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Post by butterfly on Nov 3, 2007 11:32:07 GMT -8
Hey Kathy, We forgot to ask you how the bird feeders are going?
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Post by kastern on Nov 4, 2007 10:54:52 GMT -8
Up to 7 species now......House Finch (only one at a time but it's a start) and those Red Wing Blackbirds found me....had 22 of them yesterday, 15 so far today...and Jay count was up to 12 this morning before my husband started working out there creating a dog run for Shantz (our Siberian Husky)....got the suet feeder up now too....I'm happy, can sit on my sofa and see the entire feeding area and it is alive with birds all day long...at least when no one is out there.
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Nov 8, 2007 14:18:16 GMT -8
Species #8 showed up this morning. A Northern Flicker (male Red Shafted) found the peanut feeder......oh and we apparently have raccoons...the other evening the motion light came on and there were two 'bandit' faces peering at us from around the trunk of one of the cedar trees.....
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Nov 9, 2007 15:50:36 GMT -8
Species #9 this morning.....Starling...not the most desirable but still.....looks like my concerns about not having anything to report for Project Feeder Watch, were unfounded. It starts tomorrow and this morning I had as many as 5 Towhee in the yard, along with 24 Red Wings, Jays, Juncos, etc. etc.
Kathy
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Post by Gord on Nov 9, 2007 16:11:19 GMT -8
Kathy, do you find that the blackbirds you get are mostly males?
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Post by kastern on Nov 10, 2007 15:42:11 GMT -8
In the winter they are all males. There is one that has Albino markings on it's head and back, this is the 3rd winter he has been in the area, so obviously the same flock winters here each year.
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Post by kastern on Nov 28, 2007 15:18:18 GMT -8
Species 10 & 11....#10 has been showing up for a while....Winter Wrens seem to like the cedar hedge...but #11 just showed up this morning. Had a male Purple Finch at the feeders.
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Dec 1, 2007 16:11:42 GMT -8
Thanks to the snow and cold temp. the yard has been alive!!! and species #11 showed up today...a White Crowned Sparrow. By the way, as per the discussion re what constitues a 'yard bird' - I only count birds that actually come into the yard or at least perch on a tree in the yard...that is why at my other yard I would include a Blue Heron as they came and 'fed' at the pond, but I didn't count Eagles or Kingfishers even though lots flew over or even through the yard but none ever stopped and sat.
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Dec 18, 2007 13:44:47 GMT -8
Looks like I'm getting lost in the species count....the White Crowned Sparrow was #12...then the last time we had a dump of snow I had a pair of Varied Thrush show up (that is species #13 for the yard) ~ those are the only Varied Thrush I've seen this winter and they were just here the one day. Now today....another 'Snow' day....Species #14 showed up - a Brown Creeper. I knew, with these big cedar trees it was just a matter of time until one appeared. Fortunately I happened to be peering out the window just as he decided to 'creep' up the trunk of one of them. The male Purple Finch has been here again today too....In fact today, so far is the best 'count' day for the new yard...with a total of 11 species seen so far...amazing what a bit of snow can do!
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Dec 29, 2007 16:08:18 GMT -8
Species #15 showed up today....a Pine Sisken. There has been a large flock of a hundred or so in the area for weeks, but they are keeping to the tree tops....this was the first time I've seen one down near the feeders. It didn't actually stop and eat anything. Am seeing a Varied Thrush pretty much every day now, also had 4 House Finch today and a pair of Purple Finch the other day. Starlings are regulars everyday too. Kind of interesting because at my last yard (not that far away), a Starling was a rare event...like once or twice a year....here they are daily visitors.
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Jan 15, 2008 15:40:59 GMT -8
#16......a Sharp Shin Hawk.....was inevitable one would show up sooner or later....
Kathy
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Post by kastern on Jan 20, 2008 18:29:05 GMT -8
Two more species today....#17 when 2 female House Sparrows showed up (not very exciting but the first I've had) and then about 10 minutes later, species #18...a female Evening Grosbeak.
In fact today was the best day so far with a total of 14 species putting in an appearance through out the day....and that isn't counting the 3 hours we were gone in the afternoon.
Kathy
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Post by Gord on Jan 21, 2008 21:40:18 GMT -8
Good to hear of the Grosbeak. I havnt seen one for some time. There sure were plenty in the summer and fall.
Cold weather sure brings the birds to the feeders!
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Post by murraybrown on Jan 30, 2008 11:07:23 GMT -8
Had a new bird at our back yard feeder yesterday. At the peak of the blizzard, and out of the wind and snow arrived a very small, streaked, pink-footed sparrow on our patio. It had a bit of a crest and was very pale in comparison to the Purple and House Finches and Song Sparrows it was sharing the shelter with. The bill was small and delicate and also pinkish. The tail was rather short and notched. The head was strongly patterned with an obvious white malar, supercilium, and throat patch. Finally, the head had a very distinct white crown streak. My first call was Savannah Sparrow but the more I looked and snapped photos, I convinced myself it had to be something rare. In the end however I satisfied myself that it actually was a Savannah. Although I have not seen one, apparently some of these birds do not show the yellow lores that are so familiar and such an obvious marker.
This is bird no. 41 for our yard in Agassiz since we moved here last May. I use the criteria established by the ABA for yard lists. ie: any bird that can be identified by sight or call from the perimeter of ones yard. No matter how far or high.
Murray Brown,
Agassiz
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Post by murraybrown on Jan 30, 2008 11:24:57 GMT -8
No sooner did I post than I had another newbie! Our first Fox Sparrow popped up out of a snow drift with millet seeds spilling from it's bill. That'll be no. 42
Murray
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