The end of 17 and the beginning of 18!

Curve-billed Thrasher

Altamira Oriole

Clay colored Thrush

Olive Sparrow

Scaled Quail

Lucifer Hummingbird

Cassin's Finch

What an eventful year I have enjoyed in 2017.  I have several adventures in birding to share with you as we begin the new year.  I have come to realize a year seems to be gone in a blink of your eye. One day your packing up your Christmas decorations and before you take many deep breaths you are out shopping for family and friends and trimming that tree once more.

I added several life birds this year. The Altamira Oriole, Olive Sparrow, Clay colored Thrush, Cassin's Finch, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Lucifer Hummingbird.  The Olive Sparrow, Altamira Oriole and Clay-colored Thrush were seen in the Rio Grande Valley. The Cassin's Finch was seen in the Davis Mountains and Curve-billed Thrasher was enjoyed in several locations in Texas. The Lucifer Hummingbird was an exciting bird for two reasons, the beauty of the bird and the beauty of the Christmas Mountain Oasis where we photographed it. A rugged trip up a narrow road to a lovely green oasis in the dessert. Oh, I forgot to mention the lovely Scaled Quail and Varied Bunting at the Oasis. A quick look was all I saw of the Varied Bunting.  I was very happy to see it and look forward to capturing it in a photo.

The Curve-billed Thrasher has become a yard bird for us. He visits our woodpecker seed cake as well as our platform feeder. The Lesser Goldfinch are here all year. We have had many Pine Siskin this year but not many American Goldfinch. For sure we enjoy our chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rump Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Wren and Bewick's Wren.  We have a multitude of Dove and Several Woodhouse Scrub Jays.  The Carolina Chickadee and the Black-crested Titmouse are a daily delight. We have one Mockingbird that comes to bathe about 4 P.M. each day. Birding Joy to you!

And Then Fall Birds!

Yellow Warbler

Lark Sparrow

Say's Phoebe

Carolina Chickadee

Summer Tanager

Black-crested Titmouse

Carolina Wren

Lesser Goldfinch

Bewick's Wren

Black-chinned Hummingbird

We are in the beginning to mid fall migration in Texas.  The Baltimore Oriole  passed through a week or so ago.  Yesterday and today gave us a show of Yellow Warblers at the water.  I find it a bit more difficult to identify some fall warblers. I am still trying to decide which warbler I saw a few days ago at the water feature.  The young Summer Tanager male also visited today. He is probably moving through also. We have enjoyed them this summer. I have not seen a female in several weeks.  We still have many Hummingbirds in the yard.  They have been fighting at the feeders. I am making about 5 cups of nectar and it is nearly gone in 4 days.  I believe most of the Hummers are Black-chinned females.  We have seen a male Ruby-throat in the last few days.

Baltimore Oriole

Our birds seen consistently are Lesser Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Black-crested Titmouse, White-wing Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, Lark Sparrow, House Finch , Bewick's Wren, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Eastern Phoebe and in the last few days we have enjoyed the Say's Phoebe. I have spent time watching the Say's catch bugs in the air, on the fly and on the ground. This is a very interesting bird and my first time to be able to observe it in the yard. I hope you are enjoying your fall migration in your area! Blessings.

The day of Fledge, Great Crested Flycatchers

Feeding

Speedy Fast!

Many types of insects!

A young bird preparing to fly!

Parent encouragement!

Parental consultation!!

The Calendar date is June 28, 2017.  Our flycatchers arrived to nest in our yard around the 23 day of May.  This was the first day I became aware they were here and I actually saw them both on top of one of our bluebird houses.  Today I witnessed the young leaving the nest.  I had walked down to where we have a photo blind set up to observe birds and photograph them. As I walked closer to the trees near the blind I heard the G.C. Flycatcher parents making sounds to each other. I have heard this communication many times over this past month.  The call was a bit different in that the female was right above my head high in a tree. Her call was consistent and she did it continuously for awhile.  I sat down in the blind still aware that something different was happening.  Yesterday the parents were continually arriving with food for the young in the nest.  Today the parents were close but not coming to the nest box.  They were in trees close by the box.  I do not know when the first bird fledged, I witnessed 2 flying from the box.  The scene I described had most likely been happening for awhile before I arrived. I first saw a head pushing forward from the nest box opening.  I had thought it was an adult coming out of the box at first.. I then saw the parents in tree and realized it was a young Flycatcher trying to fly the nest.  The young rocked back and forth, its head would be seen and then go back inside until finally it flew out very quickly toward nearby Cedar Trees. I have not seen any of the young since they fledged.  I have seen a parent with a bug in its mouth calling from a nearby tree to locate the young.  I believe there were four eggs in the beginning. I assume they all grew to be able to fledge.   This has been such a beautiful experience.  I am so thankful my husband and I were blessed to witness this journey in Bird Life.  Blessings!   Post Script! Yesterday we did see the Flycatchers flying on the back of our property. We feel the parents are feeding and teaching the young ones each day. We are not sure how long they will stay in the area. We are happy their nesting was successful although a bit sad that this adventure comes to an end.

Nesting Great Crested Flycatcher

Check it out!

Lots to sing about!

You lookin at me?

I think this will be nice.

We must get busy!

Working together!

I am always on alert!

Don't see anything!

One more inspection!

Mom returning!

Dad in nearby tree

It won't be much longer!

Oh, the waiting!

Happy Couple!

I am excited to post about our nesting birds.  JG and I have placed our nesting boxes in strategic parts of our 3.4 acres here in Texas. We have not enticed any Eastern Bluebirds as of this date. The Black-crested Titmouse and the Bewick's Wren have nested multiple times in various nesting sites.  We know the Golden-fronted Woodpecker is feeding young, we see it flying across our property to a large oak on our neighbor's property.  I find it interesting that the parents will gather food from one neighbor's suet and carry it across to the other neighbor's property for the nestlings.  How amazing and creative the birds are in feeding their young!
A few weeks ago I noticed the Great Crested Flycatcher checking out our bluebird box.  The pair caught my eye when both were inspecting the nesting box and sitting on it.  My heart was thrilled as I have never enjoyed this bird nesting on home property before.  We watched as the pair built a beautiful nest.  Several days later maybe 4 or so, eggs were in the nest.   We have set up a blind in the area for observing the pair as they wait for their young to develop and begin life in the outside world.
This post I will share photos I have captured thus far.  I hope you enjoy.  Blessings!