Daily Archives: May 17, 2020
Re: Bobolink at Indian Creek
Bobolink at Indian Creek
Observations
Another obs is of dandelions. I do try to keep dandelions under control in the lawn, but never kill out all. Have found that Lazuli Buntings, Pine Siskins & Am Goldfinches like the seeds in fluff. At one point today, had 3 male Lazulis all eating dandelion seeds at the same time. Striking colors!
And, lastly, learned a new sound. While the male Black-chinned Hummingbird was displaying to a female perched on the feeder, kept hearing distinct & rapid bell-like tones as it would buzz past the feeder, in addition to the usual trill of air through its feathers. Finally, found on Cornell University’s bird site the exact description of what I was hearing. The males don’t always make the sound and it’s also caused by air rushing through the feathers during descent & straight flight. The male did this about 10 times, back & forth, over a distance of about 50 yds. His previous display flights to the female were only made up of trills. So, can obviously control the sound, just with its feathers & speed. Plainly…fascinating.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Pine Siskins
Robins are nesting now. Both Chipping Sparrows & WC Sparrows are here. And Pine Siskins are back at feeder this AM. A Black-chinned Hummingbird pr is setting up for nesting. The male was doing large U-shaped display flights for the female for 5+ mins at a time this AM.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot