Backyard Sparrow Bonanza Continues (Part 2) Oct 17th

 

Wow,,, So yet again, I spent 30 - 45 minutes birding from my kitchen table this morning, looking to my back yard through my back patio - and the birding was surprisingly good! This weekend's birding has provided the following sparrows:

House Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White crowned Sparrow
White throated Sparrow
Dark eyed Junco
Vesper Sparrow (*new yard species)
Clay colored Sparrow (*new yard species)

And today:

Lincoln's Sparrow (*new yard species)
Purple Finch (*new yard species)

Recap of yesterday's Sparrow Highlights: 

Today's Lincoln's Sparrow:

The previous blog posting from yesterday featured a nice selection of sparrow species, highlights being Clay Coloured and Vesper Sparrows - but today - I had a Lincoln's Sparrow! I also had Purple Finch, a pair of Red bellied Woodpeckers as well another Hermit Thrush. 

I have a mental bird list of species I've seen in/from my backyard --- and I think I need to make a page dedicated page to keep track of those species. I think I also should have a small bird bath pond or water fountain as I've noted a small flooded area behind my fence has attracted many species. 

Good Birding!

Dwayne

Early May Migrants

 

Its been an interesting Spring Migration so far!  Every year brings a random showing of birds and this year has been no different. For example, I don't think I have seen an Eastern Phoebe this spring yet --- which is strange because I see them quite easily most years.

Even though I am working - I try to go out daily during the month of May. 

Amazingly, my back yard even gives me good birds occasionally- and the other night while eating dinner, I noticed a Hermit Thrush in my back yard! I also hear White throated and White Crowned Sparrows singing from the hedgerow behind my house. 

I had a really nice walk at Black Oak Heritage Park in Windsor on May 2nd with a nice showing of about 6 warbler species along with singing Brown Thrasher and singing Yellow throated Vireo!

Anywho - all the best in your birding and nature appreciation efforts!

-Dwayne

Purple Finches & Purple Sandpipers?

Over the last two weeks, I had a nice holiday break and was able to get some birding in! I typically try to go birding on weekends --- so these most recent photos may have spanned the last 2-3 weekends! Last weekend I had tried for the Purple Sandpipers and the Hoary Redpolls and dipped on both of them!  Luckily, I did see a nice male Purple Finch at a house feeder along the road the borders the NE side of Hillman Marsh. 

Today, I tried again for the two target species, as I was convinced that my bad luck could not extend two weekends in a row and amazingly - both target species were found!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Hopefully 2021 will be better than 2020!

Good birding,

Dwayne

Lifer Summary - Last 10 species:

Western Screech Owl 453 (AZ)
Scaled Quail 454 (AZ)
Graces Warbler 455 (AZ)
Painted Redstart 456 (AZ)
Yellow Eyed Junco 457 (AZ)
Blue throated Hummingbird 458 (AZ)
Elegant Trogon 459 (AZ)
King Rail 460
Red Phalarope 461
Scissor tailed Flycatcher 462 (June 2020)
Cave Swallow 463 (Nov 2020)
Hoary Redpoll 464 (Jan 2021)