Early Bird Watching Memory

As you can read in my bio, bird watching in my grandparents' yard as a youngster during the frequent Sunday afternoon visits was the greatest thing for me. Armed with my first Kodak box camera (black and white pictures only, and through the glass!) and my well-worn favorite bird book (see photo), I soon became quite adept at distinguishing every type of bird landing at the feeder! My family always greatly supported and encouraged me in my hobby, which according to my Mother came "genetically" as her Grandfather was a bird-lover extraordinaire. I own his favorite bird book to this day.

The next photo was taken by me in the mid-1960s and yes, there is guaranteed a bird somewhere in the feeder....and from what I just discovered on the left-side of the feeder, a Koolmees, a type of Chickadee not found here (closest in likeness IF ANY would be our Carolina Chickadee).

  

Finally, I also remember that bread, cut in cubes was the bird feed of choice, mixed birdseed was not realy commercially available in stores yet. Thought I'd share this memory with my blog, and readers.

Roosting Pockets, cheap homes for your wild birds!

Recently we came across a nice offering of roosting pockets in our local garden store. They are teardrop- or gourd-shaped pockets woven out of soft grasses, pine branches or other natural materials with a sturdy wicker loop to hang from. They look extremely natural and attractive in small hidden corners of the yard, in shrubs or trees but preferably high enough for the birds to feel safe. They were immediately checked out by Sparrows and Chickadees, and although meant to be hiding places or shelters from the elements, we're hoping some or all may be chosen as a nesting spot for a new generation of small backyard dwellers! At $2.99 each, we highly recommend them to anyone with a yard or patio, large or small. Gardman is the brand we chose. Will keep you posted on what happens with them.

Here goes....... (or flies)!

When we took this photo, really only weeks ago come to think of it, we were lucky to see the occasional Cardinal, Dark-Eyed Junco or even House Sparrow around the house and they were always a welcome sight! Meanwhile, things have improved greatly, albeit slowly but as in every Spring, we have a whole new scene around our feeders and backyard!

First of all, I think the purpose of this blog is foremost to serve as a journal for myself, in order to report on what all is going on around house and yard, and share this with whomever is interested. I hope to make it interesting, and include products, reviews, tips & tricks which may help other backyard birders in their hobby as well.

Spring 2011! Most exciting arrivals this month were discovered way back in our yard, where we have a nice, over-grown creek running through rocks and first hesitant green. Trying out my new Nikon binoculars, I soon discovered large groups of migrating Ruby-Crowned Kinglets flitting from branch to branch, low in the overhanging vegetation. Everytime they literally open their crown to reveal the blood red stripe on their head, it is a thrill and a joy to see. They're mostly after insects they find on the branches, and must be working real hard to find any after a tough winter like ours.

Then, something bigger appeared in-focus, and here is my next migratory bird, the Yellow Rumped Warbler! The species we have here in the Midwest is the Myrtle variety, showing a bright white chin. They're holding up much higher in the trees than the Kinglets, and are darting up in the air after flying insects, quite acrobatic and a lot of fun to observe.

Too bad these two groups will be moving on shortly, up North for slightly cooler areas, but I'm sure we'll see them back again, as always.

Another exciting migrator showing up this Spring was the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a beautiful woodpecker species which is also here but for a short period of time. Quite different from our many Downys and Hairys, the Yellow-bellied remains somewhat aloof and is not as ready a feeder-visitor. They prefer high pines and  can be seen moving up in them hammering for sap or insects. Their head-dress is just terrific.

Sofar, newly discovered regulars have been Chipping, Tree and even Song Sparrows, House Finch, White-Breasted Nuthatch and....the first fully molted Goldfinches are starting to find the thistle feeders! Robins, Blue Jays, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds thus far form the busy, noisy and intimidating larger crowd, and the waiting is for our Thrashers and Gray Catbirds to arrive! Coopers Hawks meanwhile gallore and what exciting hunters when they run after their prey on the ground. We even had an unexpected low "fly-over" of 7-8 Turkey Vultures, quite interesting as our county is indeed just about the border line of their territory!

More soon, birding season is upon us!