It's August now, and it's pretty hot and humid.

Resident birds and animals are still busy finding food and feeding young.

First, let's take a look at some mammals in this video of clips from the Garden Cams.

(You might want to read the notes before you start the video, it goes by quickly.)

July 2026 Critters- Fox, Coyote, Deer

First up is a red fox, moving through the front bed near the dripper bath. On the next clip is a coyote, which we do catch on the cams occasionally. However, this is the first time we've had a red fox within just a few hours of a coyote. When coyotes move in, foxes move out. This fox has been in and out of the garden a lot, and with prey, most likely a young rabbit. Then, listen to the fawn, it sure sounds like it's calling, "I'm here! Ma! Ma! Ma!" Finally, a Blue Jay calls as the sated fawn and doe emerge from the woods.

7-21-26 Carolina Chickadee 7-21-26 Carolina Chickadee 7-26-26 Carolina Chickadee 7-26-26 Carolina Chickadee buzzing an immature American Robin

Curious chickadees have visited the bubbler and even harassed a young American Robin. "Move on! It's mine!"

7-26-26 Blue Jay immature 7-26-26 Blue Jay immature 7-26-26 Blue Jay adult #2 7-26-26 Blue Jay adult #2

Blue Jays, immatures and adults are vigorous bathers, and fun to watch.

7-27-26 Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals are also regular visitors.

7-26-26 House Finch female eating seeds of native Smooth Hydrangea

This female House Finch was eating the just-forming seeds of native Smooth Hydrangeas. 

7-27-26 Carolina Wren sun-bathing

One of the Carolina Wrens took time to sun-bathe on the old cedar arbor.
 

7-26-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7-26-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been defending the two feeders we have filled right now. They don't sit long before they chase another male away. It's time to put up a third feeder because more are on the way!

7-30-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird female/immature 7-30-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird female/immature 7-30-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird female/immature

On one cooler afternoon, I set up to watch for hummingbirds at the Cardinal flowers in the garden. Two males chased each other around the blazing spikes before I could get on them. I waited, and not long afterwards, a female or possibly immature bird took advantage of its time alone to take nectar at the flowers. 

7-30-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird female/immature 7-30-26 Ruby-throated Hummingbird female/immature

The advantage for the Cardinal flower is that the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a prime pollinator of this plant. It picks up pollen on its crown feathers and visits the next plant to spread the pollen there. It's a win-win for both plant and bird. 

Screenshot

The BirdCast Migration Dashboard began operating again on the first of the month. 

Already, birds are on the move. We're watching for more migrants to arrive here anytime now. 

Stay tuned!