Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Adventures & Observations

My birding blog site


  Birdsong Continued

Published: October 20, 2012
Tags: Parks and Preserves, Birdsong, Orchard Park, NY, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird

Since Thursday late afternoon's trip to Birdsong was cut short by rain, I went back there again this morning.  The weather wasn't ideal, but I was anxious to see more of those Yellow-rumped Warblers and kinglets! The beavers who live in the back pond intrigue me too, as I still haven't seen them.

The Yellow-rumped Warblers were still present in significant numbers as were Cedar Waxwings and the Ruby-crowned Kinglets.  Red-winged Blackbirds were there again. I thought they might have left as I didn't see a single one yesterday at all.  UPDATE: it turns out these guys are year-round residents!

I was happily surprised to see both an Eastern Phoebe and just minutes later, a beautiful male Eastern Bluebird. I checked the fall migration chart, thinking the phoebes would be gone by now, but it appears they remain into the first week of January, returning only a few weeks later at the beginning of March. Some Bluebirds remain in WNY, overwintering, but if they do leave, it's from Oct. 21 - 31...

The phoebe was so busy preening itself, I don't think it ever noticed me busily taking photos of it. The warblers were great posers today too.  I was hoping to see the Brown Creeper again, but no luck there...

Other sightings today were: Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, Killdeer.  I MAY have seen the "tail" end of a beaver quietly slipping into an underwater entrance to the dam, but I can't say for sure...

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Red-bellied Woodpecker

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Yellow-rumped Warbler showing off its yellow rump!

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Eastern Phoebe

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Eastern Phoebe

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Lots of preening!

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More preening

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Swamp Sparrow

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Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow (thanks, Carl!)

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Song Sparrow

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Song Sparrow

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Song Sparrow

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Song Sparrow

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Eastern Bluebird

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Dragonfly, a Scarlet Skimmer, perhaps?

Reply from: Joel Malley on 10/21/2012 9:39 AM
 Loved reading about your blog in Gerry Rising's column this morning. Thanks for telling your story. It has become part of my regular reading diet the past few months. Good birding!
Reply from: Jenn on 10/21/2012 9:51 AM
 Great reading your blog today and your article in this morning's paper! I can't believe how many great shots of so many different species you got on your last trip to Birdsong. Wonderful reading and very enjoyable pictures!!
Reply from: Susan on 10/21/2012 2:11 PM
 I just found your blog by reading the Sunday paper. We have a big bird feeder in our backyard and love watching the birds and try to get pictures any time we can. I will probably be a regular visiter now. Thank you.
Reply from: Carl Carbone on 10/22/2012 8:11 PM
 Hey Sue, Great shots! Your "Chipping Sparrows" are actually juvenile White-crowned Sparrows. -Carl
Reply from: Sue on 10/23/2012 12:07 AM
 Thanks for the kind words, everyone. And thank you, Carl, for the correction on the ID of the juvenile White-crowns. Looking at the photo now, it totally makes sense!


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