Chirps and Cheeps

Happy Easter, everyone!

I've fallen a little behind in my blog regarding some recent events. I never reported that the Bee Group Newspaper article, Birds of a Feather, made reference to me and my blog  at the end of February (exciting for me!). I've been visiting the nesting Great Horned Owl now and then, we just had a small flock of Common Redpolls stop at our feeders, and I made a little trip to Dunkirk Harbor again. Also, I thought I'd use this post to feature some snow bird photos that I took at our feeders - some favorites that I never got around to including in a blog post.

The Bee article was nice - although all references to me were "Barth" instead of "Sue"! I don't know why, but I found that funny. They never gave the website address, either, which was a big oversight.  Erika, the girl who interviewed me, asked if there was anything else I'd like to add, to which I gave her a little passionate discourse on how we, as birders, would love others to realize the fragile state of the shrinking habitats these beautiful creatures rely on. Bigger is not always better when it comes to housing. Why are we bulldozing down the wetlands, farmlands, fields, and forests and building more, bigger, "better" - just because we can - and when there are so many abandoned homes and buildings already?  It's something I don't understand and I fear we'll soon be missing many of the species that are already on the endangered list. So recycle, be modest in housing, leave a little "sanctuary" in your yards for some wildlife, and be sure to value the beautiful array of birds and creatures we've been blessed with on this planet. We were, in fact, commissioned to be the custodians of them. None of that ever made it into the article. Oh well, I got my chance here!  Here's a link to the original Bee article:  Birds of a Feather » and I made a copy for myself just in case the original is ever taken down: Birds of a Feather ».

Momma Great Horned appears to be well and a little more active in her nest. I think I may have found her fussing with chicks (owlets) on my most recent visit. She was up on the edge of the nest and doing something in there. When she caught sight of me, she got back down in the nest - photo below.

As for the Common Redpolls, a small flock of about 20 came by on Wednesday, 3/27 - a mixed day of snow, wind, and sun. I captured a few nice photos before I was forced to leave in order to be on time for our tax appointment (ugh!).

Oh, the injured male that's been hanging around seems to be improving. When the small flock came, I expected he'd leave with them, but he didn't; he's still coming every day. We're seeing a female now, too.  I don't know if she was with the small flock and stayed behind - or if she just arrived on her own. Either way, I'm delighted he has company.

My trip to Dunkirk Harbor brought only what was expected (other than a speeding ticket!). I did, however, finally get to see the American Coot's large, green feet!  That was exciting for me and well worth the long drive but NOT worth the ticket!

The rest of the photos are just some favorites I captured on some recent snowy days around or near our feeders. With spring finally on the horizon, I thought I'd better get them posted soon! I hope you enjoy them.