The Great Backyard Bird Count February 13-16, 2015

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

Our pileated was back today, at the suet feeder right outside my window! He had another with him. He flew off to the nearby dogwood and I snapped some shots through the window and screen which are blurry but he was so magnificent.

It's a nice shot despite the screen and window.

They are quite skittish--I remember trying to get a good shot while it was relishing the dogwood berries outside our kitchen window. Eventually, I did get a pretty good shot.

I can't wait until more of my dogwoods mature and start feeding wildlife.

[Birding Bunch]

Very nice Pileated, Linrose. My best photo was worse than that. It is unlikely we'd ever have one in our yard being we are out in the open, but we've had some surprises here, so who knows...

[linrose]

Update - the pileated has been spotted near our house out in the back woods foraging on the ground so he might have a nest nearby, here's hoping!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

Update - the pileated has been spotted near our house out in the back woods foraging on the ground so he might have a nest nearby, here's hoping!

How wonderful! I sure hope so.

[havalotta]

That would be niiiiiice.

I recently watched a pair of blackbirds gathering twigs and grass. SPRING has finally arrived! Let the nest building begin.......

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by havalotta

That would be niiiiiice.

I recently watched a pair of blackbirds gathering twigs and grass. SPRING has finally arrived! Let the nest building begin.......

I'm really hoping to dig the large pond (2nd phase of my water feature) and create a wetland area beyond it...with cattails among other wetland plants and shrubs--hoping to entice red-winged blackbirds to nest here.

[havalotta]

Redwings are my favorites. I love their song. eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail Reminds me of my childhood days collecting poly-wogs.

Quit yer hoping and set it in your mint to DO it.
Dig that large pond (2nd phase of your water feature) and if you've the time, start on that there wetland area as well. Go Dap go!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by havalotta

Redwings are my favorites. I love their song. eNature: FieldGuides: Species Detail Reminds me of my childhood days collecting poly-wogs.

Quit yer hoping and set it in your mint to DO it.
Dig that large pond (2nd phase of your water feature) and if you've the time, start on that there wetland area as well. Go Dap go!

Theirs is one of the few bird calls /songs that I know. Yes, worthy favorite.

As for the big pond, I actually broke ground last fall...I started removing sod that was primarily white violets. I moved them to another area that was mostly grass and weeds.I have more to move this sping, then just keep digging down and out from there....use the soil to build up low spots and see how it all turns out.

I am working a second job (an ongoing assignment) which may take up some of the free time I could be using to dig the pond, but it will also provide the extra money to pay for the huge liner I will need.

Gotta keep my eye on the prize; I long to enjoy the beauty it will create...and the many visitors and inhabitants it will have as well.

[havalotta]

You're making headway. Bravo!
I noticed the tulips poking through so I then spent about an hour breaking myself in raking.
While doing so guess what? MY redwings back and he sang for me.... Ahem to the others rot the entire hour. His song brought an immediate smile to my face.

Pretty soon We'll be hearing the toads.The bay's starting to open up. I can see water off in the distance now as well as along the shore. All we'll be needing is a good wind and it'll be moving, crumbling and washing ashore!