Today at 4:24 pm CDT. Officially.

3-1-23 FOY#42 Eastern Phoebe

An Eastern Phoebe arrived earlier than usual, on February 28, picked up by our Haikubox bird call detector. I saw the pair the next day.They went AWOL for a while but returned on March 15. Time will tell if they choose the same nesting spot again. 

3-2-23 Carolina Chickadee nest box 3-4-23 Carolina Chickadee

We put up the chickadee nest box on Thursday, March 2 in the afternoon. The next day we had 2.8" of rain which put a damper on activity. But on Saturday morning, March 4, a Carolina Chickadee got pretty excited and began preparations!

Big hugs and thank you's to D.A.W. and L.A.W., two of my favorite comic (and comical) consultants,

for helping with descriptive bird language for the Chickadee video! 

3-7-23 First winter Chipping Sparrow 3-7-23 First winter Chipping Sparrow

The first winter Chipping Sparrow has been seen regularly through Monday, March 13. Here it was taking a bit of a nap on a breezy day.

3-9-23 N. Mockingbird

3-9-23 N. Mockingbird

3-10-23 N. Mockingbird

For many of you, a Northern Mockingbird may be a regular in your yard. Here, I'm lucky to have one each year. This bird arrived as FOY #44 on March 8 and has been seen 11 days in a row, a record!

3-18-23 Fox Sparrow Bubbler Bird 126

3-18-23 Fox Sparrow 3-18-23 Fox Sparrow 3-18-23 Fox Sparrow -3 3-18-23 Fox Sparrow -3

Another infrequent winter visitor/migrant is the Fox Sparrow, FOY #46. This year, one to three birds have been around and it was new bubbler bird #126 on St. Patrick's Day. They are often in the leaves, looking for small insects and under the feeders for seed.

3-18-23 Fox Sparrow
 

Another beautiful sparrow that is quite at home foraging in the leaves is the Swamp Sparrow. This one certainly has great camouflage.

3-12-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3-12-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3-12-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3-12-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch

A Red-breasted Nuthatch is still here, caching food and on this day, it checked out the new bubbler perches, bathed and preened.

3-11-23 Eastern Bluebird 3-11-23 Eastern Bluebird 3-17-23 Eastern Bluebird at Chickadee box 3-17-23 Eastern Bluebird female

Eastern Bluebirds are seen daily, still visiting the birdbath and window box for a quick tidbit or most often flying down to catch insects in the leaves. They are still checking out every box option, even one with an entrance hole that is not quite their size!

3-17-23 Red-shouldered Hawk

"Pale Male", our resident Red-shouldered Hawk, was in the woodland a couple days ago, hunting hopefully.

3-20-23 Carolina Chickadee with moss for nest

Just moments ago, one of the Carolina Chickadees carried moss into the nest box. We are hopeful for a successful breeding season!

3-6-23 Carolina Wren

It has been a busy few weeks of watching webinars on different topics and preparing new programs, so I'm a bit behind schedule. But every day, it's important for each of us to spend some time in Nature, time to look, listen and breathe it in. I saw something in the photo of this Carolina Wren that I'd never noticed before. Can you spot it?

The details of Life are exquisite! Happy Spring!

We "Spring Forward" on March 12, 2023 at 2:00 a.m.
 

The first day of Spring, or the Spring Equinox is Monday, March 20, 2023 at 4:24 p.m. CDT

Signs of spring seem to be all around us. Barred Owls are calling before dawn. Northern Flickers and Mourning Doves have been seen mating. The male White-breasted Nuthatch fed its mate a peanut as a promise to help raise their brood. The dawn chorus has really picked up and birds like this Blue Jay are putting a lot of effort into sprucing up for a mate.

2-15-23 Blue Jay 2-15-23 Blue Jay 2-15-23 Blue Jay 2-15-23 Blue Jay

Now that is a vigorous bather if ever there was one!

Our tree thinning and pruning was completed by Valentine's Day, so it was time to put up the nest box for the Eastern Bluebirds. On Friday, February 17, we had just finished, and as I got to the front door, I turned back to look. Good grief! The female was at the opening and the male was on the roof! I scooted inside to where the camera was ready.

2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird female 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird pair 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird pair and female 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird pair and two females 2-17-23 Eastern Bluebird pair and female

There was certainly a lot of interest in the nest box! The dominant pair seemed most likely to win.

2-18-23 Beginning of nest

The next morning, Saturday, February 18, I checked and there was the beginning of a nest already. The pair had certainly laid claim to this box. 

2-18-23 Eurasian Tree "Squatters"

Eurasian Tree Sparrows (squatters!) came by but didn't stay long. The Eastern Bluebirds were successful nesting here last year, and have been protecting the box. However, we decided it might be time for a second nest box, two per acre is acceptable.

2-19-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch female

For the first time this year, a female Red-breasted Nuthatch came in to the peanut feeder. This bird is very pale compared to the males, with gray feathers on its head. The next photo is a composite to show both sexes. 

2-19-23 Composite with male and female Red-breasted Nuthatches

2-23-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch

The male's head feathers are black and the breast is much rustier.

2-19-23 Song Sparrow Bubbler bird #27 2-24-23 Cooper's hawk immature

This Song Sparrow was Bubbler Bird #27 for the year. The immature Cooper's Hawk joined us at lunchtime one day as (first of year) FOY #40. Happened to catch it eliminating and ready for another meal!

2-24-23 Brown Creeper 2-24-23 Three Rusty Blackbirds in swampy thicket

The Brown Creeper shows up early and again at mid-day. The Rusty Blackbirds come in small flocks of 4-12 birds, turning over leaves in the swampy wetland area. This habitat in our yard is the biggest draw for these birds, and where they forage for invertebrates. Their camouflage is perfect, wouldn't you agree?

2-22-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow

The rare first winter Chipping Sparrow is still being seen nearly every day. Its fellow migratory companions won't arrive until the first week of April. For the last ten years, more of this species has overwintered in Missouri, toughing it out here rather than moving to Southern states.

2-26-23 Eastern Bluebird female inspects box #2

Dan put together another nesting box for the Eastern Bluebirds and it went up Sunday afternoon, February 26. Another pair of birds were investigating it within minutes of us getting back inside. Was this the young female that had fussed about the other pair getting the first one?

2-21-23 Eastern Bluebird female

While the bluebirds wait for the stars to align and nesting season to fully begin, the woodland flowers are waking up.

2-25-23 Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) 2-25-23 Roundleaf Ragwort (Senecio obovatus)

Celandine poppies, round-leaved ragwort and Virginia bluebells are coming up through the leaves, which protect their crowns on frosty nights.

Soon, it will be be Spring in earnest!

Partners for Native Landscaping webinar series!

February is a month of contrasts, in temperature and in color.

1-29-23 Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are getting brighter and singing more each day. It's time to get ready for Spring!

1-30-23 Song Sparrow

A winter storm brought us a mix of ice and snow. The Song Sparrow comes in on days like that, otherwise it's singing now in yards to the west.

1-30-23 Rusty Blackbird 1-30-23 FOY #36 Brown-headed Cowbird female 1-30-23 Red-winged Blackbird foraging

Three different blackbirds foraged in the leaves and under the feeders. The second photo shows a new bird for the year. Can you name all three? 

And the answer:  Rusty Blackbird, Brown headed Cowbird (female) and Red-winged Blackbird.

2-1-23 American Goldfinch

The icy-dicey weather makes the birds a bit testy. The American Goldfinches would come in and literally hang on the icicles to access the feeder. Newcomers were not always welcome!

2-1-23 Red-bellied Woodpecker female

Cold dry air makes the birds thirsty. The female Red-bellied Woodpecker came for a good, long drink at the bubbler. 

2-3-23 American Crows 2-3-23 American Crow

American Crows visited the bubbler for the first time this year on Friday, 2-3-23. They are a bit wary and don't come down often. 

2-7-23 Brown Creeper

A Brown Creeper has been here all winter. It always makes my day to see it.

2-8-23 Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker thoroughly enjoyed a bath on Wednesday 2-8-23, as it was gently raining in the afternoon.

2-8-23 Northern Flicker #2

Northern Flickers do go after suet cakes, it's a fat that helps them make it through cold nights. 

1-31-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare Day 8

2-7-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare 2-7-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare 2-7-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare

Our little rarity, the Chipping Sparrow was seen 8 days straight in January, then not again until 2-6-23. It's still around, sometimes under the feeders but it has been harder to find in the leaves where it has been foraging for insects.

2-8-23 European Starling

Definitely not a native bird, the European Starling is smart and tenacious, as well as colorful. It is an opportunist, taking over feeders every chance it gets.

2-1-23 Eastern Bluebird 2-4-23 Eastern Bluebird female

Our state bird, the Eastern Bluebird has become a mainstay here in our yard again this winter. The nest box will go up very soon, and we just may need a second one! 

2-9-23 Eastern Bluebirds

On Thursday, 2-9-23 it was windy, with southwest winds gusting up to 40 mph or more. Those conditions make all the birds jumpy and skittish. The bluebirds do come in as a flock and I caught them at this hanging feeder. I still don't know how many there were for sure! Some may be new arrivals, having come in on the winds as short distance migrants. As you can see, not all were able to figure out how to get to the mealworms!

Check out the upcoming Webinar Series March 7 - April 5, 2023

Registration Required

Partners for Native Landscaping

Hope to 'see you' there!

Varied Thrush documentation drawing 1/23/03 for 10th Missouri Record

Twenty years ago this week, a Varied Thrush came to the Bubbler on a frigid morning after a 2.5" snowfall. To document this very rare bird, I had to draw it for the Records Committee. It was just the tenth time this species had been documented in Missouri. After the experience, I asked Dan to help me figure out a setup to use so I could photograph birds. Little did I know how that bird would change my life.

10-21-22 First fall Chipping Sparrow

Fast forward to 10-20-21, when a first fall Chipping Sparrow showed up. It was the first time I'd seen a bird of this age and I needed a little help from my friends to be sure of the identification. Typically, these birds move far south for the winter but some do pop up in Missouri after migration.

1-16-23 FOY First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare

About three months later, on 1-16-23 again, a first winter Chipping Sparrow was foraging under the feeders. Was it the same bird? It was here for one day.

1-19-23 Hairy Woodpecker 1-22-23 Hairy Woodpecker female on Black Oak stump

Woodpeckers have been busy finding food in the woods. The Hairy Woodpecker visited the Bubbler and his mate foraged for beetle larvae on the black oak stump.

1-22-23 Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker poked around on sticks in the leaves for small insects.

1-19-23 One-footed American Robin

We've had days with American Robins around and this one was missing its right foot. 

  1-20-23 Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to eat peanuts or bits of sunflower hearts and cache some away for that day when feeders are too busy!

1-22-23 American Goldfinch 1-18-23 12 American Goldfinches

Some male American Goldfinches are just beginning to get a bit brighter. Both mesh feeders have been busy.

Sunrise was gorgeous on Tuesday, 1-24-23. The forecast was for a Winter Storm with 3-9" of snow possible, beginning late that evening.

1-24-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare

Guess what I saw foraging under the feeders again? That first winter Chipping Sparrow had returned after eight days elsewhere.

The snow was heavy, a wet 3" that packed on top of the little tent we had put over the Grab-n-Go table. The snow-laden branches of the rough-leaf dogwood hung gracefully over the deck railing.

  1-25-23 Blue Jay 1-25-23 Blue Jay

Birds were a bit hesitant to enter the tent, but hunger overcame their fear of the contraption.

  1-25-23 Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbirds came to turn over leaves and drink at the basin.

  1-25-23 Eastern Bluebird female

Eastern Bluebirds knew the mealworms and peanut butter bits would be ready for them, and they rested in the dogwood during breaks in the snow.

  1-25-23 FOY Song Sparrow 1-25-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare Day 2

The first Song Sparrow of the year joined the Chipping Sparrow under the feeders. Now, for about five minutes of fun...

Snow Day 1-25-23

Were you able to identify the four species in the last segment? How about Rusty Blackbirds, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. 

1-26-23 36 Red-winged Blackbirds and others

The following day, 1-26-23 a very large flock of mixed blackbirds came in. It was predominantly Red-winged with 40 of them in the photo above, Rusty Blackbirds and Common Grackles.

1-26-23 Ten Red-winged Blackbirds One Rusty Blackbird

More Red-winged Blackbirds and one Rusty which is walking out of the upper left area.

1-27-23 First Winter Chipping Sparrow - rare -4th day

Our little friend returned yesterday for the fourth consecutive day. I had just photographed it when the next beauty came in.

1-27-23 FOY #35 Purple Finch

Purple Finch!

What will the next storm bring in?

To look up the Varied Thrush or any bird:  All About Birds

We're off to a good start this new year with 30 species recorded. Like many of you, we're on a daily feeder watch. Birds need consistent food sources to make it through cold nights. Our feeding stations attract many species and the Grab-n-Go Bar has had a real mix of birds coming to it. 

1-2-23 Northern Cardinal leucistic

One of the male Northern Cardinals is partially leucistic with pink feathering on its wings. Cardinals easily adapt to eating safflower along with black oil sunflower seed.

1-5-23 Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbirds have been coming in and perching on the feeders as well.

1-13-23 Five Rusty Blackbirds 1-5-23 Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbirds are seen under the feeders, foraging in the leaves for bits of seed and insects.

1-2-23 Northern Flicker

1-12-23 Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flickers and Hairy Woodpeckers are often seen at this bark butter feeder and the suet feeder at the south feeding station. The ground peanut and lard in both of these provides fat in their diets.

1-12-23 American Goldfinches

American Goldfinches go for fine sunflower hearts and thistle or niger seed when they are not eating seeds from the garden.

1-13-23 Mourning Doves

One day, half the Mourning Doves decided to eat the leftovers at the Grab-n-Go bar!

1-4-23 American Robin

Again, this year we have a male American Robin which chows down on the bark butter bits and mealworms. It will often chase the Eastern Bluebirds from the table.

1-14-23 Blue Jays

This pair of Blue Jays seemed to be in sync in their approach to choosing mealworms.

1-14-23 Northern Flicker female

The female Northern Flicker is not shy about coming in and checking out the spread.

  1-14-23 White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are ground feeders but they've become very comfortable feeding on the table.

1-14-23 Red-bellied Woodpecker female

The female Red-bellied Woodpecker also has no qualms about grabbing a quick tidbit.

1-14-23 Carolina Wren

Carolina Wrens are often at the table before the sun comes up, and frequently come back through the day.

1-14-23 Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals take advantage of protein sources since they eat plenty of seeds.

1-14-23 Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds made it through last winter by coming in to get food here. They know a consistent food source is a good thing!

1-14-23 Carolina Chickadee leucistic

A few days ago, I noticed this Carolina Chickadee with white feathering on its head, another leucistic bird. It is lacking melanin.

  1-14-23 Carolina Chickadee

And, this Carolina Chickadee has a deformed mandible, the upper is too long and curved. It is managing to get food but has a hard time cracking seeds open.

1-14-23 Carolina Chickadee

This bird looks like a normal Carolina Chickadee to me, with the nice clean edge to the black bib, slight grayish feathering on the nape and normal bill shape. 

1-9-23 Chickadee species

However, this particular bird looks different. The edge of the bib is very ragged looking. Our birdsong detector, the Haikubox has been picking up a Black-capped Chickadee, which will move south in the winter. There's a lot more to this story but that's a tale for another post.

1-14-23 Carolina Chickadee
 

Birdwatching in Missouri is always interesting!

For the birds...

As you scroll through the photos, it helps to be aware of the concern there is for these birds. Here is the scale from the 2016 report to give some perspective. A number in parentheses will be next to the name. Our highest scoring bird is the Golden-winged Warbler(16). It is now a Tipping Point species that has lost half or more of its breeding population since 1970, and on track to lose another half or more in the next 50 years without serious effort to rebuild habitats! 

Where to start? Make a New Year's resolution to start a new habitat in your own yard! 

Check it out:  HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK

Now it's time to see some of the beautiful diversity of birds that our Sanctuary has supported this year.

1-30-22 Common Redpoll RARE

Common Redpoll (7) Rare, irruptive finch species seen in a flock of 5 or more on three days in January for #124 at the Bubbler. 

  2-02-22 American Tree Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow (10) Winter sparrow not seen every year, it was here in February.

3-31-22 Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird (12) Flocks in various sizes were seen all through the winter, into spring and returned again in fall. 

4-7-22 Eastern Bluebirds
4-12-22 Five Eastern Bluebird eggs! Found at 3:52 pm

Eastern Bluebird (7) Numbers declined drastically last winter in rural areas of Missouri but the birds fared a bit better in the suburbs. We fed them through the winter and for the first time, a pair nested successfully and raised five young.
 

4-27-22 Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker (13) This striking woodpecker forages for food rather than excavating holes to find insects. It favors open park-like woodlands. 

5-1-22 Golden-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler (16) It is always a thrill to see this gorgeous species. They are the 'canary in the coal mine' and a prime example of a species that needs our help to provide cover, food, water and places to rest.

5-3-22 Wood Thrush, first time in 10 years at the bubbler!

Wood Thrush (14) It had been ten years since this songster had come to the Bubbler. So grateful to know it was comfortable there.

5-16-22 FOY Mourning Warbler

Mourning Warbler (12) This is one of many warblers in trouble. It has been a bit of a nemesis for me to photograph, but in May, it briefly came out in the open.

6-30-22 Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrasher (11) This species likely nested in the yard this spring, in or under the Carolina allspice shrubs. Here is one on 6-30-22.

7-5-22 Red-shouldered Hawk Bubbler #125
 

Red-shouldered Hawk (8) This neighborhood nester was species #125 to visit the Bubbler on 7-5-22.

7-25-22 Tennessee Warbler NEW early fall record 7-25-22 Tennessee Warbler NEW early fall record

Tennessee Warbler (9) To my surprise, these two warblers flew down to the Bubbler on 7-25-22. Typically they do not arrive until September. This proved to be a new early Fall record for Missouri!

8-23-22 Barred Owlet

Barred Owlet (7) This youngster was seen on 8-23-22, investigating our woodland.

9-2-22 Eastern Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebirds (7) More fledglings were seen at the Bubbler on 9-2-22. 

9-10-22 Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (12) This secretive bird nests in our neighborhood and took a real splashy bath at our sump puddle on 9-10-22. They have been known to eat as many as 100 hairy tent caterpillars in one sitting!

9-4-22 FOS Canada Warbler female

Canada Warbler (14) This female found tiny insects to eat on our 'Shawnee Brave' Bald Cypress. 

10-5-22 Rose-breasted Grosbeak eating American Beautyberries

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (11) American Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) fed this female grosbeak along with many other birds well into December. 

10-28-22 FOY #114 Field Sparrow

Field Sparrow (12) For just the second time in 26 years, this bird came to our yard and Bubbler on 10-28-22.

10-28-22 Mourning Dove, juvenile

Mourning Dove (12) This dove is the first immature one I've seen in our yard. It hasn't been out of the nest very long. Yes, this somewhat common species also needs habitat in which to thrive.

11-4-22 Common Grackle with acorn

Common Grackle (9) Often seen in mixed flocks, this is one of the larger blackbirds. Here, it has found an acorn to eat.

11-16-22 Northern Cardinals in cover of Clove Currant and Arrowwood Viburnum

12-22-22 Northern Cardinal resting in leaves and snow

Northern Cardinal (5) These finches find cover all year, whether in the shrubs or in the leaves partially buried in the first snow of winter.

12-23-22 Northern Flicker female

Northern Flicker (9) "Cover" for this flicker meant hugging the tree to rest, out of the 45+ mph winds in the 'Bomb Cyclone' of 12-22-22. 

12-27-22 Purple Finch -first male at bubbler

Purple Finch (9) On 12-27-22, as temperatures moderated, a male Purple Finch came to the Bubbler, the first male I've documented there. 

Plant Natives!

Food, Cover, Water and Places to Rest and Nest = Habitat!

Wishing you all the best in 2023!

A chorus of different blackbirds came in on Sunday, 12-11-22.

Though we have had Red-winged Blackbirds this year, we had never seen so many before! The scouts must have brought in the

flock of 45-60 birds. Since these are a wetland species, it makes sense that they were attracted to our yard.

12-2-22 Red-winged Blackbird 12-2-22 Red-winged Blackbird pokes at Common Grackle

A Red-winged Blackbird flared its red epaulets, appearing larger in its attempt to keep a Common Grackle off the feeder. 

12-11-22 Red-winged Blackbirds

A threesome haggle for the best spot, the bird on the right even grabbed at the upper bird's leg. It's another example of the pecking order!

12-11-22 Red-winged Blackbird on native Canna (Thalia dealbata) in pond 12-11-22 Red-winged Blackbird bathing in pond

A male looked perfectly at home perched on the hardy water canna (Thalia dealbata) before bathing near the pond's edge.

12-11-22 Red-winged Blackbird female

A female Red-winged Blackbird has the light eye-line, and beautiful speckled pattern with warm brown feathers on its back.

  12-12-22 Red-winged Blackbirds

12-13-22 23 Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Common Grackle

The flock included a few Common Grackles and European Starlings, but I could only find one grackle in the photo above.

12-11-22 FOS Rusty Blackbird 12-13-22 Rusty Blackbirds

Look closely, these are our FOS Rusty Blackbirds. Three came in with the mix of blackbirds. So similar to the Red-wings, but they have no red patch on the wing. These tend to march along the ground and don't spook and fly up as easily. A good pair of binoculars really helps to pick out details on these different birds. (Check out the helpful link at the end of the blog post.)

12-12-22 Twelve-point Buck under the feeders
 

The next morning, I had filled the feeders and come back  inside when I turned and saw this 12-point buck where I had just been. Then, I saw 'his' doe in the honeysuckle patch in the neighbor's yard. Well, that was close! 

12-10-22 American Crow 12-10-22 American Crow

American Crows must have eagle-eyes, No sooner had I put the bark butter mix on this tree, did one come to get it. 

12-9-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

The cleanup crew includes woodpeckers and this Red-breasted Nuthatch!

12-3-22 Bird Buffet or Grab-n-Go

Early in the month, we moved a table onto the deck and I set up the 'Grab-n-Go' Bird Buffet. It takes the birds a while to get used to something new, especially the Eastern Bluebirds. This looks different from last year's table with the oak branch and disc for perches. Since they have to come in nearer to the house, I give them a week or so before I start photographing the activity.

12-12-22 Blue Jay scooping bark butter bits

12-10-22 Blue Jay

Blue Jays were skittish at first, but quickly got used to the idea of ' Grab-n-Go'! (And we thought finches were piggies!)

12-12-22 Black-capped Chickadee

Chickadees were quick to slip in. This one has been going after the black walnut meats in the cracked shells. What a taste treat! 

12-12-22 Carolina Wren

Both Carolina Wrens enjoy the bark butter bits and the black walnuts.

12-12-22 Eastern Bluebird

12-12-22 Eastern Bluebird at the Grab-n-Go Buffet

The Eastern Bluebirds are now quite comfortable coming in, taking mealworms and bark butter bits, too. 

12-12-22 American Robins eating beautyberries (Callicarpa americana)

American Robins, bluebirds, finches and Cedar Waxwings are often in the garden, taking American Beautyberries from the stems or maybe found on the ground. 

12-11-22 Cedar Waxwings in cover of shingle oak 12-11-22 Cedar Waxwing on cedar perch 12-10-22 Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings will wait in the cover of trees like this young shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) before approaching the water at the Bubbler.

12-12-22 American Robins at the fountain

The fountain on the deck is visited all through the day by American Robins, American Goldfinches, House Finches, Eastern Bluebirds and more. It's conveniently located between a Rough-leaved Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) for perching and the Grab-n-Go buffet table. We accommodate!

Are you considering new binoculars as a gift for someone, perhaps even yourself?

Check out this review on affordable full size 8x42 binoculars:

Cornell Lab Review of Binoculars

There are interesting nomadic birds that may yet be seen before the New Year arrives. What are they looking for?

11-16-22 Northern Cardinals in cover of Clove Currant and Arrowwood Viburnum

Cover, as these two Northern Cardinals found in the Clove Currant(Ribes odoratum) and the 'Blue Muffin' Viburnum(Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin').

11-17-22 Ten Mourning Doves resting

Cover, as these ten preening and resting Mourning Doves found by blending into the stones and leaves near the Bubbler.

11-18-22 Dark-eyed Junco and Nine Eurasian Tree Sparrows in cover of Smooth Hydrangeas

Cover, as this Dark-eyed Junco and nine Eurasian Tree Sparrows have found in the twiggy stems of the Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). Are there really ten birds in there? See if you can find them all.

11-18-22 American Goldfinches eating Cliff Goldenrod seeds 11-18-22 American Goldfinches eating Cliff Goldenrod seeds

Food and Cover, as these American Goldfinches found in the Cliff Goldenrod (Solidago drummondii) planted within the driveway wall.

11-26-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatches are winter residents that continue to find food such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and even some black walnuts. (Dan has shared some after his painstaking efforts to collect and process them.)

In the Winter Finch Forecast, Red-breasted Nuthatches are passerines mentioned along with many finch species. 

Winter Finch Forecast 2022-2023

11-19-22 FOS Purple Finch female and 3 House Finches

Our FOS female Purple Finch, on the left, found black oil sunflower seeds along with three male House Finches. Let's take a closer look at some comparison photos. 

House Finch. female on left, Purple Finch female on right House Finch on left, Purple Finch on right

In both of the photos above, the House Finches are on the left and the Purple Finches are on the right. You may get lucky and see Purple Finches at your feeders this winter. It does require careful inspection to tell them apart from the House Finches.

1-30-22 Common Redpolls

Water, this is an irruption year for Common Redpoll like we luckily saw last winter at the Bubbler. They will come to finch feeders, but we only saw them at the water, three mornings in a row.

1-1-21 Pine Siskin on icy branch 1-10-21 16 Pine Siskins 1-15-21 8 Pine Siskins

In the winter of 2020 - 2021, we had Pine Siskins, another irruptive finch. Though our new Haikubox has been detecting them, we have yet to see any. Eyes peeled! Seedeaters like these are always a bit thirsty.

Almost ten years ago, we had Red Crossbills on two days in February, 2013. They have been seen in different parts of Missouri this fall. The crossed bill is distinctive! Like the Common Redpoll, these birds were only seen at the water features. They were finding food in the native trees.

Another possibility that would be a record for myself and birding friends is this bird, an Evening Grosbeak. One was reported at a feeder less than a mile from us in early November. This stocky finch loves black oil sunflower seed, and our tray feeder is ready!

Evening Grosbeak

While we keep a lookout, other winter visitors and the usual suspects keep us interested in their looks and behaviors.

11-27-22 Yellow-bellied Sapscuker

11-28-22 Brown Creeper
 

An immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker shook water off its feathers after a late bath. A Brown Creeper investigated some rootlets for a larvae or tiny spider.

11-26-22 Carolina Wren 11-26-22 Hairy Woodpecker

A Carolina Wren took a bit of bark butter from the sandwich feeder while a Hairy Woodpecker looked for an approach to the suet.

11-27-22 Downy Woodpecker and Red-breasted Nuthatch

A Downy Woodpecker made the Red-breasted Nuthatch think twice before entering the peanut feeder area. There is a pecking order!

11-27-22 House Finch with tumor

10-29-22 Leucistic Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Of course, the more you look, the more you see, and we do see anomalies. The House Finch has some sort of tumor, and the Eurasian Tree Sparrow is leucistic, lacking pigment in its wing feathers.

11-12-22 Eastern Bluebirds 11-13-22 Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds seem to come in around noon to drink, bathe or get tidbits from the window feeders.

Let's hope for a decent winter for all!

11-7-22 ":Blue Muffin" Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum x Blue Muffin)

"Blue Muffin", an Arrowood Viburnum cultivar, peaked a few days ago. It was stunning!

On 11-9-22, a female Cloudless Sulphur butterfly sipped nectar from the last blooms of the Black and Blue Salvia.

11-5-22 Barred Owl

One of the resident Barred Owls rested the whole day in the woodland. Around 4:00 pm, Blue Jays and other birds gave it a hard time for waking up!

11-8-22 American Robins at American Beautyberry

11-5-22 Eastern Bluebird at American Beautyberry

11-7-22 Eastern Bluebird at American Beautyberry
 

American Beautyberry is still feeding thrushes like American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds. 

11-7-22 Eastern Bluebird 11-7-22 Eastern Bluebird

The bluebirds also spend time hawking insects in the leaves, perching occasionally for a better vantage point.

11-7-22 FOS Hermit Thrush

The first Hermit Thrush of fall was detected early in the morning by the Haikubox and I finally saw it later at the bubbler. It has moved on.

11-8-22 FOS Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in near-adult plumage 11-10-22 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 11-10-22 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker immature 11-10-22 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker immature

Several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been seen. A near-adult plumaged male chased the immature bird. (last three photos) That day, there was yet one more that escaped my camera. This bird easily disappears into the oaks.

11-11-22 American Robins
 

There must have been at least 50 robins here on 11/11/22. They dominated the bubbler and basin for most of the morning.

11-11-22 Cedar Waxwing 11-11-22 Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings! The second photo shows a young bird with an adult. The robins moved on and these finally had a chance to get to the water.

11-11-22 12 Cedar Waxwings 11-11-22 Cedar Waxwings

11-11-22 Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings, they squabble, then settle. What gorgeous birds they are!

11-11-22 Northern Cardinal immature

11-11-22 Blue Jay
 

Some of the usual suspects are seen regularly. Young Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays approach differently. Blue Jays always squawk!
 

11-11-22 Song Sparrow

11-11-22 Black-capped Chickadee

A Song Sparrow shows up once in a while but the Chickadees are here every day. Now, which chickadee is it? Black-capped or Carolina? Therein lies the issue. I will take that up another time! 

11-11-22 American Goldfinch eating Cliff Goldenrod seed
 

American Goldfinches are often seen in the garden eating purple coneflower seeds, but now I see them wherever Cliff Goldenrod (Solidago drummondii) is planted, under the feeders and along the driveway. Today, I stepped out the back door and six flew up from a patch. They are a Native Keystone perennial, supporting 97 moth and butterfly species. In the fall and winter, seeds feed the birds.

  11-11-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

11-11-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

11-11-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler

We seem to have two Red-breasted Nuthatches again for the winter. They are delightful to hear and see every morning. A Yellow-rumped Warbler comes in to drink and take a quick splash bath. 

11-11-22 FOS Red-winged Blackbird

Our FOS Red-winged Blackbird showed up on 11/11/22 as well. It was in among 150 or so Common Grackles. That really was a busy day!

  11-11-22 Common Grackle

As you can see, birds like this Common Grackle really do get "into" the bubble! The Bubbler is now into its 23rd year of attracting birds.

It is mid-November. Deer are roaming the neighborhood, bucks following does. It is also time to prepare for the holidays.

Candles brighten these darker days in our home. We wish you all a warm and Happy Thanksgiving!

Cover, Food and Water

First, let's take a look at how native plants provide essential cover, or safe places to rest, nest and digest.

This is the Bubbler area, with the native smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) in the upper right, surrounding the back of the Bubbler. 

From the opposite side, one can see the umbrella effect of the shrubs on the west side. Birds constantly fly into the twiggy cover of these plants. The birds feel safe as they check out the different ways to access the water, then preen and rest. 

10-22-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler in cover of smooth hydrangea

This Yellow-rumped Warbler flew in there after a bath, preened its feathers and then looked for any tiny insects. This is the kind of activity that I see all the time, so if you have a water feature, you might want to think about adding more native shrubs around it for cover. It helps the birds feel safe! Use this resource to find the best plants recommended by Doug Tallamy and his research, tailored to your zip code.

Native Plant Finder, “Best” = Keystone Plants:

  https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/

10-19-22 Eastern Bluebird eating Virginia creeper berries 10-24-22 Eastern Bluebird after Blackhaw drupes 10-19-22 Eastern Bluebird
 

The last post showed the blue berries of the Virginia Creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and that is what the Eastern Bluebird is eating in the first photo. The second bird has picked off the much larger drupe of the Blackhaw(Viburnum prunifolium). Fall fruits help birds fatten up for the winter!

10-20-22 First winter Chipping Sparrow 10-21-22 First fall Chipping Sparrow

A first fall Chipping Sparrow had me scratching my head, consulting the field guides and my birding friends! Was it a rare Clay-colored Sparrow? No, because it has the dark eye line and a grayish rump, they kindly told me. The third photo shows a spring adult bird in breeding plumage. Birds can be tricky to identify!

Now we move on to the Cutest Bird Contest...

10-21-22 Winter Wren 10-21-22 Winter Wren

A diminutive Winter Wren is the first contestant, mousey-brown and perky.

10-28-22 Brown Creeper 10-21-22 Brown Creeper

How about the Brown Creeper, which I call the 'little toasted marshmallow'?

10-27-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

10-21-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

And the Red-breasted Nuthatches make us smile with their 'tiny tin horn' call!

10-19-22 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10-19-22 Ruby-crowned Kinglets

Ruby-crowned Kinglets? They definitely rank high on the humorously cute scale.

  10-28-22 Golden-crowned Kinglet 10-24-22 Golden-crowned Kinglet

There's nothing like being flashed by a Golden-crowned Kinglet! I'll leave it up to you to pick a favorite, if you can. 

10-28-22 FOY #114 Field Sparrow 10-28-22 FOY #114 Field Sparrow

I was really pleased to see a Field Sparrow come to the bubbler, maybe only the third time I've had one here. This species is in decline, with a Conservation Concern Score of 12, just like the next bird.

10-28-22 Mourning Dove, juvenile 10-29-22 Mourning Doves

Mourning Doves are also having difficulty finding good habitat. The first photo shows a juvenile bird, the first time I've managed to photograph one. Its tail feathers are still growing out, it looks very young. Don't know where they nested, but I'm so glad to see a young bird.

Listening for birds, with a little help...

12-17-13 Bird Monitor 11-29-14 Bird Monitor

In 2013, I purchased a baby monitor, with the microphone mounted inside this PVC pipe that Dan put together and painted brown. It's nice to turn it on and listen to whatever birds might be calling outside, when I'm inside. Then, I step out to look for them and confirm their presence. It keeps me connected to what's happening in our sanctuary. 

We recently added another device called a Haikubox to help us know what may be here in our habitat.(It seems to be out of stock again, we were on the waiting list for a while. FYI, we receive no compensation for mentioning this on our website.) Here is an article about it and how it was developed.

Haikubox gives citizen scientists a tool to track birds

After one week, here is the list of birds detected by our Haikubox and how often they were recorded. The app alerts me to new birds, with low, medium or high confidence. Now, I did not see or hear many of these birds such as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Wild Turkey or Mourning Warbler. It sure has me looking and listening for them, though! When I can confirm a bird that is detected, I do so with the app.

Now, we've always realized that we would never know all the birds that might be here because we have intentionally provided lots of cover (safe places in the form of native plants) for them.

The best part about the Haikubox is that it is working all the time and sending the data directly to the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We love the idea of making this contribution to the data set of "where the birds are", 24/7.

10-26-22 Barred Owl

Barred Owl, resting in cover, quietly

Happy Halloween!

And, it was 28.9 degrees this morning - brrr!

Let's look at the latest migrants, which we won't be seeing again until next April.

10-9-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler 

10-9-22 Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler 

  10-9-22 Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

10-14-22 Nashville Warbler

Nashville Warbler

  10-14-22 Orange-crowned Warbler 10-14-22 Orange-crowned Warbler 10-14-22 Orange-crowned Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler, yes the crown is barely visible on this little dull bird, but there.

10-9-22 Tennessee Warbler
10-14-22 Tennessee Warbler with insect on Elm (Ulmus americana)

Tennessee Warblers have been seen on many days finding tiny insects in the bark of this young American Elm (Ulmus americana).

10-17-22 Orange-crowned Warbler 10-17-22 Orange-crowned Warbler

Another Orange-crowned Warbler had luck finding tiny larvae on the flower heads of Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). 

10-17--22 Yellow-rumped Warbler 10-18-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warblers will now be around a good part of the winter.

We may yet see a stray late bird of another species but time is running out for them to make it to their winter homes. 

How about a focus on two confusing species? Tennessee and Orange-crowned Warblers can be vexing. Take a look.

There are some differences, not often easy to see before they flit away!

The Orange-crowned has a dingy breast with subtle streaking, yellow undertail coverts, and is barely pale below. It is often quite gray.

The Tennessee Warbler has a trace of a wing bar, white under tail coverts and a more conspicuous eyebrow stripe.

Underparts are paler with almost no streaking and an overall greener look. Here they are, together.

Maybe next fall it will be easier!!

10-12-22 Blue-headed Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo, always a welcome sight!

10-14-22 Dark-eyed Junco 10-15-22 Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived!

10-14-22 Common Grackle 10-14-22 Common Grackle 10-14-22 43 Common Grackles

Common Grackles came as twenty, then a hundred. Counted forty-three birds in this screen shot at the bubbler.

10-18-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch female 10-18-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

After not seeing one for five days, two Red-breasted Nuthatches came in on Tuesday, 10-18-22 and went directly to the peanut feeder. Perhaps this is the pair from last winter, returning to Shady Oaks as their winter digs!

10-18-22 Blue Jay after peanut crumbs 10-10-22 Northern Cardinal
 

Blue Jay and Northern Cardinal, let's not forget the home crowd! They will keep us company now.

Friday, we will celebrate 22 years since the Bubbler first began attracting birds.

Now with 125 species and 2 hybrids documented at this water feature, 

we are adding another 'tool' to become better 'citizen scientists'. More on that exciting development next time!

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) provides fatty blue berries for flycatchers, 

thrushes, warblers and vireos on their way south, and for overwintering birds, too.

Enjoy the wonder of fall!

Sunset on Sanibel Island, 12-26-19

Our dear friends in Fort Myers have been on our minds and in our hearts

 since Hurricane Ian came ashore on 9-29-22.

The catastrophic destruction of these places we love is heartbreaking to see in photos and videos.

We send our love, courage and strength, and we're with you in spirit every step of the way, as you recover.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

It is Fall now.

Many of the migratory birds have been seen on several days in succession, rotating through in small flocks. They're feeding in the layers of trees, shrubs and ground cover finding insects, seeds, nectar and berries. Ironically, our area is behind in rainfall, so the birds are looking for water. They've been at the dripper baths, stream bed, and bubbler and even taking turns in the sprinkler when we're watering the plants. Here are some of the highlights.

10-2-22 Blackburnian Warbler

10-6-22 Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warblers have been part of these flocks. The first year male has a bit darker eye line and a very yellow throat!

  10-6-22 Two Tennessee Warbler females with Blackburnian Warbler female

First fall female Blackburnian Warbler is a bit faded looking in comparison. It is on the right of these two female Tennessee Warblers.

10-5-22 Blackburnian Warbler female

In studying the guides, I believe this is an adult female Blackburnian with an orangey tinge to the yellow in the throat. That's an American Goldfinch in the lower right corner.

9-24-22 Ovenbird

An Ovenbird, also a warbler, made full use of the bubbler on the day it came in.

9-25-22 Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warblers have been consistently seen.

9-25-22 Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers

Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers were bathing buddies.

9-26-22 Two Magnolia and Tennessee Warblers

Two Magnolia Warblers flank a Tennessee Warble on the bubbler rock.

10-1-22 Magnolia Warbler

This Magnolia Warbler gave a great view of its underside while it perched on Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum).

9-26-22 Black-throated Green, Nashville and Tennessee Warblers

(Clockwise from left) Black-throated Green, Tennessee and Nashville Warblers decide their next moves.

9-28-22 Northern Parula

A Northern Parula feels most at home at the bubble in back.

9-30-22 Nashville and Tennessee Warblers

Nashville and Tennessee Warblers are often seen traveling together and can be confusing. The Nashville has the white eye rings.

10-1-22 Tennessee and Chestnut-sided Warblers

The Tennessee Warbler is the most common of the group, and chums it up here with a Chestnut-sided Warbler in the stream bed.

10-6-22 FOS Orange-crowned Warbler first fall female

One of my favorite birds, this first fall female Orange-crowned Warbler is a bit on the dull and dingy side of plumage coloration.

10-6-22 FOS Orange-crowned Warbler first fall female
10-6-22 FOS Orange-crowned Warbler first fall female 10-6-22 Tennessee Warbler and FOS Orange-crowned Warbler first fall female

After taking over 100 images, the little bird showed a bit of its often concealed orange crown! And, of course, it's with a female Tennessee Warbler.

10-2-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Black-and-blue Salvia

Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still being seen occasionally, this one nectared at Black-and-blue Salvia. (Not a native plant but full of nectar for hummers at this point in fall.)

  10-4-22 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are often flitting about.

10-5-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

10-2-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatches have been heard and seen, it seems there are two around right now. A pair stayed all last winter, so maybe we'll get lucky again this year.

10-4-22 FOS Summer Tanager 10-7-22 Summer Tanager

Summer Tanagers have enjoyed the dripper bath and the bubbler rock.

10-5-22 Least Flycatcher

9-29-22 Eastern Phoebe

Flycatchers have been active. A late Least Flycatcher, the grayest of the Empid group, and an Eastern Phoebe have been in the swampy thicket finding insects to eat.

9-25-22 Red-eyed Vireo immature

10-6-22 Blue-headed Vireo

10-6-22 Blue-headed Vireo

Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos love splash-bathing in the bubbler basin and pond.

10-2-22 Brown Thrasher eating American Beautyberries 10-5-22 Rose-breasted Grosbeak eating American Beautyberries 10-5-22 American Robin eating American Beautyberries

American Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) are taken by many species, including a Brown Thrasher, female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and an American Robin.

10-7-22 FOS Brown Creeper 10-7-22 FOS Brown Creeper 10-7-22 FOS Brown Creeper

Our FOS Brown Creeper arrived yesterday, 10-7-22. It was quick to investigate the bubbler area, bathe and then politely left its fecal deposit away from the water. Many of the birds do this! They appreciate clean water!

Have a nice cuppa and enjoy all the photos!

To see all the September birds since 9-23-22, the first full day of fall: September birds

To continue with October birds:  October birds

As usual, when the birds really start coming in, I get behind! Here are some highlights from the third week of September.

9-16-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird immature 9-16-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 9-19-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird immature

We're still seeing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, but it seems the males have moved on. The second photo was taken on 9/16/22 and a male  was seen the next day. The immature birds investigate everything, bubbler included!

9=18-22 Carolina Chickadee with caterpillar on Virginia Creeper

All the birds are looking for food, like this Carolina Chickadee that found a caterpillar on leaves of Virginia Creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia).

9-18-22 Swainson's Thrushes 9-20-22 House Wren 9-20-22 American Redstart 9-21-22 Black-throated Green Warbler

Swainson's Thrushes were at the bubbler often one day. A House Wren found a little corner of the basin to drink from and splash in. Perhaps, it felt some protection from that stick overhead? American Redstarts and Black-throated Green Warblers have been seen on numerous days.

  9-22-22 Cooper's Hawk immature

On the first full day of Fall, 9/22/22, this immature Cooper's Hawk took in the sights and sounds at the bubbler, ensuring that NO birds would dare come around. It finally left and the brave little birds came back. Five warbler species came in that day.

9-22-22 Magnolia Warbler 9-22-22 Northern Parula 9-22-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler 9-22-22 FOS Golden-winged Warbler female

I missed the American Redstart, but was able to catch the Magnolia, Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided. The last warbler was this FOS female Golden-winged. I have yet to see another, very unusual as this species is reliably seen here. It is our most endangered species, and I can only hope they are finding what they need elsewhere.

9-22-22 Carolina Chickadee

"Hey, birds!"

On Friday, 9/23/22, between 10:37 and 10:46 am, multiple birds of nine warbler species came in along with Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-eyed Vireos. They were popping in and out like popcorn! 

9-23-22 American Redstart

American Redstart, immature male (really orangey yellow flanks)

9-23-22 FOS Nashville, two Tennessee and Chestnut-sided Warblers

Clockwise from top left:  FOS Nashville Warbler, two Tennessee Warblers and Chestnut-sided Warbler 

9-23-22 Bay-breasted Warbler and American Redstart

Bay-breasted Warbler and American Redstart

  9-23-22 Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green Warblers

Bay-breasted and Black-throated Green Warblers

  9-23-22 Black-throated Green and Bay-breasted Warblers

Two Black-throated Green and Bay-breasted Warblers

9-23-22 Bay-breasted Warbler and Northern Parula

Bay-breasted Warbler and Northern Parula

9-23-22 House Finch, Northern Parula and Magnolia Warbler

Northern Parula at bubble, Magnolia Warbler and House Finch in foreground

9-23-22 Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warblers

Rear to foreground:  Bay-breasted, Tennessee, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warblers

9-23-22 Red-eyed Vireo immature

Red-eyed Vireo, immature with brown eye

9-23-22 Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler (tail dipped in ink)

9-23-22 Ruby-crowned Kinglet with insect

And last but not least, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet with insect legs hanging out of its mouth! Gotta love it! This is what it's all about, nourishing the birds with the insect foods they need by attracting the insects with native plants.

Check back in a few days, I hope to have the last week of September highlights added in by then!

9-7-22 Eastern Bluebird 9-7-22 Eastern Bluebird fledglings

Eastern Bluebirds have taken to coming to the dripper baths in the afternoons. Some days, I'll see six or seven of them taking turns.

  9-8-22 Magnolia Warbler 9-8-22 Magnolia Warbler 9-8-22 Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers have come in several days. One doesn't always get to see the whole bird, but with this species, if one sees the tail and it has this feature, it is considered unique, diagnostic or Dx for Magnolia Warbler.

9-10-22 American Robins

Ahead of a major cool front on 9/10/22, 28 species of birds came into the yard and to the water features. There had to be150 American Robins that day. It was a constant stream of them with three in the basin, and four or five more waiting in the wings at times.

9-10-22 Rose-breasted Grosbeak immature
9-10-22 Rose-breasted Grosbeak immature, Northern Flicker and American Robin

A young Rose-breasted Grosbeak wanted a turn! It had to beg for a drink from this Northern Flicker, which had displaced the robins for a bit.

  9-10-22 Magnolia Warbler

9-10-22 Magnolia Warbler

What bird is this? Yes, another Magnolia Warbler was in the mix.

9-10-22 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9-10-22 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9-10-22 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 9-10-22 Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Now, we sure don't see this very often! A Yellow-billed Cuckoo slipped down through the canopy to bathe at the sump puddle. This bird had its own 'cuckoo' version of the hokey-pokey! It plopped into a tight spot at the edge, spun a half-turn, splashed a bit, spun again and kept this up for a few minutes before perching to shake off. I only remember a few times that I've seen this species come to water. Remarkable flair, eh?

  9-10-22 Red-eyed Vireo

9-10-22 Red-eyed Vireo immature

Red-eyed Vireos were in this mixed flock. The adult has red eyes, the immature bird in the second photo has brown eyes. 

9-10-22 Northern Parula female

9-10-22 Northern Parula female

There were several Northern Parulas, two males and this female. All spent time foraging in the native hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens).

  9-10-22 FOS Cedar Waxwing immature Bubbler #87 9-10-22 FOS Cedar Waxwing immature Bubbler #87 9-10-22 FOS Cedar Waxwing immature Bubbler #87

Two FOS Cedar Waxwings came down near the bubbler. The adult left this immature bird to figure out how to get a drink on its own. This happens often with different species. Cardinals, robins, wrens, etc. will drop off the young birds, leaving them for a life lesson. It reminds me of the "Mother's Day Out" programs when our kids were in nursery school! I'm humbled to think the birds seem to feel some trust in the safety of our sanctuary.

9-13-22 Tennessee Warbler and Carolina Chickadee 9-13-22 Tennessee Warbler and Carolina Chickadee 9-13-22 Tennessee Warbler, Carolina Chickadee and House Finch 9-13-22 Tennessee Warbler and House Finch

A Carolina Chickadee was not happy that a Tennessee Warbler was at 'his' bubbler! Eventually, all three birds got what they needed.

9-13-22 Magnolia Warbler

QUIZ BIRD! (Easy-peasy)

4-1-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

Yesterday, I heard the 'little toy horn' of a Red-breasted Nuthatch! It was another 30 minutes before I saw it, working along a branch of the pond cypress. This photo is one I took in April, but it will have to serve until this little guy comes back again. Hopefully, we'll be seeing them this winter. They always bring a smile!

9-15-22 Eastern Bluebirds 9-15-22 Eastern Bluebirds 9-15-22 Eastern Bluebirds

Yesterday afternoon, the Eastern Bluebirds were back. One did NOT want this male to come near 'his' dripper! So, squabbles happen between the same species, too. There's always something!

The heat is on with temperatures going back up into the upper 90's next week.

When will we see some more migrants, is Fall really here yet?

9-7-22 Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

8-30-22 Ovenbird 8-30-22 Ovenbird 8-30-22 Ovenbird

Ovenbird

8-31-22 Wilson's Warbler female 8-31-22 Wilson's Warbler female 9-3-22 Wilson's Warbler female

Wilson's Warbler, female 

8-31-22 Magnolia Warbler 8-31-22 Magnolia Warbler

9-5-22 Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler 

8-31-22 American Redstart first year male

American Redstart

9-2-22 Bay-breasted Warbler female

9-5-22 Bay=breasted Warbler 9-2-22 Bay-breasted Warbler female

9-6-22 Bay-breasted Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

9-2-22 Blue-winged Warbler female

9-2-22 Blue-winged Warbler female
9-2-22 Blue-winged Warbler female

Blue-winged Warbler

9-4-22 FOS Canada Warbler female 9-4-22 FOS Canada Warbler female 9-4-22 FOS Canada Warbler female

Canada Warbler, female

  9-6-22 FOS Black-and-white Warbler female

Black-and-white Warbler, female

9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler 9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler, the Firethroat! 

9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler and Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler (what a contortionist!) joined by a Chestnut-sided Warbler 

9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler and Chestnut-sided Warbler 9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler and Chestnut-sided Warbler 9-6-22 FOS Blackburnian Warbler and Chestnut-sided Warbler

Words cannot describe!

To see all the warblers since the last post:  Warblers since 8/29/22

9-2-22 Eastern Bluebirds

If you'd like to see all the birds since the last post, including scruffy Eastern Bluebirds:  Birds since 8/29/22

May this bring a bit of cheer to you...

8-23-22 Color!

The Songbird and Butterfly Garden is a riot of color in August!

8-23-22 White Cardinal Flower  

This summer, there is a White Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis 'alba'). This is not a plant that I purchased, but a naturally occurring strain. It has a touch of pink in it.

8-8-11-5268 RTHU White Lobelia crRuby-throated hummingbird nectaring at white lobelia in our garden

In August, 2011, this hummingbird sipped nectar from the flowers of the first one that grew in the garden.The bird may have pollinated the seeds of the plant that is growing right now! Perhaps the seeds have lain dormant, and rain exposed them this year.

8-20-22 Meadow Phlox 8-23-22 Rose Mallow

Meadow Phlox (Phlox paniculata) and Rose Mallows (Hibiscus lasiocarpus) are also in bloom.

8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female 8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female

A week ago, the first Chestnut-sided Warblers showed up, all first year females.

8-21-22 Least Flycatcher

A Least Flycatcher was also seen perched and fly-catching from a limb in a Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria).

  8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female 8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female 8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female 8-21-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler first fall female

The Chestnut-sided Warblers continued to come into the bubbler area all through the day. There were at least two, maybe five or six.

8-22-22 Monarch female on Eastern Blazingstar

The next evening, we saw another Monarch in the garden, this time it was a female. So, the following morning, I spent more time looking around the garden. Maybe I'd missed something!

8-23-22 Monarch caterpillar on Marsh Milkweed 8-23-22 Monarch caterpillar #2 on Marsh Milkweed

To my surprise, there were two good-sized Monarch caterpillars on the Marsh Milkweeds! Obviously, a female had visited, perhaps 10 days earlier, to lay the eggs. Other insects were also busy in the garden.

8-23-22 Praying Mantis on Marsh Milkweed

In one patch of milkweed, a Praying Mantis was hiding in plain sight.

8-23-22 Augochlorine Sweat Bee on Ironweed 8-23-22 Native bee on Ironweed

Two native bees were on the Ironweed (Vernonia arkansana).

8-23-22 Skipper sp. on Eastern Blazingstar

A skipper species sipped nectar on Eastern Blazingstar (Liatris scariosa).

8-22-22 Walking stick

A walking stick was on the railing as I passed by.

8-23-22 Barred Owlet 8-23-22 Barred Owlet

We were finishing dinner when the birds started fussing. Dan saw the large bird land near the base of the Pond Cypress. All this fuss was for a Barred Owlet! It was our first confirmation of a young bird this year. We'd been hearing the family hootenanny quite often at dusk, at dawn and during the night. 
 

8-28-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8-28-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird immature

As you watch those Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, adult and immature alike, chase each other from feeders and flowers, here are some interesting words to consider that were posted on MOBirds today from Lanny Chambers, licensed hummingbird bander. 

"The next week is historically the annual peak for Ruby-throated Hummingbird numbers in Missouri. Bear in mind, this is mainly due to the flow of southward migration, and many of today's birds are not the same individuals you saw yesterday. As for the "4X rule," I think it may be conservative; at my home I almost never see more than two hummers at one time (i.e., in a chase), yet a couple of days ago I banded nine in one afternoon, without a single recapture of a previously-banded bird. So, even yards without hordes of hummingbirds are probably feeding many more individuals than is obvious. A friend and fellow bander in Colorado was feeding 9 gallons of syrup daily last time I talked with him two weeks ago, and expected to reach 12 gallons by Labor Day. A rough rule of thumb is 1,000 birds per gallon per day. Imagine filling 25 30-ounce feeders twice every day!

Keep your feeders clean, and watch for Rufous or other western hummers passing through between now and late December. Some of you will remember the Allen's Hummingbird that visited me on Thanksgiving Day 2008."

 

8-20-22 Cardinal flower

Thank you, Lanny! Typically, I clean and change the feeders every fourth morning. That schedule in this heat and humidity seems to prevent black mold from starting up around the ports.

Enjoy the birds, more migrants will be showing up soon!

What is August without some fun?

8-8-22 Two young raccoons

8-8-22 Brown Thrasher 8-8-22 Eastern Wood-Pewee 8-11-22 Blue Jays

A scruffy Brown Thrasher popped into view one morning, Eastern Wood-Pewees are still being seen. Blue Jays are a part of the daily action!

8-12-22 Common Grackle 8-12-22 Common Grackle 8-12-22 Common Grackle eating spider

These young Common Grackles were investigating the pond, one to get water and the second found a spider in that web for its lunch! 

8-12-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8-15-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are busy from dawn until dusk, protecting their patch of flowers or a feeder and checking out the bubbler.

8-15-22 Baltimore Oriole immature female 8-15-22 American Robin and Baltimore Oriole immature female 8-15-22 Baltimore Oriole immature female 8-15-22 Baltimore Oriole immature female and House Finch

Another migrant arrived on Monday, 8-15-22. It was a young female Baltimore Oriole. The bird was thirsty!

8-15-22 Waved Sphinx Moth

A Waved Sphinx moth (Ceratomia undulosa) flew in while I was photographing that same day. Its host plants are ash, oak, hawthorn and fringe tree. Fully grown caterpillars pupate underground and the adults probably do not feed.

Waved Sphinx Moth

8-20-22 Eastern Blazingstar 8-20-22 Marsh Milkweed

Yesterday morning, the Eastern Blazingstar (Liatris scariosa) was blooming nicely and so was the Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Still, there was no evidence yet of Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed.

8-20-22 FOY Monarch

A bit later when I checked, there was the first Monarch of the year! It was flying about, sipping nectar and then resting on a coneflower head when I found it again.

8-20-22 Monarch on E. Blazingstar 8-20-22 FOY Monarch on Marsh Milkweed

8-20-22 FOY Monarch on Marsh Milkweed 8-20-22 FOY Monarch on Ironweed

Monarch male and female

It was a nice, fresh looking male as indicated by the thinner veins with the black spots or swollen veins on the hind wings. Last photo shows both sexes for a comparison.

Today has been a busy day with the cool front that came in overnight. I'll save those stories until next time! 

However, it seems there is more activity in this condensed time frame.

There is always something going on in a native garden!

7-31-22 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

We were having breakfast one morning when I noticed the spicebush (Lindera benzoin) near the pond had a folded leaf. Caterpillars! I found quite a few on the different plants in the east beds.

7-30-22 Spicebush Caterpillar leaf tent 7-30-22 Spicebush Caterpillar in leaf tent 7-30-22 Spicebush Caterpillar 7-30-22 Spicebush Caterpillar 7-31-22 Spicebush Caterpillar and egg debris

8-4-19 Spicebush Swallowtail female laying eggs on Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Here is a female Spicebush Swallowtail laying eggs in 2020. I've been seeing one around, they're quick about it.

7-26-22 Eastern Wood-Pewee 8-2-22 Eastern Wood-Pewee immature 8-8-22 Eastern Wood-Pewee

Eastern Wood-Pewees have been busy catching flying insects in the woodland and near the pond.

7-31-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7-31-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird numbers are picking up.

8-6-22 Northern Cardinals 8-7-22 Northern Cardinal juvenile 8-7-22 Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are still feeding their begging young. The two males look a bit worse for the wear as they are losing feathers in summer molt.

7-26-22 Red-bellied Woodpecker juvenile 8-8-22 Red-bellied Woodpecker juvenile

A young Red-bellied Woodpecker has been teasing sunflower hearts out of the feeder with its tongue.

  8-8-22 American Robin and Northern Flicker 8-8-22 Blue Jay

Dan's weather station has recorded 17.67" of rain since 7-1-22. Our whole yard is basically a rain garden, but this has been really challenging. It has been so hot, birds are still coming in to cool off, bathe and get sips of water. An American Robin and Northern Flicker were in the basin today, and a Blue Jay drank at the bubbler. 

7-9-22 Pawpaw Fruit (Asimina triloba)

There are some bright spots. Our little grove of Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) now has one tree with fruit. 
 

8-5-22 Ironweed (Vernonia Arkansan)

Ironweed is blooming, and the hummingbirds have been drinking nectar from the purple blossoms. 

8-8-22 Syrphid fly at Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinals) is a favorite of the hummingbirds, too. But look carefully and you'll see a tiny syrphid fly hovering on the right side of the brilliant red spire.

8-8-22 Tiger Swallowtail on Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Today, a Tiger Swallowtail was on the Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). But when will we see the officially endangered Monarch? 

Take care, stay cool!

First, let's talk about the "Passion Butterfly".

8-21-04 Passiflora incarnata

This is Missouri's native Passion flower, Passiflora incarnata, photographed at Shaw Nature Reserve in August 2004, It's a lovely flowering vine and some of you may have it in your gardens. 

Recently, we were visiting family and stayed in a guesthouse on a property in the Central Valley of California. The property is a good size with a garden of herbs and fruiting plants and trees such as raspberries, peaches, plums and apricots. This walkway was covered with a different species of Passion flower vine and it was attracting Gulf Fritillary butterflies, aka the Passion Butterfly.

Gulf Fritillaries July '22

The female butterflies lay eggs communally. The video shows a small area of one vine, all three vines were busy with butterfly activity! We had never before seen so many butterflies of one species in one place. We were in awe.

Our grandsons were as fascinated as we were. They easily counted over 25 caterpillars in seconds. Some were very small. Our younger grandson told us he learned about the Monarch and saw the different caterpillar stages but never saw an egg. Challenge accepted! We looked for them.

The closer we looked, the more we found! Eggs are pale yellow when first laid. The tiny caterpillar had eaten its way out of the egg case and had begun to feed on a flower bud. Eggs are laid on every part of the plant, much like the Monarch does with milkweed.

We found caterpillars just forming a chrysalis, some completed and one that was empty.

Morning temperatures were around 55 - 60 degrees and the butterflies rested until the air warmed. Then they were busy nectaring in the garden, on plants like the lavender. One butterfly was found in its final resting place on a table. 

This butterfly is rarely seen in the St. Louis area, but my friend, Dennis Bozzay has found them in his garden, twice! Thanks, Dennis for sharing your beautiful photos.

10-14-17 By Dennis Bozzay 10-14-17 By Dennis Bozzay

Two photos by Dennis Bozzay

The first time Dennis recorded one was on 10-14-17. It was finding nectar on Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). This plant is not recommended in areas where it will not die back in the winter because it can harbor a parasite of Monarchs. To find out more about its effects:

Tropical Milkweed - A No-grow

9-5-18 By Dennis Bozzay 9-5-18 By Dennis Bozzay
Two photos by Dennis Bozzay
 

Dennis' second sighting of a Gulf Fritillary was on 9-5-18. Keep a lookout for this butterfly over the next few months, you may get lucky, and see one, too. Here's more on the species:

Gulf Fritillary

We returned on the hottest day of the year at 101.9 degrees. Monday, 7-25-22 was a very busy day in the woodland. A cool front had pushed through so birds were very active. It was still really dry so birds were constantly at the water. 

7-25-22 Northern Parula

A deeply marked male Northern Parula was at the bubbler early. It is a nesting migratory species in Missouri, and we've been seeing them. 

7-25-22 American Robin

American Robins were grabbing berries off the Rough-leaf dogwoods (Cornus drummondii). Then, I noticed two small birds at the bubbler. One flew into the hydrangeas for cover and the second bird was in and out. 

7-25-22 Tennessee Warbler NEW early fall record 7-25-22 Tennessee Warbler NEW early fall record

Tennessee Warblers!? Well, they're a migrant that usually doesn't show up until September. I checked for the earliest date they had been recorded in fall which was "August 9 or 10, 1985" and my sighting was two weeks earlier than that date. So, I filled out my eBird checklist to report it. It was confirmed by Josh Uffman and the Missouri documentation form was then completed. These Tennessee Warblers gave us a new state record.

To see every bird species recorded in Missouri, download this free pdf:

 The Status and Distribution of Birds of Missouri

7-25-22 Eastern Bluebird 7-25-22 Eastern Bluebird 7-25-22 Hairy Woodpecker juvenile 7-25-22 Ruby-throated Hummingbird juvenile 7-25-22 Blue Jay

Birds were busy all day long. Eastern Bluebirds, a Gray Catbird and for the first time, a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker came to the bubbler. That's a big bill for that little bird! Young Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are now chasing each other and a Blue Jay was seen eating the fruit of Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium).

Rain!

Last night, the rain came in torrents. Flash flood warnings woke us during the night. Yesterday, the sump puddle was barely 2 feet wide, this morning we had a slowly draining lake. But we're okay and grateful for the rain. It had just let up as I wrote this and our weather station measured 5.65" of rain since midnight. At 3:30 am, the rain rate was 12.5" per hour. Some places in the area had twice as much. A deluge! 

We hope you all are safe!

Keep your eyes peeled now for butterflies and migratory birds, many species are on the move.
 

We've lost 15 minutes of daylight since the Summer Solstice.

7-4-22 Blue Jay

7-8-22 Blue Jays

Blue Jays have raised a healthy brood. Seven have been coming to the bubbler, chasing each other and the last fledging is still begging.

7-5-22 Northern Parula juvenile male with caterpillar 7-5-22 Northern Parula juvenile male 7-5-22 Northern Parula juvenile male

This is the first young male Northern Parula at the bubbler this year, with a meal! It is one of the smallest warblers, averaging 4.5", about the same as a chickadee and a bit larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which maxes out at 3.5".

7-5-22 Red-shouldered Hawk Bubbler #125

This Red-shouldered Hawk became bubbler bird species #125 on 6-30-22. It is larger than both American Crow and Barred Owl and can be 24" in length with a wingspan of 32"-50". So, it takes the prize for the largest bubbler bird yet. On 7-5-22, it came in shortly after the Northern Parula. The next photo is a composite of both birds to show their size difference.

7-5-22 Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Parula comparison

From the smallest to the largest, the bubbler delivers!

7-5-22 9:04 am Red-shouldered Hawk Bubbler Bird #125 7-5-22 9:05 am Red-shouldered Hawk and juvenile

It is always amazing to watch how quickly birds take to the bubbler. They feel comfortable here and know they can get water on these hot days. The adult has already shown its offspring that this is a safe refuge. 

7-14-22 Red-shouldered Hawk juvenile with vole

Yesterday morning, I saw the young bird catch a vole to eat on its own!

7-5-22 Eastern Phoebe 7-10-22 Eastern Phoebe 7-10-22 Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebes have been actively catching insects, drinking at the dripper baths and splash-bathing in the stream bed. For the first time, the pair that nested under the gazebo raised two broods.

7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird juveniles

7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird juvenile 7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird 7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird 7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird juveniles 7-10-22 Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds are back for water and food again. There were at least five young ones that came in with this male. It looks like the male is pretty fascinated with the dripping water.

Two ladies walking by waved the other day and told us how much they love our yard. "Don't you have deer? They're eating my hostas!" said one. "Oh, yes, we have deer!" I replied. Day and night, we have deer. No hostas, though they forage on violets, hydrangeas, and one doe even waded into the pond to eat water lilies. Yes, eating water lilies for two.
 

7-5-22 3:41 am Three Bucks

7-5-22 2:06 pm Doe and fawn

7-13-22 Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata)

We fenced the pond, the water lilies recovered and we had our first bloom a few days ago. Let's face it, we all need a healthy environment, so we're doing our best to live with nature by providing native habitat and spreading the word about the benefits to all of us. Perhaps you just need a nudge to take the plunge? If you missed the Native Plant Tour in June, there's another way to see some inspiring native gardens! 

7-9-22 Fire Pink (Silene regia) at Woldum's Garden

Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) in the Woldum Garden, Certified "Gold" with Bring Conservation Home
 

Last Saturday, we visited our friends, Dennis and Katherine Woldum to see their lovely garden. They are participating in a relatively new program called St. Louis Open Yards, aka Native Gardens for Charity. Dennis and Katherine learned about the program from Mitch Leachman, co-founder of St. Louis Audubon Society's Bring Conservation Home Program. Mitch is now co-ordinating this new program with assistance from some great volunteers so more native gardens can be seen in their prime. Owners choose their favorite charity and in this case, Dennis and Katherine chose Caring Solutions which offers 24-hour care for adult developmentally disabled in the Metro area. Katherine said, “After the age of 18, there is diminished assistance from Missouri. As the parents or relatives age, it is important to have help in place. They do a wonderful job with the limited resources they have. We are proud to help them.”

If you live in the St. Louis Metro area, check out Open Yards! For a modest fee, you can visit gardens by registering in advance on the website calendar. The homeowners choose the days when their gardens will be open and you pick a time that's available. There are several search Categories, such as shade, rain, bird-focused or pollinator gardens to name a few. Different sized gardens are included. With this opportunity to walk through some beautiful, life-filled gardens, you’ll get lots of ideas on top-performing native plants and design tips as well. Many of these gardens are certified through the Bring Conservation Home Program. Read all about it, sign up for some visual treats and give back to our community at the same time! It's a win-win!

St. Louis Open Yards

7-4-22

7-4-22

Hope you all had a safe and pleasant Fourth of July!

This tiny Praying Mantis was within the bouquet I had picked from the garden, but it was safely taken to another plant so it could continue preying on small pests. A Praying Mantis is an Insect, in the Order of Mantids.

Praying Mantis
 

7-3-22 Wheel Bug molting into adult

Yesterday, Dan noticed this critter on the screen. Neither of us knew what it was or what was happening to it. Was it an insect, a spider or a true bug? Spiders have eight legs, and they are Arachnids, a separate class of animals. Boy, it's time to take a class again. "All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs!" So much to keep straight. Looked like six legs on this one at first.

7-3-22 Wheel Bug molting into adult 7-3-22 Wheel Bug molting into adult 7-3-22 Wheel Bug molting into adult

Aha! As this true bug molted from its last nymph stage into an adult, we recognized it as a Wheel Bug. Believe me, the one thing I do know is that they will bite if handled and provoked. An entomologist once told me that a Wheel Bug's bite is worse than a hundred hornet stings. Lesson learned. That experience is not on my bucket list!

Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) pushing Bumblebee off Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) on Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

10-5-19 Wheel Bug

10-8-21 Wheel Bug

I have had encounters with this true bug which can be impressive at 1 1/2" long. Once, I almost put my hand down on the stone wall before I realized it was there. And, then there was the time it was inside the lens hood of my camera setup. I was able to use a soft broom and help it to fly off. They are the largest true bug, and a beneficial creature because they eat garden pests. We don't use insecticides because we know that these helpful critters are part of our natural world, keeping the ecosystem in balance.

"Live and let live!"

Wheel Bug

6-24-22 Northern Parula female

Birds have been coming to the water features often on these hot days. A young female Northern Parula has visited several times.

6-28-22 Northern Cardinal juvenile

Juvenile Northern Cardinals still have their little dark beaks.

6-24-22 Northern Flicker juvenile #1 6-25-22 Northern Flicker juvenile #1 6-25-22 Northern Flicker juvenile #2

Two young Northern Flickers, both males, usually come in together to forage and learn about their world.

6-28-22 Northern Parula 6-28-22 Northern Parula

An adult Northern Parula seems to prefer the pond for its bathing. 

6-25-22 Gray Catbird

This Gray Catbird came out into the open, making all sorts of calls one morning. 

6-28-22 American Goldfinch

An American Goldfinch seemed entranced by the dancing sunbeams on the water.

6-30-22 Brown Thrasher

We're getting more frequent views of the Brown Thrashers, though we still haven't seen a young one.

7-1-22 Wood Thrush

On 7-1-22, not a Brown Thrasher but a Wood Thrush was at the bubbler again. This is the only photo I managed, it's the first time I've had one in July. There were several robins trying to bathe and the Wood Thrush couldn't muster the courage to get closer to the basin.

7-1-22 Wood Thrush

Here is a 2 minute video of the Wood Thrush which you'll see front and center in the beginning. As you can see, the bird keeps looking at the pond but wisely assesses that it's too deep.

  7-1-22 Red-shouldered Hawk 7-1-22 Red-shouldered Hawk immature

Finally, we are seeing the Red-shouldered Hawks come in again. The adult (top) has been in several times and we've also seen the immature one. It's wonderful to know there has been a successful nesting this year. Helping breeding birds and migrants is the goal!

Stay safe, stay cool!

Thank you all for being patient, hope you had fun and did well!

5-2-22 Orange-crowned Warbler
 

1. Orange-crowned Warbler

5-4-22 Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers
 

2. Blue-winged Warbler, in front

3. Golden-winged Warbler, in back

5-3-22 FOY Magnolia Warbler, "tail dipped in ink"
 

4. Magnolia Warbler with "tail dipped in ink" which is diagnostic for this species

5-9-22 Blackburnian Warbler female
 

5. Blackburnian Warbler, female

5-11-22 Bay-breasted Warbler female
 

6. Bay-breasted Warbler, female

Now for the latest summer update...

6-10-22 Hairy Woodpeckers 6-12-22 Downy Woodpeckers

Nesters have been busy finding food for their fledglings. A Hairy Woodpecker teaches its young about suet and a Downy Woodpecker feeds hidden insect morsels to its offspring.

5-17-22 Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)

5-17-22 Bumble Bee on Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
6-16-22 American Goldfinch female on Eastern Beebalm 6-16-22 American Goldfinch on Eastern Beebalm

American Goldfinches have been eating the seeds of Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana). It was in full bloom on 5-17-22. By not cutting back the spent blooms, the seeds feed the birds and help to enlarge the patch. This plant has done better here on a dry slope than anywhere else I've tried it. It attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators and also is a host plant to 9 different moth and butterfly species.

6-22-22 House Wren juvenile
6-16-22 Song Sparrow 6-18-22 Gray Catbird

From the young House Wren and Song Sparrow to larger birds like the Gray Catbird, traffic has been constant at our water features.

  6-20-22 Northern Parula 6-20-22 Northern Parula 6-21-22 Northern Parula female

Northern Parula warblers have been at the pond and bubbler on several days now. I've heard the male singing the last couple weeks and I think they nest in the neighborhood, possibly high in a neighbor's sycamore. The last few years, they've been coming in for food and water in June.

6-22-22 Brown Thrasher 6-22-22 Brown Thrasher

Brown Thrashers have been seen almost daily, foraging and looking for a drink or bath. 

6-22-22 Blue Jay 6-22-22 Blue Jay

6-20-22 American Robin 6-20-22 American Robins

Blue Jays and American Robins love to cool off, even if it means a confrontation to get their way.

6-19-22 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher preening 6-19-22 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher sunning
6-19-22 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher singing 6-21-22 Bubbler Bird #80 for 2022 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have been heard and seen a lot lately. One day, I noticed the female preening and the male apparently taking a dust bath in the garden. It's a behavior we've seen in species like hummingbirds, titmice and flycatchers. The male then flew into another small tree and began singing. The following day, I just caught the female as it bathed in the bubbler. 

Interested in Adding Moving Water to your garden? Look at this page:

Simple Ways to Add Moving Water

If you'd like information about Bubbler Maintenance and more, check out this page:

All Water Feature Links

Stay cool...

It's miserably hot here and over much of the country,

so like many of you, I'm trying to stay cool inside today.

Post-spring migration, we birders tend to feel bereft of 'our' warblers! We can never get enough of them in their breeding splendor. So, how many warblers can one hope to see in spring in our area? There are three references that help determine this, links will open in a new tab.

First, the checklist:  Birds of Missouri Checklist

Scroll down to #386 Ovenbird to look at the warbler species. There are 42 species listed, but we sure won't see them all. You can click on each name to see a photo and more information from All About Birds. You can view the Seasonal Status and Abundance Status. This is important to help understand when a bird should be here and whether it's common, accidental or even extinct. 

Second, obtain a free download:  The Status and Distribution of Birds of Missouri, 2nd Edition

This is the most in-depth, go-to reference on all bird species seen here in our state. It has records of early and late dates, habitats where it is most likely to find certain birds and so much more. 

Third, get a free publication from the Missouri Department of Conservation:  Enjoying Missouri's Birds

This recently revised booklet, mentioned before, is great to have on hand to check the charts on when and where a bird is most likely to be seen and how rare it may be. You can obtain this free 42-page booklet in several ways. Just go to any of the MDC regional offices or nature centers and ask for it, or you can call or email to have it sent to you. It's a hot item!
 

Call MDC:  573-751-4115 and ask to be connected with Publications and ask for #W00002

Email MDC:  pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov

OR, join the Missouri Birding Society and this booklet will come as part of your new member packet!  Missouri Birding Society

Here in our Shady Oaks Sanctuary, we have documented 35 species of warblers over 25+ years. Some are identified by song, some by sight, some have been photographed. Even though species may have ancestors that have been here and put our location into their genetic code, there is no guarantee that offspring of that species will show up every year. And that is the pure and simple reason we keep looking, we never know what may drop in with a mixed flock and forage through our layered canopy or drink at the bubbler! 

FOY 87 Ovenbird 5-1-19
 Ovenbird

Ovenbirds are typically seen every year, though they are not always as cooperative as the bird you see in the photo above.

4-30-22 Yellow Warbler singing

Yellow Warbler

This year was exceptional for Yellow Warblers because we saw at least one on each of 12 different days. It is a common transient. 

4-29-22 Pine Warbler

Pine Warbler

Pine Warblers are more often heard in early March as they forage in pines in our neighborhood. This long-tailed warbler was here on several days,  4-29-22 thru 5-1-22 as a northbound migrant. I was surprised to see it then and it is rare at that time but regularly seen in the St. Louis area. I discovered this detail when I checked my copy of The Status and Distribution of Birds of Missouri.

4-29-20 Worm-eating Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

I enjoyed watching a Worm-eating Warbler on 4-23-22 while it was singing in a Redbud (Cercis canadensis), but I was unable to get on it quickly enough to photograph. The one above was foraging in an American Elm (Ulmus americana) on 4-29-20. 

Yellow-breasted Chat

Yellow-breasted Chat

On 7-30-14, a bird that was considered a wood-warbler at the time visited our garden, a Yellow-breasted Chat. Its status in the wood-warbler family was frequently questioned for many reasons. "It had many traits atypical of wood-warblers--large size, eclectic vocal repertoire, behavior and certain anatomical features. In 2017, it was elevated to its own family, Icteriidae." So, I wanted to share this story because with genetics, more is being learned all the time about where birds should be placed in the taxonomic order. So, it is not included in our wood-warbler count.

(Quote paraphrased from Birds of the World, subscription reference through Cornell Laboratory)

Black-throated Blue Warbler on 5-13-05 Black-throated Blue female 9-13-17

Black-throated Blue Warbler

This bird is a rare migrant, especially in spring when it is considered the 'holy grail' of migration here in our area. A male came to the Bubbler on 5-13-05, I could barely catch my breath it was so exciting to see! I called my dear friend, Tina Weyman. Somehow, she understood me during that early morning call when I said, "Buh-buh-buh-Black-throated Buh-buh-Blue!" And, Tina made it here in time to see it, too. 

Years later, a female came by in the fall on 9-13-17 and I followed it for a couple hours. This species is rare anytime, maybe 1-2 are seen each year in the eastern part of Missouri. Most springs, this species goes unrecorded in the west.

5-9-22 FOY Bay-breasted Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

From the uncommon Bay-breasted Warbler to the rarer species, birders feel the need to see every one each spring. And if we don't see them, we start looking again in late summer with hopes of adding them to our year lists in the fall! Welcome to the obsessive life of birding!

REVIEW AND QUIZ?

To review the warblers of this past spring, begin here: Warblers beginning 4-20-22

All the photos are now in the galleries, so here are a few if you want to quiz yourselves. Answers will be posted next time!

5-2-22 Orange-crowned Warbler

1.

5-4-22 Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers

2. In front

3. In back

5-3-22 FOY Magnolia Warbler, "tail dipped in ink"

4.

5-9-22 Blackburnian Warbler female

5.

5-11-22 Bay-breasted Warbler female

6.

Stay cool, stay safe!

Check out Birdcast for movement just last night:  St. Louis County, June 3, 2022

Species that nest here have stayed in the area.

Resident breeding birds have been busy raising young!

All of these species need the same things: cover, places to raise young, insect foods and fresh water. 

4-28-22 Blackpoll Warbler

5-1-22 Blackpoll Warbler female

Birdcast had predicted a high influx of birds on Saturday and Sunday nights, 5-7-22 and 5-8-22. Sure enough, Monday, 5-9-22 was my personal 'big day' with 53 species for the day, including 15 warblers. Blackpoll Warblers fly the longest overwater journey of any songbird species - nearly 1,800 miles non-stop over the Atlantic Ocean to their wintering grounds in South America. 

Blackpoll Warbler

This species is rarely seen in the fall in Missouri because of its route over the Atlantic. Birders know they better see it in spring to be sure to get it for the year. However, our yard hosted a young female that took the shorter route and this sighting became the third fall record for Missouri. This event was covered in our very first blog post on October 14, 2013. Time sure flies like the birds!

Wildlife at Shady Oaks

4-30-22 Yellow Warbler with a caterpillar! 5-9-22 Yellow Warbler female

Yellow Warblers have been seen here more this year than ever before. They nest over much of North America, including in Missouri, and prefer habitats like wet woods or areas with trees like willows near streams. That's where they'll find the most insect foods. See if you agree that their song says, "sweet, sweet, sweet, I'm so sweet!" It's an easy one to learn.

Yellow Warbler

Years ago, I was determined to learn bird songs. It was a struggle to begin, but slowly, they started to stick. Start with the birds you hear every day, then prepare over the winter for the deluge of new birds that arrive with migration. It's still a struggle, but there's a FREE app for that!

Listen to birds using an app called Merlin Bird ID:   Merlin

Merlin is another tool to add to your toolbox, so to speak. We still need to use our own ears and eyes to confirm the songs recorded. But this app has improved tremendously since it was first introduced, and it's fun to help you be aware of the birds around you. 

4-29-22 Eastern Bluebird 5-5-22 Eastern Bluebird with insect 4-30-22 Eastern Bluebird female
5-10-22 Eastern Bluebird carrying fecal sac away
4-30-22 Eastern Bluebird
 

This spring we had our first nesting pair of Eastern Bluebirds. They managed beautifully and were attentive to their feeding and housekeeping duties. The male is shown with a fecal sac which was carried far from the nest site. On 5-12-22, it was time for the young birds to fledge. Once they leave the nest box, they will not return. It's a day when everyone is nervous and excited! 

5-12-22 Eastern Bluebird female chattering to fledgling in cover 5-12-22 Eastern Bluebird fledgling

One by one, they left the box. The female was calling to them. I could imagine something like, "Keep your heads down! Watch out for those big birds! Stay low!" 

5-12-22 Eastern Bluebird fledgling

One fledgling managed to fly up into a spice bush (Lindera benzoin). Well-camouflaged, it waited for an adult to bring more food. 

5-12-22 Eastern Bluebird with fledgling

How all five of those little birds managed to have room to exercise their wings before their entrance into the big wide world, I'll never know! The male returned once to the box on 5-29-22 and called a few times, then flew. According to my sources, that would have been the earliest day to begin a new nest, seventeen days after fledgling. Maybe this is their first brood and they're taking a well-earned break! Will keep you posted.

5-29-22 Coral Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

While I was weeding in front one day, I heard the familiar buzzing of a hummingbird flying by. I looked up to see it enjoying the sweet nectar of the Coral Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). Those of you who have this plant must enjoy their visits, too. It's a bit more gratifying to see them at a natural food source that you've planted and nurtured!
 

5-29-22 Northern Cardinal eggshell 5-29-22 Northern Cardinal nest in Coral Trumpet Honeysuckle

As I worked up the front walk, I saw a broken egg shell from a Northern Cardinal's nest. Were the young just hatching? I had been so busy watching birds in back that I had missed this nest being built! The female and male scolded me for getting too close. So, no more weeding will be done in that area for a while! Minimal disturbance, that's our motto here.

5-12-22 Northern Cardinal fledgling 5-12-22 Northern Cardinal fledgling #2 5-30-22 Northern Cardinal fledglings

There are at least two other pairs of Northern Cardinals that have young. One nest is in the other Coral Trumpet vine that has been around much longer with more cover. The other nest, well, I'm not sure where it is, but the adults bring their young to the bubbler area and have me babysit while they look for food!

Back in February, 2011, I had the first opportunity to meet Doug Tallamy, mentor and author of Bringing Nature Home, Nature's Best Hope and The Nature of Oaks. I couldn't wait to tell him all the work we had been doing to create habitat and how many birds we had seen in our yard. Then, he zinged me with, "Yes, but how many nesters do you have?" "Oh, um, not sure..have to think about that," was my weak reply. Since my awareness has been raised, we've both learned what we need to do to make our yard more receptive to nesting species. Below is our current count of 34 native species. 

2021 Summer Breeders

Now, perhaps I stretch this a bit because the birds may be nesting in a tree across the street or two doors away. However, these species are foraging here or coming into our yard with young and feeding them here. Oh, how I wish we had 100 acres sometimes! At this point in our lives, that is not feasible. I share ideas with all of you to compensate for that. Each of us can do more to support breeding birds and migrants and help bring back the birds, bees, butterflies and more. 

Learn more about Doug Tallamy's books and his big idea, Homegrown National Park and get on the map, too!  

Tallamy's Hub

So many birds = so little time

Today, we start with a video. Fortunately, I saw this bird and could confirm its identity. That will be revealed in due course. So, watch for the bird on the left side on the down-angled branch. It disappears into cover and comes into the basin area 'back door' on the left side. As you can see, these birds are small, quick and it's often difficult to catch sight of them when the leaves have filled out and the bubbler area is so dark and shady. 

5-16-22 Mourning WarblerMourning Warbler bathes in the basin.

4-28-22 Warbling Vireo 5-11-22 Philadelphia Vireo 5-11-22 Blue-headed Vireo 5-10-22 Red-eyed Vireo

Four different vireo species have come to the bubbler, usually to splash-bathe. They pause to look, giving me a better chance to get their passport photos. Warbling Vireo and Philadelphia Vireos look similar and are often difficult to separate out. The Philadelphia is the least common. The Warbling Vireo has a white throat and is duller overall, sometimes with yellow on the sides. Blue-headed Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo are a bit easier to tell apart.

  5-10-22 Baltimore Oriole
5-11-22 FOY Orchard Oriole

Both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles have come to the bubbler this spring. It is the first time that a male Orchard Oriole has gotten in to bathe.

5-7-22 Summer Tanager, immature 5-4-22 Scarlet Tanager

Summer and Scarlet Tanagers have also been seen and heard. The young Summer Tanager reminds me of Neopolitan sherbet with its multicolored plumage. Soon, it will be an orangey-red all over.

5-8-22 Gray-cheeked Thrush 5-8-22 Swainson's Thrush 5-3-22 Wood Thrush, first time in 10 years at the bubbler!

Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes come early and often to the bubbler. However, one evening this spring was the first time in ten years that a Wood Thrush got in! Now let's look at a few more warblers.

5-2-22 Yellow Warbler

5-9-22 Yellow Warbler female

Yellow Warblers have been a joy to see this year, and a female came in on Monday, 5-9-22.

5-4-22 Northern Parula

We had Northern Parulas a few more days before they began to establish breeding territory. 

5-9-22 FOY Bay-breasted Warbler 5-11-22 Bay-breasted Warbler female

The lovely Bay-breasted Warbler pair arrived on different days. Both are so uniquely colored, though the female can be confused with the Blackpoll female. Dark legs? Bay-breasted. 

5-9-22 Blackpoll Warbler 5-1-22 Blackpoll Warbler female

And, here is the Blackpoll pair. Certainly don't have dark legs, do they? Orangey legs are a key diagnostic feature for this bird.

  5-12-22 Blackburnian Warbler

5-9-22 Blackburnian Warbler female

What would spring be without the beautiful Blackburnian Warblers? Firethroats!

5-16-22 FOY Mourning Warbler
5-16-22 FOY Mourning Warbler
 

The video of the first bird was recorded on Friday, 5-16-22. I was able to find the bird in the hydrangeas behind the bubbler. It gave me one full frontal view, Mourning Warbler! Then, it flew down into cover again to forage and sang a little, "cheery-cheery, chorry-chorry-chorry." I had a long list of other things to be done, but thought there might be a good chance that the bird would come back after feeding. It is a skulker, and stayed in the cover of mayapple and wood poppies most of the time, but I was able to get these two photos, certainly not glamour shots but, "C'est la vie!" It is #109 for the year and #78 at the bubbler. To me, having it be comfortable enough to come back in was reward in itself. Every minute a bird is here finding what it needs helps to anchor our location into its genes.

All the photos that make it into a gallery or on the blog go through my 12-step process. I've taken hundreds every day this spring and I'm still sorting through them. Maybe I'll be caught up by fall migration!

If you'd like to look at more of the birds, start here:  Photos beginning May 4

Update:  The Eastern Bluebirds fledged successfully on 5-12-22. We hope to see more of them soon!

How about some warblers to help celebrate?

5-1-22 Yellow Warbler

4-30-22 Yellow Warbler 4-30-22 Yellow Warbler with a caterpillar!

"Sweet, sweet, sweet, I'm so sweet!" There have been Yellow Warblers here almost every day since 4-22-22, Earth Day! Some years we don't see them at all. 

  4-29-22 Pine Warbler 4-30-22 Pine Warbler

An unusual sighting is this Pine Warbler that was here for several days. It is a rare but regular migrant through the St. Louis area during the last two weeks of April and first few days of May. There is a wintering population in shortleaf pine stands in the southern part of Missouri. 

4-28-22 Blackpoll Warbler 5-1-22 Blackpoll Warbler female

Blackpoll Warblers! Orange legs are diagnostic for the species. Male is in first photo, and the most beautiful female I've ever seen in the second.  It's important to see this species in the spring because there are very few records of them in the fall. In fact, we have the third record of a fall sighting for the state. 

4-29-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler 4-29-22 Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warblers have been heard calling, "Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet 'ya!"

4-30-22 Blue-winged Warbler 4-30-22 Blue-winged Warbler