This was a busy week for the birds. At 19 species, this week had the most diversity and even included a lifer: the Brown-headed Cowbird, my 100th life bird. The cowbirds came in a small mixed flock of icterids that included a few grackles and a Red-winged Blackbird.
The Song Sparrow is also new to both yard and life list. I saw my first ones last Wednesday at the pond down the street. I guess one of them decided to come check out my feeders.
Other than that, it was mostly the usual suspects, though the Orange-crowned Warbler didn’t turn up. Perhaps he has headed north.
Still no hummingbirds. The black chins arrived on the 16th last year and on the 17th in 2007. I suspect the drought and resulting lack of wildflowers has them going elsewhere.
The Official Project FeederWatch Count for Week 19:
- White-winged Dove (12)
- Mourning Dove (2)
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker (1)
- Blue Jay (2)
- Carolina Chickadee (1)
- Black-crested Titmouse (2)
- Carolina Wren (2)
- Bewick’s Wren (1)
- Northern Mockingbird (1)
- Chipping Sparrow (3)
- Song Sparrow (1)
- Northern Cardinal (2)
- Red-winged Blackbird (1)
- Common Grackle (8)
- Brown-headed Cowbird (4)
- House Finch (5)
- Lesser Goldfinch (1)
- American Goldfinch (1)
- House Sparrow (10)
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
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