copywrite©Marjie Gemmell
CHRISTMAS BIRDING
It is less than a week until Christmas and for nearly everyone, it is the one of the busiest times of the year.
There are Christmas cards to be addressed and mailed, Christmas presents to be shopped for, purchased, wrapped, delivered. Cookies must be baked, holiday food purchased and on and on it goes. I have a dozen reminder notes stuck here and there, so I won’t forgot some small, but significant thing that needs my attention.
Certainly there is no time left over to think about birds or bird
watching-----or is there?
For me personally, THERE IS ALWAYS TIME FOR BIRDS! It may be only a glimpse at the feeders as I hurry by the window, or watching for roadside birds when I’m on my way to the mall, but birds are on my mind throughout the day, Christmas season or no. I doubt I am alone in this. Birders everywhere are probably sneaking peaks at birds, despite the demands of the season.
I hope you have a great and Merry Christmas, and I hope you find a few minutes to kick back and watch birds. Good Birding.
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
MELTING SNOW OBSCURES BIRDS
copyright©MarjieGemmell
MELTING SNOW OBSCURES BIRDS
After our five inch snow fall a few days ago, rain and some warmer than expected temperatures brought the expected results,
melting snow.
My morning walk was a wet one. Activity along the my walking trail was very slow. After a mile or so, I finally heard rustling in the undergrowth but the noise makers were difficult to find. The snow had melted in some spots, leaving dark areas in the surrounding snow-covered vegetation.
I could see a bird or two flitting across the bright snow patches, then seeming to disappear into the bare, wet patches. It was just a matter of my eyes adjusting to the background, and finally I was able to find the birds after they dived into the exposed areas.
What did I find? Well, not much if, I were counting species, but on a fairly quiet day, a couple Song Sparrows and a Carolina Wren added some excitement to my walk. It was fun to watch them and to observe how easily the exposed ground helped camouflage the birds as opposed to when they were picking around in the snow.
Guess it doesn’t take much to amuse me…Good Birding!
Cheeps and Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
MELTING SNOW OBSCURES BIRDS
After our five inch snow fall a few days ago, rain and some warmer than expected temperatures brought the expected results,
melting snow.
My morning walk was a wet one. Activity along the my walking trail was very slow. After a mile or so, I finally heard rustling in the undergrowth but the noise makers were difficult to find. The snow had melted in some spots, leaving dark areas in the surrounding snow-covered vegetation.
I could see a bird or two flitting across the bright snow patches, then seeming to disappear into the bare, wet patches. It was just a matter of my eyes adjusting to the background, and finally I was able to find the birds after they dived into the exposed areas.
What did I find? Well, not much if, I were counting species, but on a fairly quiet day, a couple Song Sparrows and a Carolina Wren added some excitement to my walk. It was fun to watch them and to observe how easily the exposed ground helped camouflage the birds as opposed to when they were picking around in the snow.
Guess it doesn’t take much to amuse me…Good Birding!
Cheeps and Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Sunday, December 9, 2007
CLUSTER of CARDINALS
copyright©MarjieGemmell
CLUSTER OF CARDINALS
A few days ago we had our first significant snowfall of the season. The snow began around midnight and continued through most of the daylight hours, netting us about five inches of the white stuff.
This snow was of the wet, heavy variety which mounds so beautifully on fences, porch rails, tree limbs and bird feeders. It is the type of snow provides perfect photo opportunities, no matter your level of expertise, or what direction you aim your camera.
All very nice if you are interested in photography, but for me the biggest thrill of a heavy snowfall is that it acts like a casting call for Northern Cardinals. Boy do they come out of the woodwork!
Cardinals are no strangers in our yard. We always have a few males and females feeding on sunflower seed, darting in and out of the bushes. But bring on a few inches of snow and presto … cardinals by the dozen.
To my eye there is nothing as breathtaking as the bright, vivid red of the male cardinal against dazzling white snow. Multiply that by 30 or 40 cardinals, and it is truly a sight to behold.
Hope you had some good bird sightings today too.
Cheeps and Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
CLUSTER OF CARDINALS
A few days ago we had our first significant snowfall of the season. The snow began around midnight and continued through most of the daylight hours, netting us about five inches of the white stuff.
This snow was of the wet, heavy variety which mounds so beautifully on fences, porch rails, tree limbs and bird feeders. It is the type of snow provides perfect photo opportunities, no matter your level of expertise, or what direction you aim your camera.
All very nice if you are interested in photography, but for me the biggest thrill of a heavy snowfall is that it acts like a casting call for Northern Cardinals. Boy do they come out of the woodwork!
Cardinals are no strangers in our yard. We always have a few males and females feeding on sunflower seed, darting in and out of the bushes. But bring on a few inches of snow and presto … cardinals by the dozen.
To my eye there is nothing as breathtaking as the bright, vivid red of the male cardinal against dazzling white snow. Multiply that by 30 or 40 cardinals, and it is truly a sight to behold.
Hope you had some good bird sightings today too.
Cheeps and Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
PINE SISKIN...MAYBE TOMORROW!
copyright©MarjieGemmell
PINE SISKIN … MAYBE TOMORROW!
I continue to EXPECT, I continue to HOPE, and of course I continue to WATCH my feeders, but as November draws to a close, no sighting yet. Not one single Pine Siskin has come to call, at least not while I’ve been looking.
My backyard feeders are swamped by American Goldfinches. They come in by dawns first light, and linger until dusk, bringing with them an insatiable appetite for black niger thistle seed. I love to watch them as they jockey for position, eight or nine per thistle sock.
There seems to be no hierarchy, no one bird who is at the top of the pecking order. When the feeding socks are covered by clinging finches, other goldfinches perch in the nearby crabapple tree, waiting for a place at the table. The less patient ones, sit directly under the feeders on the rails of the deck, occasionally jumping up toward the sock as if to hurry the dining process. All in all, goldfinches seem quite mannerly and polite, for rarely do I see them going at each other or causing a disruption to the feeding ritual.
About the only time during the day that the finches disappear, is when a Cooper’s Hawk decides to perch in the yard, then disturbance and disorder reigns. Goldfinches explode from the feeders and are gone in an instant.
Now, I better get back to viewing my feeders. Who knows, this may be the day a Pine Siskin comes to call. Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
PINE SISKIN … MAYBE TOMORROW!
I continue to EXPECT, I continue to HOPE, and of course I continue to WATCH my feeders, but as November draws to a close, no sighting yet. Not one single Pine Siskin has come to call, at least not while I’ve been looking.
My backyard feeders are swamped by American Goldfinches. They come in by dawns first light, and linger until dusk, bringing with them an insatiable appetite for black niger thistle seed. I love to watch them as they jockey for position, eight or nine per thistle sock.
There seems to be no hierarchy, no one bird who is at the top of the pecking order. When the feeding socks are covered by clinging finches, other goldfinches perch in the nearby crabapple tree, waiting for a place at the table. The less patient ones, sit directly under the feeders on the rails of the deck, occasionally jumping up toward the sock as if to hurry the dining process. All in all, goldfinches seem quite mannerly and polite, for rarely do I see them going at each other or causing a disruption to the feeding ritual.
About the only time during the day that the finches disappear, is when a Cooper’s Hawk decides to perch in the yard, then disturbance and disorder reigns. Goldfinches explode from the feeders and are gone in an instant.
Now, I better get back to viewing my feeders. Who knows, this may be the day a Pine Siskin comes to call. Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ANTICIPATING A PINE SISKIN
copyright©MarjieGemmell
ANTICIPATING A PINE SISKIN
Once we are into November, watching the thistle feeders looses some fascination for me. Gone are the eye-catching, bright and beautiful American Goldfinches of spring and summer. Oh, not really ‘gone’, but having transformed from golden yellow and black to drab olive and black, they are not nearly so conspicuous or pleasing, at least to my way of thinking.
Thankfully, while they may have lost their bright plumage, the molting process does not affect their songs and calls. Through fall and winters cold temperatures, chilling rains and no matter how much snow piles up, I will still hear the sweet cheery notes as they faithfully come and go at the feeders.
The saving grace and a very good reason to continue to keep an eye on the thistle feeders is the possibility of another winter visitor who, like goldfinches, is very fond of thistle seed. In Ohio, the most likely prospect is the Pine Siskin, which often flocks with American Goldfinches. Many winters we have only a few spotty reports of siskins at Ohio feeders. This year however, I’ve received numerous reports of pine siskins in several areas of the state.
In my desire to add a siskin to my yard list, I am dashing to check feeders at regular intervals throughout the day, scrutinizing each bird in the goldfinch flock and hoping to find one or two birds with prominent, fine streaking and conspicuous yellow feathers in tail and wings. Wish me luck!
Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
ANTICIPATING A PINE SISKIN
Once we are into November, watching the thistle feeders looses some fascination for me. Gone are the eye-catching, bright and beautiful American Goldfinches of spring and summer. Oh, not really ‘gone’, but having transformed from golden yellow and black to drab olive and black, they are not nearly so conspicuous or pleasing, at least to my way of thinking.
Thankfully, while they may have lost their bright plumage, the molting process does not affect their songs and calls. Through fall and winters cold temperatures, chilling rains and no matter how much snow piles up, I will still hear the sweet cheery notes as they faithfully come and go at the feeders.
The saving grace and a very good reason to continue to keep an eye on the thistle feeders is the possibility of another winter visitor who, like goldfinches, is very fond of thistle seed. In Ohio, the most likely prospect is the Pine Siskin, which often flocks with American Goldfinches. Many winters we have only a few spotty reports of siskins at Ohio feeders. This year however, I’ve received numerous reports of pine siskins in several areas of the state.
In my desire to add a siskin to my yard list, I am dashing to check feeders at regular intervals throughout the day, scrutinizing each bird in the goldfinch flock and hoping to find one or two birds with prominent, fine streaking and conspicuous yellow feathers in tail and wings. Wish me luck!
Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Monday, November 5, 2007
VULTURES and BUZZARDS
copyright©MarjieGemmell
VULTURES and BUZZARDS
The clouds came and went all day, with stiff breezes scooting them across the sky in ever changing gray on blue patterns. Mid-afternoon though, brought a couple hours of sunshine, perfect for taking a walk.
As skies turned to blue, the winds continued steady, creating currents just right to coax out a group of Turkey Vultures. Soon the sky above the river trail was host to 18 Turkey Vultures, a sight I always enjoy.
When I was a youngster, vultures were always called ‘buzzards’, and no one of my acquaintance found them very desirable. We (my family and friends), did not know much about them back then, except that they were a revolting and rather repulsive sight with their naked red heads, feeding on the gory remains of a road kill. A more gruesome sight was hard to imagine.
When I became interested in birds, about my 4th decade, I was quite surprised that the yucky buzzards of my youth were the very respectable Turkey or Black Vultures on my bird list. And now, seeing them became a good thing, as they counted as a new species for my year list, or maybe a new tick for a state list. But more than just a bird to list, the more I learned about them, the more I appreciated them. Well, I think that’s a story for another day.
Today was simply a day to watch the Turkey Vultures. To enjoy their natural, easy soaring flight and marvel that it all appears so effortless when you’re down here, looking up. Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
VULTURES and BUZZARDS
The clouds came and went all day, with stiff breezes scooting them across the sky in ever changing gray on blue patterns. Mid-afternoon though, brought a couple hours of sunshine, perfect for taking a walk.
As skies turned to blue, the winds continued steady, creating currents just right to coax out a group of Turkey Vultures. Soon the sky above the river trail was host to 18 Turkey Vultures, a sight I always enjoy.
When I was a youngster, vultures were always called ‘buzzards’, and no one of my acquaintance found them very desirable. We (my family and friends), did not know much about them back then, except that they were a revolting and rather repulsive sight with their naked red heads, feeding on the gory remains of a road kill. A more gruesome sight was hard to imagine.
When I became interested in birds, about my 4th decade, I was quite surprised that the yucky buzzards of my youth were the very respectable Turkey or Black Vultures on my bird list. And now, seeing them became a good thing, as they counted as a new species for my year list, or maybe a new tick for a state list. But more than just a bird to list, the more I learned about them, the more I appreciated them. Well, I think that’s a story for another day.
Today was simply a day to watch the Turkey Vultures. To enjoy their natural, easy soaring flight and marvel that it all appears so effortless when you’re down here, looking up. Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Sunday, October 28, 2007
RESIDENT BIRDS BACK IN FOCUS
copywrite©Marjie Gemmell
RESIDENT BIRDS BACK IN FOCUS
Most bird watchers will agree that spring is the best time of year for pure bird watching excitement. Just thinking about migration brings a rush of adrenaline. When migration is in progress, my binoculars are permanently attached to my neck!
Do I really think there’s a chance that while picking up a loaf of bread at Kroger, I might see a flock of warblers hanging out in the parking lot? Perhaps an early thrush or vireo might stop off at Starbucks? Ah, there is always ‘the possibility’!
Sadly, spring migration is long gone and even fall migration has lost its luster by this nearly November date. Warblers, vireos, thrushes and catbirds are pretty much missing from the river trail. In their absence, I have begun hearing our resident birds again. Of course they have been here all along, but somehow I don’t concentrate much on them when the summer breeders hit the woods.
Walking today I enjoyed watching and listening to my year-round birds. The songs and calls of Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers rang out clear in the crisp October air. For the next few months, these little bits of feathers and songs will accompany me on every walk --- am I a lucky lady or what! Good Birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
RESIDENT BIRDS BACK IN FOCUS
Most bird watchers will agree that spring is the best time of year for pure bird watching excitement. Just thinking about migration brings a rush of adrenaline. When migration is in progress, my binoculars are permanently attached to my neck!
Do I really think there’s a chance that while picking up a loaf of bread at Kroger, I might see a flock of warblers hanging out in the parking lot? Perhaps an early thrush or vireo might stop off at Starbucks? Ah, there is always ‘the possibility’!
Sadly, spring migration is long gone and even fall migration has lost its luster by this nearly November date. Warblers, vireos, thrushes and catbirds are pretty much missing from the river trail. In their absence, I have begun hearing our resident birds again. Of course they have been here all along, but somehow I don’t concentrate much on them when the summer breeders hit the woods.
Walking today I enjoyed watching and listening to my year-round birds. The songs and calls of Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers rang out clear in the crisp October air. For the next few months, these little bits of feathers and songs will accompany me on every walk --- am I a lucky lady or what! Good Birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
