BIRDS

[SwampDonkey]

Have not seen the blue birds for a couple days, but once the young left the nest a few weeks ago they hung around the yard here flit'n around.

[SwampDonkey]

They are mostly on the ground and feed on flying insects and such, they do crazy maneuvers to catch them in the air, much like a thrush, they twitch their tail feathers quickly when perched.

They are eastern phoebes. ;)

[SwampDonkey]

Saw 4 great blue herons in the creek last week, same time. A couple took to flight and one let go a stream that would cover a windshield. And yes, they flew a bit down the road corridor ahead of me. :D

What did grandma say when ask 'where did I come from?' A bird ..... you while flying. :D :D

[HemlockKing]

Thanks SD, I think that's the one, although some of the google images show a slightly different colour bird, but This image I found is what I'm seeing, so there are slight color variations between them? 

 

[HemlockKing]

I must say they are a new favourite, I love watching them do their kung fu maneuvers and I'm pretty sure I seen them take out a few deer flies too

[Magicman]

Our number of 'Hummers' is increasing.  We have had 1-2 and now it is probably 5-6.  Maybe they are early migrators or this year's hatch??  

[SwampDonkey]

The phoebes come around the buildings more so right now for the flies. We get a lot of stable or house flies on the house and porch screens in Aug until freeze up.

[sawguy21]

I was outside with my coffee the other day when a chickadee landed on my cup, looked at me and flew away. It happened so fast I had no opportunity to grab the phone. Cute little beggar, I seldom see them this time of year but they are plentiful in winter.

[HemlockKing]

The phoebes come around the buildings more so right now for the flies. We get a lot of stable or house flies on the house and porch screens in Aug until freeze up.

They sure are fun to watch! 

[HemlockKing]

I was outside with my coffee the other day when a chickadee landed on my cup, looked at me and flew away. It happened so fast I had no opportunity to grab the phone. Cute little beggar, I seldom see them this time of year but they are plentiful in winter.

Chickadees have a soft spot in my heart. They are our most common bird here, most people take them for granted, they have my full respect, they are tuff and friendly little buggers. And yes in the winter they will stick around and form groups with mostly red nuthatches and other chickadees, they work as a team, but hatches work the bark, chickadees the branches and twigs, alarming each of predators and such as well. The forest wouldn't sound the same without the background noise of chickadees 

[HemlockKing]

I have a few chickadees that will land but one in particular is always visiting me, he has a distinct sound he makes when he's ready to fly down and visit me, it's a "peep peep peep" sound very low pitch peeps and in a quick order. When I hear this, I can count on putting my hand out and having em land

[KEC]

HemlockKing, Your phoebe sure is quite yellow, maybe the light. Each spring the phoebes come to claim my porch as their nest site, nesting up under the roof overhang. They like to nest in old barns and sheds, making a nest out of green moss and mud.

[Hilltop366]

Had a bunch of these birds flying around catching flying insects today.

Looked like starlings to me.



 

 

 

[SwampDonkey]

Last spring there was a phoebe under the porch nest building. We had those freak late snow storms in May and I found her dead one morning on the ground under the nest. Last 3 springs the tree swallows had a nest in a box and the female would be found dead in the nest or on the ground. They come earlier than barn swallows.

[SwampDonkey]

Still just two hummers here at the feeder. The feeder is made of glass, even the fake flower looking feeding stations. Has a rubber stopper and hung with iron. Barn swallows will disappear this week for the flight south.

[HemlockKing]

Just wanted to put in writing here I have actually since seen swainsons thrush, I thought they went south with the grackles 1 month ago, but have noticed them in the woods, much less vocal, much more shy and covert, but still around in numbers. 

[HemlockKing]

HemlockKing, Your phoebe sure is quite yellow, maybe the light. Each spring the phoebes come to claim my porch as their nest site, nesting up under the roof overhang. They like to nest in old barns and sheds, making a nest out of green moss and mud.

They are all very dominantly yellow on the chest, not the light! They guys go around in flocks too, most photos I see of phoebes are not yellow, but there is a odd picture of a yellow one like above, I wonder maybe they are just a sub species yet to be identified?

[HemlockKing]

Seen grey jays today! Haven’t seen one around here before 

[HemlockKing]

 

 

[Onthesauk]

Our snow geese showed up this week in the Skagit Valley!

[Hilltop366]

A few of these flying around here lately.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk?

It was having a hard time landing in a tree in the wind, it gave up and flew to another tree on a lower / sturdier branch.



 

 

[SwampDonkey]

I saw the first snow buntings yesterday. Last night we had snow. : :D

[HemlockKing]

Seen a red tailed hawk today trying to mess with the chickadees, I like red tailed hawks but I shooed it off lol .

[aigheadish]

I was sitting on the front porch this morning when I heard a weird "phwonk, phwonk, phwonk" off in the distance, then I saw these two white birds fly past. I assume swans?



 

[Crusarius]

I think those are snow geese.