Monday, February 18, 2008

Still counting

Seeing the Red-breasted Nuthatches
is always a delight.

Watching them become more comfortable is very nice.



I was happy they are on my count this year.

The Carolina Wrens are also always a delight.
Seeing the pair was extra fine.

I am finished with my sheets for this year.
It was fun being part of The Backyard Bird Count.

18 comments:

Chrissie said...

Do let us know your count, or have I missed it? Now you can go back indoors in get warmed up :-)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What little darlings you had for your count.

meggie said...

Sweet sweet!

Anonymous said...

amazing photos of both the Nuthatch and Wren! :)

Mary said...

Awwww. Red breasted Nuthatches are sweet! I would love to see them here but I'll keep loving my Carolina Wrens.

Q said...

Dear Chris,
Over the four day count I had between 20-25 different species, down from last year. I also had around 100-150 birds in the backyard. About the same numbers just more Cardinals than ever before. Weather makes a huge difference. The cold and snow helped increase my numbers on Sunday. I have lots of Hawks now and that will affect my bird count.
The Red-breasted Nuthatches are the new species to my backyard that seem to be staying. I do think they will nest.
Will not be too long before I will be able to be outside and comfortable without my blankets!
Not this morning, it is 10f (-12c).
Partly cloudy too...Brr...
Hope your gardens are okay after your heavy frost.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
I was happy I saw both of these birds. Plus I am working on taking photos of Red-breasted. They are so tiny, only 4 1/2 inches, smaller than Carolina Wren. My bird book says a Ruby Throated Hummingbird is 3 1/2 inches so the Red-breasted Nuthatches are a little bigger than a hummingbird! If the Red-breasted become more comfortable, I would like to get pictures of them in the Dogwood that is near the deck. I think they would look so pretty perched in the Dogwood!
The Nuthatches are my 2008 bird!
I do love them.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Meggie,
Carolina Wren is one of my birds...
I love them so very much!
Everything about the Wren is charming.
Getting to know the Red-breasted Nuthatches is fun. They are also darling. My book says they are winter birds in my area so I guess they could leave for nesting...I hope not! I hope they stay.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Tom,
Thanks. I keep thinking one of these days I will take the perfect picture of the Wrens. Just getting pictures of the Nuthatch is great. They are so fast. I would like to get Nuthatches in the trees rather than on the feeding station!
As it is I am happy to have pictures.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
You have the Brown-headed Nuthatches, they are not in my area. The Brown-headed are little like Red-breasted. So cute. We both have White-breasted.
I really enjoy the Nuthatches...
Carolina Wrens are very, very darling. We both get enjoy them.
Sherry

Deb said...

Sherry, you are so fortunate to have such a large number of birds visit you. I was excited over the weekend to find the blackbirds have returned :-}

Tumblewords: said...

Wow! Cold and birds...a fine count and an admirable project. Your birds look like little kids - awesome expressions.

Q said...

Dear Deb,
The black birds have returned! That is exciting. I enjoy all the birds. They keep me very entertained.
I do okay considering my location.
There are a few neighbors that are
feeding the birds now too so that helps. Would be nice if there was more clean water around. I can only offer two small ponds and all the bird baths. As long as we have snow I do not worry about it. The birds will eat snow for drinks.
I watched a House Sparrow start building a nest and it is cold and still snow on the ground. Guess she wants to start early and get a couple of broods in this year!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Sue,
The birds are cute! Each one has its personality. Each species is different and each bird in a species is different. I like that.
I like the way they figure out how to get along.
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Nuthatch and Wren..wonderful pictures..
Sherry,
this year I missed the bird count, just returned from the sunny side of the world.
I see more Cardinals, House Finches are back in greater numbers,red and white breasted Nuthutches as well as
Woodpeckers are seen very often.
Noticed more Hawks in the neighbourhood too. The rapid development of our suburbs has a huge impact an many birds and other wildlife.
cheers from Toronto,
Gisela
it is cold today - 11C

Mary said...

The last photo of the Wren is probably the best I've ever seen, Sherry. You do good work!

Q said...

Dear Gisela,
Hope you had a fun time in the sun!
By February I too am winter weary.
The over development all over the world is distroying our natural world. I wish it would be a "law" that when a tree is felled three must be planted to take its place. I also think more and more birds are looking to backyard feeders.
I am watching a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, as I write this morning, getting nuts from the two feeders by my office window. They do not like to feed together. Having the two feeders is nice for them and me!
It is cold here too, 3f, -16c, this morning. Our weather people called the cold front that came in "Artic air"...it feels like it too.
Stay warm.
Spring will come and rebirth.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Thank you dear friend!
The Wren is my bird of cheer and hope! I have been reading about the symbolism of the birds and the attachment we have with them. I am very attached to the Wren and the Swan. When I think of you I always think of the Hummingbird!
I am cold this morning. Thank goodness the sky is blue and the sun is out. I will have to triple bundle to go feed the birds!
Oh Mary, I am tired of winter and the cold!
Sherry