Sunday, February 28, 2010

Black-capped Chickadees in the Snow


Black-capped Chickadees are my favorite year-round bird. These plump little beauties are especially endearing because to me they seem the most "tame" of the wild backyard birds. Thus, they're a bit more trusting and a bit more inquisitive than other birds of their type (Passerine or "perching" birds). (Photo courtesy of Charles H. Warren.)

Yesterday a small group of chickadees gathered above me in the white birch tree when I went outside to scatter more black-oil sunflower seeds over the snow-covered ground. They hopped from branch to branch, impatiently awaiting the seed delivery and somewhat annoyed by my delay. I was too busy filming them. Hope you enjoy the brief video below.



Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart.

Georgia Anne Butler

Sunday, February 21, 2010

First Field Sparrow of the Season


This morning I saw my first Field Sparrow of the season! I posted on this little sparrow last July (see 7/14). At that time I had no photo but instead provided a video (audio) of two exchanging territorial songs.

What a big contrast between the lush, summer scene (captured in that video) and the blanket of deep white winter snow, dazzling under a bright morning sun. Glancing outside from an upstairs window that looks down on my bird feeder, I spotted a small sparrow and ran for the binoculars. Here, finally, was a new visitor--a small sparrow with a clear breast (as opposed to streaked), softly shaded gray cheeks, a faded reddish cap, and dainty white eye-ring.

What is this sparrow? I said to myself. I should know it. Then I noted the pink bill (a telling characteristic that I completely failed to mention in my earlier post). And I knew--a Field Sparrow!

In my web search just now for a photo of this pretty sparrow, I reviewed various sites and photos (all copyrighted) but did learn that there is a seasonal distinction in the Field Sparrow's winter and breeding plumage. For instance, the winter plumage is less vibrant.

Well this time I did find a Public Domain image (happily) but the scarcity of such photos only emphasizes my need to learn birding photography. I'll be going again to Arkansas in early April. Perhaps this time I'll go armed with a camera.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne Butler

Sunday, February 14, 2010

A Red-shouldered Hawk


I wish the brief visit by a Red-shouldered Hawk to my white birch tree had happened a couple days later than it did. He arrived on Wednesday (Feb 10) but the Great Backyard Bird Count didn't begin until Friday. Thus I can't count him. But I can share the sighting here with you (Public Domain image of juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk courtesy of NBII).

It was the afternoon, when I typically read a bit by the window in my bedroom upstairs. Here I have a closeup view of my "regulars" arrayed throughout the branches of the white birch. Periodically I glance from my reading to see what if anything interesting is happening among the chickadees, juncos, titmice, blue jays, woodpeckers, and others perched or flitting through the branches of this major "hot spot" for the resident community. You see, it's one of a few trees that provide patient birds a perching place while awaiting their opportunity at the seed table or suet bar.

On this occasion, I noticed that with the swift arrival of a flock of starlings, my regulars had quickly vacated these branches. I watching these glossy black birds with iridescent colors (purple and green) and white spots for a short diversion and then continued with my book.

A few moments later I looked out again to find something truly interesting--a large, stocky hawk, most definitely a buteo (buzzard hawk). All the starlings had flown (most quietly because I hadn't noticed their departure).

I grabbed for my bedside binoculars (kept there for especially such occasions) and studied the hawk who sat quietly as if for my benefit. His tail was long and banded (black and white), his back was a mottled brown, and his chest was a bright burnish orange. First thought:
a Red-shouldered Hawk!

This hawk looked very much like a Red-tailed Hawk but didn't have a red tail but a black and white tail. The final evidence I needed for the identification came when said hawk flew out from the naked branches of the birch and toward the small stand of old hemlocks less than a hundred feet away. Then I saw the glow of red from his shoulders.

How exciting! I'd never seen a Red-shouldered Hawk on my property before let alone outside my bedroom window. What a wonderful treat. (I have seen and heard one flying over my property, however--see my post of 3/25/09.)

As to the Great Backyard Bird Count, you'd be surprised how similar my first day's count was to my "practice" count below (earlier post). Add a half dozen house finches and a couple downy woodpeckers and you've got my first day's count!

Here's hoping you're participating in the GBBC. If not there's still time. Follow the link in my last posting.

Till later . . . Keep Birds in Your Heart!

Georgia Ann

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Great Backyard Bird Count


Last year the Great Backyard Bird Count sneaked up on me and I didn't announce it to my readers until the evening of the first day (it's a four-day event). Not so this year. (Photo of Song Sparrow courtesy of Ken Thomas.)

This year I want to give everyone ample time to investigate this annual event sponsored by Audubon. It begins on February 12 so you have 5 days yet to prepare!

http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtml?gclid=CNyi6P7U258CFQhinAodc1_lIg

Briefly, Audubon encourages everyone to take at least 20 minutes on each or all of the four days of the event to note not only the bird species in their backyard but also the specific numbers. For instance, during that 20-minute "watch" do you see one or two Northern Cardinals? Is there a small flock of Black-capped Chickadees visiting your feeder? If so, how many are in the flock? That's the general idea. Find out more at the link provided above.

Right now I'm in "practice" mode and I'm happy to report that today (and everyday) I've quite an array of birds in my backyard. Not only am I lucky to live somewhere with a good habitat for many species, but I also daily put out black-oil sunflower seeds. This assures a large gathering of birds every single day.

So here's today's "practice" list (beginning on the 12th I'll have to take a new inventory):

--Dozens of Blue Jays--hard to count there are so many, but I'll place the number at about three dozen or 36 birds.

--2 Northern Cardinals (one male, one female)

--1 male Red-bellied Woodpecker. (I've seen the female on other days but not today so I can't count her.)

--Dozens of Black-capped Chickadees. Again, hard to get an exact count as they are flying in and out of the trees surrounding my feeders. But again I'll definitely commit to at minimum two dozen, and so 24.

--A flock of Starlings: 20 birds.

--Dark-eyed Juncos: 18 birds or so?

--Tufted-titmice: 9 individuals, that I can see.

--American Crows (saw three early this morning at my feeder but can't count them as I didn't begin my "watch" until this afternoon). Even so, I heard many crows calling during my bird watch and saw some flying overhead. I'll but my crow total at a dozen, though this is a fairly modest estimate.

--Quite surprisingly I saw a Song Sparrow: just one. Haven't seen a Song Sparrow for many weeks now.

--A few White-breasted Nuthatches: only 3.

--Can't forget the flock of wintering American Goldfinch. I'll put that number at a little more than a dozen, about 14.

And there you have it--a list and count of the birds I saw in my backyard in 20 minutes.

Of course you can watch longer than 20 minutes; however, you want to be careful not to count the same birds more than once. And you can watch anywhere--it doesn't need to be your backyard. Again, check the Audubon site for specific instructions and tips!

Why not start practicing now? Get out your bird guide and see what birds are visiting your yard.

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne