Recent Visitors

Migration is underway. Birds that spent their summer raising chicks in places as far as northern Canada are stopping by for a bit of rest and a good meal as they continue on their journey to warmer climates. Fortunately, we can offer those accommodations.

In the past couple of days I have filmed a couple new birds that I’ve never captured before.

This is a Blackpoll Warbler. Thank goodness there are some experts who are interested in helping a person who doesn’t have the knowledge about this large group of very small birds that, quite often, don much more vivacious colors during the summer months than they do when they are flying through here on their way south.

The images of Blackpoll Warblers on the main page of most bird guides shows a bird that far more vividly colored than this one I caught.

This next bird is a Magnolia Warbler. Again, it’s summer outfit is more striking than this lovely bird presents on its trip through our property.

I’ve only seen a Lincoln Sparrow a few times, always during migration because, well, it doesn’t breed in this area. This guy is probably on his way to somewhere in Mexico for the winter. Sounds like a good plan.

This Least Flycatcher may be on its way to southern Florida, Mexico or even Central America.

The next birds are not migrants, but spent their summer breeding season here at our place.

Here’s a Gray Catbird I filmed yesterday. To me, it looks like a youngster. Although they will migrate soon, I’ve heard many individuals calling around our farm in the past few days. The weather hasn’t turned and we still have plenty of insects available for these birds to use as fuel to ready themselves for a long trip.

Another ‘yet-to-fly-the-coop’ species that I filmed yesterday is the Eastern Wood-Pewee. I was able to get a couple of closeup shots as it perched in the old apple tree. Then it flew to perch at the very top of an exceedingly tall post about 80 feet away, so I didn’t get great shots. But, I was able to catch it in the act of “fly catching.” When it spotted a good snack, it would fly down, nab it, then return to the top of the post to eat it in relative peace.

Another ‘yet to migrate’ bird was this lovely, female Indigo Bunting.

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I’ve spent a few hours updating the Birds In Our Backyard page with the new species I’ve filmed and swapping older photos with newer ones for many species. CHECK IT OUT.