now wondering if folks hosting birds like this are continually entering them in eBird, because that would enhance our bar charts, make them “robust” and i suppose a weekly entry would be toppermost…..ja?

when we hosted Colorado’s first record Lawrence’s Goldfinch (May-July 2007), eBird reviewers asked me for more entries, and i loved obliging them, including first and last observed dates

who/where/what obsession for data and graphs? tisk

curious george

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2019 9:04:00 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Thanks, Larry

Hey there, thanks Larry!

The chart is interesting. This bird arrived Oct 10/21/18. So, today is month #6! Had fresh, bright primaries by Dec. And, if graph continues to hold, should be migrating out any day now. Shows late April into May for spring migration. The Blue Jay must be foraging in a much wider range now & is less dependant on my seeds. In fact, now surprised when it does visit.

It sure has given us, & sev others who came to see the jay, a lot of visual entertainment. Esp served as a nice, bright splash of color during a long & snowy winter.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

you’re welcome, my friend.

I think your bird might be experiencing a seasonal touch of zugunruhe… me? i have a terminal case of it 😉

[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugunruhe | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugunruhe ]

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2019 9:04:00 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Thanks, Larry

Hey there, thanks Larry!

The chart is interesting. This bird arrived Oct 10/21/18. So, today is month #6! Had fresh, bright primaries by Dec. And, if graph continues to hold, should be migrating out any day now. Shows late April into May for spring migration. The Blue Jay must be foraging in a much wider range now & is less dependant on my seeds. In fact, now surprised when it does visit.

It sure has given us, & sev others who came to see the jay, a lot of visual entertainment. Esp served as a nice, bright splash of color during a long & snowy winter.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

I’ve seen flyovers by Trumpeters, Tundra Swans, White Pelicans, DC Cormorants & Sandhill Cranes this spring but my FOY spring arrival, to-the-yard bird, was just minutes ago. By a bright, male Red-naped Sapsucker, pounding away & traveling from cottonwood to aspen to willow. Its red throat & nape were striking, esp against the stark white bark of the aspen.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Hey there, thanks Larry!

The chart is interesting. This bird arrived Oct 10/21/18. So, today is month #6! Had fresh, bright primaries by Dec. And, if graph continues to hold, should be migrating out any day now. Shows late April into May for spring migration. The Blue Jay must be foraging in a much wider range now & is less dependant on my seeds. In fact, now surprised when it does visit.

It sure has given us, & sev others who came to see the jay, a lot of visual entertainment. Esp served as a nice, bright splash of color during a long & snowy winter.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

thx Brian!!

your bird should be departing soon IF it is “hard-wired somewhat normally” (hedge-hedge) (see attchd)
fascinating observations you’ve been sharing with us!

pls forgive if i’ve already posted this from the BNA species account

Larry

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2019 8:01:06 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Blue Jay Still Here

Yesterday, I heard a forceful sounding “kiw, kiw, keeeep” sound from a nearby cottonwood. Couldn’t quite place the call & thought, hawk-like sound, but not a high-pitched buteo scream. The numerous Am Goldfinches at the feeder…scattered. I was putting my tomato, hot & sweet pepper & wife’s ornamental flower starts in the green house & didn’t have my binocs (must remember: never, never leave the glasses behind!).

Stepped out of the greenhouse in time to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk sail by at eye level & land in a front yard blue spruce. It disappeared in the spruce & repeated the call. Moments later, two Sharp-shinneds flew out of the spruce. Flying in unison from spruce to spruce. Hopeful, but doubtful, they will nest so close to the activity of our home. Fun to watch their interactions, though.

This AM, the Blue Jay just came into the feeder. Its visits are much briefer now, lasting less than a minute & much less frequent. I see or hear the jay only a couple of times a day, mostly in the AM & only rarely in the afternoons. But, still around.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Yesterday, I heard a forceful sounding “kiw, kiw, keeeep” sound from a nearby cottonwood. Couldn’t quite place the call & thought, hawk-like sound, but not a high-pitched buteo scream. The numerous Am Goldfinches at the feeder…scattered. I was putting my tomato, hot & sweet pepper & wife’s ornamental flower starts in the green house & didn’t have my binocs (must remember: never, never leave the glasses behind!).

Stepped out of the greenhouse in time to see a Sharp-shinned Hawk sail by at eye level & land in a front yard blue spruce. It disappeared in the spruce & repeated the call. Moments later, two Sharp-shinneds flew out of the spruce. Flying in unison from spruce to spruce. Hopeful, but doubtful, they will nest so close to the activity of our home. Fun to watch their interactions, though.

This AM, the Blue Jay just came into the feeder. Its visits are much briefer now, lasting less than a minute & much less frequent. I see or hear the jay only a couple of times a day, mostly in the AM & only rarely in the afternoons. But, still around.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot