Birds in the back yard

[Dotch]

Wasn't long after I posted that, looked out the window & saw a red admiral on the Buick. One of my favorite butterflies back to when I was a little kid. 

[LPS]

Had a male English grosbeak at our feeder.  Been awhile since we have seen on of them.

[tangle tooth]

Had a male English grosbeak at our feeder.  Been awhile since we have seen on of them.

Now that you mention it, it's been a while since I've seen one, too. Not many gold finches, either.

[Dotch]

Just about out of black oil sunflower again. Looks like prices may increase in the upcoming season. 

https://agupdate.com/farmandranchguide/markets/crop/planting-report-indicates-fewer-sunflower-acres-in-2024/article_a8689e20-f6d5-11ee-82c2-2763520eedee.html?utm_source=agupdate.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fdaily-headlines&utm_medium=cio&lctg=b7f30700d2a201d3a201&tn_email_eh1=b99676548ec7b0429b8739d533379802319cafd2f8348b94618a94d37c550e2d

[mike89]

kind on interesting with the bird bath, I think the tree rats are using it as much as the birds...   

[Dotch]

Tree swallows are back as of yesterday late afternoon. Heard them but didn't visually confirm until this morning. Barn shallows can't be far behind. Juncos are dwindling so white-throated, white-crowned & Harris's sparrows should take their place soon. Be time to ready the oriole & hummingbird feeders then. 

[LPS]

Good to know.

[LPS]

We have had robins around and now we have flickers on the ground eating things.  The wife heard a bang yesterday and didn't know what it was until I was out later and here a ruffed grouse was laying next to the house.  Jake wanted it.  It must have flown right into the side of the house and killed itself.  Had one fly right into the passenger door of a gravel truck I was driving.  Sounded like someone shot me.  Found parts of it on the running board steps.  Not the smartest birds.  I wonder how they survive. 

[mike89]

flickers showed up here the other day too!!   fun to watch

[Dotch]

Brown thrashers arrived here yesterday. Hummers rumored to be in Chicago & Northern MO.

[glenn57]

Brown thrashers arrived here yesterday. Hummers rumored to be in Chicago & Northern MO.

whatabout.......the wrens!!!????

[Jrasmussen]

Brown thrashers arrived here yesterday. Hummers rumored to be in Chicago & Northern MO.

So roughly when would you think the hummers will be back?

[roony]

May 3rd for the hummers. May 5th for Orioles and Grosbeaks.

[Dotch]

Heard the 1st white-throated sparrows of the season this a.m. The song I heard and typically hear this time of year sounds like the 2nd one submitted from New York in the link below. Don't know if it's the cover, food, or just what in the windbreak & EQIP acreage, but they hang out there a few days first. They typically don't appear in the backyard until a few days after I hear them. Heard but not seen. Within a few days, they're all over the place.

 https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/sounds

[LPS]

That sounds familiar.  We have a yellow rumped warbler at our sunflower feeder.  The little birds are really eating a lot.  Had to fill it again today.  Happy to do it.

[tangle tooth]

May 3rd for the hummers. May 5th for Orioles and Grosbeaks.

Looking at the migration map, it looks like the hummingbirds are in northern Iowa now.

[glenn57]

May 3rd for the hummers. May 5th for Orioles and Grosbeaks.

Looking at the migration map, it looks like the hummingbirds are in northern Iowa now.

there going to need there winter coats around here. 

[Dotch]

I'm putting some gin in my feeders. It won't freeze, they'll get a shine on & it'll warm the little buggers up! 

[roony]

That's what a U of M education will do for you!

[glenn57]

That's what a U of M education will do for you!

[LPS]

 

[mike89]

pelicans are back here

[Dotch]

Saw a male yellow warbler yesterday while I was raking sticks in the backyard. It was perched on the sunflower feeder and wasn't feeding. Might've flown there from the birdbath but couldn't be positive. At first I thought it was a goldfinch but the way it acted, not shying away quickly, allowed me to get a closer look. Pretty sure we've had them over the years given their song, just hadn't seen them. We certainly have a lot of the right kind of habitat.

 https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/yellow-warbler

[LPS]

Nice looking bird.  That yellow rump warbler is still here.    I am going to check the feeder right now.  Never gone through this much seeds.  Ok with us too.

[glenn57]

Saw a male yellow warbler yesterday while I was raking sticks in the backyard. It was perched on the sunflower feeder and wasn't feeding. Might've flown there from the birdbath but couldn't be positive. At first I thought it was a goldfinch but the way it acted, not shying away quickly, allowed me to get a closer look. Pretty sure we've had them over the years given their song, just hadn't seen them. We certainly have a lot of the right kind of habitat.

 https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/yellow-warbler

:scratch:are you sure you werent a bit "wobbly"??

[Dotch]

Don't you have some enemas to demo for customers? 

Finally saw the white-throated sparrows in the backyard last nite. There were a half dozen or so. Didn't see it but thought I heard a wren this a.m. Lord knows there are plenty of little sticks they can haul with them to the Waseca area...

[glenn57]

Anyone seeing morning doves?? Seems to be absent here. my wife claims she seen some when I was north. I have yet to see one. There usually under the sunflower feeders?

[mike89]

doves are here

[Dotch]

Have some mourning doves and some Eurasian collared doves. Not real fond of the latter. I've always enjoyed the soothing, relaxing sound of the mourning doves. These collared doves make sounds ranging from that of a small owl to an obnoxious squawk. Some time when the Mrs. is gone I should off some of them and try the breasts on the grill wrapped with some bacon. Maybe I'd like them better that way...  

[roony]

I've been seeing morning doves daily here.