Spring birds arriving.

[tcreeley]

This morning going to the truck I heard a Least flycatcher -repeated: "che-bek", 5-8' up usually- slighter than a phoebe. Also I heard a a Great Crested Flycatcher --burry "preep" like the sound of a policeman's whistle (treetops usually).

pic from NatureInstruct - Dendroica Excellent site!

Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher

 

[tcreeley]

Driving today I saw a Kingbird on the telephone wire and a Marsh hawk (aka Northern Harrier) being chased by 3 crows. The white rump can stand out on the Marsh Hawk when in flight.

pic from NatureInstruct - Dendroica Excellent site!

Kingbird, Marsh Hawk

 

[tcreeley]

Northern Catbird today flying into the spruces. Been nesting here 7-8 years now. Likes the black berry thicket. I heard a Parula Warbler from the tree tops- spruce and poplar mixed. They are one of the birds that I listen for when I drive with the window down. -Like hearing old friends. Every year the Cedar Waxwings come and eat the petals on the blooming apple trees. I heard a cedar waxwing today. Years ago we had one hit the window in October. We took it in and fed it blueberries for a week. I released it into an apple tree and it didn't fly. I lured it back to my hand with once frozen elder berries. It got a little woozy and I plucked it from the branch and brought it back into the house for another week. When I released it again- it was off at once headed in a southerly direction. I've been fond of cedars since then.
pic from NatureInstruct - Dendroica Excellent site!
.Parula Warbler..........................Catbird..........................................................Cedar Waxwing

 

[tcreeley]

Saw Barn Swallows on Friday in an around a large barn on the road. Terrific flyers. -Swallow mosquitos!

pic from NatureInstruct - Dendroica Excellent site!

Barn Swallows

 

[Looking4new]

My favourite flying things; Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, Bats and Dragon Flys. They all eat mossies.

 

[crash325]

Re: Signs of a warming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcreeley View Post


Any action on the hummingbirds nesting?
I've got Babies - got a quick glimpse of 2 little heads a couple of days ago. Think the babies are already flying. 2 Quick to really get a good look, but looked like one flew out today. Looked to small to be the mother.

Now have a few baby Quail and a few a little bigger. Mine came late this year. Think it has to do with the outside dogs. Brat & her mother chase anything that will run or fly from them.

Found a little Inca Dove nest (nest is almost a misnomer for them. You wonder what keeps the eggs in.) as well, think they are hatched and moved out of the nest.

The Mexican Air Force (Turkey Neck Buzzards) has been strafing my yard for the last few days.

Road Runners come in once or twice a day. Looking for an easy meal, as in baby quail.

2 Birds that I don't much care for, Black Cow and White Wing doves are here. They just devour the feed I put out. Hopefully they will go on north fairly soon.

 

[tcreeley]

I had a Warbling Vireo outside when I came home today- sweet continuous song.
This morning about 4:20 through the open windows as I am half awake I listened to a cardinal mix in with a bluebird and a robin - not really that light out and cool (48/500)- nice after 82 in the shade yesterday evening. Wonderful start to a day.

pic from NatureInstruct - Dendroica Excellent site! (songs too)

Warbling Vireo

 

[tcreeley]

Re: Signs of a warming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcreeley View Post


Any action on the hummingbirds nesting?
I've got Babies - got a quick glimpse of 2 little heads a couple of days ago. Think the babies are already flying. 2 Quick to really get a good look, but looked like one flew out today. Looked to small to be the mother.

Now have a few baby Quail and a few a little bigger. Mine came late this year. Think it has to do with the outside dogs. Brat & her mother chase anything that will run or fly from them.

Found a little Inca Dove nest (nest is almost a misnomer for them. You wonder what keeps the eggs in.) as well, think they are hatched and moved out of the nest.

The Mexican Air Force (Turkey Neck Buzzards) has been strafing my yard for the last few days.

Road Runners come in once or twice a day. Looking for an easy meal, as in baby quail.

2 Birds that I don't much care for, Black Cow and White Wing doves are here. They just devour the feed I put out. Hopefully they will go on north fairly soon.

-Never seen a roadrunner- just the cartoon! The birds sound great. We have the mourning doves- no Inca doves! Wild Turkeys are getting common here. There's a season on them and they tag them. On of my students got an 18lb tom 2 days ago. The only quail are the bobwhites- and they are usually domestic ones released. They don't survive the winters well. We've got a few vultures but they are usually way up soaring.
The humming birds are great- it is amazing that being so small- they actually survive and migrate. In my 20's I saw one chase a chickadee- who had all he could to get away.

 

[tcreeley]

My favourite flying things; Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, Bats and Dragon Flys. They all eat mossies.

mossies -- mosquitoes!?

Now if there was something that would eat the no-seeums!

When I mow the grass I often have dragonflies following me -eating the mosquitoes and black flies buzzing up around me!

 

[beandip]

After reading your posts I figure you are the one to ask about attracting mosquito eaters. We have about 18 acres in the Southern Adirondacks with a climate probably similar to yours. Our land is about 60% wooded evergreens with the rest tall grasses and scrubs, and a couple open acres. The pines are high and dry but the scrubs are in wetlands with 2 small creeks running through them. Next door is about a 5 acre "pond" depending on the rain.
I would like to attract a few different breeds of skeeter eaters, or any songbirds for that matter. Any suggestions as far as what flowers, homes, or cover to use. As much as I enjoy birds I don't know a lot of specifics trying to attract specific breeds. My wife is enamored with hummingbirds, and over the years we have tried to attract them with limited success.
Some of the "locals" seen so far are a few Phoebes, English sparrows,Woodpeckers, several Wild Turkeys, and a large gray wading bird( I can't get close enough to get a good description.
Any input would be appreciated. Perhaps the title of a good book?