Folks

Today migration around the house was starting up again.  The day started with a singing Red-breasted Nuthatch around 7 AM.  On our morning walk Gwen and I had our first Ovenbird for the county (not a year yard bird yet).  Around 10AM I had five or six Common Loon flyover.  Tonight around 5 PM I saw my first American Kestrel circling overhead then continue north.  

Our Dark-eyed Juncos are still hear in good numbers (20), and of all ages and sex.  I think the unfriendly migration weather the last two weeks had something to do with this species hanging in later this year.  They will start moving, as will many other species, over the weekend if the friendly migration weather does materialize.

Other species around today were:

Resident Canada Geese
Killdeer
Northern Mockingbird on territory
Downy, Red-bellied, Yellow-shafted Flicker, and Pileated Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, & White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren - still trying to nest in the garage
Blue Jay, Fish Crow & American Crow
Eastern Bluebird doing courtship display
About 20 American Robin - some high in the sky, some feeding in the yard.
European Starling at the peanut butter
White-throated and Chipping Sparrow
8 Brown-headed Cowbird, about 35 Red-winged Blackbirds, & 20 Common Grackle.
American Goldfinch turning sunflower yellow, and House Finch.

Last night a pair of Barred Owls were hooting it up around 8:30 PM.  Perhaps a first nesting attempt failed due to the cold wet weather and they are on territory again.

The weekend looks like it could be very active with the favorable weather.  Go Birding

George