Critters Other Than Birds At Your Feeders

The other day I looked out at our backyard just in time to see a chipmunk loading up his jowls with safflower seed. He was happily sitting in the middle of a glass "donut" feeder that we hung from a post near our fence. He had jumped from the nearby planter box and into the feeder to gorge on the tasty treats and to take some back to his burrow. Sometimes you just have to give in to the other critters that inhabit our yards and let them have a meal from your bird feeders. As long as you have other feeders in your yard that are critter proof, then its OK to let the little furry beasts enjoy the bird food. We had a Cooper's Hawk land on our deck a few days ago, and he no doubt was interested not in our bird feeders but what was feeding from them. A circle of life for certain, but the hawk flew away unsated...this time.

Tales of The Friendly Blue Jay

This story is true, every bit of it, as told by Raymondale neighbor Whitney Redding...

"Friends in Holmes Run Acres tell me that lots of neighbors have enjoyed visiting and chatting with this guy, who showed up there within the past few weeks. Clearly he has been fed and raised by a human. He followed Sanny and me along Surrey Lane last Thursday as we were out walking my dog. We became aware of him because he hopped from trash can to trash can (it was trash day), shadowing us and listening in on our conversation. Finally, Sanny reached out an arm and the blue jay hopped right onto it, made his way up to Sanny's shoulder, gently pecked at her dangly earrings, decided they were really not that tasty, continued walking with us for a minute or two, and then decided to move on. We were so flattered by all that attention!"

The Blue Jay is related to the American Crow, one of the most intelligent of wild birds. It is possible for Jays to learn through repetition and conditioning that humans are not the enemy but are providers.  

 

100 Years Ago Today: The Last of Her Kind

We love to spend time in the great outdoors with binoculars and camera, seeing what can be hidden in plain sight. I'm talking about birds. For many of us urban dwellers, birds are pretty much the only wildlife we ever encounter (with apologies to squirrels, deer, and the occasional fox). We love looking at them, seeing which ones come and go with the seasons, and of course we offer these feathered travelers food and shelter in our backyard. Unless you are Tippi Hedren in a certain Hitchcock film, everyone likes birds.

In the last century, the world has embraced the fact that bird species need our stewardship and attention. The banning of DDT has caused the Bald Eagle population to flourish. No longer do humans do a Christmas Day bird hunt, seeing how many birds they can "bag" or collect, instead birders spend the Christmas/holiday season counting birds.

There was a time when the Passenger Pigeon used to darken the sky with its flocks of millions. And there was a time when humans would kill these dove-like birds by the millions, using them for human consumption and sometimes for pig food. With no laws against decimating a bird population or any animal population, the last passenger pigeon, Martha, died quietly in the Cincinnati Zoo 100 years ago today.

 

A sad loss but also a teachable moment that helped spawn the conservation movement. Thanks for reading this and for believing that all species have worth in our world and should not be taken for granted that they'll always be around.

Eastern Wood-Pewee In Luria Park

This August, in Luria Park flies the Eastern Wood-Pewee. This small insect eater lives in our park in the warm weather months when insects are abundant. The Pewee perches on a branch, seen high on dead branches on the willow oak near the basketball courts, and flies out to catch his buggy dinner. Often he will fly back to the same branch and await the passing of another insect.

Nearly six inches long, this wee bird has olive brown feathers and a slight thick crest. Note the shallow fork in his tail.

The Pewee's song is quite distinctive. His sings his name: "Pee-a-wee!"
When the weather cools and fall migration is underway, the Pewee will head south to the northern countries of South America to spend the winter there. But we will see him return in spring to eat our insects and make more Pewees.

Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk Rescued on Add Drive

Raymondale's newest neighbors, the Wroblewski family of Add Drive, found an injured young Red-shouldered Hawk by the side of their house last week.

The Wroblewski children found the bird and alerted their mom. They could tell this wee raptor was injured but waited about an hour to see if it recovered. When the bird didn't leave its spot by their house, Fairfax County Animal Control was contacted and within 30 minutes an officer arrived. The officer assessed the hawk's condition and then took the injured bird to a nearby raptor rescue center.

Thanks to the Wroblewski family for rescuing this Red-shouldered Hawk. Raptors like these keep down our vermin population. We hope to see this guy soaring above Raymondale soon! And it was a very exciting day for the Wroblewski's second day as Raymondale residents!

Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Luria Park

This Sunday morning about 7:30 a.m., we saw a somewhat rare bird for our area: Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

This stocky creek fisherman was wading very slowly and meticulously where two small creeks meet. He was visible from the boardwalk on the Raymondale side.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron breeds mainly in swampy areas in the deep south but can be found in smaller numbers in our area. Their main diet consists of crustaceans like the crayfish that live in the muddy Holmes Run tributary that runs through Luria Park. They spend winters in northern parts of South America.

Look carefully in the creek. You may see this summer visitor!

Tree Swallows In Luria Park

You may have noticed a few Bluebird nesting boxes around Luria Park. there is a nesting pair of blue birds in one box, but recently we saw a pair of Tree Swallows building a nest in the box closest to where Hartwell Road meets the park.

This female Tree Swallow has actively added nesting materials to this nesting box in recent days.

The male watches from a nearby post....

Tree Swallows are beneficial birds in that they are the most adept of all birds in catchung and eating mosquitoes--up to 1500 an hour!

So even though these boxes are provided to attract Bluebirds, the Tree Swallows are using them too. Please do not disturb. We needs these insect eaters on the wing in our neighborhood!

Luria Park Sightings

We are working on compiling a list of the birds we have seen in Luria Park for a complete year. It is always exciting to us when we see a bird in our small park that we had not observed before. Recently we saw a pair of Wood Ducks in the small stream under the boardwalk where the logs and debris have made a small dam. They were skittish and flew when we approached so I didn't get a good photo for you, but here is one from an outing at Great Falls National Park earlier this spring.

The Wood Duck is incredibly colorful and unmistakable in its plumage! You can see the male in front and the female behind him. They nest in abandoned woodpecker holes, anyplace in a tree they can squeeze in!

Another bird we saw recently for the first time in Luria Park is the Great Crested Flycatcher.

This Cardinal-sized bird likes to perch in a conspicuous place and wait for insects to come by. Then he'll dart from his perch and get his meal. You can find them high in the trees, usually on a dead branch/snag. Look for the puffy crest on top of the head.

Blue Grosbeak and Cedar Waxwings in Luria Park

On the evening of May 9th around 7 p.m., we saw two different species of birds enjoying the seeds in the straw laid down by the new bridge.

In the young white barked sycamore tree a small flock of Cedar Waxwings roosted briefly after eating some of the seeds, before flying off in a tight flock circling the park before heading over the trees. I didn't get a photo of them in Luria Park, but please enjoy this photo taken earlier this spring in the Northern Neck.

The Cedar Waxwings travels in small flocks and like trees with berries, like the Holly, or places where seeds are plentiful. Ravenous, these birds can strip a tree of its small fruit quickly. Such a distinctive bird. Smooth with a black mask and yellow tipped tail.

So keep an eye out for a flock of these Cardinal-sized birds in Luria Park!

We also saw a Blue Grosbeak. This is a summer resident to our neighborhood. He was enjoying the seeds in the straw  by the new bridge.

This is a young male. They are not a common bird to spot so we were excited to see him. His beak is quite large in proportion to its head, hence the name grosbeak.

They like the shrubby undergrowth along streams. Hopefully he has a mate and will live in our park!

(Bird Walk Postponed) Come Join Us and See New Spring Migrants!

Due to predicted rainy weather for Saturday, May 10, the bird walk is postponed. Please stay tuned for announcement of a new date!

Last Thursday (1 May) we spent a portion of the morning birding in Luria and Fairview Park and were rewarded with seeing three recent spring migrants to our area!

We heard the squeaky wheel song of the Black and White Warbler and found him on a low branch near the paved trail of Fairview Park.

He climbed on the lower tree branches looking underneath them for insects.

Later we heard high up in the tree canopy the distinctive call of the Red-Eyed Vireo which sounds like: "Here I am...where are you?"

I managed to get these photos very high up, so I apologize for the quality.

You may be able to see in the bottom photo the dark streak that runs through its eyes.

In the sale area and way high up in the canopy we saw an American Redstart. Again, sorry for the quality of the photo.

The American Redstart flaps and spreads its wings to startle insects so it can eat them.

We were also in Luria Park on Monday afternoon, and despite the thick cloud cover we saw a Ruby Throated Hummingbird and Bluebirds. Spring migration is at its peak and we would love for you to join us, Dan and Beth Fedorko,  on a birding walk in Luria and Fairview Park beginning at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Just meet us in our driveway with your binoculars! Who knows what spring migrants we will see!

Cheers and Happy Birding!~~Dan and Beth Fedorko

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Spring is officially here when the Ruby Throated Hummingbird flies to the sugar water feeder in our yard. Today, in the rain, I saw this little fellow enjoying a sugar water sip at the feeder hanging from our deck.

The RTHB is eastern North America's only breeding hummingbird. These wee nectar sippers winter in Central America and Mexico flying over the Gulf of Mexico to come to our neighborhood. Imagine! This RTHB is a female, hence no ruby throat.

If you would like to attract them to your yard, get a feeder with a ant moat (a place to put water in the center) and make your own nectar by dissolving 1 part sugar in 4 parts water. Store in fridge.  Change the nectar every 3-5 days to prevent molding.

(photograph taken in Raymondale.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Great Blue Heron

A Great Blue Heron was spotted recently in the creek that runs between Providence Rec Center and the the Fairview Park complex.

We saw this huge crane-like bird flying over the parkland and we delighted to find him wading in the creek looking for crayfish, minnows, and tadpoles.

The Great Blue Heron stands 33-56 inches tall with a wingspan of up to 80 inches.  They hunt day and night. Despite their large size they only weigh 5-6 pounds due to their hollow bones.

This weekend we visited Great Falls National Park, a wonderful place to see all kinds of birds, from song birds, to raptors, to waterfowl. Across the Potomac River, up from the falls, on the island is a Great Blue Heron rookery.

Can you see the dozens of nests up in the trees?

You can also see the shadowy figures of the herons on the nests. The Great Blue Heron that we saw near Fairview Park could possibly be from this colony, but not likely. Their range is 2-4 miles from their breeding grounds.

So keep your eyes open and on the sky or in the creek. You may see one of these large magnificent birds!

(all photographs taken in Fairview Park and Great Falls National Park.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

The White Eyed Vireo Welcomes Spring

This evening we saw another new spring arrival on the fringes of Luria Park: the White Eyed Vireo!

This little songster winters primarily in Florida. We found this dashing yellow and grey fellow flitting in the thicket that borders the grassy area of Luria Park at the end of Fallowfield. He has distinctive yellow "goggles", a pair of white wing bars, and white in his eyes.

It is difficult to get a good photo of the White Eyed Vireo as he was very active catching insects in the underbrush. This bird is commonly associated with the edges of forests/open woodland. It is a solitary bird, especially during migration, and goes through a brief courtship. When he forages for food he tends to stay in one area for a long time, so you could have the chance to get a good glimpse. Just look around the edge of the woods where the underbrush meets the grassy/open areas for a small bird flitting from branch to branch. It may very well the White Eyed Vireo!

(all photographs taken where Fallowfield Dr. meets Luria Park.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Hermit Thrush: Early Spring Arrival

This afternoon, around 3 p.m., I walked toward the boardwalk in Luria Park. The sun illuminated the dirt track to the boardwalk as well as one of our first spring migrants: the Hermit Thrush.

The Hermit Thrush is a common woodland bird to our area in spring and summer. He is one of the first to arrive in spring and one of the first to depart for warmer climes in the fall. I found this dappled fellow eating a worm in a puddle. He quickly flew to a brush pile north of the path clearly waiting for me to depart so he could eat more "puddle worms" in peace.

This ruddy bird with a speckled breast is a little smaller than the American Robin. He is quite happy foraging in open areas of his forest habitat, particularly open paths.

A good way to identify the hermit Thrush from similar and less common species, is to look for his long ruddy-reddish tail and contrasting dark primary wing feathers.

He will hold his wings in a downward and sometimes flick wings and tail in a deliberate fashion.

So, if you are walking on the dirt path before you get to the boardwalk, walk carefully and look carefully. You may very well see our neighborhood Hermit Thrush!

(all photographs taken in Luria Park.)
   
Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

One of our spring/summer birds is the Ruby Crowned Kinglet. This little insect eater spends winter farther south than our area. Since the beginning of April we have spotted the Ruby Crowned Kinglet in Luria Park.

This little bird measures 3-1/2 to 4 inches long. They seem nervous as they flit though tree branches and undergrowth. You can find them on the edge of a thicket in the sun flitting around catching insects. We saw this little guy in the evening as the last of the sun's rays were on the edges of the park. You can see the small ruby streak on top of his head which is more apparent and raised when he is angry or on high alert.

When you are in the park look for a small hyper bird with some yellow feather shafts and a small streak of red on top of his head. You will have found the Ruby Crowned Kinglet!

(all photographs taken in Luria Park.)

 Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Luria Park Birding: 13 April 2014

This morning we headed down the boardwalk and across the improvised "bridge" to the other side of Luria Park. We were rewarded with the sight of a returning spring warbler: the Prairie Warbler!

This small bird was hopping all through the brush along the "point" of land across the creek near the bridge. Sorry for the less focused photo but he was very active, perhaps too active for my shutter speed. Warblers are the most mis-named of all bird species. The Prairie Warbler is found in scrubby forests in the eastern and south-eastern US not on the prairie. He winters in Florida. He loves to wag his tail and move, move, move!

We also saw a Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher in one of the trees on the Raymondale side of the boardwalk but again this bird is quite active and hard to photograph. I did, however, get a photo yesterday of the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher on its nest at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria.

This tiny bird builds nests using lichen and spiderwebs. If you see a small bird flitting through the trees it may well be the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. Just look for gray on top and white tummy with a white ring around its eye. The tip of his tail is straight across too.

Another tiny songster we saw in Luria Park is the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.

This wee bird had a notched tail, yellow edging on its wing and tail primary feathers, a white eye ring and an almost invisible tiny streak of red on top of its head. You may see it with binoculars or when the bird is agitated as it will raise its tiny ruby crown.

In Luria Park, along the stream, way in the back about 40 yards form the boardwalk we spotted a Green Heron. Many residents have seen this bird which fishes using "lures" like bits of insects, worms, and bread.

This stocky fellow will wander far away from its breeding range after nesting season is over, some have been found as far away as Europe!

You can see him fishing, waiting and watching for minnows, tadpoles, or crayfish.

We spent about an hour carefully walking Luria Park. We found a couple of active nest builders.

A House Sparrow with another bird's feather to add to his nest.

And a Carolina Chickadee with moss to add to his cozy home.

In Luria Park we counted a good number of different birds. Here is the list:

Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Dark Eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
Blue Jay
Prairie Warbler
Green Heron
Mourning Dove
Tufted Titmouse
American Robin
Brown Headed Cowbird
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
White Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Chickadee
Red Wing Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Sparrow
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Red Shouldered Hawk (flying over park)
American Crow
White Throated Sparrow
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Downy Woodpecker

As we get deeper into spring more warblers and other spring/summer birds should be migrating through. Some will stay and some are temporarily heading to more northern breeding territories. Now is the time to look for them--mid-April to mid-May.

Happy Spring! Happy Birding!

(all photographs taken in Luria Park on 13 April 2014, except where noted.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Which Sparrow Is That?

Today I strolled through Luria Park, taking the boardwalk, crossing the creek on the rocky muddy trail while the bridge is still under construction, and walking around the path that circles the open field. It was mid-afternoon and bird activity is generally slower in the shank of the day, with the birds spending time in the brush and out of sight. I did manage to find three different species of sparrows that are common to our neighborhood. Here is a primer for telling the difference between them.

First is the Song Sparrow.

This little fellow was taking a drink in the stream near the bridge. You can tell he is a Song Sparrow by the rust-colored streaks on his head and below the eyes. He also has small dots of black below and on either side of his beak. This called the "mustache" or malar stripe.

Second is the White-Throated Sparrow.

This little girl was rifling through leaves by the stream near the playground. The White-Throated Sparrow has two distinctive yellow dots near the top of the beak. There is a white patch below the beak near the "throat." The White-Throated Sparrow has brown on top of the head and grey below. But look for those yellow spots which are very bold on the male and less so as on this female (above).

And third is the House Sparrow.

I found this guy along with his duller mate in a tangle of shrubbery on the south side of Luria Park. The House Sparrow is an introduced species to North America from Europe. The male House Sparrow is identified by gray heads, rufous (brown) sides of the head, and a black bib which also touches his eyes. The House Sparrow is often resented as it can be aggressive and kick other birds out of nests.

So, now you can go out and tell the difference between our most common three area Sparrows!

(all photographs taken n Luria Park on April 9th, 2014)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker enjoys relatively large populations in our area compared to other woodpeckers. If you offer them suet...they will come.

This male Red-Bellied Woodpecker is balancing very skillfully on our paddle suet feeder. You know this bird is a male because the red on top of his head goes from the top of his beak to the back of his neck.

This male Red-Bellied Woodpecker also feels comfortable on a smaller cage style suet feeder despite the fact he is larger than the feeder.

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker will wait patiently for other birds to vacate the feeder before swooping in, but once established there he will guard his position.

Pam Hamby contributed this wonderful photo of a male Red-Bellied Woodpecker staring warily at a chipmunk that has invaded the seed feeder. You can see the red on the bird's belly, hence the name Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker will feed from seed feeders as well as suet feeders. This female enjoys a mixture of millet and sunflower seeds. The patch of red on top of the female's head goes from the back of the neck to the top of her head.

So, if you offer feed to the birds you will most likely find a Red-Bellied Woodpecker or two visiting your yard!

(all photographs taken in Raymondale.)

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!