Cicadas

Just had to post a couple of photos of the cicadas in my yard. The birds are really enjoying them, too...I have seen bluebirds, mockingbirds, robins and even house finches munching on them....YUM!!!

BlueBird Nest Box Update

Bluebird babies were very active on Sunday at the store. I was there until 4:00 and they hadn't fledged, but it looks like they're ready to go anytime now. Good luck little fellas...

Eurasian Collared-Dove at WBU Nashville

WBU in Nashville has had Eurasian Collared-Doves visiting the store for the past couple of years. Yesterday, we saw only one, but most times there are two or even three at a time. They are strikingly beautiful when compared to the mourning doves we normally see.

Blue Birds nesting at WBU Nashville

First time in many years we've had bluebirds nesting at WBU in Nashville. There are literally dozens of house sparrows at the store, but our male bluebird - affectionately called "bruiser" - is MUCH more aggressive than any other bluebird I've ever witnessed. He guards the nest box and feeder with all his might...swooping and fighting off not only sparrows, but ANYONE who comes too close including finches, chicadees, robins, mocking birds, blue jays and even employees!

So far, so good...Mom and Dad have been feeding babies constantly this past week and hatchlings should fledge by Monday or Tuesday.

Butterbutts?!?

Yup, that's right! We have been seeing Yellow-rumped Warblers for several weeks now.

I sure hope that they stay around for next week's Great Backyard Bird Count!

Whoop!!

The Barred Owls have kicked out the squirrels and taken back their house for 2011!

Cornell is back at it

Bird Songs Bible: A Must-Have for Birding Faithful Blend of art, science, and sound makes a unique holiday gift Ithaca, NY—There’s that old saw about a “bird in the hand.” Better use both hands for the Bird Songs Bible: The Complete Illustrated Reference for North American Birds, edited by Les Beletsky. This deluxe offering from Chronicle Books blends artwork, information, and sounds for all breeding bird species found in North America. The songs and calls for each species come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library. “Months of winter lie ahead, but there’s no reason to miss out on the lovely sounds of all our birds,” said Greg Budney, audio curator of the Macaulay Library. “The Bird Songs Bible has a built-in audio player so the songs and calls of nearly 750 bird species are just the push of a button away with beautiful images at every turn of the page. “ Each species account includes four-color illustrations and range maps, showing where the bird is likely to be found. Information about the bird’s habitat, behavior, and vocalizations is also included. But the most unique feature of the Bird Songs Bible is its sound player. The numbered recordings match up with the appropriate species. From the nasal honking of the Trumpeter Swan to the clucks, rattles, and whistles of the Yellow-breasted Chat—this is a great way to practice learning how to identify birds by sound before testing your ears in the great outdoors. Editor Les Beletsky is a bird biologist and author of Bird Songs and Bird Songs from Around the World, also from Chronicle Books. He lives in Seattle, Washington. The Bird Songs Bible retails for $125.00. Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu