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!