Tales from one Harford Backyard. The backyard activity has increased
significantly over the past week it seems. Goldfinches have been abundant,
and have started to pick apart our coneflower. Pileated Woodpeckers have
been pretty noisy again. And Downy, Hairy and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have
been more visual. Young cardinals are looking more like ratty adult cardinals
and less like ratty young cardinals. Indigo Buntings and Carolina Wrens are
more visual and singing again. A not-so-distant chip-burr confirms the Scarlet
Tanager is around, and probably was all summer. The nearby Blue Grosbeak
(adjacent fields) has finally stopped in for a visit, and the towhees have been
present all year. BUT surprisingly, a Red-breasted Nuthatch was present all
last evening and quite active. As a note, and perhaps obviously because it is
early - this was a very striking bird given the intensity of its color as opposed
to later summer/fall/winter more faded birds. Or maybe it wasn't and I was
just glad to see something different in the yard.
Rick Cheicante
Harford County
Bel Air, MD |