Here in our Shady Oaks yard, we aim to please by providing the best possible B & B & B for the birds: Bed & Bath & Breakfast, that is. To accommodate the resident and migrant species is a year-round endeavor. As of today, I have recorded 110 species for this year! And when there are several birds present of each species, well, that adds up to beaucoup birds.

A few more first of fall birds arrived with the latest cold front on Friday, which came in raw and drippy. I had just finished baking cookies that morning for my blue-eyed grand-goblins when I sat down with a cuppa and spotted the first Brown Creeper near the bubbler. The next morning, I found it again, darting here and there to different perches, finally braving the water.

Brown Creeper 10-13-18

Brown Creeper 10-13-18

Brown Creeper 10-13-18

Brown Creeper 10-13-18

White-throated Sparrows have returned and will be around through the winter. I heard one on Friday morning, and saw three under the feeder the next day. They tend to come to the bubbler when the light is waning.

White-throated Sparrow 10-13-18

I have also seen a Hermit Thrush, but it was a very brief sighting. A more obliging bird was the Orange-crowned Warbler. When it got in to bathe, a young Magnolia Warbler joined it. 

Orange-crowned Warbler 10-13-18 Magnolia and Orange-crowned Warblers 10-13-18

The orangey crown is certainly difficult to see at times, especially in the fall.

Orange-crowned Warbler 10-13-18
 

Blue-headed Vireos have been pretty scarce this year. I finally photographed a shy one on Saturday and it took a quick splash bath, too.

Blue-headed Vireo 10-13-18
 

Plumped-up Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still being seen as of today. But, it won't be long and they'll be crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Beginning in November is the time to keep an eye out for different hummingbird species. We try to keep one feeder going just in case a stray comes by. There have been 8 hummingbird species in Missouri!

Read more about the possibilities here:  Missouri Hummingbird Species

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10-14-18

There were several each of Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets in the pond cypress tree on Saturday. They continue to pop in and about the bubbler very excitedly when close by. They are tricky to capture, so fast moving. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10-13-18 Golden-crowned Kinglet 10-14-18

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is another quick moving little bird and on the cuteness scale, it's got to be a 10+. 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 10-13-18

Red-breasted Nuthatch 10-14-18

To see all the photos since the last post, a new page will open with this link:  Photos since 10/7/18