Birdwatching, Anyone?

[A New Dawn]

What I would give to see at least one Kingfisher out in the wild.. o.o

We have a dog park near us with a couple of ponds, and we see or hear kingfishers there frequently during the spring and summer. We also are close to a river, so when we drive along the river, we sometimes hear them there, also.

 

[A New Dawn]

Holy crap, it says in your signature that you are the administrator, wow, nice to finally meet an admin. *Faints*

If you ever need anything, you can send me a PM.

 

[jannikitty]

We have a dog park near us with a couple of ponds, and we see or hear kingfishers there frequently during the spring and summer. We also are close to a river, so when we drive along the river, we sometimes hear them there, also.

We often spot Belted Kingfishers where we hike in the Wildlife Reserve a few miles N. of here.

 

[jannikitty]

A Red-breasted Nuthatch came to our backyard feeder yesterday. First time I have ever seen one in our yard in the seven years we have lived here.

Red-breasted Nuthatch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[A New Dawn]

Last year was the first time I have seen a red-breasted nuthatch in our yard in the 16 years we have been here. We see white-breasted nuthatches frequently, but the red-breasted ones are fairly uncommon.

 

[MountainBluebird]

I've only seen one red-breasted nuthatch in the 10 years we've lived in our home. Never seen the white. It's always exciting to see a new bird, isn't it?

 

[jannikitty]

I read an article recently which said that the Red-breasted Nuthatches were increasing. Actually the word was erupting. Who knows what erupting means in bird lingo?

 

[MountainBluebird]

According to about.com, a bird irruption is a dramatic, irregular migration of large numbers of birds to areas where they aren't typically found, possibly at a great distance from their normal ranges. I also thought it was any large increase in population of a certain type of bird. Last year I had so many Pine Siskins at my feeders, I could almost see the level of the sunflower seeds lower as I watched, lol.

 

[A New Dawn]

Yes, last year we saw an explosion of pine siskins, too! I had never seen one before, in the back yard or out on walks, but they were all over the place last year. Hundreds of them!

 

[jannikitty]

According to about.com, a bird irruption is a dramatic, irregular migration of large numbers of birds to areas where they aren't typically found, possibly at a great distance from their normal ranges. I also thought it was any large increase in population of a certain type of bird. Last year I had so many Pine Siskins at my feeders, I could almost see the level of the sunflower seeds lower as I watched, lol.

Thanks with appreciation. I remember my neighbor in Alaska getting all excited years ago when she saw a Pine Siskin; but I missed that cause wasn't there when she did.

janni

 

[dovespirit]

im from penna i love birdwatching ,i dont live in the country wish i did my friend gets bluebirds chicadees and all sorts of birds i love nature n birds

 

[A New Dawn]

There are lots of nice city/suburban birds, too. I live in a small town, more suburban than urban, and we get cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, goldfinch, house finch, titmouses, as well as the usual sparrows, starlings and crows.

 

[dovespirit]

That's true I'm just saying I love the country liviing. And I'm a big naturr lady

 

[Via Cassian]

Yep another birdwatcher in Florida. Our yard has only butterfly and hummingbird plants, what a blessing they are.

 

[Maka]

A couple days ago I saw so many beautiful little birds in our backyard it made my day. ^^

 

[dovespirit]

not many birds here in the winter ,penna perhaps its because i live in town i miss the cardinals chicadees , blue jays .anyone wanna be my pen pal bird watchers send me a messege im from pennsylvana usa

 

[grandvizier1006]

First I find a thread with people like me. Then I find a thread with people who share my interests. And now...this! Another interest of mine!

I'm from Mississippi. We have birds, birds, birds, birds, and birds. At least, that's how those unschooled in the fine art of birdwatching see it

Birdwatching was just one of my hobbies of the past, and you'd better believe I'd start back on it if I could. I have a birdfeeder in my backyard, and the neighborhood I live in has this great blend of natural forests and urbanity--sometimes this combination is awkward but not for the birds!

I have seen the following in the area:
Residents:
Cardinals
Red-headed woodpeckers
Chickadees
Tufted Titmice
Morning Doves
Great Horned Owl (hear him at night every now and then)
Great Blue heron (not sure how many)
Mockingbirds
House finches
Turkey Vultures
Black Vultures


Winter migrants:
Hooded mergansers (these ducks with "afros")
Cedar Waxwings (look like female Cardinals, eat fruit)
Dark-eyed Juncos
White crowned sparrows
White throated sparrows
Purple finches
Common grackles
European Starlings

Summer migrants:
Blue grosbeaks
Indigo buntings (have seen these at the feeder)
Summer Tanagers (males are pure red)
Chimney Swifts
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

And this is just all I've seen in the backyard! If anyone wants I could probably give what's known as a "life list".

Has anyone seen a Painted Bunting? Still haven't found one yet.

 

[Via Cassian]

First I find a thread with people like me. Then I find a thread with people who share my interests. And now...this! Another interest of mine!

I'm from Mississippi. We have birds, birds, birds, birds, and birds. At least, that's how those unschooled in the fine art of birdwatching see it

Birdwatching was just one of my hobbies of the past, and you'd better believe I'd start back on it if I could. I have a birdfeeder in my backyard, and the neighborhood I live in has this great blend of natural forests and urbanity--sometimes this combination is awkward but not for the birds!

I have seen the following in the area:
Residents:
Cardinals
Red-headed woodpeckers
Chickadees
Tufted Titmice
Morning Doves
Great Horned Owl (hear him at night every now and then)
Great Blue heron (not sure how many)
Mockingbirds
House finches
Turkey Vultures
Black Vultures


Winter migrants:
Hooded mergansers (these ducks with "afros")
Cedar Waxwings (look like female Cardinals, eat fruit)
Dark-eyed Juncos
White crowned sparrows
White throated sparrows
Purple finches
Common grackles
European Starlings

Summer migrants:
Blue grosbeaks
Indigo buntings (have seen these at the feeder)
Summer Tanagers (males are pure red)
Chimney Swifts
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

And this is just all I've seen in the backyard! If anyone wants I could probably give what's known as a "life list".

Has anyone seen a Painted Bunting? Still haven't found one yet.

I have seen several Painted Buntings here in Tampa, Florida. They are little gems.

Your posted listed is a good one!!

 

[MountainBluebird]

I get more birds at my feeders in the winter than I do in the summer, especially during a cold snap.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Thanks, Via Cassian! Learning about birds, and animals in general, was just one of my obsessions as a kid, and I'd love to sort of get back into doing it (although nowadays I have so much other stuff on my hands). But it's a great small talk topic because I can say, "Seen any birds lately? I can identify them for you".

Also, do you know if Painted Buntings ever approach feeders? I've gotten Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks a few times at mine that were migrating.