http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php Type description here... en-us Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:18:22 -0600 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:18:22 -0600 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Our Red-Twig Dogwood, Eldeberry, and Juneberry/Serviceberry fruits are ripening and are quickly being devoured by Robins, Grey Catbirds, and Cedar Waxwings. We love to watch them all enjoy our bird friendly landscaping.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1276280302 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1276280302 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:18:22 -0600 We spotted our first Ruby-throated hummingbird of the season at our feeder last evening!<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1273840999 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1273840999 Fri, 14 May 2010 06:43:19 -0600 We've seen Tree Swallows checking out the nestbox but no takers thus far. Other new arrivals in our backyard include Chipping Sparrows. No sign or sound of an Oriole yet...<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1272225753 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1272225753 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:02:33 -0600 We saw our first Purple Martins on Sunday. Still awaiting our first Tree Swallow. They are in the area but have not visited our yard yet.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1271289104 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1271289104 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:51:44 -0600 We saw our first Bluebird of the season in our yard today. Here's hoping they have a successful nest in one of our bluebird houses again this Spring.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1268778119 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1268778119 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:21:59 -0600 We had a White-throated sparrow under the feeder this morning. Yesterday we spotted a group of 7 Turkey Vultures high overhead.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1267888665 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1267888665 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:17:45 -0700 Northern Cardinals, Song Sparrows, and Chickadees are more vocal these mornings. Can Spring be far off?<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1267388706 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1267388706 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:25:06 -0700 An adult Bald Eagle was seen yesterday at the Dresden Island lock and dam in Grundy county.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1262193039 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1262193039 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:10:39 -0700 We finally have our first Tree Sparrows at the feeder. Like the Juncos, and White-crowned sparrows, they are primarily ground feeders so we throw some seed on the ground for our northern visitors. Note the rust colored crown, different coloring on the upper and lower beak, and the spot on the chest. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1260628572 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1260628572 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:56:54 -0700 We have had the White-crowned sparrows for some time and&nbsp; the later arrival of Juncos but we are still awaiting the last of our winter visitors...the American Tree Sparrow. They are always the last to arrive but usually show up by this time.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1259714617 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1259714617 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:43:37 -0700 A hummingbird was at our feeder again this morning Oct 25th. This is definitely the latest in the season that we have seen a hummingbird .<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1256506013 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1256506013 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:26:53 -0600 On Sunday morning our low dipped down to 27 degrees...the coldest of the season thus far...with a heavy frost as well. We were amazed to see a young hummingbird at the feeder in the morning drinking nectar.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1255957676 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1255957676 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:07:56 -0600 Saturday morning our temperature dipped down to 30 degrees (F) with a hard frost yet this morning we still had a Hummingbird at the feeder. Here's hoping he/she will head south soon.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1255304946 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1255304946 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:49:06 -0600 We saw our first White-crowned sparrows in the yard today. They usually arrive in October and stay here through the winter, departing in May. The White-crowned sparrows are the first of our winter visitors that show up normally followed by Juncos and finally the Tree sparrows. Can winter be far off? A hummingbird was at the feeder yesterday. Bluebirds and Robins are eagerly eating the fruit off the crab apple and Hawthorn trees.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1254661081 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1254661081 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:58:01 -0600 We still have a few hummingbirds at the feeders. Here was one at our feeder early this morning trying to stay warm. A cold front ushered in cooler temperatures and strong winds overnight. When this picture was taken the temperature was 53 degrees.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1254151975 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1254151975 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:32:55 -0600 There appears to have been a significant influx in fall warblers this morning with many of our trees and bushes filled with warblers busily working the leaves for bugs.<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1253796331 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1253796331 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:45:31 -0600 We spotted our first Fall migrant yesterday...a Tennessee Warbler . This of course is the time of year when many of the warbler and other species begin the trek from their breeding grounds up north...many in the boreal forests...to areas in Mexico as well as Central and South America. The hummingbirds are on the move south as well but our 3 feeders remain very busy. Our Cardinals fledged several weeks ago and we saw a young ...<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1253485563 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1253485563 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:29:04 -0600 Purple Martins have started to congregate in large numbers as they begin their migration south. Here's a picture of a number of them on our antenna. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1251202077 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1251202077 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:09:38 -0600 We are not talking about the kind you buy, but instead the available food from trees and shrubs. We have devoted a great deal of time to landscaping with native plants...including trees and shrubs...whenever possible. Not only have birds evolved to use these native species, but the natives are much more tolerant of local extremes in the weather. Every day we are visited by "our" Bluebird family that fledged in July. They, along with others, ...<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1251067904 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1251067904 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:54:13 -0600 Just when we thought the nesting activity in our yard was over, we discovered a pair of N. Cardinals are building a nest in a shrub near our front window. Let's hope they are successful. We are looking forward to monitoring their progress and we will keep you updated here. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1249849198 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1249849198 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:19:58 -0600 The activity at the Hummingbird feeders continues to increase. The "hummers" continue to fight over the nectar although there is plenty for all. Hummingbirds are truly fascinating birds and you can find out much more at www.hummingbirds.net ...a tremendous resource on these amazing birds. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1249345414 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1249345414 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:23:34 -0600 The 2 Bluebirds fledged over a week ago and we've heard them in the yard but had not seen them. Last evening we had the pleasure of seeing both young Bluebirds being tended to by the parents. It was great to see them and know that they both fledged successfully. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1248307224 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1248307224 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:01:35 -0600 The Cedar Waxwings left the nest last Sunday and the Bluebirds fledged from their nestbox shortly after that. We've heard both families in the yard and hope to get pictures of the young ones. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1247877322 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1247877322 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:35:22 -0600 The House Wrens continue to feed the young in our bird bottle. Based on the frequency of feeding and the fact that they no longer have to go inside the bottle to feed the young, we suspect that they must be ready to fledge. You can see the twigs of the nest inside the bird bottle. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246797612 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246797612 Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:02:53 -0600 We believe the young Catbirds have left the nest but have not ventured far. We hear them at and around the base of the tree that held the nest. Probably a good thing as we've seen hawks pass through the neighborhood recently. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246719179 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246719179 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:52:59 -0600 We have many nests currently in our yard and continue to observe birds brooding or busily feeding their young. The House Wren young are noisy and chirping loudly and are likely ready to fledge. The Cedar Waxwings continue to sit on their eggs in the nest. We suspect a Song Sparrow has a nest in our prairie garden. The Catbirds are working non-stop feeding their young in a nest located somewhere in our Washington Hawthorn ...<br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246196368 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1246196368 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:39:28 -0600 The holes in this thistle feeder are small and designed for Goldfinches but this young Red-winged Blackbird seems to be able to get some seed from it. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1244900163 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1244900163 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:36:03 -0600 Here is a picture of a Grey Catbird (actually we've seen a pair) that has been feasting on the oranges we've put out. We had originally put out the oranges for the Baltimore Oriole but have not seen much of him lately. He is in the area but is likely busy raising young. <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1244325406 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1244325406 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:24:24 -0600 <a href="http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1243265965"><img src="http://www.birdsandteas.com/blog/php/rosebreastedgrosbeak1.jpg" align="left" width="120px" height="90px" border="0" alt="" style="margin: 3px 4px 3px 0;"></a> A Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been frequenting our tray feeder for the last few days. Here is a picture as he was feasting on sunflower seeds. Read more about the Rose-breasted Grosbeak . <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1243265965 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1243265965 Mon, 25 May 2009 14:25:20 -0600 The last of the White-crowned sparrows left about 2 or 3 days ago. They are on their way to breeding grounds up north. We will miss them around the feeder but welcome them again in October. In the meantime, our "summer residents" have returned. There is nothing better than observing and hearing the bird activity early in the morning from our backyard...with a good cup of tea of course! <br clear="all"> http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1242946723 General http://www.birdsandteas.com/documents/blog_1.php?entry_id=1242946723 Thu, 21 May 2009 16:58:43 -0600