2017/01/01

New year birding

Compare to yesterday, today's weather is perfect for doing outdoor activities.  I trekked around the Arboretum and Fletcher Wildlife Garden (FWG) recording my first birds of 2017.

By the way, I started a Facebook page called PSYL Photography that will feature some of my photographs.  If you visit Facebook more often than my blog, then perhaps that is a good place to subscribe to.  Thanks.

Now, onto today's sightings.  There were many common birds around the Fletcher Wildlife Garden feeders, such as the chickadees, juncos, and more.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
I saw some White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) wedging seeds into tree barks.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
An American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) eating snow(?).

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
I saw both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers (Picoides villosus) at FWG.  You can probably guess which species the above bird is.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
A female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
A beautiful female.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Such a handsome male.  Did you know that seven American states recognize the Northern Cardinal as their state bird - Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
As I was walking around the Arboretum hoping to see more unique bird species, I heard a very loud pecking sound - it was a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)!

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
You can see another rectangular-shaped cavity below the bird.

American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Near the woodpecker was an American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) munching on food.

Such a great way to start the year!

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...