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!
First week of November, 11-8-20
The week began with a few warblers. Orange-crowned, a late Black-throated Green and a few Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen feeding and visiting the water features.
A Winter Wren came in along with a lone Pine Siskin. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was also seen.
A Downy Woodpecker took an unusual approach to the water, clinging to the Bubbler Rock. Dark-Eyed Juncos often find seeds in the garden, and then come to the water to wash them down. A Brown Creeper was seen every day, it must be one of the winter residents.
The usual suspects now have to accept several species that will be around for the winter, yet some are not always ready to share. A Tufted Titmouse seemed to tell this White-throated Sparrow who was boss. Another came in later, all fluffed out, and satisfied to have the place to itself.
A Carolina Wren drank from the well of the hummingbird feeder. Yes, there is still one feeder up, just in case a rare species would come in. Once we saw a Rufous Hummingbird, checking out the feeders, on 11-20-2008.
American Robins have been dominating the water when they come in. Squabbles are quick to break out, thrushes love to get in to bathe.
The last of the Blackhaw fruits are being enjoyed by many different species. Northern Cardinals, American Robins and even Cedar Waxwings have come in to take them. It has gotten dry again, so birds are also using the sump puddle to have more access to water.
On Saturday, two species of thrushes came in. The robins were not ready to budge but eventually, the Eastern Bluebirds had their way!
"The bluebird carries the sky upon his back."
Henry David Thoreau
To see all the photos since the last blog post: November photos
Peace, and Good Health to you and yours!
Blue Moon Halloween 10-31-20
Halloween Treats have been coming in all week!
An Orange-crowned Warbler investigated the Bubbler Pond by holding onto a leaf of Wild Ginger and splashing about. It's always interesting to watch how individual birds approach the water. A Nashville Warbler took the typical route and Golden-crowned Kinglets looked on.
Rain had started on Monday and the temperature dropped all day. Tuesday brought in a Yellow-rumped Warbler who seemed to enjoy watching the bubbles it saw in the pond. The rain let up and as I was going to fill the feeders in the garden, another Winter Wren skittered across the deck in front of me. It showed up later at the Bubbler.
Tuesday also brought in 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches that were constantly at the peanut and bark butter feeders. The first two are males, the third is a female, with a paler breast.
Dark-eyed Juncos arrived on Sunday, 10-25-20. They are often called 'snowbirds'. A Brown Creeper has been seen on different days.
Despite cold rains, birds love to bathe, and a Carolina Chickadee took a quick dip on Thursday, 10-29-20. It was certainly a raw, wet day. Again, the temperature dropped most of the day, into the low 40's. As they say, though, "Bad weather brings good birds!" A pair of Eastern Bluebirds came in to feast on the last of the Blackhaw fruits. The Bluebirds were a good omen, as it turned out.
There was a solitary Pine Siskin on the feeder by the back door and I went to check on the feeders in the garden, hoping to see more of them there, but no joy. When I returned within a minute, this very yellow bird was on the peanut feeder, wagging its tail. Wait, what? I blinked, trying to make sense of what I was looking at when the bird flew. It was in a nearby Blackhaw and I was able to get a few photos of it there. It was a Palm Warbler, but a rare subspecies for our area. We usually see the Western species here and this was the Eastern or Yellow Palm Warbler. The Eastern subspecies has been documented a number of times in Missouri, mostly in December. So, this sighting will contribute to those records.
Pine Siskins did come in a flock later that day, with eight as my high count. That number may increase over the winter, my birding friends report seeing 30-60+ birds in their yards! That's sure a challenge for a good pair of eyes to track.
Another Orange-crowned Warbler dropped in yesterday, 10-30-20. There was a quiet spell, then the light was so pretty on a Tufted Titmouse that I took a few photos and was checking them when another yellow bird appeared! Wait, wait, don't tell me...this bird has only come to the Bubbler once before, in March, 2014, a bright Pine Warbler.
For a while this fall, it seemed that our yard was not on the main path for migration as it had been in the spring. I just wasn't seeing the typical warblers in the usual numbers. Well, no more whining! To have three warblers that I've not had before in the fall season is remarkable. Maybe these birds took the 'road less traveled by'. Cape May, an Eastern Palm and a Pine Warbler have been here, and what treats they have been!
If you're interested in seeing the Fall Warbler Gallery, begin here: Fall Warblers
If you'd like to view all the birds since the last blog post, begin here: Birds since 10-25-20
Here is one last unexpected, and spooky, sighting, thanks to our Stealth Cam in the woods.
The light in the background is the infrared light on the Bubbler Cam.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Happy 20th Anniversary for the Bubbler, and October sightings 10-25-20
Yes, 20 years for the Bubbler, and October is still busy with migration.
One Nashville Warbler joined three Tennessee Warblers in a bit of an Indian summer party atmosphere. American Robins utilized the dripper baths while a Downy Woodpecker got a drink in the stream bed of the big pond.
Over at the Bubbler, Eastern Phoebes continued to come in for sips of water and quick splash-baths. From tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglets to large American Crows, the water features have been visited often until we finally got some rain.
Our first of the season, FOS Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers arrived on Wednesday, 10-21-20. A female flew in first, but was quickly upset by an immature bird, which was instantly joined by another. I saw the female again later that day, but the little scruffy ones flew up into the canopy.
The following day, a couple titmice mirrored each other in getting freshened up.
A Blue-headed Vireo had the basin all to itself when it came in later. Apparently, this uncommon species isn't often seen in places other than parks and larger migrant traps. Lucky us, this vireo really knows how to belly-flop! Whoopee!
After the vireo left, it got very quiet, so to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bubbler, we gave it a little makeover. We had planned to replace the tubing with a slightly larger diameter and Dan had gathered all the components. This small change would push 25% more water through the tubing. It was our last warm day to tackle the project, and we got it done. I also raised the rock in the basin so it now flows over the flat face in a way that makes a bit more sound and flushes water through the whole basin. We liked it, now would the birds notice?
The next morning, I saw a greenish bird fly into the small elm behind the Bubbler. It was a female Summer Tanager. This is getting late for this species! It kept looking around and then flew to the Blackhaw viburnum, grabbed a ripe drupe and carried it higher, out of sight. Later that day, an American Robin came in to feast on them and a Yellow-rumped Warbler was eyeing the fruit.
Back at the basin, the birds were all excited! Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets were popping in and out, and just as one got in to bathe, a Blue-headed Vireo came in to check things out. Yes, it looked like the birds approved the new look.
A single Black-throated Green Warbler came in and was followed by an Orange-crowned Warbler. Look closely, yes, the crown is visible on this drab little bird.
White-throated Sparrows have arrived, and they've been in the basin. A Tennessee Warbler came briefly in the morning.
A new bird for the year arrived yesterday, 10-24-20, a Pine Siskin for #118. Large flocks are being seen in the area now. I hope this visitor found the finch feeders, there is one freshly filled and waiting in the garden near all the seed heads of Purple Coneflower, Ironweed and Eastern Blazing Star. This is an irruptive species which only comes our way when food is scarce up north. Its needle-sharp bill and yellow wing patches help to distinguish it from the larger female House Finch in the last photo.
To view all the photos since 10-15-20, begin here: Images
Second week of October, 2020
Oh, my! Saturday, 10-10-20 was like this all day long!
A Tennessee Warbler was dwarfed by two American Robins who claimed possession of the water.
Four new first of the season (FOS) birds arrived that day. I was so tickled when this tiny Winter Wren popped out from under the deck and bounced its cheery hello to me.
At the sump puddle, joining the influx of robins was a solitary Wood Thrush! I believe it's the first time one has been here in the fall. It was looking for food among the cypress knees.
Another FOS species was Blue-headed Vireo. There were two birds, the first had a bluer head than the second bird. Their 'spectacles' make their eyes look huge. They both took splash baths.
Our FOS Brown Creeper arrived on Saturday, too. This bird went to the water on several days, staying close to the tree, its familiar 'terrain'.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch has been around, foraging for insects, too. It's always great fun to be outside to hear and see them.
Both kinglets have been here most days this past week. The Golden-crowned have been fewer in number, but oh, so beautiful!
There have been at least 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets almost every time I've looked in any one tree! The other day, two were constantly chasing each other in dizzying spirals. Finally, one of them really enjoyed a bath without being disturbed. And, boy, did that bird ever flash!
Now, for the warblers. There have been regular visitors and two rarer birds. Black-throated Green, Nashville and Tennessee have been here at least every other day. The Chestnut-sided was here just once, with the influx of birds on Saturday.
Yellow-rumped Warblers have been at the bubbler, the dripper baths and the stream bed, in very good numbers. Some think of them as dull. But, see how their plumage is perfect camouflage with the mossy rocks and falling leaves of our native trees.
In a typical fall, I'll have several days with Blackburnian Warblers. On 10-12-20, finally the second bird of fall appeared, ready for a good old-fashioned splash-fest! The birds are SO grateful for water right now!
The following day we were without power for an hour, which meant NO bubbler or pond pumps working! It was restored, then off again for 20 minutes and finally, all was back in order. Things were beginning to pick up at the bubbler, a Yellow-rumped and Tennessee had been in the basin when I looked up from the camera to see...a male Cape May Warbler! This is the first time I've seen a male here in the fall. It is a rare bird, and considered 'casual' by mid-October with only 5-15 records in the state.
The navigational coding packed into a migratory bird's DNA is exceptional. I wondered, is it the same bird that was here on 5-6-20 when it was in too big a hurry to be first on its territory? It had stopped to take a look at the bubbler then, and with helpful winds and a bit of luck might return. Well, inquiring minds need to know...but the bird kept that answer to itself. Its presence was gift enough for me.
To view all the photos since the last post, begin here: Second week of October, 2020
First week of October 10-9-20
Parade of Fall Migrants and Visitors
Fall warblers have been here in different combinations of small mixed flocks since the last blog post. It has varied between 1 or 2 species up to 6 species seen on 10-1-20. This is always an interesting season with birds moving south for the winter and for some, our area is their winter home. Let's look at the warbler group first.
Tennessee Warblers are first to be shown and the second image demonstrates what all the small birds are after, caterpillars! Just as in spring, this food source makes up the major portion of their diet. From tiny inchworms to much larger caterpillars, they're looking underneath leaves to find them and tug them away. All that protein is worth the effort!
Bay-breasted and Black-and-white, Black-throated Green and Chestnut-sided Warblers have been seen, foraging and coming in for water.
Magnolia Warblers have pretty much gone through now, but Nashville Warblers are still around.
The first Yellow-rumped Warblers have arrived and are the main warbler species expected to be seen during the winter. This female took a dip at the pond, then grabbed a small ant from the fish-feeding rock to eat.
Other tiny birds sometimes mistaken for warblers are the two Kinglets. Male Ruby-crowned Kinglets don't really show their crowns unless they're excited, but both male and female Golden-crowned Kinglets always show some yellow. When the males get excited is when you see their fiery orange crowns.
Finally had a Brown Thrasher at the bubbler on 10-1-20. It was very early in the morning, and the bird seemed glad to get some water. A young Red-eyed Vireo checked out the bubbler, too. Its eyes are still brown rather than red, which indicates its age.
Another female Summer Tanager was seen on 10-2-20. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still coming through but in much smaller numbers. I saw two last Sunday, and one at the black-and-blue salvia flowers on 10-5-20. They may be seen through the month, but after that, rarer hummingbird species may show up.
Eastern Phoebes may hang around a while and they only go as far south as they have to in order to find insects. I've seen one almost every day, fly-catching here.
American Robins are moving through and we had at least two dozen a couple days ago. Anywhere we had water, they were there. They also were checking the Beautyberries, which aren't quite ripe yet. When the leaves flag yellow, they'll be ready.
There were two nice surprises on 10-6-20. The first came early in the morning when a "murder" of American Crows from the neighborhood was circling the top of our pond cypress and having an absolute fit! When they behave this way, there's usually one sure explanation, the presence of a Great Horned Owl. I went out and found it readily, but the bird had hidden itself deeper in the tree by the time I got back with the camera. This large bird was #117 for the year list.
The crows had been taking turns at sentry duty, but they started to take 15 minute breaks when the owl was apparently asleep. Well, the owl gave the crows the slip at some point mid-morning. It got busy with other birds finally coming in. About 1:20 pm, we had just finished a late lunch when I heard a Pileated Woodpecker, which has been calling more in the last few weeks. Then, Dan saw it fly to the small oak by the bubbler. Wow, what a great bird to have come in close! They're our largest woodpecker at up to 19.5" long. It was eating ants on the tree and even some of the bark butter I had put out. Thankfully, I was ready for this second surprise! If you look closely, you can see the red feathers in its 'mustache' which indicate a male. Soon, I'll have some comparison photos with the other woodpeckers to share.
To learn more about the bird: Pileated Woodpecker
Last but not least, our FOS (first of season) Hermit Thrush arrived on Thursday, 10-8-20. It was back again this morning to enjoy a bath. As it preened, it would raise and slowly lower its tail, a signature move by this species.
To see all the photos since the last post, begin here: Images from 9-29- and on