08.30.09
Posted in Bird Watching at 4:19 am by Administrator
Today my Mom and I were privileged to see a flock of Canadian geese flying North in formation. They were squawking with every flap of their wings it seemed. They were loud announcing their travels and they were beautiful.
About two hours later we were passing a pasture that had cows grazing and among them were more Canadian geese. These had decided to take a break from flying as a thunderstorm was approaching. There was probably twenty five or so of them. They were not squawking, but just their presence announced the coming of fall. What a beautiful sight.
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08.29.09
Posted in Bird Watching, Green Living at 5:38 am by Administrator
This has been a good summer, a green one literally. For the last several years our area has been in a serious drought. For those of us that traditionally raise, can, and freeze vegetables, it has been a really long row to hoe. Our brown lawns of the drought years turned again to green this year and the garden harvest has been great.
Aside from all the green color in lawns, vegetable and flower gardens, the birds also flourished this year. The drought was hard on them as well. During the last months of the long drought, the number of Northern Cardinal sightings dropped drastically. Other birds that were normally plentiful were also lacking in numbers. Obviously, they had to go where they could easily get water. Once the rains started during the winter, the birds returned. As spring of 2009 came into full bloom, the birds also multiplied with nests in our peach trees near the vegetable garden and shrubs in and around the front and back yard. Several also made their nests in the nearby pine trees. Our bird houses were filled several times over with different bird families. It was a great feeling to have the birds back and witness their growing families. Our grandchildren advanced in their bird watching skills with birds all around the place. The birds just made the good green earth seem whole again.
One thing about this spring and summer that I noticed, was that the birds nesting and feeding all around our vegetable garden provided natural pest control for the many bugs, worms, spiders and other critters that tried to invade the young growing vegetables. The Mockingbirds, Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Flycatchers and others had daily feasts from our garden. I came to realize just how helpful birds are to mankind. Pest control is normally a big job, but not so this year. I’m not sure why because with the rain, the little insect creatures also flourished. I just know it seemed like more birds returned than had left during the drought and even though the insects were plentiful, the birds were able to manage them. It dawned on me that watching and feeding wild birds is more than just a hobby and pleasant pastime. They provide man with much more than a beautiful sight and song. They are an important part of the eco system. Bird watching and research becomes really important when we realize how valuable their presence is to man and to the earth. Keeping watch so that species do not become extinct and keeping the earth a safe and friendly place for birds to flourish becomes our obligation, not just a hobby. The summer of 2009 provided deeper insight and bird watching became a more serious activity indeed for me and the grandchildren.
This has been a good summer, a great green one.
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08.07.09
Posted in Bird watching for children, Birding for Children, New Childrens Book Friends in the Meadow - Birds at 5:46 am by Administrator
I have just updated the website with a Kidz Page with the first puzzles/games for the different age groups. The middle age group matches the book’s character names with the type of bird the character portrays. Knowing that many children will not yet have the book, I listed the main book characters in this post, so that the children can become acquainted and can also complete the matching game on the fun page. The book characters and more information are listed on the Shelfari site (http://www.Shelfari.com/o1514549898). Just click on the Friends in the Meadow-Birds book cover on the shelf and it will take you to the information page. Meet the characters below:
Cast of Characters
* Lovie Dove, the Mourning Dove: Lovie Dove is the main character who lives in the Meadow near the Wilson’s farm all year. She lives in her flock of doves. She eats at the feeders with the other birds and has friendship and fellowship. She weaves the other bird characters into the story as she encounters each one.
* Reddy Cresty, the Northern Cardinal: Reddy Cresty likes to pretend he is guarding the family’s territory but really he is just learning how to be on guard. He enjoys fellowship with Lovie and the other birds at the feeders.
* Bobby Bluebird, the Eastern Bluebird: Bobby Bluebird and his family are admired by all the other birds because Bobby’s family has bird houses made just for them. Lovie is even a little jealous. Bobby and his family live in one of the houses all year long.
* J.J., the Blue Jay: J.J. and his family are well known for sending the alarm when they think danger is near. Their warning signal can be heard over the whole Meadow. He is one of Lovie’s loudest friends, but for a good reason.
* Melodie, (aka. Mel), the Northern Mockingbird: Melodie and her family have beautiful songs of all kinds that they sing each day. That is until someone or something approaches the nest. Then the parents will become agitated and even attack if necessary to save the babies.
* Tuffy, the Tufted Titmouse and Fee Bee, a Chickadee: Tuffy and Fee Bee have much in common. They are especially quick to get a seed at the feeder and they eat their meals in much the same way, but different than the other birds.
* Woodpeckers: There are six different woodpeckers that live near the Meadow, but Lovie only sees three of them regularly.
* Sparrows: Lovie has many different sparrow friends, some that are in the Meadow year round and some that migrate. Chippy the Chipping Sparrow is one that she is especially close to. Sing Sang, the Song Sparrow is another one she enjoys being around. He has a beautiful song to sing.
* Johnny, the Dark Eyed Junco: Johnny only visits in the colder months because he migrates. But Lovie enjoys his company. He is an especially nice bird, he is not territorial and gets along well with the other birds.
* Hummer, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Hummer and Lovie are friends from a distance because Hummer does not feed at the seed feeders where Lovie meets her friends. Instead, he drinks nectar from the nectar feeders or from blooming flowers. It seems to Lovie that they are always in flight. This is in part because they are very territorial and when not feeding they are busy chasing other hummingbirds away from “their” feeder.
* Goldie, the Goldfinch, and her cousins Purple Finch and House Finch: Lovie thinks the finch family has some of the most beautiful colors, especially in the spring and summer. They eat at the seed feeders but they also like a special type of seed that most other birds don’t like and they eat by hanging onto a special feeder.
* Blue Grosbeak and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Mrs. Wilson and Lovie look forward to these infrequent visitors. They drop in for a quick meal and drink of water before moving onward to their migration destination. It is a real eat and run (or fly) type visit. But a colorful one.
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