A few observations from this weekend. Have seen that Bald Eagles take advantage of soaring with large groups of White Pelicans. Nearly every larger Pelican group I saw the last few days had at least one, & in another case 3, Bald Eagles soaring with the group over the Snake River. Wondering if they use the Pelicans to hide themselves in, to make a sudden dive toward a rising fish? Or, if it’s just that the same thermals attracting Pelicans, also attract the Eagles?
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.
Evening Grosbeaks still coming in to feeder, down to about 10 now. BH Grosbeaks are here in force now, males & females. Counted 11 at feeder at same time. Up to 3 male Lazuli Buntings at a time, too. No females yet. Also, seeing Bullock’s Orioles, House Wrens & Yellow Warblers. A Red-breasted Nuthatch pr may be nesting. Sure are active.
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.
The male American Redstart is still present at Market Lake. Observed multiple times in the west shelterbelt, 50-150 yards from entrance. Mostly foraging on the ground. A fun, playful bird. Good photos.
I gather several folks have tried w/o success this morning and it may well have migrated last night (definitely some new arrivals near our house so others could have departed). However, if you don’t have anything better to do, I think it’s still worth looking today – mainly because we got very lucky to hear a single chip note last night and it still took a while to locate the bird as it was within vegetation and not moving especially quickly. I know, easy for me to say since I was among the lucky ones last night but food for thought 🙂
