Sunday, April 13, 2014

Nashville Visits

Well, as you have probably realized, we birders get very excited as migration begins.  I find myself peering out windows and doors constantly.  I have a tough time getting into projects around the home.  Laundry is put off for as long as possible.  I might miss a species foreign to my part of the world!  I do realize that I can not sit on my rear on the back porch all day, well not too many days. .. Our yard is buzzing with Hummingbirds, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadee, Brown Thrashers, Black and White Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Mourning Dove, and I am sad to say, Cowbirds.  They are not favored here.  The Brown-Headed Cowbird is considered a brood parasite.  It lays its eggs in the nests of other birds.  They lay from 10-36 eggs per year, one in each nest. We only see them at nesting time each year.  On a lighter note, my post today is about the Nashville Warbler.  On one of my "porch sitting" afternoons, this glorious little guy came to the water to bathe.  I had a few seconds of camera time before one of our territorial Cardinals frightened him from his bath.  What a beauty he was, small and compact with a fine sharp bill.  His white eye ring and chestnut crown patch, yellow throat, gray head and no wing bars made him easily identifiable for me. He never returned to the water and probably moved on.  I felt thankful that our water was available for him and other birds needing a drink or bath on their journey.  Blessings!