Here in central Illinois, spring migration has started. And that means the arrival of the blackbirds. We are fortunate in that most are with us only for a few weeks and then disperse to find nesting territories, mate, and raise their young. But some blackbirds can be persistent and stay right here in our yard. […]
Are you like me and wondering what in the world – or where in the world – is The OBX? It was on my previous trip here – about 10 years and 2 hurricanes ago – that I learned. It is short for The Outer Banks and you will find OBX everywhere out here on […]
This morning, Cleon and I changed the bird feeders and what we are offering. We are now set up for winter. We did this today because even though we are still having warm temperatures during the day – in the mid-60’s to 70’s – we are starting to experience cooler nights. Our forecast: most of […]
Anyone who has an outdoor space, no matter how small, has a habitat. The definition of habitat from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: The physical environment that provides organisms with their basic needs for survival: food, water, shelter, and space. Our yard’s habitat was a savanna with a wide strip of woodland and our acre of property […]
Blue Jays have been practicing tough love and the Common Grackles need to take a page out of the jay’s book on parenting. For the past few days, if you have been watching the birdfeeder cam, you will see juvenile grackles practically on top of their parents at the feeders – and screeching – and […]
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 […]