Fledglings

[Polly Wren Neldner]

Hey Everybody,

The activity in our yard has increased so much that we have re-hung some of the feeders we had taken down several weeks ago when it seemed all we had was Grackles, Brown Cowbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds.
So far we have the following fledglings in our yard: Pine Siskins, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Gray Catbirds, Rufous, Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds, Yellow Warblers ( we actually saw a Yellow Warbler feeding and Brown Cowbird fledgling the other day), White-breasted Nuthatches, Western Wood-Peewees and American Robins. We also had a Red-naped Sapsucker earlier this morning.

Good Birding,

Polly Neldner

[Beverly]

errrrrrrrrrr... I meant Say's Phoebe. Sheeshhhhhhhhh

[Beverly]

Polly, as far as I know, I've never seen a Catbird...but I wonder if I don't hear one regularly and just miss the bird itself. Generally I don't wear my glasses when working in the yard...so I think I could just dismiss a darker bird as a blackbird. I have the other birds you mention here, and have seen most of the fledglings you mention, too. Oh…and House Finches and (unfortunately House Sparrows) as well. The Finches come in bright red, orange and yellow versions.

I bet you also have Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers; I've seen several youngsters here and we're only blocks apart. I know they're youngsters by the red on their foreheads, as opposed to red on the back of their heads. Besides, the adults don’t seem to feed together, and the youngsters visit two at a time…and look adorable as they try to figure out how to approach a suet feeder.

I also have lots of Black-chinned hummers…and seem to remember seeing one in your yard the day we all visited. Mine are still around, I’m guessing you just had too many birds to list! LOL

And the Evening Grosbeaks have re-appeared with their youngsters, too. I just posted some (bad (through an old window, even)) pics on my blog: http://ruralchatter.blogspot.com/

Thanks for mentioning the Western Wood-Pewee…it confirms to me that is the bird I thought it was. I also believe I’ve seen (and heard) Cordilleran Flycatchers.

Dang, I’ve never seen a Red-napped Sapsucker, either! I thought I was doing really well the other day to notice exactly WHY we call our Northern Flickers: Red-shafted. HA! [Sometimes I feel like such a rube… I’ll get there, though!]

Just in the last few days, I feel like I’ve been invaded by Grackles. You? Much earlier this year, I switched to Safflower Seed and seemed to have fewer of the big lugs (fewer squirrels, too), but ran out. I’m thinking I need another 50# sack. Have you tried the stuff? Many birds seem to enjoy it, for the ones who don’t; I keep some in smaller feeders meant for smaller birds…again, trying to discourage Grackles.

Thanks for posting, Polly...I learn a lot when you do. I keep looking for pictures!