Then today the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak that showed up two days ago on our deck rail revealed what he likes to eat: suet! He made at least 4 visits during the day today!!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
And speaking of surprises . . .
How many people can say that they saw two adult Bald Eagles AND two Great Horned Owls within 3 hours right across their street?
Scott B. was the hero of my day, banging on my door to report: first, a bald eagle sitting in the middle of their field and second, that an owl was calling in the woods.
The eagle took off as I made my way down the lane, when Tim B. shot a groundhog nearby. It disappeared for a few minutes, then came soaring over the next field at treetop level, soon joined by another magnificent bird. They circled with each other, getting higher and higher, and I was hoping for one of their locking freefalls, but alas, they flew off toward Berlin.
A few hours later, another knock on the door and Ted and I were off with Scott to discover the two owls who were calling while it was still light in the woods behind Marilyn's. We knew they were very near, but couldn't see them from the edge so walked in on the open path. We saw the silhouette of one perched at the top of a snag and it abruptly flew. Then I spotted the second, just as it flew after the first. We heard them several more times, this time much farther away. I will be waiting for a phone call from Terry tonight. She has promised to call me when the owl starts calling from the large pine outside her bedroom window. It's covered with fresh whitewash and is apparently the roost from which it has been nabbing their chickens over the last week.
In other bird news, Ted and I saw the Baltimore Oriole at the window feeder at 9 this morning. It is fully molted into the striking orange and black adult male we suspected it was.
And this PM, neighbor Marilyn had her first male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at her feeder.
Scott B. was the hero of my day, banging on my door to report: first, a bald eagle sitting in the middle of their field and second, that an owl was calling in the woods.
The eagle took off as I made my way down the lane, when Tim B. shot a groundhog nearby. It disappeared for a few minutes, then came soaring over the next field at treetop level, soon joined by another magnificent bird. They circled with each other, getting higher and higher, and I was hoping for one of their locking freefalls, but alas, they flew off toward Berlin.
A few hours later, another knock on the door and Ted and I were off with Scott to discover the two owls who were calling while it was still light in the woods behind Marilyn's. We knew they were very near, but couldn't see them from the edge so walked in on the open path. We saw the silhouette of one perched at the top of a snag and it abruptly flew. Then I spotted the second, just as it flew after the first. We heard them several more times, this time much farther away. I will be waiting for a phone call from Terry tonight. She has promised to call me when the owl starts calling from the large pine outside her bedroom window. It's covered with fresh whitewash and is apparently the roost from which it has been nabbing their chickens over the last week.
In other bird news, Ted and I saw the Baltimore Oriole at the window feeder at 9 this morning. It is fully molted into the striking orange and black adult male we suspected it was.
And this PM, neighbor Marilyn had her first male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at her feeder.
On my way to classes this afternoon I made a detour to drop something off at the student center, and happened to look over an expansive area where I can see for probably a mile West overlooking the Broad River. I noticed a distant raptor, had my binocs with me, and checked it out.
Boy was I surprised as I continued to scan the sky! I was counting raptors......1...3.....7....9 Mississippi Kites! There was a stiff wind, and they were enjoying it. I also spotted an Anhinga that was enjoying the currents (a first for this location!).
A bright male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak surprised me a couple days ago by landing on our deck rail by our sunflower feeder. 'Tis the season for surprises!
Boy was I surprised as I continued to scan the sky! I was counting raptors......1...3.....7....9 Mississippi Kites! There was a stiff wind, and they were enjoying it. I also spotted an Anhinga that was enjoying the currents (a first for this location!).
A bright male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak surprised me a couple days ago by landing on our deck rail by our sunflower feeder. 'Tis the season for surprises!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Spring Tidbits
Although the current week has brought few new migrants to SC, the weeks previous brought Great-Crested Flycatcher, our first R-T Hummingbird, and a couple of warblers (Black-and-White, Prairie).
The recent weather, combined with finishing up my semester hasn't resulted in much beyond the typical local birds, but they are beautiful as well. Cedar Waxwings are one of those birds that puzzles me. Their movements seem very random, and they seem to nest in a variety of habitats that are unpredictable. One time this winter there were probably 200 waxwings in a small area on campus, many of which were swarming a holly tree for its remaining berries.
Mike
The recent weather, combined with finishing up my semester hasn't resulted in much beyond the typical local birds, but they are beautiful as well. Cedar Waxwings are one of those birds that puzzles me. Their movements seem very random, and they seem to nest in a variety of habitats that are unpredictable. One time this winter there were probably 200 waxwings in a small area on campus, many of which were swarming a holly tree for its remaining berries.
Mike
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