Be a Citizen Scientist
Just when I thought I knew everything about my backyard birds, I find being a citizen scientist keeps me learning more all the time.
Birding
A Great Time to Start Backyard Bird Watching
I got a call asking how to get birds to a feeder and asking what birds would they see. Oh boy! Now I have two family friends asking me how to start up a little bird watching in their backyard.
Do Hawks Come to Backyard Feeders?
Do hawks come to our backyard feeders? Well, yes, but not for the seed or berries. The most common hawks watching your feeder would be the Coopers Hawk or the Sharp-shinned Hawk. These two hawks are very similar woodland hawks and can come crashing through thick branches and bramble at lightning speed and then disappear with an unsuspecting backyard bird clutched firmly in his talons.
Have You Ever Seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird?
Have you ever seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird? Well, I hadn’t either. Even as an experienced birder, I had to be shown these cool birds and where to find them. I couldn’t believe it, and they were right under my nose all the time!
Profile of the Week: The Beautiful Cedar Waxwing
….. is true Art from the Heavens, the Cedar Waxwing. These special birds don’t have a lot of splashy color, but their unique markings make the Waxwing one of the most favored birds to watch and photograph.
It’s All about Identification
Somebody has always seen more and knows more about the day’s sightings than somebody else! I was the least experienced at the time, so I was the most doubted! These back and forth debates happen at all levels.
Thar be Snowy Owls!
The snowy owl is certainly among the most majestic birds of North America, and rightfully so! With a length up to 28 inches, and a wingspan of 54-66 inches, the snowy owl is one of the largest owls in the world. These Arctic birds are unmistakable in their beautiful white plumage.
It’s Springtime, the Swallow-tails are Coming!
I have many favorite birds, but I’ve got to top my list with the Swallow-tailed Kite. If you’re visiting Florida, watch for these flashy birds flying over the road at treetop level. Impressive!
Identifying Bird Calls
I’ve been watching and identifying birds since I was a kid. Hawks and owls were favorites, and eagles were best if I would ever see one. I could identify some woodland birds if they were colorful. My real birding didn’t begin until …
What? I Don’t Hear it …
Well, I guess it happens to the best of us. Hearing loss! Whether it’s age, too many heavy metal rock concerts, or for whatever other reasons, at least one in four of us will experience some form of hearing loss.