May 9, 2008
Spring is in full swing in the backyard these days. Songbirds begin their routine at about 3AM and continue until dusk. Blue jays have begun bringing their young to the feeders to learn to eat, in between shrieks, that is. The chipping sparrows are using the thistle feeders alongside the goldfinches. They also enjoy peanuts and sunflower seed, which means they are content at any of the bird feeders. A chickadee was recently spotted feeding on the last few winterberries still on on the bush from last year. And the rose-breasted grosbeak has found the new songbird feeder. Now, if he can just get used to the side where the camera is!Backyard tip of the week:
Take a moment this weekend to see what's happening in your yard or maybe a nearby wildlife area. Bring a friend and some herbal tea, both of you are sure to love it!
Backyard sightings for last week:
Including northern cardinals, American robins, a northern flicker, and the rose-breasted grosbeak. Chipping sparrows, Carolina wrens and house wrens, eastern goldfinches and house finches. Red-bellied woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, white and red-breasted nuthatches. The tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees, blue-jays, American crows, a couple of grey squirrels, a mostly white skunk, some bunnies and a bull-frog! Also, European starlings, common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, bronze-headed cowbirds and mourning doves.
Cool sighting of the week:
A familiar sound was heard coming from the pond this week. Evening had already set in and the birds were in bed for the night. Suddenly, the still silence was broken, and the raspy croak of the resident bull frog once again filled the backyard as he awoke from a long winter slumber. An early appearance for the frog, many years it is June or July before one finds the pond. Using the birdbath heater during the frigid months must have allowed this frog a successful hibernation.
Either way, a comfortable reminder that warm days are here to stay, hearing the bull frog on Sunday evening lifted my spirit. It was very cool!
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