A person in Van Buren County posted a photo of a black chinned hummingbird found usually in the southwest. probably got turned around in a storm.
Now there is a bird that has a long migration.ID'ing Empids (Flycatchers) is near impossible. I was lucky enough today to get a good look at one that ended up being a lifer for me...Olive-sided flycatcher. Yard bird #79.
The main issue is alder vs willow. Basically only id is by call. Acadian and yellow bellied are very similar but distinguishable. Olive sided are large with a black beak and a well defined vest. Phoebe can also show a vest, but not obvious like an olive. Olives also usually like the top of dead trees where they perch out in the open.ID'ing Empids (Flycatchers) is near impossible. I was lucky enough today to get a good look at one that ended up being a lifer for me...Olive-sided flycatcher. Yard bird #79.
Yes, this one was easier with the big bill. Lighting made it tougher to see the vest at first. And, you're right...it perched high in a dead tree and repeatedly circled out and back getting bugs out of the air.The main issue is alder vs willow. Basically only id is by call. Acadian and yellow bellied are very similar but distinguishable. Olive sided are large with a black beak and a well defined vest. Phoebe can also show a vest, but not obvious like an olive. Olives also usually like the top of dead trees where they perch out in the open.
Mybirdbuddy.comJelly feeder with a camera mount?
My parents have lots of woodpeckers up near Humboldt. Saw a pileated woodpecker a year or so back. Lots of downy and red bellied as well.I guess this isn’t a migration story either, however, I was flyfishing during the eclipse a month ago in southern Missouri. I was hoping the eclipse would cause some hatches that never came, but this Pialated Woodpecker was right behind me 30 feet eating away as I fished. I have a video, however, it won't upload...
The oriole's opportunity for an alternate feeding station lessens their use of the hummer feeder. Usually, as summer comes the orioles decline at feeders.
When they have young to feed they aren't looking for sugar highs. Caught this mom oriole taking caterpillars to her nest in early June 2022. Most of the time they nest WAY too high for me to photograph but this nest was closer to the ground.
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