29-JAN-2010
Downy Woodpecker #0384
We see Downy Woodpeckers once or twice a week, attracted to the suet feeder. These are small birds, as woodpeckers go, and the males have the bright red patch on the back of their heads. This one is checking out possibilities along the trunk of the pear tree.
28-JAN-2010
Dark-Eyed Junco (Pink-Sided) #0039
It snowed all day Thursday 1/28/2010, with a total accumulation of about three inches. The only birds that brave the weather (or was it me braving the weather?) were the Juncos, the finches and the Collared Doves. The Pink-Sided Juncos look a lot like the closely related Oregon Juncos, with more conspicuous brown on their flanks and a grayer head cap.
27-JAN-2010
Lesser Goldfinch #0010
This is the first Lesser Goldfinch I have seen this year. They are more of a summer visitor. They are about the same size as American Goldfinches, but are obviously much yellower in the winter, and have a black cap on their heads. This one is a green-backed form.
26-JAN-2010
Pine Siskin #9904
Pine Siskins look a lot like House Finches from a distance, until you see the smaller, more pointed dark bill, and the touch of yellow on their wingbars. They are attracted to the Nyjer thistle sock, but this one found a seedhead from last year's Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) to dine on.
25-JAN-2010
Western Bluebird #9741
After not seeing many Western Bluebirds last year, or the year before, this year we have enjoyed a group of about six who visit the pond every morning around 9 AM. It's hard to believe how blue these birds' wings are. I expect they'll be heading up higher into the mountains in February and March.
24-JAN-2010
Red-Shafted Northern Flicker #9644
It's late in the afternoon, the clouds have gone and the weather has been sunny today. We have a few of these Northern Flickers of the Red-Shafted variety that make the rounds almost every day. The males have the red mustache, and except for that, both males and females look pretty much the same. They take an occasional drink from the pond, try out some suet, and hack away at the trees. This one is waiting his turn at the pond.
23-JAN-2010
American Robin in White Pine Tree #9471
It looks like the cloudy and rainy/snowy weather has gone for a few days.
The robins have been flocking in puddles everywhere -- this fellow
is resting in the back yard tree before he goes out for another drink.
22-JAN-2010
Eurasian Collared Dove #9340
Friday was another cool day, with light mixed rain and snow. Our weather
was not as "interesting" as what went through Southern Arizona
and New Mexico. Collared Doves just hunker down and wait for things
to get better. This one was looking at the bird feeder for
quite a while, and finally decided it was not too small
for him to pounce on.
21-JAN-2010
Evening Grosbeak #9292
Coccothraustes vespertinus
Evening Grosbeaks move through this area, but rarely hang around very long. They have very distinctive coloration. This one (and an accompanying female) took a drink before the weather got too wet today.
20-JAN-2010
American Robin #9255
The snow from Tuesday (1/19) tapered off, then a second storm moved in on Wednesday morning, but by Wednesday afternoon, the sun was out and the birds started being a bit more active. This good-looking Robin paid a visit to the waterfall to get a drink.
19-JAN-2010
Dark-Eyed Junco in the Snow #9122
This dark-eyed Junco (Oregon, or maybe Pink-sided form) is taking a bit of cover
from the snow under some bushes near a fence line. This is the first snowstorm this year,
and we're expecting more tomorrow and more again on Friday.
18-JAN-2010
Male Cassin's Finch #9093
The male Cassin's Finch shows a general resemblance to a House Finch, but has more distinctive
light-and-dark markings around the head, and the red coloration tends more towards pink.
We have had two or three pairs of these finches as regular visitors over the last several days.