BS: Birdwatching 2011

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:06 PM

North Carolina, Raptor, about 40 miles east of Greensboro.   They winter here, but I never see them at my suet feeders until January. While cold spells bring a lot more birds to the feeders, I also have more time to watch the birds when life slows a bit in January and February, and also add feeders and stay right on top of keeping them filled when the weather is cold. They have maybe been coming to the suet since November, but I wasn't around to watch.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:42 PM

Know what you mean, Eliza and Hillary. I can spend a lot of time googling the birds you name in your posts.

leeneia, I live in a southern temperate zone. Most of the birds on my list are very common here and are here year round. There will maybe be another 5-10 species that get added by spring, but that will be it. I envy those of you who live along major fly-ways who observe, if only briefly, many more species during spring and fall migrations. (That trip to the Everglades and So. Florida must have been grand. Used to spend the winters there, and loved seeing so many species of birds that are absolutely exotic to me in my own natural habitat.)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 10:51 PM

I have about 10 feeders in my yard and lots of birds. Flocks of starlings descend and empty everything that they don't want on the ground and the pigeons just wait for the easy pickings. Lots of Blue Jays and chickadees and some goldfinches and sparrows. Yesterday a bird flew down and I thought it was a hawk because everyone else left in a hell of a hurry. Turns out it was only a woodpecker so I don't know if it was mistaken identity or what but he had the place to himself.
An article in the Halifax Herald today shows this guy far from home:
Ralph (likes strippers)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 11:05 PM

Sorry to hear the transfer is not going smoothly.

We have a major sicko deliberately cutting tendons in pelican wings on Topsail Island, here in North Carolina. The latest news stories on it can be read here. and here.

Why someone would do something like this is beyond my ken.

I love watching lines of pelicans wing their way over the water along the shoreline, and watching them break formation to dive like bombs when they pass over schools of small fish.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 12:14 PM

holy cow,
that big red tail hawk that sits in the same tree everyday. he just swooped down and took out a gray squirrel that was running around out back. This was maybe 15 - 20 yards from me. out of no where, bam there he was, one minute I saw him up in the tree, the next he is in front of me claiming his meal .. incredible. He started to eat it, they picked it up and flew out into the grape vines and sat on top of a fence post finishing his prize. Incredible

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 05:04 PM

Hi, Sandy. I used to have your problems, but then I changed my method and fill my bird feeder only with sunflower seeds. The starlings are not attracted to it at all.

There is seed spillage, but the juncos and squirrels help clean it up. I do get wasted seed, but I haven't seen any rats because of it. I always keep an eye out, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 12:06 AM

Somebody bought the ranch today. It was all but dark when I got home and went to fill the feeders, so I'm not sure what species, but gray feathers with white tips tell the tale. Mockingbird? Junco? titmouse? Predator have been a cat, but my guess, from what evidence I could see in the dim light, is that a Sharpie is more likely. Haven't spied a Sharp-Shinned Hawk recently during my limited time to observe, but have often seen them in the yard in the past, including in December. (Still some cats around, but not infested with the 4 neighbor cats anymore. I guess they all died.) I won't be home in daylight until Saturday morning. I'll take a closer look then, in the event there is still enough evidence to draw a conclusion.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 12:10 AM

Raptor, as each year goes by, I more and more appreciate your "rules" for reporting species by specific location. Really increases awareness of the importance of habitat. Birds that I commonly see on my drive to work as I drive by or under the flyway between ponds or open meadows and farm fields, or wheeling above the parking lot at the strip mall less than 2 miles away are never or rarely seen in my yard. And it all comes down to habitat.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: ragdall
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 04:18 AM

Before Christmas my yard was full of birds, House Sparrows, House Finches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, crows.

Now a few chickadees and a single male House Sparrow make very brief visits around dusk because a Merlin has decided to stake out my area.

I miss seeing "my" birds.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Stu
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 04:35 AM

UK birders- the Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend: RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

Here's hoping for a return of our Redpoll!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 11:05 PM

Wheeled the trash out to curb late last night, and apparently surprised an owl who was parked in the privet, one of the few tall, dense evergreens in my yard, and a place where many small birds roost at night. It was too dark to identify. Too big to be a screech owl, but not huge.

All those small roosting birds should thank me. Eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 04:37 AM

Thanks for the link, Sugarfoot! I was just going to do that same thing. Can't do the count myself as I'll be in our garden this weekend and we have an enormous amouunt of small birds making continual trips to our feeders. The maths wouldn't work here *sigh*

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 09:02 AM

A Sharp-shinned Hawk just nailed a European Starling at my birdfeeders

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Max Johnson
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 12:48 PM

I'm lucky, living where I do on Morecambe Bay. We have one of the largest populations of estuary birds in Europe, and being so close to the Forest of Bowland, we also see a lot of other birds (if we look).
This morning I was watching Curlews on the beach. A few days ago, it was Lapwings and a Heron in one of the fields next to the beach.
Last summer I was watching a cricket match in the village, and scuttling around on the boundary right next to where I was sitting was a small bird that I couldn't identify. When I looked it up later on, it turned out to be a Ringed Plover. Hardly rare, but you don't see them every day (or, at least, I don't!)
There seemed to be a lot more Goldfinches last year. And Jays. And lots of Long-tailed Tits just before Christmas. All very pleasing.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 01:35 PM

This week my dogs were making a fuss at the back gate that overlooks the creek at the bottom of the yard. Turns out a gorgeous snowy egret was perched in one of the hackberries that hangs on at the edge of the bank, over the water. I didn't have time to get my camera before it decided to move on. The dogs were wagging - but too noisy in their enthusiasm for that visitor to stay a while.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Chongo Chimp
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 01:43 PM

Raptor - I put out a contract on that European Starling cos he shit on my hat the other day. I will now see that the hawk gets paid.

- Chongo

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 07:53 AM

Max,
I used to see ringed plovers most week days on the way to work from Lancaster to the Fylde and crossing the bridge over the Wyre. Now that I'm travelling from the east of Lancashire I miss out on seeing the estuary!

Robin (the micromodeller late of Lancaster)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Max Johnson
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 02:24 PM

Well, no wonder I didn't see them if they were on their way to work! I probably don't get up early enough.

Did I have the pleasure of meeting you and your lady a few years ago over a curry at your house when Chris Timpson and Anne Gregson were staying with you?
If so then Hi! Let me know next time you're back in Lancaster and I can buy you a pint.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:32 PM

Don't laugh, but I get to add a brand new species to my bird list.

Ready?

Rock Pigeon.

Have never seen one from my yard before as they all tend to hang out 3/4 mile away in the business district. (Not a whole lot of them there, either - I live in a wee little town.) Come to think of it, I never saw them from my yard in Hillsborough either.

Still have not seen a pine siskin this year, from my yard or anywhere else, but other birders in the area have seen plenty of them.

Added another squirrel resistant bird feeder a couple of weeks ago, hoping to not have to fill the feeders every day, but the sunflower feeders are still empty or nearly so when I get home from work. I'm guessing this late in winter the wild seed sources are pretty much depleted and they are stoking up to court.

haven't seen my bluebirds since I cut back on suet due to the starlings. The guy at the local birding store is suggesting I get a suet feeder from which the nuthatches, woodpeckers, chicadees, etc. can hand on upside down, since the starlings can't cling. I don't think the bluebirds would go for that, however, and they also rarely frequent the peanut/nugget feeder tube. He's suggesting a bluebird feeder (enclosed cedar and plexiglass with 1 1/2 inch holes on either side bluebirds and other small birds can get into to get at either nuggets or mealworms.

Do squirrels go after mealworms? If I fed nuggets in it I'm sure the squirrels would chew thru the wood or plexigass before too long.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 07:50 AM

Max,
Yes, my secret identity is unmasked!
We sold that house and are now over near to Bacup and 1100 feet up which is why we now get to see a lot fewer species of birds.

However, I noticed our first skylark airbourne on the 14th February, so perhaps spring is in the offing.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 03:09 PM

I was just washing dishes and a starling type bird (it's snowing) tried to pearch quite close to my backtard maple tree trunk. Lost it's footing and a sharp shinned hawk side-swiped it at a million miles and hour, rose, banked and dove and after the starling did a few 360's and tried to make it into the pines... bang! Right to ground, er, snow.

Got some on video but stopped after the hawk was done plucking. I will probably erase it.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 03:48 PM

VERY unfortunate. The hawk was too busy/satisfied with the feathered prey to nail the red squirrel that was running around on the pine branches just above it for an inspection of the carnage.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 06:49 AM

A couple of Jays back again. Managed to get a quick pic of one this morning. here

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 10:37 PM

What is the full name of that Jay, Jon?

The birds that were depending on my feeders have had to branch out this spring. I've been gone so much the feeders are empty as often as they are full, mostly because I haven't been home, but also because I keep running out of seed and have trouble finding time to get to somewhere to buy the 40lb bags, and the little 5-10lb. bags in the grocery are outlandishly expensive.

I added a new feeder with a bigger hopper a couple of months ago that I thought would extend things for at least 4 days, but it only extended the "fill" schedule from daily to every other day.

This is hard to say, gulp, but I have a new appreciation of starlings. Some one in the UK, on this thread or another, commented on watching the amazing, wheeling flight of starling flocks driving home from work a month or so ago. There are large flocks of starlings that live in my mother's neighborhood. The last several evenings I have watched the airshow they put on in preparation for roosting for the night, and it is a wonder to behold.

They may be greedy, nasty pigs of birds at feeders and when one has to park under Bradford Pears in winter, but watching them collectively in those nightly patterns is pretty awesome.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: ragdall
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 02:29 AM

The American Robins have been coming through the past two weeks. They're eating the Mountain Ash berries that the Bohemian Waxwings decided were too difficult to reach.

In the past week or so, as the deep snow has been melting and forming ponds and streams, Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, ducks and hawks are returning here to northern Canada.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 07:43 AM

Great pics rags.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 08:34 AM

The pair of eagles that winter over here on the coast of Maine have refurbished their nest platform in the Sasanoa River, laid eggs, and in another 4 weeks or so should be feeding two or three little puffballs. Yesterday, mother was photographed brooding the eggs while father perched on the edge of the nest. Father will take over brooding when mother wants to stretch her wings but most of the time his duty is to supply fresh fish and anything else he can harvest of interest.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 05:24 PM

Eight inches plus in Calgary yesterday. The redpolls at the feeder are the only spots of color.

Saw a flight overhead during the snowfall- probably waxwings.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 07:53 PM

Soooo... I JUST happened to see a crow out of the corner of my eye land on Mum's lawn while I was watching a curling game. Yes, Canada won the briar beating Sweden in exciting fashion >;-). I wondered why it was where. It was walking toward the house. It strode up to the remains of a chicken egg... just pieces of shell which have been there for a while as I don't want to walk on the lawn until it is reasonably dry.

It picked up the largest piece of shell and flew into the maple in front of my house whereupon it ate the shell. Never saw anything like that before.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 17 Apr 11 - 09:41 PM

The Common Grackles have arrived from where ever they winter.

I'm gonna go ahead and spring for one of those "upside down only" suet feeders that only acrobatic, clinging birds can get at.

I like grackles, but they sure can polish off a suet cake in no time flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 07:57 AM

It must be summer.

Saw the first swallow on Thursday and the second yesterday!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 08:01 AM

I had the two collared doves, who live next door, both fast asleep on my lawn yesterday, dozing in the warm sunhine. They looked so sweet together..

Meanwhile, up in my Mimosa Tree my two wood pigeons, Beloved and Adored, sat cooing to each other, same as they did last year. They're completely besotted with one another, and live in the huge bay tree in my garden.

Bird Love...Magic. :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: EBarnacle
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 10:05 AM

Due to our condo rules, we cannot get away with a feeder, so we have been strewing a handful of seed at a time on the porch. A grey squirrel showed up yesterday and scoffed it all, so our feeding season is over. Even so, we have gotten our locals through the winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 14 Jun 11 - 11:22 PM

Just saw a large owl swoop through the yard, then alight on a long horizontal branch of a dogwood. Can still see it in the light of the streetlight, but not enough to light identify it. The dogwood limb is over a ditch that I haven't mowed in 3 weeks, a good place for small rodents, baby rabbits and snakes to shelter.

Barred Owl is the mostly likely suspect, but I will never know. The lovely and silent swoop of the large wingspan is enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Jun 11 - 04:58 AM

One addition to the bird feeders this year. We have had tree sparrows.

Oddest sighting was last month when a moorhen entered one of the sheds in the field/our veg plot. There are plenty of them reasonably near by but I don't expect to see one on the field let alone in the shed.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 15 Jun 11 - 07:31 AM

We finaly joined the RSPB (should have done it years ago).

One unexpected bonus was a very good bird identification book that came as part of our welcome pack. It was interesting to compare it with my old ones (from childhood and inherited) to see the way that some species have become more common and more likely to be seen while others have declined.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Jun 11 - 07:49 AM

On guides, we have a 1981 Readers Digest Field Guide and 1995 Larousse Pocket Guide, the latter being the one I'm more likely to pick up - I like its compact format. What do others have?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 03:21 PM

I have just caught a carrion crow. It was seen earlier dragging a wing and unable to fly but when we went out, we couldn't find it. It looked exhausted when I found it this time in one of the sheds.

Anyway, it's at least got food, water and a safe place for tonight. Will have to see how things look tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: olddude
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 05:29 PM

Pilliated woodpecker visiting the dead tree everyday out back so far. Beautiful bird My gosh

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 09:07 PM

We have a bird guest also, Jon; a young Barred Owl is staying here overnight. Early in the morning we'll deliver it to the bird rehabbers.

The little hummer we delivered a few weeks ago was too badly hurt to make it, but a recent Broadwing Hawk was successfully released in time for this year's breeding season.

We're part of a sort of avian underground railway that links volunteers to deliver injured birds to licensed, thus legal, care. Best of luck with your crow visitor.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 06:52 AM

Hope the Owl does OK, maeve.

Crow seems well in itself this morning. We have found a bird rescue place and we will be taking it there this afternoon.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 10:00 AM

Thanks, Jon. Best wishes for the crow as well.

The Barred Owl is a male, and seemed in good spirits and fairly fit this morning. He had broken a couple of primary feathers- easily replaced by gluing in replacements- and will be checked over carefully, given whatever is needed for immune support and hydration, and released when ready.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 02:43 PM

A visitor to our house reported seeing a red finch like bird near our garden gate. Speculation on my part and I've not seen one but I think it might have been a crossbill.

----
Thinking owls. I didn't go on the trip to the bird rescue place to take the crow today but apparently they had 5 little owl chicks there.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 01:46 AM

Raptor, the originator of these wonderful annual threads, has had a serious accident and requests Mudcat thoughts, prayers, energy, etc. per Little Hawk.

Here is a link to the pertinent thread.

thread.cfm?threadid=138583&messages=9

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: Janie
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:27 PM

For some reason I can not discern, the crows (American) are spending a lot of time in my yard this summer. Haven't been able to see what it is they are after. Pretty cool to watch them, though. Most often, I see two adults and two juveniles, though will occasionally see a few additions that I wonder may be extended family. Must go read about the life and breeding habits of crows.

Was just startled (and so were they) to walk out onto two of them on one of my birdbaths.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: gnu
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 12:41 PM

Indigo Bunting! First one I EVER saw!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 01:00 PM

Wonderful sighting, gnu!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 05:45 AM

Rescued a chaffinch this morning. It hit the French windows (we have tried stickers but once in a while a bird still hits them) and stunned itself. Having had a bit of time to recover in safety, it's now flown off.

---
Pip phoned up once about the crow. They diagnosed a pelvic injury which apparently take time to heal. Apparently it was doing well.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: GUEST,Raptor from Hospital
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 06:58 PM

I miss my birds.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 07:26 PM

It's very good to see you post here, Raptor!

I can tell you that we have infants of all sizes here; tree swallows, blue birds, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers, Black-capped chickadees, Purple finches, Ravens, crows...

I hope you can see your birds for yourself, very soon!

Maeve