Occasional Birdy Thread Q4 '18(In memory of Swampsniper)

October 2, 2018 | Self

[TheConservativeParty]

Hi fellow bird lovers!

I am hearing owls in the woods tonight. We have a room with many windows and as I was watching TV I heard a couple owls talking to each
other. I live in southern Wisconsin. Not familiar with all the owls we have. Was cool to hear them. The woods is very close to the house.

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Saw a Great Horned owl last week here in Western Washington foothills.
I have heard them for several years. This was the first I saw of it, It was watching rabbits, saw it swoop down but rabbit flashed away very quickly. We have a pair Pileted Woodpeckers and for a few months this summer there was a pair of Western Tanagers, male and female. They love suet.
I put out a lot of seed for my bird friends. (And Tree Rats).
Spotted Towhees ask me for seed, we have lots of Chickadees and Dark eyed Juncos, Blue Jays, (They love shelled peanuts) Humming birds, (surprised still around today)Sap Suckers and Downy Woodpeckers too.
I have probably left someone out. I should take up photography I guess.

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One of those woodpeckers was jackhammering our downspouts a few months back. Noisy bastard. I wish I could post the video I took.

[TheConservativeParty]

Good evening! I put out suet feeders for the woodpeckers and have seen downy and hairy woodpeckers so far. We just moved here in August. Never lived this close to woods before.

I have nuthatches, which I find to be charming and interesting to watch.

Had lots of hummingbirds during summer.

The chickadees and juncos are enjoying the feeders.

I could not believe the owls were so close I could hear them over the TV!

Then I muted the TV to listen to them.

I saw a Bald Eagle fly over the field about a month ago.

We have wild turkeys, although they are hiding better than they did when we first moved here. One morning about 12 of them flew down from their overnight perches and came into the yard. Turkeys are common here but not so close to a house.

I too should get a camera for taking good bird pictures. Something with a zoom on it.

Cheers

[TheConservativeParty]

PS- I would love to see a Great Horned Owl! Lucky you!

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Nuthatches, that’s what I left out, I love their sound. There was a young chick out there a couple weeks ago learning about my feeders. I spoil them with the bulk peanut butter nuts I give them.
I get a little carried away feeding the birds sometimes.
The Western Tanagers are the most stunning when they show up in the summer. The males are very bright yellow with bright orange heads. The females are more yellowish green plainer but still stand out.

[TheConservativeParty]

Not sure I’ve seen tanagers but a few times I’ve seen an oriole and the orange color is spectacular.

I saw an indigo bunting this year at my old house. I was very happy about it, hardly ever see one of those.

Many years ago I added a birdbath to the old yard and got many bluebirds who loved to have parties in the water.

The colorful birds are wonderful to see. Also appreciate the not so colorful. Like the chickadees, so cute and cheerful looking.

I spoil my birds too. It’s fun .

: )