Things are really buzzing!

I often get requests for photos and so here is one I took a few days ago of a male Black-chinned hummer at a window feeder. We have iron security bars on the windows and there are only a few feeders that will fit on them. We put up little wire perches under the tubes so that the birds can sit and rest while fueling up their tank.

New sightings. We spotted some White-crowned Sparrows in the patio last Saturday. At first, there were just a bunch of birds scratching in the ground, then we noticed their distinctive "hop and scratch" action and their striped heads. We have had both Lesser and American Goldfinches visiting the thistle feeder. There is one American male who is in mid-molt and he looks so pitiful, but he is eating lots of seed to help his new feathers come in quicker. We noticed that more hummers have arrived now. I had to put out a couple more feeders to accommodate them. Today, I thought I saw a male Broadtail hummer at one of the window feeders but he zipped off when he saw me. I didn't see him again to verify. I have been hearing a different wing-sound buzzing around in the trees that would seem to indicate the Broadtail.

Stay tuned...

It's Hummer Time!

We have been on Hummer watch since April 1st when we put out the first feeders. Well, it took until Saturday, April 15th for them to arrive! Just after breakfast I was at my sink and looked out at the window to see a Black-chinned Hummingbird male at the feeder. We were so excited. Then later in the afternoon my husband and I were outside working near the patio (where the second feeder is located) and we saw and heard the second male, as the two of them fought over that feeder. This is unusual for us because generally one male comes first and the next doesn't show up for a few days, so each has time to stake out their territory. But now the two of them are fighting for territory. It is very exciting.

This past week we also had the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird and his mate. I first saw him on Thursday when he was at the seed feeder for almost ten minutes! I figured he must have just arrived and was really hungry. A little while later the female was at the feeder but she didn't stay as long. We woke up to his call this morning. It is so nice to hear. They didn't come here last year for some reason so we are very happy to have them again.

Stay tuned for more. . . .

HAPPY SPRING! Some Recent Observations

While the weather has been uncertain lately, Mother Nature knows it is Spring. Yesterday it was snowing (lightly) all day and today it was in the upper 50s. But the flowers and bushes are still blooming on schedule, the birds are singing their spring songs, and allergy season is full on.

There hasn’t been much bird activity to report around the Rancho. We’ve noticed that the migration of the Sandhill Cranes is about over. The Juncos seem to have left too. Wednesday I saw our Ruby-crowned Kinglet but he will probably be leaving soon. On Tuesday afternoon I heard and then saw that the Eurasian Collared Doves have returned. And on Monday there was a reported sighting of an Osprey! Ooops, that was not a wild bird but the military flying machine. Yes, we are the new home to those birds, stationed at Kirtland AFB.

We have been seeing the Robins and Starlings at the birdbath daily. Also, the Mourning Dove pair has been hanging around the patio beneath the thistle feeder and at the birdbath. The chickens have been on alert, sounding alarms as the hawk activity has picked up lately. That is the fate of the pigeon population that hangs out around the feeders here.

Speaking of the chickens, they have been quite sneaky. They both started their first nests early, and before we located them, they each had laid about a dozen eggs. By then, they were on their second nests and now seem to be about finished with them. Another two dozen. That’s a lot of eggs to toss out. We are watching to see where and when they start their next ones. It would be nice to get the eggs when fresh. Some day we’ll get a coop for them and then we won’t have this problem. Still looking for help/info on keeping laying hens. Oh well.

Happy Spring!

It IS Spring!

It truly must be spring because the Goldfinches are almost full yellow and they are singing their sweet mating calls. The Robins are everywhere. The Sandhills and Canada Geese have all flown north. The early blooming spring plants have been in flower most of this month. Someone must have switched calendars on us. For the last couple weeks we've been awakened by the call of the White-winged Doves and the soft cooing of the Mourning Doves. The Roadrunner has also been seen more frequently. Wonder who will show up next? Maybe hummingbirds will arrive a month earlier than usual. Hmmmmm....

Happy Year of the Dog!

Happy Year of the Dog!

Well, I finally have some bird news to report. First, our Mourning Dove pair showed up last Friday (1/27). They usually are the first to arrive in the spring. As I’ve been saying, the weather has been really mild this winter. And to prove it, the Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese have started to migrate! We’ve been seeing them since Thurs or Fri last week.

This week’s temps are in the upper 50s to low 60s. The birds just can’t stand it here anymore so they’re going north for some cooler weather. They don’t care what that old Groundhog has to say on Thursday. He doesn’t live here anyway.

We have been seeing more of the Goldfinch pair lately too. They are starting to get their colored feathers in. The Robins have been more active. We also suspect that the chickens will start laying again soon, so we are trying to keep an eye on them to spot their nests early.

Gong Hay Fat Choy!

Just checking in.

Well, a "snow storm" hit the state today, but guess what? We didn't get any here at the Rancho, which is typical. It did drop the temps into the 40s and it brought a Goldfinch to the thistle feeder. Not sure if he is the Lesser or the American type because the winter colorings are harder to distinguish. Anyway, I am still sure that things will start blooming within the month because everything is budding.

Hasta luego.

Happy New Year 2006!

Well, it is the New Year 2006 at last. The weather has been so mild that all the trees and bushes think it is Spring. I expect to see the forsythia bushes blooming soon!

Our bird population has not increased. Along with the usual residents, we have lots of Juncos, who seem to prefer eating from the thistle feeder. Today the Bushtits paid a visit. Occasionally we see Mr. Kinglet. We have also had a Robin coming to the bird bath this past couple weeks.

A few days ago, while crossing the Rio Grande, I saw a large flock of Sandhill Cranes on a big sandbar near the bridge, along with the usual Canada Geese and assorted Ducks. I was sooo surprised to see them there. It is the second time I’ve seen them relatively up close. The first time was at the drainage pond area a couple blocks down the road from our house. They truly are spectacular. The local newspaper has featured many beautiful photographs of these winter visitors. Today’s paper had a couple photos and articles telling people where to go to see these birds. They can be found in fields near the river and at the local Rio Grande Nature Center refuge. What a great place we live in.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Hasta luego.