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| American Goldfinch |
I've been getting out each day to do an eBird list, as well as looking for new birds for this year's farm census of species. I did two lists yesterday, as the walking wasn't terrible...a little sticky snow on top of the treachery that is ice made it possible to walk if very carefully.
I was no more than out the door when I saw a Red-tailed Hawk. Not at all unusual as they have nested on our land since I met the boss and probably long before that. However, a new bird for both year counts.
Got all the way to the cow barn and back without slipping, which is a big deal in our frozen world, and was standing by the spruce in the driveway, reluctant to go in, because even at 13 degrees it was good be out.
Suddenly a tiny bird rocketed from the overgrowth in the front field to land at the base of the spruce right at my feet. It caught my eye because it was so very small and fast.
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| Tufted Titmouse |
It quickly began hitching up the tree, probing for insects as it went. A Brown Creeper! Right in the yard! I know Alan sees them up in the woods in back all the time but I rarely get out in those woods. To have one right in the yard, right next to me, was a real delight.
Good birds, you gotta love 'em.
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| What birds do you see in this admittedly lousy photo? I see five species and eight birds |
I see 8 birds that I can identify only as sparrow, finch and junco
ReplyDeleteDenny, well done! American Tree Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. The birds are so hungry this time of year. There were 32 goldfinches waiting for me when I walked the dogs this morning.
ReplyDeleteFinches, chickadees and downy woodpeckers are the most common visitors to my feeders here on Michigan. We don't lack for sparrows but they don't swarm my feeders often. I've never been able to keep the different sparrows straight. Robins return in March. I only recently learned that robins don't want to eat seed, they want fruit or berries. So I put out cut up apples for them.
ReplyDeleteDenny, the sparrows can be tough, especially in the poor light this time of year. Heard my first robin this morning. Something has been tearing up sumac candles down by the driveway....could be him.
ReplyDelete