Welcome to our blog!
It's all about our discoveries in our private Shady Oaks Sanctuary for birds, pollinators and wildlife. We gauge our success by the diversity of species we observe and document with our photography.
We hope you are inspired to create your own refuge!
Report: 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count 2-25-19
We saw a good number of species each day on the weekend for the Great Backyard Bird Count with 27 species overall. The most uncommon birds seen were the Rusty Blackbirds. They were here every day of the count which began on Friday, 2-15-19 and ended Monday, 2-18-19. There were nine on Friday when we had 2 inches of snow. Two visited the bubbler, looking for food and a drink.
Pine Siskins were also present with anywhere from 4-9 counted each day. We are still seeing 6-8 daily. They rest in the dogwoods while waiting their turn at the feeders, fountain or bubbler. They do get into scuffles with the American Goldfinches, which makes it challenging to get an accurate count!
Another favorite this winter has been the Red-breasted Nuthatch, which did come in on two days of the count.
The Red-shouldered Hawks have been around every day. The other birds are not really bothered by their presence. I have only seen the hawks take mammals like voles, small opossum, even a squirrel. They also take large earthworms. That is until Monday, when the female Red-shouldered Hawk took off from a high perch and picked off a House Finch who was waiting on an open branch for a turn at the feeder. It was a quick meal for the hawk, who needs to eat just like all the rest.
The number of Northern Cardinals ratcheted up following the snowstorm and by Monday, we counted 14 males alone! Usually, only one male is at a feeder at a time, so they spend time waiting in cover, like the Spicebush or the Golden Currant, which is very twiggy. There are many good native shrubs to have near feeders which help protect birds from predators.
Since the count, we've seen the Red-shouldered Hawks nest-building and mating. American Goldfinches are molting into their bright spring plumage. We have gained an hour and thirty-nine minutes of daylight since December! Can spring be far behind?
To see all the photos since the last post, begin here: GBBC thru 2-24-19
Eventful second week of February 2-15-19
When one has trees on their property, it is important to keep an eye out for possible problems. In storm events, things can change very quickly. There are other times when things happen in "s l o w m o t i o n." When a problem comes up, it is always wise to consult with a certified arborist to determine the best approach needed for a specific tree. Different species of trees have different requirements as to timing of pruning, etc. When those guys who are "working in your neighborhood" come knocking on the door, eagerly quoting a low price and wielding a chainsaw, but have no certification, just say, "NO, thank you!"
In late summer of 2016, one of our largest white oaks died, partly due to a huge honeybee colony inside of it. We wanted to have the crown removed for safety and save the trunk. Our arborist agreed. White oaks are usually very long-lived trees in the right situation and the trunk could stay standing for forty more years, he said. The best time to do this work was in late winter while the other trees were still dormant. This photo was taken just before the work began.
The tree trunk still serves as habitat to shelter and feed birds and wildlife. Now, we fast forward a year to Friday, 2-8-19. What is wrong with this picture? Do you see the tree that is now leaning even further to the left?
The leaning tree is a black oak. After the heavy snow of January and 3" of rain we had last week, the soil was so saturated that the tree had begun to heave out of the ground. Two of its branches were hung up in smaller trees and that was all that was keeping it from going down over the bubbler, onto the gazebo and the house. This was a nightmare scenario for us, and we hated to lose an otherwise healthy tree. We consulted with our certified arborist and he said there simply was no other choice. The removal of the tree was scheduled.
The tree was taken down on Tuesday by a skilled crew, with the help of a crane to lower the huge branches, rather than just dropping them. There was minimal collateral damage to the understory trees and shrubs, saving our habitat, as well as our structures!
Dan planed down the middle of a section of the tree and counted the rings - the tree was 79 years old, just a sapling in 1940, before World War II. May you rest in peace, mighty black oak. The Brown Creeper misses you and we do, too.
On Valentines Day, I had a wonderful lunch with friends. We had fun watching a striking Red-headed Woodpecker in the woods at Nancy's. I got back to see Dan and our neighbor, Steve, loading some of the wood onto Steve's trailer. Right behind them was a beautiful male Eastern Bluebird, catching insects. Then we saw two, and eventually the whole family of six. I took that as a sign that all would be well in our woodland.
A Rusty Blackbird came in with a flock of 30 or more American Robins. And, as I turned to the west, there was the Hermit Thrush. It was a gorgeous day that topped out at 63 degrees and it just felt great to be outside watching this influx of birds finding food and all that they needed, here, in our backyard habitat.
Of course, today is another story with snow and colder temperatures. Ah, well, don't we just love a Missouri winter? It keeps life interesting!
Today also marks the start of the Great Backyard Bird Count. For more about how to participate, check out this link: GBBC
Perhaps you are new to the idea of 'birding' and what that entails. For a look at how to get started, here is a wonderful article written a few years ago by our new State Ornithologist, Sarah Kendrick. Scroll down to page 22 in this Missouri Conservationist issue to read:
Birds are Awesome - A Beginner's Guide to Birding
Look for the Bluebird!
First week of February 2-7-19
February, the shortest month of the year has arrived. A lovely female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker showed up on Thursday, the first. I think it's the same bird that was seen in early December. The bird perched on several trees and I finally confirmed that its throat was white, a male's would be red. The sapsucker was another new bird for the year, #37.
Wednesday's bitter cold gave way to 69 degrees on Sunday, a very welcome change, though short-lived. We were able to work outside, moving some branches to embellish a brush pile in back for added cover for the wrens and sparrows. We're not done with winter yet and this will provide some shelter. One of the Carolina Wrens has been checking it out.
Last year, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were in the neighborhood and frequently seen in our yard. I took a series of the birds mating in March. The female was young and not in adult plumage yet. First-time nesters are not always successful and we never saw a nest with young. Here is that series: Red-shouldered Hawks, mating
On Monday, my friend, Sue and I were enjoying a few minutes outside. One of the Red-shouldered Hawks flew in across the street to a pine tree and we were able to get good looks at it. Sue had seen one before, but not recently. We went inside and then saw the hawk's mate fly into the swampy thicket in back. We stepped outside again, with camera and binoculars, and the bird kept coming in closer, allowing for a wonderful study. This gorgeous bird was not bothered in the least by our presence on the deck, maybe 40 feet away. Of course, we didn't talk and stayed relatively still throughout the encounter so as not to disturb the bird. It was hunting for voles or perhaps earthworms for a meal.
Red-shouldered Hawks thrive in the same kind of wet bottomland or flooded deciduous habitat as Barred Owls, hunting by day while the owls hunt at night. They eat small mammals, lizards, snakes and amphibians. To hear the Red-shouldered Hawk sounds, open this page: Red-shouldered Hawk calls
We also were watching and listening to the 13 Pine Siskins I had counted earlier in the morning. They like to perch in the Pond Cypress, the only one in the neighborhood, calling "zreeeeeet, zreeeeeet!". After Sue left, nine of the siskins got in the Bubbler to have a bath-fest. I don't think I've had that many in there together before!
To hear the Pine Siskins: Pine Siskin sounds
We've been hearing Barred Owls and one was fishing again in the pond a few nights ago.
That was a busy night! We also had a raccoon and an opossum climbing the small oak looking for bark butter to nibble on.
The herd of deer were out and about on Monday, 2-4-19. The final count was six that night.
We're getting weary of the drearies again! We've gotten over 3 inches of rain in the last two days. And the forecast calls for a drop into the teens tonight. At least all the precipitation is in the form of rain this time rather than snow and ice.
Here is one last image from Dan. It is a composite of his photos of January's "Super Blood Wolf Moon". It was quite an experience watching the moon together as it changed during its full eclipse. Breathtaking!
Coldest day of January, Wednesday, 1-30-19
We've been away and returned, just in time for the coldest day. Oh, boy! Our weather station showed the lowest temperature being -4.7 degrees on Wednesday.
The bird activity was constant at the feeders and the Bubbler as temperatures dropped on Tuesday. Pine Siskins, like all the finches, drink a lot after feeding on seeds. The next image of four Pine Siskins shows them at just about every angle! Pine Siskins have also been feeding in the trees, here they are shown eating seeds of the Pond Cypress.
The Northern Flicker managed to find water in between the formations of ice as the temperature just continued to drop.
On Wednesday, while watching birds under the feeders, I saw bird #36 for the year. I followed it for a few minutes before it popped up between the logs, a female Purple Finch.
This bird was checking out all the feeders and I found it again on the left side of the west feeder, along with House Finches and a Northern Cardinal in the deep shade.
In this composite photo, there is a female House Finch on the left and a female Purple Finch on the right. Study those feeder birds! If you see the brownish cheek patch and white line above and below, you may be looking at a Purple Finch. It's all about the details! The next photo taken in winter shows the males in the same order in winter plumage. The male Purple Finch does not have deep striations on the sides like the House Finch.
One last thing that can cause some confusion is that House Finches can be variable in color, from reddish to orange. In the photo below, one can see how the Purple Finch looks more like it was dipped in raspberry juice for its tint by springtime! What a beauty...there may be a quiz later!
I hadn't seen a Hermit Thrush since 1-8-19 and it was a real challenge to see it and get a photo in the bright light on that bitterly cold day. The sun is low, though we are gaining minutes of daylight every day now. By my count, we've added 44 minutes since the Winter Solstice. Take heart! Birds are singing, woodpeckers drumming and soon spring will arrive.
In the meantime, the birds try to survive in between feeding forays by fluffing up, perching on one foot or covering then to keep warm. They rest to conserve energy. Here, a Pine Siskin and a Dark-eyed Junco show us how that's done.
Some little birds just keep on the move and eat, like the Brown Creeper. It has been coming in frequently to get a bit of the bark butter.
Stay warm and enjoy our winter birds!
First Winter Storm 1-11-19
Before the snow began to fall, birds were about their usual winter business: foraging, resting, drinking and bathing in turn. Northern Flicker, Mourning Dove, and American Crow were in the mix of birds.
A Hairy Woodpecker came in to drink and a Blue Jay bathed even as the first flakes and a bit of sleet began to fall.
I wanted a ready measuring stick for the heavy snow that was to come. I found an old yardstick, but Dan had a much better idea. He re-used a leftover piece of PVC pipe, marked it and put it over a rod from a feeder hook. It was in place in the garden before the snow began about 12:45 pm.
SNOWMAGEDDON!!
Yikes! Yes, birds, we know. Not to worry, we have plenty of seed! This Tufted Titmouse and House Finch seemed to plead for reassurance. We filled every feeder to the brim and scattered seed under the gazebo for the ground feeding birds. The snow began to accumulate.
A Northern Cardinal and Pine Siskin seemed to be wondering how long this storm would go on.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch came in for some food, but this bird has been AWOL since Friday afternoon. Did it leave in the storm overnight? We wondered.
By 4:48 pm, near sunset, the tally stood at over 4 inches.
The snow came down in earnest. Here's what it looked like at midnight from the Bubbler Cam.
By the next morning, the snow was much deeper, easily 9" by 7:30 am.
The number of Pine Siskins was at eleven, and the first Song Sparrow for the year came in.
A Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker were briefly on the same oak tree, looking for bark butter.
A Northern Cardinal and a Mourning Dove were two species that looked for water in the basin and on the large bubbler rock amidst the mounds of snow.
Just after noon, I saw a new bird for the year, a Rusty Blackbird. There were two males hanging about the west feeder. They stayed about an hour before flying off. I think they might have been scouts for a larger flock.
Late in the evening, we heard a Great Horned Owl calling for species #31 for the year. It was still snowing lightly. Sunday, 1/13/19 was the third day of the storm. Birds came in early, then scattered for cover. Our first Cooper's Hawk of the year had flown in. It sat in this same spot for nearly four hours! I assumed it was digesting a meal, but the birds weren't taking any chances and stayed well-hidden.
Our second new bird that day was an American Tree Sparrow, only seen here in the winter. It's a perky little sparrow, fun to watch. None were seen last year at all.
A Rusty Blackbird was under the feeders, finding seed, but this bird looked like a female.
The third new bird for the year that day was a female Brown-headed Cowbird for #34. They are resident all year in Missouri and move around with blackbird flocks.
So, the snow is still very much with us! And, with that storm, we saw many new birds. Today, I was very glad when Dan said he thought he saw the Red-breasted Nuthatch. I focused on the peanut feeder and as luck would have it, the bird came right in. Has it been here and I just missed it the last few days with all the other birds around? It's possible, they're so quick.
With that thought, here is a well-timed article from Cornell Lab on feeding birds. Hope you enjoy the discussion.
Why do we feed birds and should we?