Post by imperialbirders on Jun 9, 2021 15:09:51 GMT -8
Hi
We are so fortunate to have our back bush. The Rufous Hummers were a little late in returning but we have good numbers now and using lots of syrup. (The Annas have been with us all year). For six weeks we had 20 to 30 pairs of Evening Grosbeaks. I cannot understand why they are called "evening" as they are early risers and their noisy call ensured we were up early. All but one pair left last week. Many of the Black headed Grosbeaks that arrived with the Evening Grosbeaks are staying around as they did last year and will nest in the woods. The Hairy Woodpeckers have been bringing their young in for the last week. The young look bigger than the adults. We have Cedar Waxwings doing the berry sharing dances. As well, an Eastern Kingbird arrived to feed on our Red Elderberries. So many birds feast on those Elderberry bushes. The Band tailed Pigeons land and crush the branches but the berries are plentiful this year. We spotted our first Towhee baby on Monday. Also, the bats have returned and are roosting under our lower patio. (We sweep up the dropping as they make for good fertilizer for our plants. A Red winged blackbird brought in his baby a few minutes ago. The Robin young are hunting in our yard and are very successful. The European Starlings numbers are high this year. We have Downy and Pileated woodpeckers visiting with the Hairy Woodpeckers. We think the Pileated has a nest in a nearby Cottonwood tree. The American Goldfinches and a lone Purple finch visit. The Pine Siskin swarms have left but we have a few stragglers. The Northern Flickers love drilling in our lawn and gardens. A Western Tanager made a visit but moved on. The Song Sparrow still sings outside my office window, but not as often as it was last month. We have not seen the American Kestrel for a while but some larger hawks cruise by and unfortunately we have not made any positive identifications. European Collared Doves and Mourning Doves visit periodically. A Steller's Jay just flew over my office as if to say, "Don't Forget About Me, Haven't My Antics Entertained You Enough to Remember Me?" Our four birdbaths are busy all day and are cleaned at least once a day. It is hilarious to watch birds fly into a dry bath when we are cleaning and scold us for not being faster getting the fresh clean water into the bath. The Douglas Squirrels and Chipmunks continually entertain us.
Mike
We are so fortunate to have our back bush. The Rufous Hummers were a little late in returning but we have good numbers now and using lots of syrup. (The Annas have been with us all year). For six weeks we had 20 to 30 pairs of Evening Grosbeaks. I cannot understand why they are called "evening" as they are early risers and their noisy call ensured we were up early. All but one pair left last week. Many of the Black headed Grosbeaks that arrived with the Evening Grosbeaks are staying around as they did last year and will nest in the woods. The Hairy Woodpeckers have been bringing their young in for the last week. The young look bigger than the adults. We have Cedar Waxwings doing the berry sharing dances. As well, an Eastern Kingbird arrived to feed on our Red Elderberries. So many birds feast on those Elderberry bushes. The Band tailed Pigeons land and crush the branches but the berries are plentiful this year. We spotted our first Towhee baby on Monday. Also, the bats have returned and are roosting under our lower patio. (We sweep up the dropping as they make for good fertilizer for our plants. A Red winged blackbird brought in his baby a few minutes ago. The Robin young are hunting in our yard and are very successful. The European Starlings numbers are high this year. We have Downy and Pileated woodpeckers visiting with the Hairy Woodpeckers. We think the Pileated has a nest in a nearby Cottonwood tree. The American Goldfinches and a lone Purple finch visit. The Pine Siskin swarms have left but we have a few stragglers. The Northern Flickers love drilling in our lawn and gardens. A Western Tanager made a visit but moved on. The Song Sparrow still sings outside my office window, but not as often as it was last month. We have not seen the American Kestrel for a while but some larger hawks cruise by and unfortunately we have not made any positive identifications. European Collared Doves and Mourning Doves visit periodically. A Steller's Jay just flew over my office as if to say, "Don't Forget About Me, Haven't My Antics Entertained You Enough to Remember Me?" Our four birdbaths are busy all day and are cleaned at least once a day. It is hilarious to watch birds fly into a dry bath when we are cleaning and scold us for not being faster getting the fresh clean water into the bath. The Douglas Squirrels and Chipmunks continually entertain us.
Mike