BS: Birdwatching 2012

Subject: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Raptor
Date: 01 Jan 12 - 08:59 PM

Here we go again Happy birding.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Raptor
Date: 01 Jan 12 - 09:04 PM

Start today, Count Speices that you see at your house or yard. See how many you get in 2012. Only from your house or a 100 foot radius from your property.
Who's in?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 01 Jan 12 - 09:42 PM

Yes!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 10:41 AM

Large male pheasant sitting on front lawn - to dogs' annoyance!

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: maeve
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 10:53 AM

I'll join in.

Wild turkeys strewn across the apple orchard.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 03 Jan 12 - 06:21 PM

I abandoned my birds this summer so the vast majority of them abandoned me - but we finally have cold weather and the feeders are full again....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Jan 12 - 07:09 PM

I've got a big flock of House Finches swarming my feeders, going through the Niger like there's no tomorrow.

Unfortunately, one of then killed himself on the patio door window today. I have to put up some of those little window warning stickers ASAP.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: maeve
Date: 03 Jan 12 - 10:02 PM

LH, we found deer fencing to be far more effective...hung over the outside of the window.http://www.deerxlandscape.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?p_catid=8

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: clueless don
Date: 04 Jan 12 - 09:14 AM

Had a nice moment running in my local woodland park. I saw a Hairy Woodpecker on a tree, and as I watched it, a bunch of other birds flew past, including a Pileated Woodpecker. Cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 04 Jan 12 - 09:55 AM

Lesser spotted woodpecker is the highlight so far, but also good to see that greenfinches are back after several months away. Large flock of waxwings elsewhere in the village, but haven't reached my garden yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 04 Jan 12 - 02:26 PM

Doesn't sound too interesting, but there's a large group of hedge sparrows beside the village shop, in a hedge (of course) These little birds were so common in my childhood, but now they're not so numerous, so I was pleased to see them. They have a distinctive chirp, and dart in and out of their privet hedge to eat bread in the shopkeeper's garden. Have now about ten goldfinches all waiting their turn to perch on our hanging feeder. They seem to adore sunflower hearts just as much as nijer seeds. (Good, as the latter are expensive!)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 05 Jan 12 - 02:00 PM

I made up a suet cake of mixed seed and bacon fat. It seems more popular than the commercial ones that I have hanging out, especially with downy woodpeckers and bluejays.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 05 Jan 12 - 08:54 PM

Do birds we can hear but can't see count? I often hear Screech Owls and Barred Owls. Occasionally a see a large owl glide through my yard at night but of course can't see well enough to make a visual identification. Likely candidate is a Barred Owl since I hear them call fairly often.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 12:33 AM

I got a device to keep the birdbath from freezing, so the birds always have fresh water out there. It was a huge hit! I looked out today and there were about a dozen house finches drinking from the birdbath and about 30 more at the feeders.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 07:34 AM

One problem with not yet being retired is that I leave the house in the dark and return in the dark on week days and so get to see very little! However, I was off ill yesterday and could watch the Kestrel hovering over the next field. It's amazing, the ability to remain so still in mid-air in the blustery conditions with gusts that must have been over 60 mph.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: EBarnacle
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 09:39 AM

In view of the recent cold snap, we have begun putting out oats on our porch again. the slate colored juncos have returned.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 11:12 AM

Southern Quebec

Two cardinals (m+f)
Two dozen or so hedge sparrows (dunnocks)
Two nuthatches (only bird I ever saw walk down a three trunk)
Hairy woodpecker
Downy woodpecker
Mountain chickadees (I think three)
Black cap chickadees (half dozen or so)
Mourning doves (two)
Pileated woodpecker (nearby)
Starlings (lots but only from time to time)
Bluejays (a few)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 12:01 PM

What super names your birds seem to have:- slate coloured juncos, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker and pileated woodpecker, (lots of different hairinesses there!) chickadees etc. Makes my poor little 'hedge sparrows' sound rather ordinary!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 12:05 PM

A beautiful red tailed hawk every morning next to the grapevines. Big guy, they have to be my favorite bird for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Raptor
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 01:28 PM

Yes hearing them counts if you are sure you know which ones they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 01:36 PM

The state bird of New York City.....pigeons, pigeons, nuthin' but pigeons.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:13 PM

I'm jealous, Bruce.

Pileated woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds. They were common in the hills and woods of West Virginia, but are very rare here on the Piedmont of NC. In the nearly 26 years I've lived here, I have seen none and heard one on the Piedmont. There is a housing development on top of the low mountain behind my mother's house in the suburban area of West Virginia where my mother lives and I was raised. Until it went in about 10 years ago, I would sometimes break away from family and climb up into the woods when I was visiting just to sit in the mature woods on the slope to watch and listen for them.

In West Virginia, we sometimes called them Ginseng birds. Ginseng and Pileated's like the same habitat, and in some Native American cultures they are thought of as guardian spirits of the ginseng. We often would hear and see them flashing through the woods when out hunting for ginseng or planting ginseng seeds, in West Virginia and in the mountains here in North Carolina. I particularly miss hearing their calls. Every now and then I'll hear a Flicker and for an instant will actually feel my heart race with excitement until the brain kicks in. (tells you how exciting my life is, eh?) The call of the Flicker is just similar enough....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Irene M
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 06:36 AM

I have to have two sunflower seed feeders to accommodate all the goldfinches, have greenfinches,sparrows, coal, blue and great tits, and a family of blackbirds. To my great delight I have a visiting bulfinch. The first I have ever seen. And of course there are the hangers-on. Pigeons and squirrels. Then there are the occasional visits from peregrines and my yard must be like McDonalds for sparrowhawks. This is in Derby, UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 07:09 AM

Oh those sparrowhawks! In my last house one used to zoom sideways past the feeders and seize a victim in his talons. All that was left was a sad little pile of feathers on the grass. I know they have to eat, but I used to get so upset. Here in this new house, the garden is a bit small for predators (I hope!)

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Irene M
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 04:24 PM

Last spring I watched a juvenile sparrowhawk eating a sparrow in the back yard. Once it had taken it up on the fence, the other birds resumed feeding as if to say "It's OK. He's busy."
You always know when there is a sparrowhawk or peregrine about, as you wouldn't think small birds existed! Normal activity (spitting sunflower seeds on the ground) is suspended.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 06:00 PM

Not fair. Some people have much larger properties than others. Let's determine the size of the largest property being surveyed in this discussion and allow everyone to survey that size of area too? ;-)

Since January 1st within the confines of the fences around my tiny yard, I've seen only Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, House Sparrows, Crows, Common Redpolls.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 09:24 PM

I'm in, but I always get the same birds. (I doubt the eagle will pay another visit--that was a rare pleasure.)
I did see juncos this year, and they've been elsewhere for year or two.
Got black-capped chickadees, tifted tutmice, cardinals, gold finches, bluejays, house sparrows, both hairy and downy woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, mourning doves, crows, and an occasional cold-weather herd of American robins. That's just the every-day visitors.

In the fall, I bought a new feeder system that consists of a pole and any number of things you can add on. I got the bird habit bad!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 10:04 PM

Not to worry, ragdall. It's not a competition. It's about observing habitat. Whether we live on large farms or in condos with a balcony and patio, most of our birdwatching occurs while looking out a window or sitting on a balcony or patio. I have an average sized lot for being in a small town in North Carolina. The birds I see are not a function of lot-size, but of habitat. The habitat surrounding where I live is conducive to supporting a number of species universally common at feeders in urban and suburban areas. Those species are no less interesting because they are common. I observed many more species of birds from my prior house and lot, which was about half the size of this lot. While that was in part because the immediate habitat of the yard was different and more varied, even though the lot was smaller. I also see one or two species here that I never saw at the other house. While the yard habitat was one factor in seeing more species at the old house, the greater variety of surrounding habitat, including a river and greenway within 1/2 mile of the other place made a difference.

If I were to move 3/4 mile north of here into some condos and townhomes with only a balcony or patio, I would see more species than I see here. That complex is backed by several acres of woods approaching mature size. In addition, it is situated along a flight path between the town's water reservoir and a pond on a golf course community. That would allow me to observe Great Blue Herons, red-wing blackbirds, assorted ducks and Canada Geese as they fly between water resources that I never see from any point in my yard.

I really like the way keeping my annual birdlist helps me think about environment and habitat.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: rumanci
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 10:06 PM

hey jeri
I bet tifted tutmice are the rarest birds on the list
rum

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 10:57 PM

You could keep a list of birds you see at any particular habitat or locale where you spend time - not just "home." Only keep them separate to help maintain awareness of habitat.

I used to work just 4 long blocks from where I lived. I walked to work. I never saw a rock pigeon, house sparrow or starling from my yard, but saw them every day from either my office window or the fire escape of my office.

I now have a 40 mile one way commute - all two lane roads through farm country. It is rare that I do not see a Great Blue Heron winging its way between farm ponds, or a wedge of Canada Geese, or a couple of mallards, or, in spring, red-winged blackbirds among the cat-tails around farm ponds. In the fall harvested grain and cornfields will be full of Canada Geese gleaning what they can. I never hear a whippoorwill or poor=will or other goshawk here. When I lived just 20 miles north in a travel trailer on a 250 acre farm, they would drive me crazy at night with their loud and persistent calls. Indigo Buntings were common there, as were fox sparrows, rufus-sided towhees, brown thrashers. I occasionally see some of those species here in my yard, but not often.   Also saw a larger variety of hawks. Here I see only the common Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Once saw a large flock of Cedar Waxwings migrating swoop down and quickly strip a cedar of it's blue berries, then take to the skies again - only time in my life I have seen that species.

If I drive 1 mile north or south I land in the parking lot of the shopping centers where I do most of my grocery shopping. There will be house sparrows and rock pigeons at both places, as well, in season, purple martins, killdeer, and after a coastal storm, seagulls. It will be nothing but a fluke if ever I see any them ib my yard or on my feeders.

Habitat.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 06:52 AM

From my kitchen window I can watch the ordinary little birds feeding on our offerings, and even though there's nothing spectacular out there (as I used to see when I had half an acre of land) it's still very interesting. You get to know the more dominant ones, the skinnier, hungry ones, and the starlings are so comical. I've also noticed that each type of bird has its special time for appearing. You could set your clock by them! I also like to watch the communal bird-bathing. Five starlings sit on the rim, then as if they've counted "One, two, three!" they all jump in together. As for the spectacular, we occasionally get wild swans flying over in pairs, an exquisitely beautiful sight which brings tears to my eyes.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 02:09 PM

The Bluebirds are back!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 11:19 PM

Starlings and pidgeons have a system at my feeders. The pidgeons wait on the power line ( crapping everywhere) until the starling flock attacks my feeders spitting most of the mixture on the ground. The pidgeons then descend and gorge on the spoils, only to return to the overhead wires to crap and wait for the starlings return. I know pidgeons have to eat but like bad relatives they refuse to leave! I know that the dove is a symbol of peace but sometimes this part of the family makes me feel like declaring war! As for the starlings they are rather ignorant guests with very poor table manners. The chickadee and the finch are polite and wait their turn and are more welcome and friendly. The bluejays are plentiful and a beautiful bird that the starlings will not mess with, and I love watching the woodpeckers. My neighbours have cats who skulk around but I don't think that they catch much and they keep the mice and squirrels at bay

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 12:51 AM

Watching the learning curve for birds. Starlings, even just a couple of them,in winter and grackles in summer can easily gobble up a suet cake a day in my yard. I bought a caged suet feeder this year that allows smaller birds in but excludes the starlings.    the Carolina wrens do not hesitate to go through the cage to the suet. The Bluebirds, appear to have a "wait and see attitude.

Sandy, I broadcast a bit of millet seed on the ground for assorted sparrows but in my seed feeders i serve only black-oil sunflower seeds to deter starlings. Starlings have weak beaks and can not shell sunflower seeds, so leave my seed feeders alone.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 06:28 AM

I often see hawks and occasionally shrikes in the trees across the street, but never in my yard. Flocks of Bohemian waxwings are feeding on Rowan berries over there too, having already picked my trees clean several months ago. Unfortunately, that's beyond the 100 foot limit from my property line. (schniff) (schniff) (Whine)

A male intergrade Northern Flicker spent quite a bit of time in my garden today. He hung on the side of a cherry snag, in the rain, blinking.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diffuse/6666221099/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diffuse/6666221727/

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 09:21 AM

A feeding tip: Go to your butcher and ask him to keep some of the fat he trims off the beef(should be free). you can present it in a wire mesh feeder. Cheeper than suet cakes.
I think I'll start a bird feeding thread for these tips.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 11:51 AM

Great Shots Ragdall

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 01:00 PM

Pair of swans swam past on the canal this morning, a pretty regular sight.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 01:25 PM

Oh Pete, I do so love seeing swans. We live near a chain of lakes and small rivers, so water fowl are all around. The honking of wild geese and ducks is such an evocative sound at early dawn.
I buy large packs of lard (very cheap), melt some and throw in any scraps, a few porridge oats, catfood leavings, bits of fat, dried fruit, crumbs etc. I then pour it into small aluminium cases (like those you get takeaways in) They go in the fridge until hard, then my husband puts one in the feeder every two or three days days. I then refill the cases. I put sunflower hearts in a special feeder for the goldfinches and tits. We put scraps on the ground too for other kinds of birds. I know it encourages rats etc but I reckon my three Siamese will see to that. Funnily enough (thank goodness) they don't chase the birds here as they did in my last house, probably because there's no cover for them to hide and stalk.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 01:36 PM

Thanks Janie and Rap for the tips. I have wondered why the starlings throw the sunflower seeds away, when they are the first choice of the chickadees. Now I know.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Irene M
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 03:06 PM

Fantastic photos. Thanks Rags.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 03:49 PM

Me too: beautiful shots! It may just be me, but photos of a flicker on Flickr strike me as funny.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 04:07 PM

rags' pics of birds have AMAZED me for years. Seriously AMAZING photography.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Janie
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 10:24 PM

rag's - what gnu said!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: ragdall
Date: 10 Jan 12 - 04:31 AM

aw, gawrsh. I just point the camera and push the button. The camera makes the pictures.

Jeri, flickers on Flickr strike many people as funny.

Today I was visited by a flock of about 50 redpolls who investigated every feeder and eagerly combed the ground for seeds that had fallen from the hanging feeders, House Finches, who seem to be traveling with the redpolls, helped themselves to black oil sunflower seed in the squirrel's feeder, and an American Crow braced itself against the wind to warm its feet on my gas furnace vent high above the roof.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: rumanci
Date: 10 Jan 12 - 10:35 AM

you do far more than that rags - truly beautiful. I've never seen those birds before. Thankyou.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 05:44 AM

beautifikl pics, Ragdall!

here in inner Sydney we have a large garden (open garden, shared by 12 households). Last night I sat out the back with a neighbour, watched the sunset and listened to a
kookaburra
laughing in a nearby tree.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 08:29 AM

Wow, that's a really neat video of the Kookaburra!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: gnu
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 01:58 PM

So, Mum was working at the kitchen counter this AM and noticed a bird in her apple tree. At 30 feet, she needs binoculars. It was a large large (bluejays are much larger at -15C) with a peanut in it's mouth and it's head was bobbing up and down and from side to side. A smaller one was sitting on a branch just below and near it. This went on for a while.

Trying to bribe a female? Taunting a smaller jay?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching 2012
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 02:02 PM

This morning a great big gull hovered over our tiny garden, swooped in and flew off with a huge lump of old Christmas Pudding! (Will he come back for the brandy sauce?)