The word thrilling is not exaggerated in relation to the thrushes I encounter here at Flower Hill Farm during each spring, summer and fall. With every new days beginning and later its ending, I go outside or stand by the doors and windows and listen for the songs of the Veery . . . along with the trills of the Hermit and Wood Thrushes. Their otherworldly songs reach up from deep within the forest and along its edges, filling the time around daybreak and twilight with enchanting … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXXI ‘A Bird Parade’ Thrilling Thrushes
Archives for March 2011
Birds in Review Part XXX ‘A Bird Parade’ Sprightly Sparrows
White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) are one of the most striking of sparrows. The White-throated sparrow has a boldly patterned head, with a wide white throat and yellow bands above the eyes. Black lines add a bit of drama outlining the crown, throat marks and through the eyes. They are often singing throughout the day in a series of whistles lasting about four seconds "Oh-sweet-canada-canada" Songs and calls can be heard at All About Birds. US … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXX ‘A Bird Parade’ Sprightly Sparrows
Birds in Review Part XXIX ‘A Bird Parade’ Eastern Phoebe Perigee Moon
The Vernal Equinox arrives for the Northern Hemisphere, bringing a perigee full moon and the Eastern Phoebes return to our gardens and wildlife habitat. Back in 1804 the Eastern Phoebe was the very first North American bird to have ever been banded and the threads were wrapped by the great naturalist and artist John James Audubon himself. The Eastern Phoebe is a delightful flycatcher who can be seen often bobbing his tail and darting about harvesting insects on the fly. Just … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXIX ‘A Bird Parade’ Eastern Phoebe Perigee Moon
Birds in Review Part XXVIII ‘A Bird Parade’ KINGLETS Ruby and Golden Crowns
The tiny birds I am featuring in this post are not much bigger than a hummingbird. Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) are only about 3 or 4 inches in size and are another leaf gleaner constantly moving about and flicking their wings. The Ruby-crown Kinglet's crown is reserved for only special occasions, determined so by the male. I cannot be sure if this is a male or female. I did once come face to face with one of these teeny birds in an apple tree . . . we were eye to … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXVIII ‘A Bird Parade’ KINGLETS Ruby and Golden Crowns
Birds in Review Part XXVII ‘A Bird Parade’ Blue-headed Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo
There are no blooms in my gardens as yet, but I am up to my neck in colorful plumes searching through my archives to create the Flower Hill Farm 'Bird Parade.' A catalog of the many birds that visit, live and breed in my gardens and forest from the last two years. The procession continues on with two Vireos. A Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) seems to be keenly eying for insects in the Crabapple Orchard. I wonder about tiny insect eyes gaping back at these wide eyes of … [Read more...] about Birds in Review Part XXVII ‘A Bird Parade’ Blue-headed Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo
