, we walked to the edge of the water hoping to see some Wood Ducks. What we found were nine baby alligators with a six foot mama alligator! After locating the mother, we enjoyed looking at them!
Birds seen April 24 & 25, 2011 (54 species):
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Black Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Blue-winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Worm-eating Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Sparrow
And an Indigo Bunting.
I have been watching a Barred Owl on a nest all spring. On the 15th, we could see movement in the nest, so we knew there was at least one baby in there. On Sunday, I walked along the trail and one of the babies was sitting on the edge of the nest, and I could see another in the nest. Here is what the baby Barred Owl looked like as he posed for his photo!
The Eastern Bluebirds had five babies and all five fledged on Tuesday, April 26. I'll be watching for the babies at my birdbath. In a couple of weeks, I should see nesting activity again as the adults start their second brood.
One of the most surprising finds on the property this spring didn't involve birds at all. While out birding on April 15, my friend and I went down to the old pond. We saw a Yellow-crowned Night-heron sitting on a branch low over the water. After he flew away, we walked to the edge of the water hoping to see some Wood Ducks. What we found were nine baby alligators with a six foot mama alligator! After locating the mother, we enjoyed looking at them!
Birds seen April 24 & 25, 2011 (54 species):Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Black Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Blue-winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Worm-eating Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Sparrow
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Quick Walk at the End of March
I took a quick walk in the woods on Monday. I didn't have a lot of time to spend birding. Fortunately it's still early in the spring, so I'm not missing a whole lot yet! The Barred Owl was in the same place he always is along the trail. It is fun to see him when I go down there. There are still quite a few winter residents around - Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Wren, American Goldfinch and White-throated Sparrow. The White-throated Sparrows are eating something in the trees. I regularly see them several feet up in the trees. As far as the spring migrants, I saw several Chimney Swifts flying over. I need to get on the roof and take the cover off my chimney. Purple Martins and Barn Swallows flew overhead feeding on flying insects. In the woods there were several Northern Parulas. I saw three at a time just west of the new pond. I heard a Hooded Warbler singing and finally found him in some of the thick understory. The warbler numbers should begin increasing significantly over the next couple of weeks. Indigo Buntings have begun to come into the area, so I should start seeing them at the feeders in the woods soon.
We have Eastern Bluebirds nesting again. The pair that had nested in my aunt's box were killed by a House Sparrow a month ago. Another pair has five eggs in the box in my yard now. I killed a wasp out of the box at Mom's, so I need to go over and check to see if that box is being utilized.
Birds Seen 3/28/11 (24 species):
Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carlina Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hooded Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
We have Eastern Bluebirds nesting again. The pair that had nested in my aunt's box were killed by a House Sparrow a month ago. Another pair has five eggs in the box in my yard now. I killed a wasp out of the box at Mom's, so I need to go over and check to see if that box is being utilized.
Birds Seen 3/28/11 (24 species):
Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carlina Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hooded Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
Friday, March 18, 2011
Spring!
Leaves are coming in on the trees. Warmer temperatures are here. My yard needs to be mowed. Birds are singing. All signs that spring is here! I have been walking in the woods as often as possible. On March 7 I saw the first Northern Parula of the season. They are typically the first of the wood warblers to migrate into the area. They nest in a tree right on the property line. It has a lot of Spanish moss. They build their nests in the tufts of moss. I have seen Purple Martins, Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Tree Swallows so far. Hooded Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrushes should be showing up anytime now. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds has taken up residence in the nest box in our yard. Their nest was completed on Monday. I keep checking for an egg, but none so far. I've got my sparrow spooker ready to put on as soon as I see an egg in the nest. The Purple Martins that nested in my gourds last year haven't returned yet. I'm anxious for them to be back! I'm going to take the cover off my chimney this year and allow Chimney Swifts to nest in it. As new houses are constructed, metal flues instead of clay have been used leading to a loss of "habitat" for Chimney Swifts and their population has dwindled. So, I'm going to do my part to help out. I wish I could build a Chimney Swift tower, but it is cost-prohibitive.
I have checked my BirdCam at the feeders in the woods regularly, but only have Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Carolina Wrens. Indigo Buntings should start showing up next week and Painted Buntings should show up a week after that. They really show up in good numbers the second week of April along with Blue Grosbeaks and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. I should get all of them at my feeders. I've been researching what I can feed to attract orioles and tanagers. I've read sunflower hearts for tanagers and suet or fruit for orioles. I'll have all that down there to see what shows up. I hope that some of the warblers find the Bark Butter and get their picture taken by the BirdCam.
I watched a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks flying around along the gully and found their nest. I hope I can get close enough with my camera to get some shots when they're feeding the chicks. That will be fun!
Several winter birds are still around. When I was walking yesterday, I saw Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and American Goldfinches. It's a fun time of year to go birding!
Birds Seen 3/15 & 3/17 (38 species):
Great Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Great-tailed Grackle, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
I have checked my BirdCam at the feeders in the woods regularly, but only have Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Carolina Wrens. Indigo Buntings should start showing up next week and Painted Buntings should show up a week after that. They really show up in good numbers the second week of April along with Blue Grosbeaks and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. I should get all of them at my feeders. I've been researching what I can feed to attract orioles and tanagers. I've read sunflower hearts for tanagers and suet or fruit for orioles. I'll have all that down there to see what shows up. I hope that some of the warblers find the Bark Butter and get their picture taken by the BirdCam.
I watched a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks flying around along the gully and found their nest. I hope I can get close enough with my camera to get some shots when they're feeding the chicks. That will be fun!
Several winter birds are still around. When I was walking yesterday, I saw Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and American Goldfinches. It's a fun time of year to go birding!
Birds Seen 3/15 & 3/17 (38 species):
Great Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Mourning Dove, Barred Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Great-tailed Grackle, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Project FeederWatch Week 16 and Other Stuff
Project FeederWatch numbers are down this week and last week. This is the time of year that I would rather be out in the woods seeing what spring migrants are coming through rather than watching my feeders. The American Goldfinch numbers have decreased significantly over the past two weeks. They went from 57 over the weekend of 2/13 to 24 over the weekend of 2/20 to six over the weekend of 2/27. I still have a good number of Song Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos at my feeders. Pine Warblers are still coming to the suet, but it won't be long before they abandon the feeders. The Red-winged Blackbird numbers dwindled some, but there are still quite a few Brown-headed Cowbirds that visit my ground feeder. There was nothing out of the ordinary captured by my BirdCam in the woods last week. I walked down yesterday to fill the feeders and watch them for a little bit. An Orange-crowned Warbler is still coming to the Bark Butter. There were still several American Goldfinches on the feeders. White-throated Sparrows are cleaning up what was spilled on the ground.
I am anxiously awaiting the spring migrants. So far the only ones I've seen are Purple Martins flying overhead. "My" martins haven't returned yet. These are the earliest dates I've seen for the following wood warblers: Northern Parula, March 9; Hooded Warbler, March 16; and Black-and-white Warbler, March 13. Those are typically the first wood warbler migrants on the Upper Texas Coast. The rest come through during April and into the first couple of weeks of May. I am trying a new position for my BirdCam to capture images from three feeders at one time. I should be able to get some good shots of Indigo Buntings, Painted Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Blue Grosbeaks as they visit the feeders. It's possible Summer Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles and warblers will visit the suet. This is the first year I've had the feeders in the woods during spring migration, so I really don't know what to expect to see.
After discovering the two bluebird bodies in the nest that the House Sparrow killed, I removed the sparrow nest and opened the box to encourage the sparrow to move on. I left it open for a week and think the sparrow decided to move to my martin house. He's been singing out there for a while. I closed the bluebird box and on my way to work yesterday saw a male bluebird sitting on the top of the box. There has been a pair checking out the box in our yard. I haven't gone over to Mom's to see if there is any activity at the box in her yard. It's still a little early for bluebirds to actually nest, but they're checking out their options.
I am anxiously awaiting the spring migrants. So far the only ones I've seen are Purple Martins flying overhead. "My" martins haven't returned yet. These are the earliest dates I've seen for the following wood warblers: Northern Parula, March 9; Hooded Warbler, March 16; and Black-and-white Warbler, March 13. Those are typically the first wood warbler migrants on the Upper Texas Coast. The rest come through during April and into the first couple of weeks of May. I am trying a new position for my BirdCam to capture images from three feeders at one time. I should be able to get some good shots of Indigo Buntings, Painted Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Blue Grosbeaks as they visit the feeders. It's possible Summer Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles and warblers will visit the suet. This is the first year I've had the feeders in the woods during spring migration, so I really don't know what to expect to see.
After discovering the two bluebird bodies in the nest that the House Sparrow killed, I removed the sparrow nest and opened the box to encourage the sparrow to move on. I left it open for a week and think the sparrow decided to move to my martin house. He's been singing out there for a while. I closed the bluebird box and on my way to work yesterday saw a male bluebird sitting on the top of the box. There has been a pair checking out the box in our yard. I haven't gone over to Mom's to see if there is any activity at the box in her yard. It's still a little early for bluebirds to actually nest, but they're checking out their options.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Renewed Hatred for House Sparrows
Yesterday, I went out and got my Purple Martin housing ready for their return. A customer told me that the Eastern Bluebirds on her property have already begun making nests in her boxes. I decided to go and check out the box that the bluebirds have used over the past four years. As I walked toward the box, a male House Sparrow flew out. I opened the box and he had already begun constructing a nest. It was obviously a sparrow nest and not the neat, compact nest a bluebird makes. I pulled the nest out and when I did, two bluebird bodies fell out of the box. I examined them and they both had the classic look of a sparrow kill. He probably watched for them to enter the box and then went in and killed them. He built the nest on top of their bodies. I will begin this weekend a new effort to rid the world of as many House Sparrows as possible. I modified my trap to keep the blackbirds and larger birds out and will begin trapping again. I hate House Sparrows!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Project FeederWatch Update & New Property Birds
Quite a bit has been going on lately with the birds on the property. Unfortunately with all that has been going on in my life, I haven't had a chance to write about it!
With Project FeederWatch, the species count at my feeders has remained pretty steady, between 23 and 27. I've been amazed at the number of Dark-eyed Juncos that are still comi
ng to my feeders. Most years I don't see any. This year I've got at least two most of the time in the yard, and sometimes as many as six. Song Sparrows are quite abundant as well. On my last two count days, there were seven of them on the feeders. The American Goldfinch numbers really picked up on January 23 and 24. I counted six the week before that. There have been at least 50 over the next weeks, with a high of 70 on the Feb. 6 and 7 count days. Probably the most exciting bird for me this year is the female Purple Finch (pictured) that showed up at the feeders in the woods. I had my BirdCam set up on the big tube feeder on January 26. I got the memory card on the 29th and saw her pictures. She makes property bird #198 for me. Purple Finches are rare on the Upper Texas Coast, showing up occasionally in the winter.
In other bird news, I still regularly see an American Woodcock when I'm walking in the woods. He usually sits alongside the trail until I get close and the he flushes, normally scaring me. This morning he flushed and flew straight ahead of me giving me excellent looks at him. Along the final stretch of the trail to the feeders this morning, I could hear a bird making a call I was not familiar with. It was an Eastern Towhee sitting at the top of one of the thick brush piles. That's not a bird I normally see in the woods. That was fun to see him. The birds are beginning to sing as the weather warms up. Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, White-eyed Vireos, White-throated Sparrows and Pine Warblers are getting tuned up for their spring songs. I have seen two Barred Owls along the trail that runs alongside the gully near where I put up the nesting box for them. The first time I saw them, they flew toward the box. I got to the box and saw something sticking out of the hole and got excited until I realized it was a raccoon. I don't know why he was in there, but I sure am hoping it wasn't to raid the nest.
So far this year, I have seen 50 species of birds. I am looking forward to spring!
ng to my feeders. Most years I don't see any. This year I've got at least two most of the time in the yard, and sometimes as many as six. Song Sparrows are quite abundant as well. On my last two count days, there were seven of them on the feeders. The American Goldfinch numbers really picked up on January 23 and 24. I counted six the week before that. There have been at least 50 over the next weeks, with a high of 70 on the Feb. 6 and 7 count days. Probably the most exciting bird for me this year is the female Purple Finch (pictured) that showed up at the feeders in the woods. I had my BirdCam set up on the big tube feeder on January 26. I got the memory card on the 29th and saw her pictures. She makes property bird #198 for me. Purple Finches are rare on the Upper Texas Coast, showing up occasionally in the winter.In other bird news, I still regularly see an American Woodcock when I'm walking in the woods. He usually sits alongside the trail until I get close and the he flushes, normally scaring me. This morning he flushed and flew straight ahead of me giving me excellent looks at him. Along the final stretch of the trail to the feeders this morning, I could hear a bird making a call I was not familiar with. It was an Eastern Towhee sitting at the top of one of the thick brush piles. That's not a bird I normally see in the woods. That was fun to see him. The birds are beginning to sing as the weather warms up. Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, White-eyed Vireos, White-throated Sparrows and Pine Warblers are getting tuned up for their spring songs. I have seen two Barred Owls along the trail that runs alongside the gully near where I put up the nesting box for them. The first time I saw them, they flew toward the box. I got to the box and saw something sticking out of the hole and got excited until I realized it was a raccoon. I don't know why he was in there, but I sure am hoping it wasn't to raid the nest.
So far this year, I have seen 50 species of birds. I am looking forward to spring!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Project FeederWatch Week 8
As I look at my records from last year, either 2009/2010 was a down year or 2010/2011 is an up year. I don't have enough data to really make comparisons yet. In 2009/2010, the highest number of species I had was 15 in weeks 19 and 20. In 2010/2011, I have only had two weeks (1 & 2) with fewer than 19 species. It will be interesting to see in years to come if this is an up year or if it's normal. Week 8 saw the highest species count of the year - 27 species. There were a few highlights from Week 8. Two Ruby-crowned Kinglets have found the suet and are using it regularly. Five Pine Warblers are now coming to the suet. A House Wren has found the suet and is using it when the Carolina Wren doesn't chase him off. An Eastern Phoebe visited my birdbath to get a drink of water.
Project FeederWatch Week 8 (27 species):
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Eurasian Collared Dove - 1
Mourning Dove - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Blue Jay - 4
Carolina Chickadee - 3
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Carolina Wren - 1
House Wren - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Eastern Bluebird - 2
American Robin - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Pine Warbler - 5
Chipping Sparrow - 5
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Northern Cardinal - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 8
Brewer's Blackbird - 4
Common Grackle - 3
Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
American Goldfinch - 15
House Sparrow - 13
I did spend a few minutes away from my feeders going birding on the property. There was a flock of 25+ Dark-eyed Juncos in the pasture. I haven't seen this many juncos since I was a kid. The flock of nine American Pipits is still hanging out in the grass near the new pond. I spotted four Pileated Woodpeckers while in the woods. It's amazing how hard they can peck on trees. It sounds as if they are right above you when they're really quite a ways off! There are still hundreds of American Robins and Yellow-rumped Warblers all over the place. I saw my first Song Sparrow of the year in the pasture where the cows are fed hay. I have my BirdCam on the feeders in the woods and have some pictures below. The first picture is of a female Pine Warbler coming to get the sunflower hearts. The second image is of an American Goldfinch eating a black oil sunflower. The third image is of a Carolina Chickadee (top) and a Carolina Wren (bottom) on my suet log which I have loaded with Jim's Birdacious Bark Butter. I really liked how clear the wren is.
Project FeederWatch Week 8 (27 species):
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Eurasian Collared Dove - 1
Mourning Dove - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Blue Jay - 4
Carolina Chickadee - 3
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Carolina Wren - 1
House Wren - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Eastern Bluebird - 2
American Robin - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Pine Warbler - 5
Chipping Sparrow - 5
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Northern Cardinal - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 8
Brewer's Blackbird - 4
Common Grackle - 3
Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
American Goldfinch - 15
House Sparrow - 13
I did spend a few minutes away from my feeders going birding on the property. There was a flock of 25+ Dark-eyed Juncos in the pasture. I haven't seen this many juncos since I was a kid. The flock of nine American Pipits is still hanging out in the grass near the new pond. I spotted four Pileated Woodpeckers while in the woods. It's amazing how hard they can peck on trees. It sounds as if they are right above you when they're really quite a ways off! There are still hundreds of American Robins and Yellow-rumped Warblers all over the place. I saw my first Song Sparrow of the year in the pasture where the cows are fed hay. I have my BirdCam on the feeders in the woods and have some pictures below. The first picture is of a female Pine Warbler coming to get the sunflower hearts. The second image is of an American Goldfinch eating a black oil sunflower. The third image is of a Carolina Chickadee (top) and a Carolina Wren (bottom) on my suet log which I have loaded with Jim's Birdacious Bark Butter. I really liked how clear the wren is.
Monday, January 3, 2011
2010 Year-end Review
2010 was a good year for property birding. I ended up with 140 species (2nd best total on the property), four new species and 24 species of warblers (19 spring migrants). The new birds I added to my property list in 2010 were Prothonotary Warbler (4/5), Hairy Woodpecker (6/21), Fulvous Whistling-Duck (7/31) and Fox Sparrow (12/6). Those four new species give me a total of 197 species on the property.
Besides the four new birds, there were several highlights in 2010. Regularly seeing an American Woodcock in the woods is thrilling. I saw a Brown Creeper in the woods for only the second time in seven years. Nine American Pipits have taken up residence in the clearing by the new pond. A Dickcissel visited my feeders in my backyard several times this spring. Eastern Bluebirds nested again and fledged ten young in two broods. Even though they were very late coming in, Purple Martins nested and fledged three young (they lost two eggs to a House Sparrow). A Killdeer nested and fledged four young. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet began visiting my suet feeders in my backyard. Five Pine Warblers regularly visited my feeders in the winter months. A Downy Woodpecker found my suet feeder for the first time in 2010. Blue Jays and American Crows have made a nice recovery from West Nile Virus. Their numbers are up quite a bit. A Barred Owl pair nested in the box I put up for them.
The numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were down this year. It seems they migrated further west this fall. Several people in west Harris County reported more hummingbirds than usual at their feeders. So far I haven't seen any ducks on the new pond, which is surprising to me. It is surrounded by cattails and has several small fish in it now. Maybe I need to plant some things they like eating.
2010 was a good year for birding on the property. 2011 has begun well. I'm hoping to break the 2008 record of 142 species this year. I am also going to work hard on adding the last three I need to get to 200 species. Getting some ducks on the pond would help with that!
Besides the four new birds, there were several highlights in 2010. Regularly seeing an American Woodcock in the woods is thrilling. I saw a Brown Creeper in the woods for only the second time in seven years. Nine American Pipits have taken up residence in the clearing by the new pond. A Dickcissel visited my feeders in my backyard several times this spring. Eastern Bluebirds nested again and fledged ten young in two broods. Even though they were very late coming in, Purple Martins nested and fledged three young (they lost two eggs to a House Sparrow). A Killdeer nested and fledged four young. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet began visiting my suet feeders in my backyard. Five Pine Warblers regularly visited my feeders in the winter months. A Downy Woodpecker found my suet feeder for the first time in 2010. Blue Jays and American Crows have made a nice recovery from West Nile Virus. Their numbers are up quite a bit. A Barred Owl pair nested in the box I put up for them.
The numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were down this year. It seems they migrated further west this fall. Several people in west Harris County reported more hummingbirds than usual at their feeders. So far I haven't seen any ducks on the new pond, which is surprising to me. It is surrounded by cattails and has several small fish in it now. Maybe I need to plant some things they like eating.
2010 was a good year for birding on the property. 2011 has begun well. I'm hoping to break the 2008 record of 142 species this year. I am also going to work hard on adding the last three I need to get to 200 species. Getting some ducks on the pond would help with that!
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