Sunday, February 17, 2008

Birdbrain

A very good morning to you all! It's 11:40 AM here, so I can still get away with saying "good morning."

So is everyone doing the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend? The feeders are filled, the special treats are out, and despite the rainy weather, we've had a nice flurry of activity this morning. The wild turkeys even cooperated and made an appearance--I counted 45.

I'd like to wish my nephew Steve (the Marine) a very happy birthday today...wherever in the world he may be.

More later!

Update

As I was counting birds this morning, I thought to myself, "No new ones...bummer." Last year, when I was doing this count, I saw a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker for the first time, so I guess I was hoping I'd see another new bird this year. A little later, I was looking at the finches on the thistle feeder, and noticed bright red spots on their heads. I thought, "Hey! Those aren't finches!" Well, cut of my legs and call me Shorty, if I didn't have a new bird sighting! They weren't even in my Indiana book--I had to get out the Audubon book. It seems that this is the southern tip of the winter habitat of my newest friend: the Common Redpoll. I saw two of them.

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

NNNoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't get any shorter :o)

Anonymous said...

The only time I've ever seen 45 wild turkeys, was when I was much younger, at a bar.
~Mary

Anonymous said...

Ha! Good one, Mary!

And hilaaaaarious, Bucko....<grin>

Beth

Anonymous said...

wow that is a lot of gobblers lol
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Coolio - a new bird!

Steve and I are going to take a little drive a bit later this afternoon and head out for a trip to the lake. I hope to see, or rather, identify a "new" bird or two. We get a number of winter visitors there.

The birds, as well as many of the plants, are a bit confused by the odd ball weather we've been having. A few of the male birds are "coloring-up" big time, there has been some early nest material gathering, and many plants have bloomed, only to nearly freeze again. Not as extreme as your weather- but it's keeping us guessing.

Much love from one bird nerd to another.

Anonymous said...

i hope you have seen lots of new birds or at least enjoyed the ones that came along to your property.
hugs, lisa

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed at the number of wild Turkey's you have. Do you and Ken have no hunting signs on your property? I used to have to post them when I lived in Port Crane. I would laugh at all the wildlife that took refuge on my property out of the range of the hunters. Idiots, these beautiful creatures don't need to be hunted for sport. I believe we've had both species around here, I know for sure the Yellow bellied Sapsucker is common here. I believe we've had the Common Redpoll too, I'll have to keep a look out. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

We did have signs posted, Indy, but the weather had its way with them. Anyone hunting on private property, though, is poaching, so we haven't had anyone bothering us. However, someone set up a deer blind just beyond our property line, and they could be hunting our critters and there's nothing we can do about it, unless we camp out in the woods! Oh, it's awful. But most hunters around here do seem to respect private property. If anyone poaches and I catch them at it, I'll call the sheriff, no doubt about it.

Beth