Kinglets coming through

A short banding session this morning as a front is coming in. Disappointing in the number of birds as only one went in the nets. However that bird is a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet so the kinglets are coming through here. Earlier in the month a White-throated Sparrow went in a net. I've not seen or heard one since then but they are probably here.

The dogwood berries are uneaten, so far. Starlings are beginning to mass in trees across the lake so probably not be long before a flock of starlings comes to eat the berries. There is very little activity at the bird feeders.

Successful end to the season

I ran my last MAPS banding session on Sunday for this season. The number of birds banded was much higher than I expected for this late in the summer doldrums. There was high humidity and I ended the session early because of a downpour. Six birds banded and one recapture. The recapture was a female cardinal and one of the first birds I banded at this station. She was originally banded exactly two years ago as an AHY. The new bandees were mainly fledglings and several still had sets of feathers growing in.

Unusual visitors

Now this is a beautiful bird to find in your yard; though admittedly his call is harsh. For several weeks this male and female came visiting. I'm assuming these birds are a neighbor's outdoor pets.

Fruits and snakes

No connection between these two topics. The raspberry crop was lovely and now the blueberries are ripening. I've been enjoying fresh fruit salads, fruit smoothies and yogurt with fresh fruit. Lovely.

There is color in the garden from the local snakes as well. I rescued a Scarlet Kingsnake from the pool. Then later in the week watched an Eastern Kingsnake move through the pine straw and dead leaves. The alternative name of Chained Kingsnake is very apt. The snake's patterning immediately brought to mind linked rings. I've since learned that the Eastern Kingsnake eats venomous snakes -- immune to the venom.

Vegetable gardening

Little will be planted in the vegetable garden this year. My priority is school work. Consequently outdoor gardening is mainly maintenance of the landscape. That said I did finally put some cucumber seeds into jiffy pots. A few have sprouted and I will plant these out. In past years cucumbers were an easy crop to grow and very productive.

There will be some raspberries on the canes planted last year. The blueberry crop looks very promising.

Junco Mystery

An abundance or lack of birds at one location in one season does not make a trend. Noting the change is worthwhile as there is no way to know if the observed change is part of a trend. This winter some observers have commented on few or no Dark-eyed Juncos in back yards and at feeders; while others have reported usual numbers.

My experience is in the ‘lack’ department. I’ve not seen a Junco since January 3 and I saw very few up to that date. Numbers of White-throated Sparrows appear down too.

I’ve just checked my general bird sighting records and my reports to Project FeederWatch. There is a significant change in the number and frequency of sightings of Juncos this winter season compared to previous years. As there is no change in the habitat and surroundings I have no explanation. In a couple of years time I’ll know if this season was just a fluke.

In nine previous years (1998-2008) in which I recorded observations the last Junco sighting recorded was March 2 - April 3. In years when I recorded yard sightings frequently I observed Juncos every time.

In previous FeederWatch seasons I observed Juncos every time I counted. This season I’ve seen Juncos on 2 of 8 count periods and two birds was the highest number seen.

Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel

The Carolina Bird Club trip on the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel was a success despite the weather forecasts. When I looked at the forecasts of rain, wind and low temperatures for Saturday I considered not going. It's a long drive to be miserable and not see birds. I went and the trip was worth it. The rain held off for most of the morning.

Brant was probably a LIFER for me. Long-tailed duck I've seen perhaps once or twice before. There were small flocks at CBBT and plumage details were clear. Despite the overcast sky and heaving seas birds were clear in scopes. People who've been on the bridge islands often said the birds were further away than usual ... probably because of the heaving seas.

The Surf and Black Scoters in breeding plumage were impressive. I've only seen them in winter plumage before.

A bonus were seals. Our police escort alerted us to their presence. The seals are wary of humans. I watched one individual floating on its back as if it was a balmy day ... perhaps from the animal's point of view it was.

Our birding on the Eastern Shore was limited as the rain kept most birds under cover.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets

Only one Ruby-crowned Kinglet is seen at the suet feeder at a time. This weekend I discovered at least four in the vicinity of the feeder at different times. Three male birds went into mist nets and later an unbanded bird was observed feeding on the suet.

Project Feederwatch Statistics

Project Feederwatch data provides a snapshot of which species are more prevalent at feeders from year to year. This winter season the percentage of feeders in North Carolina hosting Pine Siskins is much higher than last year; conversely Dark-eyed Juncos are at fewer feeders this year than last year. Both of these statistics match my experience. I’ve not seen a Junco in over a month. Pine Siskins are an irruptive species so the difference from year to year is no surprise. I’ve not heard a reason for the reduced distribution of Juncos this year though.

Pine Siskins at feeders

I’ve read descriptions of American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins eating through bags of thistle seed in one winter season but never experienced it myself. Before I left for a winter vacation in early December I’d seen a lone Pine Siskin at the feeder. The first one seen here in four years. I return to find a large group of Pine Siskins have taken over the feeders. I’ll be buying more food before January is half through. I counted 23 at one time this morning.