Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The Birds of Spring

It's a wonderful time of year to sit and listen to the birds.  On these beautiful mornings I've been able to sit on the deck and enjoy my coffee while all around me I can hear the birds calling.  With only about a dozen species hanging around, I've been able to learn their calls well enough that I know who is singing even if I can't see them.

Although usually a winter bird here, one pair of Downy Woodpeckers has been staying around and I suspect they're nesting nearby.  A rear view shows this is a female, with no red spot on the back of the head.

There is a similar pair of Chickadees, which we also usually see in the winter.  But this pair visits late in the day for some seeds.

I think there may be a family of Blue Jays around now. We here their raucous calls every day when they swoop in.  I think they're nesting in the tall spruce across the road.

The White-crowned Sparrow was still around at least a few days ago, though I'm expecting it to migrate on north.  I think the Dark-eyed Juncos have already left.

We have both a pair of Chipping Sparrows and a pair of Song Sparrows nesting nearby.  I hear their calls regularly, both the long trill of the Chipping Sparrow and the musical song of the Song Sparrow.

And so far the Baltimore Orioles are still here, the male a bright oragne and the female much more subdued.  I hear them calling too.

Besides these that I have pictures of we have the usual Crows, Starlings, Grackles and here Cardinals calling in the distance.  A Turkey Vulture soars overhead about once a day, and a small flock of teenage Canada Geese usually flies over every day.  Altogether the sights and sound of birds outside add a nice new dimension to my world in spring.

I can't believe that we've gone from late snow to it being too hot for comfort in just over two weeks!


13 comments:

  1. I am an avid backyard birdwatcher. We have all the same birds in our yard, but I am afraid the orioles have flown the coop.

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  2. Wonderful captures of all you feathered visitors. Our son's FIL is a dedicated birdwatcher. In his retirement he has chosen to live and travel in Central America. He ventures for two or three months into South America at times. He always finds a good birding expedition to look for the birds of the areas. He has had some real adventures. Keep up the good work of learning the bird songs. Ed uses that technique to help him even with new finds. Peace, Janice

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  3. I love to hear the birds and the Song Sparrow in particular!

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  4. I remember a few years back when I learned the call of the white-crowned sparrow. I listen for it each springtime when they return to the area. Such a wonderful group of birds! Thank you for sharing your delightful pictures. :-)

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  5. It is the same here FG. The weather changed in two weeks from snow to 26 C.

    You have a nice selection of birds to observe. They will provides hours of entertainment I bet. Great photos.

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  6. What a lovely selection of birds here, so good to see.

    All the best Jan

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  7. A nice variety of birds. I hear lots too when I'm out walking in the morning. Nice too to sit on the porch and listen to them. We did that this afternoon.

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  8. Nice variety to have around the house, I'm sure they're entertaining and will be even more so when their offspring come to the feeders.

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  9. Yes, the Juncos have flown the coop here as well. I sleep in my living room recliner which is right beside a patio door and with a hooked stick I can open and close that door right from my recliner. I love opening the door when I see early morning light in the East and listening to all the birds waking up outside in our trees. Makes for a nice way to start the day.

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  10. What a good variety of birds...love the Baltimore Oriole. I seldom see one.

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  11. There is nothing like backyard birds to enliven the spirit. We now have a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting from time to time and we are very happy to see him.

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  12. Nice to listen to the different species of birds to lift one's spirits.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  13. We have a good amount of birds too, I think most of the migrating birds went North...the Orioles are gone as is the Scarlet Tanager. I have not seen the Juncos in a few days so that is encouraging! :)

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