This year, we documented 117 species of birds here, including 27 warbler species.

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!