12-31-23 New Year's Eve

December 31, 2023  •  1 Comment

Let's wrap up 2023!

 

It has certainly been a busy month in our neck of the woods. Like many, I could use a few extra hours each day! But, now here we are, at the end of another year. We have continued to enjoy birds in the garden, at our water features and at the feeders. Colder days increase activity!

 

12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker12-2-23 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

An immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker bathed vigorously on 12-2-23. We'll hear it calling so it's still in the neighborhood.

 

12-3-23 Eastern Bluebirds12-3-23 Eastern Bluebirds 12-3-23 Eastern Bluebirds12-3-23 Eastern Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebirds also come in and bathe after cruising over the leaves for insects, or stopping at the feeders.

 

12-5-23 Pine Siskin12-5-23 Pine Siskin 12-5-23 Pine Siskin12-5-23 Pine Siskin 12-5-23 Pine Siskin12-5-23 Pine Siskin

Pine Siskins are frequently heard in the trees and will visit the feeders some days. On 12-30-23, I counted seven of them.

 

12-17-23 American Goldfinches and Eurasian Tree Sparrows12-17-23 American Goldfinches and Eurasian Tree Sparrows

Native birds like the American Goldfinches do not care for the Eurasian Tree Sparrows, as you can see by the interaction of the birds on the upper right. Word spreads quickly between these sparrows when a feeder is filled, and then 20 or more will come in.

 

12-19-23 Brown Creeper12-19-23 Brown Creeper

The diminutive Brown Creeper is a regular each day, searching the bark of trees for tiny eggs and larvae, and it will eat a bit of bark butter when available. 

 

12-20-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet12-20-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet has been coming in and taking a bit of suet. It's considered rare in December, usually wintering a bit further south. I have had them in winter before. This suet contained berries, which may have enticed the bird.

 

12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk 12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk 12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk 12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk, resting 3 hours12-24-23 Cooper's Hawk, resting 3 hours

All the birds head for cover when a Cooper's hawk cruises through. This bird appeared to have finished a meal, still working some bits down its craw while luxuriating in a bath in the stream bed. It flew up to the adjacent Sugar Maple, and stayed over three hours on Christmas Eve. Two days later, we saw it take a Mourning Dove.

 

12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet12-25-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

12-31-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet12-31-23 Ruby-crowned Kinglet The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was back on a misty Christmas Day, having its own special meal! We saw it again today, first at the suet and then investigating all the goodies on the Grab 'n Go table. It even took a bit of bark butter from Rudy. Click on the link to hear its "je-ditt" call here:

Ruby-crowned Kinglet captured on my Haikubox

 

12-31-23 Downy Woodpecker12-31-23 Downy Woodpecker

This Downy Woodpecker was one of many visitors at the Grab 'n Go table today. 

 

12-31-23 Aemrican Robins12-31-23 Aemrican Robins 12-31-23 Eastern Bluebird female12-31-23 Eastern Bluebird female

An influx of about 30 American Robins signaled some movement of birds into the area. A Red-winged Blackbird was also seen before this female Eastern Bluebird took a bath.

 

12-31-23 European Starling12-31-23 European Starling

An European Starling came in, checking feeders and the water. It may be a scout, like the Red-winged. We'll see what the New Year brings.

 

12-31-23 Yellow-rumped Warbler12-31-23 Yellow-rumped Warbler

A Yellow-rumped Warbler also came in with the crowd, wary of the possibility of a Cooper's hawk.

 

12-31-23 Mourning Dove at rest12-31-23 Mourning Dove at rest

 

It's time to reflect on the past year while we rest up for the new one, like this Mourning Dove. Overall, it has been a very good one for counting yard birds here, a new personal best with 121 species of Yard birds and 94 Bubbler birds. I missed a few warblers, but did have 28. All good!

 

May all of you enjoy more time in Nature, listening for Ruby-crowned Kinglets, American Robins, and more.

Happy New Year! 

 

 

 

 


Comments

Barbara O'Brien(non-registered)
Always magical!! Thanks for all the pleasure….
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