Birder PapaRrazi
An Amateur Birdwatcher's tally
Hot. Dry. But not too different. These words describe this month’s birding for me. This has been one of the hottest years on record for us here in the northwest. It’s dried things up, like big ponds across the field, streams, marshes, and more. Big water birds are scarce. This is a sad event for me. Big birds are easier to photograph. I have not seen a single Canada goose on land this month. There have been a few small flocks in the air. I have only seen 2 ducks on water this month – a mallard and a merganser. I have seen a few flying, presumably toward water sources. I have not seen a blue heron at all. About three seagulls have appeared in the last month. For raptor birds, we saw a pair of eagles hanging out over a river, a couple of hawks in flight, and one in a tree. At least one of the hawks was a red tail. I’m not sure about the others. Smaller birds ruled. I told you last month that we had found a small area set aside as a habitat – wooded, marshy, and perfect for birds. In that area I saw western peewees for the first time ever. They are small, and quick, and I didn’t get photos. There were cedar waxwings, house finches, goldfinches, humming birds and robins. My Birdnet ap also picked up common yellow throats, but I didn’t actually see them. There is nothing like turning into your driveway to witness a pair of hummingbirds going along your rose bushes. I had that happen several times this month. I was afraid the heat would be too much for those little birds. But they seem to hold their own. Beside food I do also provide water. House finches, house sparrows, chickadees, juncos, starlings, and scrub jays also stayed in my yard for the month. After viewing the lazuli bunting last month I didn’t think I’d be so lucky this month. But they appeared twice – in different parts of the county! I was awed. With the heat and dry weather I really don’t expect much in the month of July for birding. Yet, today I went out hopeful anyway. I saw some chickadees and some juncos. A dove. At my next birding spot I saw nothing – exactly what I expected. I almost didn’t go to my third planned viewing place. But it was along my way so I did. This is where the bunting has been hanging out. He wasn’t there. I’ve seen goldfinches and also common yellow throats. They were silent and hidden today. A flock of swallows swooped over a field with cows in it. Then I heard him. I looked up in a tree at the very end of the road, overlooking a very thin river. He cried again, sounding like a baby. Some of the swallows were shoving him out of “their” tree. He was a red tailed hawk, handsome and unhappy. He left soon. The swallows wouldn’t leave him alone, with good cause. But I was glad to see him. Check out my birding gallery for a very few birds of July.
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AuthorI love birdwatching. It's relaxing and fun. Even though I've been birding for over 10 years I classify myself as an amateur birder. I plan to write a blog each month about my experiences. Hope you enjoy them! Categories |
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