Tag: birding

Green Tailed Towhee

On By Mike and Christy8 Comments

The Green Tailed Towhee spends most of its time in dense low thickets, where it forages on the ground. Like other towhees, it scratches in the leaf-litter with both feet as it searches for food. It is somewhat secretive and difficult to see so we were thrilled to get a quick glimpse at this bird when it quickly flew from a berry thicket and landed on this tree for a few seconds.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green-tailed_Towhee/id
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-tailed-towhee

on a swivel

On By Mike and Christy12 Comments

Quietly perched and giving us the 180 degree head turn like only an owl can give a Great Horned Owl waits in the early evening light for their day to begin.

Happy hunting to the owl and have a great weekend to all.

One nut at a time

On By Mike and Christy14 Comments

RBNM_2904

Working their way through a pile of sunflower seed one nut at a time. We love having the Red Breasted Nuthatches around as company. By mid-October  most of the migrating species have flown the coop for warmer climates but these little guys stick around all year long. Everything about them from their song to their perky behavior helps to brighten even the cloudiest day.

Sights and sounds

On By Mike and Christy16 Comments

gloden_glow

The golden glow of the Aspens in the morning light.
Two chickadees singing a-dee-dee-dee with a nuthatch honking as the leaves rustle in the breeze.
The crows gurgling and woodpeckers pecking in the distance.
Sights and sounds of the forest on a morning hike.

October Robin

On By Mike and Christy9 Comments

Fall_robin_1

An American Robin Enjoying the fall light in a forest of mixed colors. We have tons of Robing in our area in the spring and early summer and as the young fledge they are absent until Autumn begins. Glad to see they have returned.

Three billion birds.

On By Mike and Christy64 Comments

The findings of a study published yesterday in the Journal Science demonstrate that North America has lost 30% of it’s birds population since 1970. The authors of this study suggest that this loss of almost 3 billion birds is like a canary in the coal mine and conclude their abstract with the statement “This loss of bird abundance signals an urgent need to address threats to avert future avifaunal collapse and associated loss of ecosystem integrity, function and services.”

National Geographic summarizes the Science article well touching on the reasons why bird populations are in decline and why birds matter. 

Habitat loss in the name of development another example of a fools progress.

Another strip mine, another strip mall.  The human population is striping the planet bare. Time to take action and make sure your local governmental representatives at all levels work to protect habitat, the environment and the future of every species that inhabit the planet.