Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread

[BoxsterCy]

Playing catch up with some photos and sighting from this spring. This was sort of lifer, recently fledged juvenile saw-whets owls. Never thought I'd be fortunate enough to see one, let along four siblings perched side-by-side. At Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

 

[StClone]

Phenology is the study of seasonal changes of animal and plants adapting to the yearly cycle. As spring winds into summer, I like to note as to which birds stop singing. Today I found American Robins have quit, House Wrens too. Still hear Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, the late-nesting American Goldfinches, and especially Indigo Buntings are still going. In grasslands songs are still going but Bobolink are fading, if not done, though some sparrows keep going.

When there were higher bird populations, Yellow-billed Cuckoos would still be vocalizing. One thing people miss is that Baltimore Orioles quit often before the 4th of July.

A third Blue-gray Gnatcatcher moved through the yard this morning which is two more than average.

 

[StClone]

Playing catch up with some photos and sighting from this spring. This was sort of lifer, recently fledged juvenile saw-whets owls. Never thought I'd be fortunate enough to see one, let along four siblings perched side-by-side. At Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

View attachment 172200

Great find, great shot! I have never found a nest or fledglings, but I know they are in my county as they respond to play back calls into summer.

Amazingly, historically it was suspected to have nested in Iowa, and made big news in recent years as a nesting pair has appeared way down in SW Iowa (maybe evidence in 1988?): https://news-usa.today/rare-iowa-si...ern-saw-whet-owl-in-loess-hills-state-forest/

Saw-whet Owls are tiny but fierce little guys.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Great find, great shot! I have never found a nest or fledglings, but I know they are in my county as they respond to play back calls into summer.

Amazingly, it historically nested in Iowa, and made big news in recent years as a nesting pair has appear way down in SW Iowa (first evidence 1998): https://news-usa.today/rare-iowa-si...ern-saw-whet-owl-in-loess-hills-state-forest/

Saw-whet Owls are tiny but fierce little guys.

There were TWO cavities found this spring on the wildlife drive in Shelbourne. Lots of people got to see them since one cavity was right on the road and another on the walking trail just a few hundred yards away. I ended up seeing five owlets. Got really lucky with the four on the same perch. And got a really nice video of them to. At my age it was a once in a lifetime treat. There were quite few people there trying to get a look but it never really got out of hand and the owls could have easily moved back into the woods if they wanted to.

I didn't know before this spring that the female bails out on the family just before the owlets fledge and the male has to hunt and feed the kiddos by himself. Way different from most owls.

 

[CascadeClone]

We have had red headed woodpeckers for the past few years, and they are one of my faves. The sharp white and black contrast as well as the red head make them eye catching.

We saw 2 juveniles this weekend, they have the black and white, but not the red yet. Plenty of derecho damaged trees that are alive, but have major braches dead/dying - assume that makes good woodpecker habitat.

 

[Bigblock]

We have had red headed woodpeckers for the past few years, and they are one of my faves. The sharp white and black contrast as well as the red head make them eye catching.

We saw 2 juveniles this weekend, they have the black and white, but not the red yet. Plenty of derecho damaged trees that are alive, but have major braches dead/dying - assume that makes good woodpecker habitat.

Took this picture on a trip with my brother, I love the red headed also.