040316 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-a-new-influx-of-birds-at/article_ff9b7022-f90f-11e5-b6f7-bf6180cd5594.html

Royalty of the Bird World Is in Town

                                                        Male Red-winged Blackbird

                                                                  American Coot

                                                                 Savannah Sparrow

                                                                   Cedar Waxwing

                                                                          Ditto


37-66 degrees F/0740-1115 hrs./partly cloudy/light and variable to 15 mph wind gusts

Being deprived of birds for several days made me eager to get out to view what was happening
this morning.  Since it was chilly, I expected a few ducks, but not quite as many as I managed to see.
Those birds are migrating now, heading for the north where many of them will breed, then return in
the fall to show off their young ones.  Not all of the birds will return to Boomer Lake in the fall, but
some will, and leave reluctantly if there is plenty of food.  However, I cannot think of any reason
why there will not be, since our spring is wet, so we'll be graced with plenty of foodstuffs in the
fall.

There is a good deal of food now, which gives us special visitors now.  Our herbivores are eating
young shoots from both the trees and bushes, as well as seeds that will be coming from flowers, and
in the summer, there will be plenty of berries from shrubs.  Weather plays a big part in what birds
will come and how many, so this will be another good year if my predictions are correct.

Today, royalty came to the lack in several waves.  My eBird reports were very conservative this
morning, but I wager to say that there were a good hundred Cedar Waxwings, who are a color palette
in and of themselves.  Those striking colors definitely are a show, and they have been visiting on and
off all winter.

Spring Has Gold Medal Winners

                                                                    Song Sparrow

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                             Slate-colored Junco


Monday, 03-28-16
0737-1020 hrs./37-54 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

With the unsettled weather that we have been having, it is necessary to take what one can get.
This prime winter examples of songbirds show that winter has not left us yet.  Warblers are
transitioning to their spring finery, but we still have some worn birds with their juvenile dress.
These are beautiful males, going for the gold.

The Song and Savannah Sparrows are still plentiful, with Song Sparrows nearly every thirty
feet.

As soon as the weather is more amiable and my schedule permits, I'll be back out there to
bring you more of spring's finer moments.

It's Hard Being Top Bird in These Parts

 
                                                                     Mallard Drake

                                                                   Northern Flicker

                                                            Black-and-White Warbler

                                                                Red-bellied Woodpecker

                                                                  American Robin

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                   Harris's Sparrow

                                               
                                                      Yellow-rumped Warbler, First Year

                                                                      Blue Jay

                                                              Yellow-rumped Warbler

Ruddy Duck 

                                                              Male Carolina Wren

                                                              Male Northern Cardinal

                                                              Male House Finch


1150-1515 hrs./46-58 degrees F/partly cloudy/18 mph NNW wind gusts


Many birds are making an appearance, as there are lovely tender green shoots for their meals.
It is hard work to shiver and keep warm, so many of these birds must take in a lot of calories.
Males are busy establishing territories, enticing a female that will find him a good choice, and
letting other males know that his territory is taken and he will tolerate no intruders.

Welcome to the world of spring, and may you enjoy it as much as I am.

032716 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-at-least-one-winter-bird-is/article_87f6feee-f395-11e5-8919-e7ba06a2b625.html

The Champions of Boomer Lake

                                                             Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                                     Lark Sparrow

                                                                     Song Sparrow

                                                                      Mallard Pair

                                                               Carolina Chickadee

                                                                        Fish Crow

                                                                    Swamp Sparrow

                                                           Male Northern Cardinal

                                                                Yellow-rumped Warbler

                                                               Blue-winged Teal Pair

                                                                      Canada Goose

                                                            Female Downy Woodpecker

                                                   Pied-billed Grebe in Breeding Plumage


45-64 degrees F/25 mph S wind gusts/0735-1120 hrs./partly cloudy

These were photos over the three days, and a good part of them represented the deep woods of Boomer Creek.  The denizens of the creek have been getting to know me over a period of time, as this vigil is preparatory to spring when the wood warblers spend a little time with us, then
head for the northern states to breed.

Songbirds are well represented here, even on such windy days that we have experienced, today by far the worst of the past several.  I was pleasantly surprised to see so many birds out, and it was well worth the trek, especially in the northern parts of my Land of Enchantment.

Woodpeckers are working on diligently on cavities, as are many other birds, who are awaiting the strong call of spring.  I have actively been seeking out active cavities, and with any luck, I hope to find at least one that will show me some youngsters.  Wish me well, and we will hope for the best.

Here's to spring, now that it is here, and may it be bountiful for us all.

032016 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-the-time-of-year-more-birds/article_c081ad84-ee1a-11e5-b182-1f8baf6b5ba6.html