BS: Birdwatching Challenge

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 07 - 07:20 AM

It's a week for unusual birds today.... This appeared in my garden today.

Can I claim it? It was outside and flying free.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 May 07 - 01:10 PM

Four pairs of Violet Green Swallows in the boxes this year. There may be another two pairs but I haven't had the time to watch. Last years successful Chickadees are chasing me away & the wren hasn't showed up yet. He's been here for two years and evicted the swallows last year.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 May 07 - 11:35 PM

We have a couple of vireos in our nesting box, as well as a multi-colored heron in our local puddle. Up at the lake this afternoon to check the serial number on the Sunfish spotted a Baltimore Oriole in a nearby bush. Plenty of hawks, buzzards and vultures in the area as well as a surplus of various geese, Canadas, Brant, etc. Saw a Snow Goose this winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 May 07 - 03:46 AM

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday - driving back from the DIY shop, a bird I thought was a pigeon flew in front of the car. Usually I speed up for pigeons, but I was nearing a junction so I didn't. As I stopped at the junction, I glanced to where the "pigeon" had landed in the shrubbery, and discovered it was a
jay! These birds are mostly woodland birds, so I was rather surprised to see it right next to an industrial estate on the A13 road...

Oh, thought my tits had come a cropper yesterday... the tits are nesting in the privet tree in next doors' garden. I was outside gardening and heard some strange rustlings coming from over the fence but it wasn't til I got upstairs and looked out of the window here that I saw the neighbours had cut back half the privet tree! I thought my tits were homeless, and worse, eggless!

Luckily, this morning, it looks like the tree fellers missed the branches with the nest in, but it could now be open to attack from the crow that's sitting in the gutter above me. He's already had a go at the pigeon "nest" in my buddliea bush, I hope he can't see where my tits are.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Jeri
Date: 11 May 07 - 06:46 AM

I came home last night to find an Indigo Bunting on my feeder. I saw one in my back yard several years ago, but not since. Apparently, the mysterious dull colored birds I occasionally spot in the summer and can't identify have been the females. I've been seeing lots of different kinds of sparrows, but seeing one of these little blue jewels can make my whole day!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 11 May 07 - 05:49 AM

I think I saw a tree creeper yesterday - well, that's what it was doing anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: ragdall
Date: 11 May 07 - 03:35 AM

I've been trying to get photos of the birds in my garden this spring. The House sparrows, male and female, and Black-capped Chickadees are with us year around. The Robins arrived back from their winter vacation in the tropics, at the end of March. Dark-eyed Juncos became more abundant mid-April. Yellow-rumped warblers started to show up near the end of April.       May has brought us Purple Finches, Wilson's Warblers, and I now have about a hundred White-crowned Sparrows in my garden. The White-crowns brought a Lincoln's Sparrow along with them. A hummingbird zoomed past me, Wednesday. I need to get a feeder up for them.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Arkie
Date: 06 May 07 - 09:53 PM

Bobert, these birds are about the size of the male Red Breasted and they do look like big sparrows so they may be the females. Thanks. These birds have never been at the feeder when the males were feeding but I don't suppose that means anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 May 07 - 01:05 PM

Scored another one today - whilst out walking along a towpath in London, I spotted a female yellow wagtail flitting about. Haven't seen one of those since I moved to London, 17 years ago this August.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Bobert
Date: 05 May 07 - 07:21 PM

The female Red Brested Grosbeak, Arki, doesn't look anything like the male... They are like big sparrows... Maybe that's what you have???

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Arkie
Date: 05 May 07 - 05:48 PM

Here in Arkansas we have had Red Breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings about two weeks now.   For the past week there have been Baltimore Orioles at my backyard feeder.   When the first one flew through the yard I went to the co-op for a feeder.    The first Oriole tried the humingbird feeder without luck. I have had two birds that I have yet to identify. They may be male and female of the same species but they were at the feeder on different days.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 May 07 - 02:11 AM

I've upset the pigeons.

I spent yesterday after noon tidying the garden up, picking up dead leaves, twigs, prunings, that sort of thing... Burnt them last night in a lovely bonfire. Now the pigeons are flapping around outside the window, glaring balefully at me with those creepy orange eyes and pointedly flapping noisily off to another garden to bring more twigs back into mine for their next.

I hate pigeons.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 May 07 - 11:30 AM

I have wood pigeons nesting in my butterfly bush... how the hell they manage to do so when they're so big and the bush so spindly I don't know, but they are.

The nest appears to be naught but a scant platform of badly laid twigs that you can see daylight through and it's carefully positioned so that one poop from the bird sitting will get the cat crapping underneath.

The tits are still around but have chosen to nest elsewhere - their previous nest has been robbed out by the pigeons. Ever see a pigeon trying to get into a tit nest? Imagine trying to stick your head in a tennis ball... that's about it.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Bobert
Date: 04 May 07 - 08:13 AM

Thought with spring it was time to refresh thie thread...

We have a couple new kinds of birds who have decided that our farm is just right for them...

7 pairs (yeah, seven!!!) of red breasted grosbeaks... Not too sure why they have come here since they aren't supposed to live in Virginia other than jest east of the Alleghanies...

We also have indigo buntings but haven't figured out how many but at least several...

Not too sure what our total is... Maybe around 30 by now but we have 19 species living here at the moment, including so many gold finches that at time of the day when they are waiting their turn at the thistle feeder in the crepe' myrtl it looks like a lemon tree... Very nice...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Slag
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 08:10 PM

Well, I got a late start for '06 and recorded only 27. The last bird I saw was The Old Bird. Tomorrow I will see The New Bird. Looking forward to the '07 list from the top. Raptor, I suppose you will do the honors and start the official List?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Raptor
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 03:22 PM

There's a new thread for 2007

Try to beat your 06 list.

Raptor

Anyone else?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Metchosin
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 12:08 PM

Nothing new to add for December, as it was not a good month for bird watching here. I'm sure a lot of them, that did not have their little feet frozen solidly to large trees, were blown all the way to Ontario on hurricane force winds.

After I add in a crow, which is common, but I have never put on my list, my total is 30 for 2006. Not an impressive number either, but I'm still thrilled to pieces. In 2006 I managed to see three birds new to me, the black headed grosbeak, a golden crowned sparrow and a Hutton's vireo.

Thank you for suggesting this Raptor. I've really enjoyed it and if it hadn't been for you, I would probably never have bothered to get a rat and squirrel proof bird feeder. Thanks again.


Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Janie
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 11:08 AM

A not very impressive 26 species for the year. If I knew bird songs better I would probably have some warblers to add to the list.

My computer is directly adjacent to my living room window--I use the window sill as an elbow rest as I type. directly under the window on the front porch is a wrought-iron plant stand into which I had woven yew and holly branches for a seasonal display. A mocking bird kept me company for a good twenty minutes yesterday as it munched on the holly berries-undisturbed by my movements at the computer or the click of the keyboard. Some Young Son has programmed the sound for an owl hoot when the computer shuts down. The bird took off fast into the cover of the shrubbery, only to be grabbed by a feral cat that had been lurking in the bushes.

I love cats as house pets, but the house is where they belong. Native predators like snakes and birds-of-prey don't bother me, but cats do. They don't belong at the top of the food chain in this part of the world.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Raptor
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 10:36 AM

No new birds for Nov. or Dec.
My total for 2006 is:
63

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Raptor
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 06:51 AM

It's always good to get a lifer.

Congrats.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 01:26 PM

Five new for the month of November

- Ruby Crowned Kignlet
- Golden Crowned Kinglets in same flock
- Red-breasted Sapsucker
-Song Sparrow   
-Hutton's Vireo

Another first for me, I've never seen a Hutton's Vireo before.

Total to date - 30

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Nov 06 - 03:37 PM

It's got a huge branch of W H Smiths too... O Times, O Daily Mirror!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Slag
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 09:35 PM

I'll add a Nuthatch as they are migrating through this time of the year and also a Spotted Towhee and a Bullock's Oriole. That's 3 more so I'm at 27.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 07:21 PM

It used to be a town had to have a cathedral to be counted as a city - so now it's a matter of having an Ann Summers sex-shop. O tempora, O mores...

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 04:50 PM

Joy of joys today!!! I wasn't in my own house, but I was washing up for a friend and looking out over her amazing bit of garden and spied hedge sparrows, gulls, robins and a WREN!!! It's a city garden (OK, the city is Exeter in Devon, but it's got a building site, an Anne Summers and a University), so a wren is one of the least likely visitors... but this little beauty was popping in and out of the ivy on the mediaeval wall and having a wonderful time finding late insects by the pond.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: My guru always said
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 03:54 PM

Had a Juvenile Peregrine Falcon land on top of my bird-table this morning. Guests had reported seeing one on my washing line a year ago but I thought they were having me on, silly me! Looks like the food chain is working in my garden....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 11:14 AM

Just saw a heron flying past.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: the animal
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 08:23 AM

The robin's back! Hurrah! Tough little survivor.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: GUEST,the animal
Date: 02 Nov 06 - 11:52 AM

There has sadly been wholesale slaughter this year in Bristol. Gone are the blackbirds, sparrows, bluetits, greenfinches, collared doves, robins. All we have left are the big nasties...one sparrowhawk, eight magpies, dozens of crows and a couple of jays. I partially blame neighbours who keep putting huge chunks of bread and other large pieces of cooked leftovers on their bird tables. Being supersticious I'm always saluting bloody magpies when I'd rather be shooting rge evil killers. Grrrr!!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Nov 06 - 08:47 AM

Tits, robin and blackbirds today....

The blackbird was happily pecking at the Hallowe'en pumpkin that was 'recycled' into the garden this morning... seems the worms like it too.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Nov 06 - 08:11 AM

Flickers
Waxwings

33 and counting...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Raptor
Date: 02 Nov 06 - 07:40 AM

Septemper Home list:
RCKI- Ruby Crowned Kinglet


No new birds for October

Year to date Total: 63 Species

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: ragdall
Date: 01 Nov 06 - 02:20 PM

How are you at counting birds in flocks?

Irania bird counting game   It's a Finnish site. The first words come up in Finnish. Just wait for the "New Game" button, and press it. (It requires Java and is slow loading.)

Enjoy!

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: bobad
Date: 04 Oct 06 - 10:40 PM

What you saw, Valerie, may have been the brown creeper .

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: GUEST,Valerie Carson
Date: 04 Oct 06 - 10:21 PM

I saw a bird at school today that looked like a small sparrow but had a very thin beak. It was clinging to the outside brick wall. I thought it was injured until it climbed, like a spider, up the wall to the top of the building. I have never seen a bird like that. Does anyone have any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 06:10 PM

Metchosin, please don't give location as there is a hunting thread at present and it's shameful.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Metchosin
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 04:52 PM

Whoopty do! I had a new bird at my feeder in the month of September! Not only new to my feeder, but also a first for me. The Golden Crowned Sparrow That brings my total to 25, I think.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: ard mhacha
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 10:30 AM

Seen a number of Swallows a few minutes ago soon they will be heading south for their long journey south, by the 15th of the month they will have all but gone from the north of Ireland.
A recent article in the Irish Times suggested that it is likely that only one of the brood from this years young will survive the journey to Africa, as I watch them performing their aereobatics I wish them good luck and hope the experts are wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Bobert
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 03:33 PM

Add: Bald Eagle

Total 31???...

And, yes, with the 17 acres we're living on we have lots of Janie's backyards with all kinds of butterflies...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 02:11 PM

July home list:

COSN- Common Snipe
CHSP- Chipping Sparrow
SSHA- Sharp-shinned Hawk
GRCA- Gray Catbird

August Home List:

EAKI- Eastern Kingbird
YBCO- Yellow-billed Cookoo

Year to date Total: 62 Species

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Janie
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 11:04 PM

The hummers are stoking up for their migration. I don't have a feeder but I plant for them and see them all summer. Every September their numbers increase dramatically in my garden. I'm not sure, but I may be seeing some Anna's in addition to ruby-throated. Last year, a banded Anna spent the winter in a friend's garden a few blocks from here. It caused quite a stir among the local birders. I think somewhere way earlier in this thread someone mentioned their range is expanding. We tend to think of them as West Coast hummers.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 02:56 PM

A quiet month at Dobro Towers.

Blackbird
Song Thrush
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chaffinch (left it late - only showed on last day of the month)
Greenfinch
Collar Dove
Woodpigeon
House Sparrow
Robin
Rook
Magpie

but more than compensated for by seeing a Barn Owl in a lovely valley about a mile from home. I've driven that road for many years, and never seen one there before.

Incidentally, why are owls supposed to be so wise? Barn Owls never make it off the endangered list in the UK, while woodpigeons, which are stupid, fat, slow, inept at flying and to cap it all, taste really good to eat, are everywhere with numbers increasing rapidly.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Slag
Date: 27 Aug 06 - 11:36 PM

My back yard is kinda big, 10 acres. I said I have an unfair advantage but I hate to sound like I'm bragging. On the other hand the entire area really is a great birder's paradise. Across the lake is Anderson State Park, a nationally recognized sanctuary for birds and waterfowl of all sorts.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Ferrara
Date: 27 Aug 06 - 11:19 PM

My they are wonderful birds, Slag. Not your typical backyard birds.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Slag
Date: 27 Aug 06 - 12:27 AM

add:

Valley Quail (every day of the week)
Western Blue Bird
Black Bird ( Common )
Starling

That's 24

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Ferrara
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 10:55 PM

Darn it! Just tried to post to this thread and the post disappeared. Sigh.... I'll try again, but a shorter post :-).

Looking at photos from July 26-27, I was able to identify a not-too-good shot of a teensy gray "mystery bird" as a ruby-crowned kinglet. (Should have recognized the white marks around the eye when I first took the pics.) That brings the number of species I've seen in the yard to 28 so far this year.

This had better show up....

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Slag
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:01 PM

Thank you Ron. I DO feel quite priviladged. My mom was born in these parts so I have had connections here all my life. In the early 80's I got the chance to locate here and I've never regretted it. We have a couple of bald eagles who put in ocassional appearances but I haven't seen them since early spring. Add a Stellar's Jay to my list this AM, that's 20!

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:50 AM

Slag--sounds like a wonderful place to live.

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:24 AM

I was out kayaking on Thursday and saw several osprey and 2 immature blue herons (Crooked Creek, Tioga, PA) who were great fun to watch! About 2 weeks earlier, on a different kayak excursion, I saw (and heard) my very first immature bald eagle (Little Pine State Park near English Center, PA).

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Birdwatching Challenge
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:16 AM

Hints and tips from ancient Suffolk folklore, no 432:

When I put a ball of fat out for the birds, it's usually only a day or two before the local family of magpies demolish it either by hooking it up onto a branch for the whole pack to attack at their leisure, or by ripping the bag so it falls to the ground. To counter this, I now push the top of the bag through the hole in an old CD before hanging it. This sways and tilts if a magpie tries to land on it, and so far has been very effective in keeping them away. Smaller birds, which arrive from below or on a level aren't put off at all.

I favour Donovan CDs for this, as after a while they are rendered completely unplayable.