Every Fiber of my Being - Cortni Frecha

Thursday, April 14, 2011

bird report as the buds begin to burst

We still have some hooded merganzers and ring-necked ducks on their migrant way north stopping here for a week or two. The Merganzers are early comers, when the ice is not yet out (perhaps two weeks ago now), the ring-necked more recent.
This morning I saw Wood Ducks fly into the pine snag between house and pond, where woodpeckers have nested before. What a gift to have it front and center of our view.
All the usual early spring birds are here: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Mourning Doves. I think I heard a Winter Wren, and would like to hear more. Lots of Rob-bob-bobbins, Cardinal song and happy noises from Nuthatches and Chickadees, Titmice, woodpeckers. I may have heard the Kingfisher, and as I write I think I heard the burr of a warbler. Is it early? Herons are here of course and a few turtles have gotten out to sun on logs on warm days.
We seem to have a good quotient of Hylers this spring, some years they’re a little thin. Always there are more at the east end of the pond.
The phoebe has been here for several days and Bluebirds are around although I don’t see nesting behavior related to any of our boxes. Still to overhung with big trees? We’re still re-opening the meadow for llama graze and Bluebird habitat.
I cut the Syringa tree and one Redbud near the llamas to make room for a new veggie/herb/fruit garden. Still need to stump it and spade before adding compost. We also have a great big oak to take down which provides more shade than veggies will want.
All the hens are laying, from old mama white Silkie to younger Red Pyle Old English bantams and other layers in between: Spitzhauben, Golden Buffs, Araucanas and the goofy barnyard cross (Barred Rock plumage, Araucana ears and beard, Silkie top-puff).

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

light returns again with bird report

I can get very excited this time of year, at least for a little while, about the brightness, the longer days. and the energy it brings me. I can already see some buds getting a little fatter. Birds begin to sing a different song: titmice and chickadees notably, sing spring notes that have not been heard for many months.

The white throated sparrow still had his little squeaky “old sam peabody, peabody” in a snow storm or two this year. and a few weeks ago there were a dozen red-winged black birds at my feeder. I thought they left for the winter, but they were unmistakable of course. Half were females, seldom seen in the spring when they busy themselves with domestic topics.

The hens are laying up a storm, but also are antsy to get out and roam as the warming days promise thawed earth for dust bathing and scratching. Hawks notice and visit with fair regularity. We have what I’m becoming more sure is a Cooper’s hawk as well as a red-tail who’re regular customers. the spitzhauben chickens are not as well equipped to see a hawk coming.......

Monday, June 30, 2008

bird report 01

Tonight I saw the red-bellied woodpecker pop into a cavity on the pine snag between the house and the pond. I suspect the second nesting. Possibly they’re using the spot the flicker was using earlier this spring. I’ve seen the female hummingbird twice on my Cherry Chief sage. Brought home some slightly old hangers: pink petunias and another which is petunia and dark pink bacopa. They need fertilizer. Trumpet vine is getting ready to pop flowers everywhere. Happy hummers! The female (rose-breasted) gros-beak came to look for seed in my empty feeder yesterday. I’m sad not to feed her, perhaps a baffle to deter the chippies. Heard bluebirds yesterday I think, but was working on something, maybe digging post-holes for the llama chute and so I didn’t stop to look around. Thrushes are singing across the pond mostly. Maybe I’ve heard them since early June. There’s a wood thrush or two and a veery. Yummy.