Right now, we have a few Brown-headed Cowbirds on the platform feeder several times every day. Sometimes it is 3 or more males, but often there will be 1 female with them. Here in central Illinois, this is normal spring behavior for them and appears to be part of their courting ritual. What you will […]
Cleon and I love all the birds that use our yard, the feeders, and the bird baths. But I think our favorite is the Brown Thrasher. We started out about 10 years ago with one bird in the yard off and on throughout that spring and summer. Within a year or two, it was a […]
Last weekend we were in Lake Geneva, WI. We drove to this lovely lake and town on a snowy, overcast day. There was an accident on the interstate and the GPS suggested an alternate route which we took. It was a series of rural roads winding through the southern Wisconsin countryside past fields, woodlands, and […]
Take a good look at the goldfinches at our feeders over the next few weeks and you will witness a remarkable change in the males. They will change from their drab winter color of grayish-brown with sometimes a hint of yellow, to a mottled mess of golden yellow and that same drab grayish-brown, and finally […]
A good friend just asked me when she should put up her hummingbird feeder. We live in central Illinois, so in my experience, I recommend between March 21st and April 1st. Below are some target dates for other areas of the country and Canada. Observe in your own yard and garden – it is important […]
We had a good-sized flock of about 300 Greater White-fronted Geese on our lake for two days in late January. This is normal for them. They will come, rest for a short period, then move on. Today we have 3. Only 3 of these geese and in mid-March – this is unusual. They are close […]
Last night, we had at least four big thunderstorms with lots of thunder and lightning, wind, and buckets of rain which generally means a good morning at the feeders and this morning is no exception. Some are feeding, but even more are singing and calling. If you are interested in identifying the birds you are […]
Turkey Vultures are again soaring over the farm fields of central Illinois and for me, are a welcome sight! Robins are now staying here in large flocks throughout the winter months and can be found in open woodlands and edges – look for them where there are copious amounts of berries. But these vultures leave […]
We live in central Illinois and spring migration has begun. The first warblers are starting to come through in flocks – for us, the Yellow-rumped Warbler is the easiest to ID. This little bird is often lower in our trees and who can miss that yellow rump! We also have Ring-billed Ducks resting on our lake. They will be here anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and then will be gone till next spring.