As I went about my morning work on November 17, the lovely day beckoned me outdoors. Why not do the Nature Friend bird circle project today? The thought niggled at the back of my mind. Why not? So it was that I launched into a day of bird watching.
A flock of black birds swooped to a landing in our front lawn. I caught sight of a flash of red—Red-winged Blackbird.
The feeder was busy. Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Titmouse—the list began to grow.
I opened the kitchen window while I washed the dishes and caught the bold call of a Blue Jay.
Taking another look out the picture window, I spotted a bird in the maple. Grabbing the binoculars, I took a good look. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! Rows of little holes showed evidence of his work. A Downy Woodpecker flitted by.
I head the raucous “Caw-caw!” of an American Crow as I ate lunch by the open window.
Then I went outside for awhile, where I spied a House Sparrow and a Turkey Vulture.
When my brother came home from school, he took a turn with the binoculars. He saw a Red-tailed Hawk and then called me out to help identify a bird about 90 yards/meters away. Finally I got so curious that I left the circle to get a closer look. But before I verified it, a flock of light-colored birds landed in a nearby treetop. I stared. Why those are Cedar Waxwings!
I pounded back to the circle and looked back. Sure enough, I could still spot them in the tree. My brother informed me that a big flock, maybe fifty or so, had flown over the circle, and only some had stopped in that treetop. Then, from the circle, I analyzed our “mystery bird” again and decided it was likely just an Eastern Bluebird. My brother also found a cowbird.
Next morning Brother patrolled the circle while I milked the goats. Then we birded together a little. Common Grackle, European Starling, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch joined the list. The music of Canada Geese reached our hopeful ears, and we picked out a Brewers Blackbird from a large flock of blackbirds. I caught sight of an American Robin.
Soon the schoolchildren were off, and my 24-hour period was almost up. Now for one more look at the pine trees. Just maybe… Oh, what was that! A little bird flitted from the pine tree. It was so cute and so tiny! I caught sight of a striped cap, and the little thing was off again. No holding still for long! In the blue-covered bird book I picked out the Golden-crowned Kinglet. What a treasure to polish off this bird list!
No, I don’t expect to win an award, but I certainly had an enjoyable and educational time in God’s creation. And God answered my prayer—He sent some special birds to brighten up that circle!
