Tornadoes possible tonight - stay safe everyone!

3-31-23

Last time, you were all left hanging with a puzzle. How did you do?

3-6-23 Carolina Wren feather detail

So, the little details I had noticed were the hearts in the undertail feathers! In the lower left is a new shoot of the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), which is also what the wren is perched on. Yes...it does favor a snake in a way.

Night Visitors 3-31-23

The video above shows a few of the critters recorded by our cams during the night. 

3-26-23 Clove Currant (Ribes odoratum)

The lovely scent of the Clove Currant (Ribes odoratum) fills the air now. 

3-28-23 Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are in bud in several places in the garden and woodland.

3-30-23 Bloodroot

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is also in bloom and with winds like today, they won't last long.

3-22-23 Swamp Sparrow 3-22-23 Fox Sparrow 3-22-23 Song Sparrow

A Swamp Sparrow bathes, a Fox Sparrow scratches for seed and a Song Sparrow perches on Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).

3-23-23 Eastern Phoebe 3-23-23 Eastern Phoebe 3-23-23 Eastern Phoebe 3-26-23 Eastern Phoebe 3-30-23 Eastern Phoebe nest

Eastern Phoebes have claimed their spot under the gazebo and the nest is near completion. This pair chased off another to keep the prime location. More habitat is really needed for birds.

3-29-23 Eastern Bluebird nest

The Eastern Bluebird nest looked nearly ready the last time I checked. Both birds have been busy catching insects, and the female may soon be ready to lay eggs.

3-25-23 Carolina Chickadee with feathers for nest 3-25-23 Carolina Chickadee leaves nest

Carrying feathers is a sure sign that the Carolina Chickadee nest must be nearly ready, too. The joint is hopping with activity!

The last few weeks, I have been busy preparing a program entitled, "Our Garden is for the Birds", to share through the Partners for Native Landscaping Series, hosted by the St. Louis County Library. The webinar was recorded last Tuesday evening and it was very well received. It's heartening to know that so many people want to convert a portion of their yards to native plants. We are all needed to help the birds, bees, butterflies and more! All of these programs in the series are free and open to the public.

To register for remaining programs and more information about upcoming in-person events:

https://partnersfornativelandscaping.stlouisaudubon.org/webinar-series
 

If you'd like to view my program as well as others in the series, check out this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIcv1-AS-bk

Thanks for watching!

Margy