Casual Birding around the Aerie

Purple Finch on the deck stick feeder.

Purple Finch on the deck stick feeder.

Whilst hanging about the Aerie today I took mental note of the birds that happened to wander into sight and hearing. These are just casual observations made while sitting in the living room or out on the deck. I made no effort to wander about the property or seek any birds out. I certainly made no attempt to count the number of individuals.

Location: Aerie
Observation date: 4/4/10
Notes: These birds were either seen or heard from the deck of The Aerie between 7 AM and 7:30 PM today.
Number of species: 19

Canada Goose X
Wild Turkey X
Turkey Vulture X
American Woodcock X
Mourning Dove X
Barred Owl X
Downy Woodpecker X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Common Raven X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
White-breasted Nuthatch X
Song Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
Purple Finch X
American Goldfinch X

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Some birds, like the Canada Geese, Barred Owl, American Woodcock and Wild Turkey were only heard and not seen. Others like the Turkey Vulture, Common Raven and American Crow were strictly fly-bys. The rest came to the feeders or were seen in the yard from the deck.

I've curtailed my feeding regimen since the black bear destroyed several feeders last week, so nineteen species is quite a respectable number considering there are many more that have yet to migrate back to their home here on the hillside.

I'm still waiting on the return of the thrushes, Phoebes, Indigo Bunting, warblers and Carolina Wrens. And, surprisingly, the hawks that frequently soar along the hillside just haven't been around the last few days--or I just missed them.