Our first nest of bluebirds finally hatched and fledged. It seems like the hen had been on the nest and tending to babies forever, but it was probably just a month in all. We were disappointed that only one baby bluebird survived. We think there were two that fledged, but now it’s one. This “only child” bluebird, however, will likely be the fattest bluebird chick on the planet. I have been loading … [Read more...]
Blue Grosbeaks
I’ve had some surprise visitors in my back yard this spring – a flock of cedar waxwings and then a pair of male Indigo Buntings. Sue Overton in Waynesboro one-upped me with a pair of Blue Grosbeaks that hung around her yard for a couple days. Blue Grosbeak sightings are usually few and far between. I have had Rose Breasted Grosbeaks pay my yard a visit on occasion, but never their blue … [Read more...]
Beautiful Indigo Buntings
“Come quick! There is a new bird at the feeder!” When my wife Nancy spoke those words, I came-a runnin’. For us birders, there is nothing more exciting than to see a visitor in your back yard. Picking sunflower hearts from the feeder were two beautiful Indigo Buntings, the first I can ever remember seeing in our yard. They stayed for a while, then left, and I haven’t seen them since. I … [Read more...]
The Do’s and Don’ts of Hawk Chasing
I had just put a handful of mealworms in the bowl near the bluebird house and stood back to watch the male fly to the feeder and secure a beak full of worms. Suddenly, a hawk swooped over the fence, talons stretched, heading for the bluebird. Fortunately, the hawk missed as the bluebird ducked quickly, but these bluebirds are like my children, only better behaved. Startled and extremely upset, I … [Read more...]
Carolina Wrens
If you want a delightful serenade, go outside one morning right after sunup, and if there is a Carolina Wren anywhere in the area, you’ll get the serenade of a lifetime. These little fellows love to sing. I have two types of wrens in my backyard – the House Wren and the Carolina Wren. I saw my little Carolina Wren at the feeder yesterday afternoon and heard him singing when I went to retrieve … [Read more...]
Red Bellied Woodpeckers
Looks like we’ll have a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers nesting in a cavity of an old white maple in the back of our yard. I saw them swoop that way this morning and there are lots of hollow places in that old tree from which to choose a nesting site. Many people confuse the Red-bellied Woodpecker with the less common Red-headed Woodpeckers. Red-bellied Woodpeckers do have red heads, but not … [Read more...]
Fluker Farms Mealworms
Currently, I am providing mealworms for two bird families. My old friends, the bluebird couple from last year, have reclaimed their bluebird house on the fence. The eggs have been laid and the hen is on the nest. There is also a pair of cardinals that got in on the mealworm action last summer. They know my habits and me personally and when I go out to drop a handful of mealies in the bluebird food … [Read more...]
Ants: All You Can Eat Buffet
Last weekend in Charlotte while playing golf, I noticed an extraordinary number of birds feeding along the concrete cart paths. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the reason. Ants. The little fellows were out in force and the birds were taking advantage. What ants lack in size, as far as a meal is concerned, they make up for by numbers and quality. Ants have more bang for the buck than almost … [Read more...]
Another Year, Another Nest
We have had bluebirds nesting in our backyard every year (except one) for the past 15 years. For years, we never saw a bluebird in or near our yard, then one spring we saw a couple at our birdbath and soon after, they began nesting. There has been a pair of blues hanging around all winter. I assume it’s the same pair that pulled off two broods last summer. Early on, they checked out the … [Read more...]
Backyard Visitors
The goal of every bird watcher is to see a new face at the feeder or in the backyard. We love our regulars - the cardinals, bluebirds, robins, chickadees, the jays and other year round residents - but to see a visitor on occasion is really exciting. It happened to me early this week. Through the kitchen window, I saw dozens of small birds in the birdbath – at least 20. They looked … [Read more...]
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