Bird ID

[Graphite]

Thanks GF and Dick, I noticed the song sparrow by its song, twice now they have landed near me at the bird sanctuary and let out the amazing song. The second time was the only chance I had to get the photo. They really are cute little birds, thanks for the ID! And the Bullock's Oriole, how long to they usually stick around for? I am in love with this bird. Any suggestions on locations to find them?

[grammafreddy]

I've photographed them at Chichester Wetlands in past years. About two weeks ago I think I caught a glimpse of one there from a distance but couldn't get close enough to get a shot I could ID it by.

Chichester is a great place to go birding.

What bird sanctuary are you talking about?

[Graphite]

The one right downtown on the lake, I think its the Rotary Marsh Park. Go across the street from there to the Brandt's Creek section beside Waterscapes. This map lists it as Sunset Drive Park http://wikimapia.org/#lat=49.895422&lon ... 16&l=0&m=b

[grammafreddy]

Ok - yup - that's Rotary Marsh. The osprey should be back by now. Have you seen them yet? There's also a resident blue heron there, too. On the Brandt's Creek side I saw a young raccoon one day and also a Northern Shrike. Those were cool.

There's another bird sanctuary on the lake down by the hospital called Maude Roxby Park. Have you been there?

And if you REALLY wanna see birds - go to the dump! Best birding ever!!! Lots of shore birds and the Avocet is there, too. Lots of Bald Eagles. Lots of different kinds of ducks. To go birding there you have to stop at the office and sign a liability waiver.

[grammafreddy]

I have a new bird to ID ... anyone know what this is? I think its in the Flycatcher family but don't know for sure. It was quite yellow on its belly and above its tail base.

Edited to add ... Hmmm ... am now thinking this is a Western Kingbird. First one I have seen. I have lots of pics of the Eastern Kingbird ...

[dickcannings]

Yes, grammafreddy, this is a Western Kingbird.

[grammafreddy]

Thanks, Dick! I love it when I can guess right.

I am over in Grand Forks now - is there a birding group here?

I found a flock of Evening Grosbeaks two days ago and a really great swamp area with lots of different birds - unfortunately there's no place to park except on the side of a very narrow road.

Hummingbirds are plentiful here this year - I keep hearing how there are so many more than usual. My hummer feeders are still in a box somewhere so haven't gotten them up. A friend here says he refills his two 1-litre feeders every day and has about 50 hummers coming to them. I saw Rufous and Calliopes while I was there. He also has what he calls Bullock's Orioles at his place. I saw them from a distance but couldn't get a good ID on them for sure. I went there today because he said he had a very different ringed mourning dove there (very pink he said) but they weren't there while I was.

[SassySasquatch]

I have been having problems with this seemingly family group of Cocks of the North. They resemble Woody Woodpecker as they have a great, deep red bill on top of their heads. He(they) have been chewing into our deck and the surrounding sugar maple trees in our yard. They usually have only stayed around for a few days in years past but this spring - even today, still being bugs (going on four weeks). It really is unusual.

The largest would measure approx. 2 ' in height, the smallest perhaps 8".

[grammafreddy]

Does it look like this?



If it does, it is a Pileated Woodpecker. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pileated_Woodpecker

[normaM]

never saw that pretty yellow bird again. This year there are ring neck ducks at the Pond. Heron has a mate. Not many jays around, wonder why

[SassySasquatch]

Does it look like this? If it does, it is a Pileated Woodpecker. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pileated_Woodpecker

Rather similar but I am not certain of the colour of its chest. Will try for a picture. Now looking for a bb gun...

[grammafreddy]

I got me a new bird today ... a Lewis' Woodpecker ...

He was kinda far away

[Graphite]

Nice shot!

Do you have a lot of bird feeders out?

If so are they plastic or wood? And how often do you wash them?

[grammafreddy]

This wasn't at my house. I was shooting houses for sale and this bird got in the way

I have no feeders up right now but I usually do feed the wild birds. I have both plastic and wood and I wash them at the end of the season (fall) and more often if they need them. No soap. I wash the hummer feeders (glass and plastic) every time I refill them.

[Bpeep]

My neighbor has peacocks.
Such a nice sound from them in the evening.
The sound carries forever.