Today I saw (birds) 2016 - Wildlife Gardeners

linrose · 02-04-2016, 12:36 PM

I'm starting a new thread as the old one from 2014 has 250 posts.

So today I saw a whole shrub full of what must have been two dozen cardinals, they have been coming to the feeders especially after the big snowfall.

Now I have a question for all you bird watchers and lovers. I have been seeing a large white bird that lands on the barn roof of a neighbor across the woods from us who has horses. It is too far away to even see it well with binoculars or the zoom lens on the camera. I saw it first in December all by itself then today I saw a group of maybe 5 or 6 flying together in tight formation. I saw one over the river on the way to town and noticed it had black markings on the wing tips. Does anyone know what this mystery bird could be?

Gloria · 02-04-2016, 02:22 PM

Could be a snow goose.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snow_Goose/id

They have been on the move.

http://fowledreality.com/snow-goose-...nuary-30-2016/

Quote:

Temperatures have ranged from 50 to 70 degrees all the way from Louisiana and Texas to as far north as Nebraska and Iowa. This is the typical January thaw that seems to happen more times than not. The past couple years, this January thaw has been followed by a very winter like February which could be the case again this year. Eager groups of snow geese have pushed as far north as northern Kansas, Squaw Creek, and north central Illinois. Further south, there are still large numbers of snow geese that remain in their wintering grounds of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. While the northern reaches of the snow goose migration are further north than normal, there are many geese still located in typical locations.

linrose · 02-04-2016, 03:16 PM

Yes, this could be! I haven't seen large groups as reported in your links but we do have agricultural fields and bodies of water nearby so it makes sense. The neighbors might feed their horses outside which could attract them also. I have yet to witness the sandhill crane migration when they come through Barren River Lake but keep hoping to see them.

havalotta · 02-06-2016, 01:36 PM

larger than a pigeon?

linrose · 02-11-2016, 12:39 PM

Oh yes, way larger and more graceful.

katjh · 03-08-2016, 10:20 PM

It was in the mid-60's here today! I played outside for much of the day doing some general spring clean-up. Heard a small flock of sandhill cranes fly over. I normally don't hear them until mid-March so they are about a week early this year. I also saw two horned larks last week. They were foraging in the one small grassy area in a field, surrounded by 10" of snow in every direction. I hope they were able to find enough to eat for a few days because the snow is melting FAST with these warm temps.

gymell · 03-09-2016, 01:36 PM

We've had some early migrants here in MN. This week I've seen red-winged blackbirds, horned larks, bluebirds, and a meadowlark. Yesterday it broke 70 degrees for a record high! Back down in the 40s today though

Kildale · 03-11-2016, 02:53 PM

For this month I have had 17 species on the deck each day. I take photos everyday if it's not raining too hard. Opened the window and took these three inside a couple of minutes. Audubon's warbler, Bewick's wren and a Junco. Had the male and female pileated woodpeckers earlier today and also the male and female N Flicker

EllenW · 03-11-2016, 04:02 PM

It sounds like you have a great site for birds Kildale

Kildale · 03-13-2016, 12:13 AM

Did not manage to post these earlier, but it is still Saturday here. The pileated woodpecker, a female bushtit and a female golden-eye.

02-04-2016, 12:36 PM	#1
linrose WG Fundraising Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky	Today I saw (birds) 2016 I'm starting a new thread as the old one from 2014 has 250 posts. So today I saw a whole shrub full of what must have been two dozen cardinals, they have been coming to the feeders especially after the big snowfall. Now I have a question for all you bird watchers and lovers. I have been seeing a large white bird that lands on the barn roof of a neighbor across the woods from us who has horses. It is too far away to even see it well with binoculars or the zoom lens on the camera. I saw it first in December all by itself then today I saw a group of maybe 5 or 6 flying together in tight formation. I saw one over the river on the way to town and noticed it had black markings on the wing tips. Does anyone know what this mystery bird could be? __________________ “To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” ― Terry Tempest Williams

02-04-2016, 03:16 PM	#3
linrose WG Fundraising Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky	Yes, this could be! I haven't seen large groups as reported in your links but we do have agricultural fields and bodies of water nearby so it makes sense. The neighbors might feed their horses outside which could attract them also. I have yet to witness the sandhill crane migration when they come through Barren River Lake but keep hoping to see them. __________________ “To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” ― Terry Tempest Williams

02-06-2016, 01:36 PM	#4
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	larger than a pigeon? __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

02-11-2016, 12:39 PM	#5
linrose WG Fundraising Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky	Oh yes, way larger and more graceful. __________________ “To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” ― Terry Tempest Williams

03-08-2016, 10:20 PM	#6
katjh Hippie Gardener Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Michigan	It was in the mid-60's here today! I played outside for much of the day doing some general spring clean-up. Heard a small flock of sandhill cranes fly over. I normally don't hear them until mid-March so they are about a week early this year. I also saw two horned larks last week. They were foraging in the one small grassy area in a field, surrounded by 10" of snow in every direction. I hope they were able to find enough to eat for a few days because the snow is melting FAST with these warm temps. __________________ One with the earth, with the sky, one with everything in life. I believe it will start with conviction of the heart. ~Kenny Loggins~

03-09-2016, 01:36 PM	#7
gymell Grub Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN	We've had some early migrants here in MN. This week I've seen red-winged blackbirds, horned larks, bluebirds, and a meadowlark. Yesterday it broke 70 degrees for a record high! Back down in the 40s today though

03-11-2016, 02:53 PM	#8
Kildale Heron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: British Columbia. Canada	A few birds on the deck. For this month I have had 17 species on the deck each day. I take photos everyday if it's not raining too hard. Opened the window and took these three inside a couple of minutes. Audubon's warbler, Bewick's wren and a Junco. Had the male and female pileated woodpeckers earlier today and also the male and female N Flicker Attached Thumbnails __________________ Have a browse of my nature site The Nature Inn

03-11-2016, 04:02 PM	#9
EllenW Alternate POM Judge Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Maryland	It sounds like you have a great site for birds Kildale __________________ In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle

03-13-2016, 12:13 AM	#10
Kildale Heron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: British Columbia. Canada	still Sat. here. Did not manage to post these earlier, but it is still Saturday here. The pileated woodpecker, a female bushtit and a female golden-eye. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Have a browse of my nature site The Nature Inn

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