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Reports from at Home and Away (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter snowyowl
- Start date
Sounds like lots of work AND fun, Dan! I got to help a Purdue PhD student some years back with banding wood thrushes. (He did the banding and weighing....I merely helped extract from the mist nets)......It was a great experience. I never realized how certain types of personalities seem to 'run' in different birds.
Tufted titmice would screech from the moment they were caught, and pecked the cuticles around my nails when trying to release them.
Wood Thrushes just sort of quietly and acceptingly hung there until rescued, and were quiet.
A male cardinal latched onto my thumb one time, and I thought he would never let loose! Ouch!
And on and on. Hated to find a woodpecker with their funny serrated tongues....that could be wicked to untangle them sometimes.
I hope you had a good nap.
)
Tufted titmice would screech from the moment they were caught, and pecked the cuticles around my nails when trying to release them.
Wood Thrushes just sort of quietly and acceptingly hung there until rescued, and were quiet.
A male cardinal latched onto my thumb one time, and I thought he would never let loose! Ouch!
And on and on. Hated to find a woodpecker with their funny serrated tongues....that could be wicked to untangle them sometimes.
I hope you had a good nap.
)
snowyowl
Well-known member
You're right, it was great fun.Tammie said:
Marianna, somehow I always manage to be at the other end of the net from woodpeckers. Untangling those tongues takes patience and skill that I don't have. I also avoid chickadees, they always wrap themselves into net in unbelievable fashion.
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And isn't it funny how those different kinds of birds all seem to share the same character traits?
I had forgotten about chickadees!
I do remember how long it took to untangle a red-bellied woodpecker one morning....I didn't do it...I tried, but had to ask for expert help. That tongue was like a little barbed on all edges thing! What a time we had! But he was finally released, and I hope, none the worse for his adventure. I also had no idea how long woodpecker tongues are!
I had forgotten about chickadees!
I do remember how long it took to untangle a red-bellied woodpecker one morning....I didn't do it...I tried, but had to ask for expert help. That tongue was like a little barbed on all edges thing! What a time we had! But he was finally released, and I hope, none the worse for his adventure. I also had no idea how long woodpecker tongues are!
snowyowl
Well-known member
The first woodpecker that I saw with its tongue stuck really shocked me. Like you I had not idea how long their tongues were and at first couldn't figure out what the long red thing was.marianna said:
Yesterday was go-to-town day and as we were getting into the card my wife exclained there's a bird in that hole. She was referring to a spot on the house where a narrow piece of shingle has fallen off over the winter. Behind whre the shingle is missing there's a hole in the planking where insulation was blown in. I didn't see the bird but it appears that something has moved in. I'll have to make sure that I dislodge the bird before I can cover the hole. Old houses and country living! There's always something. Oh Joy!
Wonder if your bird is a woodpecker?? Ha!
There is a piece of vinyl siding that is loose on an overhang above my kitchen sink window.....Carolina wrens zip in and out of there, but do not appear to be nesting. It's not very secure, as the loose edge hangs down, sort of dangling there. I would be surprised if any bird tried to build a nest there, as there are acres and acres of woods with dead snags, shrubby brush etc all around here. (To say nothing of the half dozen or so birdhouses I have hanging in my yard!!!)
The sun is shining today and even though the thermometer does not support it, I think it feels warmer! Ha!
I will be going down to southern Indiana for the weekend, and I so look forward to their "two weeks ahead" spring growth there! Sometimes in early spring, they seem to be nearly a month ahead of us, 100 miles north. Amazing to me always!
There is a piece of vinyl siding that is loose on an overhang above my kitchen sink window.....Carolina wrens zip in and out of there, but do not appear to be nesting. It's not very secure, as the loose edge hangs down, sort of dangling there. I would be surprised if any bird tried to build a nest there, as there are acres and acres of woods with dead snags, shrubby brush etc all around here. (To say nothing of the half dozen or so birdhouses I have hanging in my yard!!!)
The sun is shining today and even though the thermometer does not support it, I think it feels warmer! Ha!
I will be going down to southern Indiana for the weekend, and I so look forward to their "two weeks ahead" spring growth there! Sometimes in early spring, they seem to be nearly a month ahead of us, 100 miles north. Amazing to me always!
snowyowl
Well-known member
I went out today to try and get better pictures of the Pink-footed Geese, which have returned to the same field where they were originally seen. For those who missed it, these birds are so rare here that they were originally misid.'d. They left our province but showed up in Nova Scotia. They are now back in the same field where they were originally found.
From there I went to get better shots of the Northern Hawk Owl who continues to frequent the same small area.
I saw 4 Bald Eagles, a Mew Gull (rare here), a good many Iceland Gulls, 8 Ring-billed Gulls and a Glaucous Gull.
At home I took a walk with my dog and saw a flock of about 50 A. Robins in my woods as well as a Ruffed Grouse. Several hundred C. Geese were flyin overhead. It must be spring!
All-in-all, a very good birding day.
From there I went to get better shots of the Northern Hawk Owl who continues to frequent the same small area.
I saw 4 Bald Eagles, a Mew Gull (rare here), a good many Iceland Gulls, 8 Ring-billed Gulls and a Glaucous Gull.
At home I took a walk with my dog and saw a flock of about 50 A. Robins in my woods as well as a Ruffed Grouse. Several hundred C. Geese were flyin overhead. It must be spring!
All-in-all, a very good birding day.
Attachments
Edward,
Those are 2 beautiful photographs and from what you saw on your walk it seems Spring is coming in with a rush. I hope not like here, yesterday was like a summer's day and today it has been grey most of the time with a cold north east wind. Worries me this weather when it changes backwards and forwards day by day that birds and chicks may get caught out.
I love Geese and they must like your field and the the way the Owl has posed for you is perfect, his face is beautiful, you should be/or are you a professional photographer?
Ann
Those are 2 beautiful photographs and from what you saw on your walk it seems Spring is coming in with a rush. I hope not like here, yesterday was like a summer's day and today it has been grey most of the time with a cold north east wind. Worries me this weather when it changes backwards and forwards day by day that birds and chicks may get caught out.
I love Geese and they must like your field and the the way the Owl has posed for you is perfect, his face is beautiful, you should be/or are you a professional photographer?
Ann
snowyowl
Well-known member
Trip Report
Yesterday, Monday, four of us made a birding trip around the western end of the province. I twasn't a the most productive trip as far as number of species went. There was still ice on the sea at North Cape and al;ong most of the shore. Many of the ponds and rivers are just beginning to open up.
the highlights of the day for me were a Hoary Redpoll, a Brown Creeper and a White-breasted Nutthatch. Here's the list of what we saw:
Total Count: 36 2005 North Cape Trip
Name
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Song Sparrow
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Hoary Redpoll
Common Redpoll
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Printed: 3/29/2005 9:23:26 AM Birder's Diary - Thayer Birding Software Name Name
Observer: <Dan Kennedy>, Location: <Prince County>, Taxonomy: <Wells World Birds>, Tax Filter: <<Not Defined>>
Printed: 3/29/2005 9:23:26 AM Birder's Diary - Thayer Birding Software
Yesterday, Monday, four of us made a birding trip around the western end of the province. I twasn't a the most productive trip as far as number of species went. There was still ice on the sea at North Cape and al;ong most of the shore. Many of the ponds and rivers are just beginning to open up.
the highlights of the day for me were a Hoary Redpoll, a Brown Creeper and a White-breasted Nutthatch. Here's the list of what we saw:
Total Count: 36 2005 North Cape Trip
Name
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Black Duck
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Song Sparrow
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Hoary Redpoll
Common Redpoll
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Printed: 3/29/2005 9:23:26 AM Birder's Diary - Thayer Birding Software Name Name
Observer: <Dan Kennedy>, Location: <Prince County>, Taxonomy: <Wells World Birds>, Tax Filter: <<Not Defined>>
Printed: 3/29/2005 9:23:26 AM Birder's Diary - Thayer Birding Software
That sounds like a successful day to me, Dan! I went to Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge in southern Indiana yesterday for several hours.....it was a busy place, both with birds and birders!
Saw an immature (I have no idea what year!) bald eagle soaring (he circled around right above me, so was able to see underside of wings....wonderful thing!), various ducks, pied-billed grebes (they are so cute!!!), American coots, lots of fox sparrows, an eastern towhee, and various sparrows (none unusual I don't think), and a common loon.
There were, however, serious-er birders there with scopes and tripods, and I bet they saw lots more than I did! Ha! Perhaps they will report their sightings on the indianaaudubon.org website so I can see what I missed!
However, it was a wonderful morning with warm temps (60's), clear blue sky, breezy, and I enjoyed every minute of it. And there were several deer sightings, which still makes me stop and take notice.
This morning the first chipping sparrow of the season (for me) in a sunflower feeder, side by side with a dark-eyed junco.....and one fox sparrow still hanging around. AND a Cooper's hawk was sitting on a small limb on the ground when I first looked out...he flew away, empty talon-ed!
Enjoy the new arrivals!!
Saw an immature (I have no idea what year!) bald eagle soaring (he circled around right above me, so was able to see underside of wings....wonderful thing!), various ducks, pied-billed grebes (they are so cute!!!), American coots, lots of fox sparrows, an eastern towhee, and various sparrows (none unusual I don't think), and a common loon.
There were, however, serious-er birders there with scopes and tripods, and I bet they saw lots more than I did! Ha! Perhaps they will report their sightings on the indianaaudubon.org website so I can see what I missed!
However, it was a wonderful morning with warm temps (60's), clear blue sky, breezy, and I enjoyed every minute of it. And there were several deer sightings, which still makes me stop and take notice.
This morning the first chipping sparrow of the season (for me) in a sunflower feeder, side by side with a dark-eyed junco.....and one fox sparrow still hanging around. AND a Cooper's hawk was sitting on a small limb on the ground when I first looked out...he flew away, empty talon-ed!
Enjoy the new arrivals!!
What's a grebe look like - I just returned from cleaning out my mother's house (she's moved to CA!(age 93)! She had this stuffed bird - don't know where she got it - it's about 10" tall and yellow-green with ducklike beak. Next time I'm downstairs with it - I'll try to get it's photo. I tucked it on top of a corner cupboard - as far from my cats as I could find. Looks rather comical!
That doesn't sound like a grebe to me, Sara.....my advice would be to check a 'bird book', as my description would likely be inaccurate! However, I thought their little white butts were so cute when they turned around and swam away!
Good news! There are four pinkish eggs in the roosting pouch that the Carolina wrens used all winter by the back door! This seems really early, but they didn't consult with me, and so I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they know what they're doing!
Last year, their first brood met an untimely demise....never did figure out just exactly what happened....the last of four babies was dead in the pouch and didn't appear to have been harmed. Just dead. The others were just gone!
Hope things are better this year! And I hope they don't get blown away tonight...we are under our first tornado watch of the season until later tonight. Has been very windy, 76 degrees, and my 2 cats are alternately hiding behind the washing machine and peering out the windows with big eyes. Hmmmm.
I look forward to seeing a picture when you get one, Sara, of your mother's stuffed bird! I can't imagine what it might be.
Good news! There are four pinkish eggs in the roosting pouch that the Carolina wrens used all winter by the back door! This seems really early, but they didn't consult with me, and so I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they know what they're doing!
Last year, their first brood met an untimely demise....never did figure out just exactly what happened....the last of four babies was dead in the pouch and didn't appear to have been harmed. Just dead. The others were just gone!
Hope things are better this year! And I hope they don't get blown away tonight...we are under our first tornado watch of the season until later tonight. Has been very windy, 76 degrees, and my 2 cats are alternately hiding behind the washing machine and peering out the windows with big eyes. Hmmmm.
I look forward to seeing a picture when you get one, Sara, of your mother's stuffed bird! I can't imagine what it might be.
