Migratory Birds are Flooding In

Baltimore Orioles

The last couple of days, the migratory birds have really started arriving in large numbers.  The variety of bird songs this morning tired the brain training to identify the various species.  I saw quite a lot today but unfortunately, the weather most certainly did not cooperate for photography.

It seems like for the last couple of years, during peek week, we have had overcast, rainy weather.

Some sightings from late yesterday afternoon and today.  More Rose-breasted Grosbeaks also came in today.  I am still amazed at the numbers that have arrived this year,,,,not complaining though!

Indigo Bunting

American Redstart - male

Gray Catbird

Another Rose-breasted Grosbeak Arrived - Update: and the female too

UPDATE:  Around noon today, I noticed a female RBG hanging around.  I had wondered why so many males and no females.  She was very timid at first but finally came to the feeder.

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I was surprised yesterday to see yet another young Red-breasted Grosbeak show up at the house.

Though the primary feathers are still slightly brown tinged, they are more black than the other young bird that has been at the house all week. However, with more markings on the breast area, it makes me think it is younger.

The two were quite aggressive towards each other not wanting the other to come to the tube feeder.  Once they both settled to opposite sides of the feeder, they turned there attention and aggressiveness towards some House Finches trying to come in to eat.

The new bird arrived late in the afternoon as dark storm clouds were gathering so the shots are a bit grainy.  One photo is a bit blurred but I thought nicely showed the color under the wings.  I have seen both of them this morning so they are still here.

From talking with other birders, there appears to be a higher than normal number of sightings this spring in the area.

Ground Hog

I was out in the yard this morning trying to spot some warblers when the ground hog came waddling by.

I couldn't believe it stopped right in front of me and sat down.  I was moving very slowly trying to raise the camera up.  He/she was almost too close to get the lens to focus well.  I figured if I moved it was gone so I got what I could.

All of a sudden as if it realized I was there, it took off through the woods.  I was curious and checked and supposedly they do have good eyesight so maybe it was just checking me out.  Regardless of the reason it stopped, I appreciated the chance for a good shot.

Gathering Courage

The young Chickadee called out with its rapid fire call wanting to be fed.  Mom sat in a nearby tree calling for the little one to come out.  The battle of wills had begun.  I think Mom had reached the point of saying enough.....time to come out into the world.

Finally the young Chickadee gathered enough courage and out the hole and to the ground.  The two other young ones followed fairly quickly.  Mom flew to the ground and herded them in.  I think the Mom was a bit stressed with the little ones on the ground so I departed the area and left them alone.

I checked back in about 30 minutes and they were gone so I assume Mom has them out teaching them the ways of the world.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

About three years ago, a male RB Grosbeak started coming through in the spring, always about the last week of April.  This year, I had two show up.  The one that I believe to be the older male stayed only one day.  The one in these photos has been here fro three days now.

He was quite timid about coming to the feeder at first but I think hunger got the best of him yesterday and every time I looked, he was back eating.  He came early this morning to feed and has been to the feeder several times.

You can very easily pick his song out from all the local birds and he has this one little chip that really stands out.  I have been delighted to have him stay this long and am hoping he may even stay for a while.

Beautiful Day for Birding

It was nice to get out today to see what birds were out.  The weather could not have been better.  Of course, some of the birds just did not want to come out of the shadows.  The area where I went is usually full of Prothonotary Warblers and while I heard a few and only glimpsed a couple, their numbers were way down from previous years.  I hope this is not a trend of the future.

Some of the sightings were:

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Hooded Warbler

Northern Parula

Scarlet Tanager

Over the last couple of months, family responsibilities have taken precedence over much else.  With the passing of my Aunt this week, I am hoping things get back to a normal routine now. Her funeral and internment were yesterday.  After returning home from the family lunch, I was outside potting some flowers when this fellow showed up.  Since my Aunt knew I loved birding, I took it as a sign that maybe she was sending me something to cheer me up.





He stayed around for several hours coming to the bird bath.  He would get in, splash around, then fly to a near by tree and preen, fluff feathers then fly away.  Before long, I would see him come back and splash some more.