Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Sorry I have been out of commission lately, but with spring nearing it's time to start posting again!!

I always think of spring and think of eastern phoebes, eastern wood pee wees, Tree and Barn Swallows, Baltimore orioles, and Ruby throated hummingbirds!

Here in the next month or so people should start putting out their hummingbird feeders or planting their flowers that attract hummingbirds to your flower beds! Seeing a hummingbird is such a blessing! Such a aero dynamic and beautiful bird!

Here are some cool facts about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird:
-Their breeding season starts in April and the female makes a small nest out of spider webs and other materials! She lays eggs that are the size of a pea!
-During migration they will follow the abundance of flowers all the way to their destination to be able to provide proper nutrients through their travels!
-They can fly so fast, within a blink of an eye they are gone! They fly just as fast backwards as they do forward, and they are known to be able to hover in a certain position for a short period of time!

Hope this makes you get spring fever like it does me, even though there is snow on the ground, spring is just around the corner ;)!

Have a blessed day!

Facts about "Red Winged Blackbird"

I was walking through Abrams Creek Wetland Preserve yesterday and I saw this Red Winged Blackbird (male) fly in front of me and it caught my eye! Rarely do you see them hang around in Winchester during the winter, unless there is an abundance of seeds they can feed on!

Here's some interesting facts about the Red Winged Blackbird-- They are a native species of N. America, during migration they can reach speeds up to 30 mph in flight, and during their breeding season (march-august) the female produces 2-3 broods a year! Each time the young fledge from the nest the parents will choose a different location to build a new nest to keep harmful parasites out of the nest!!!

Hope everyone has a blessed day and stay warm!!

Fun Facts About The Tundra Swan!

During the winter months you will see flocks of Canada Geese, Snow Geese, and other ducks passing through! The one flock that will catch your eye is the Tundra Swans! These birds are phenomenal fliers, they can get caught in a tail winds and fly up to speeds of 100 mph! Not hard to miss this human sized bird flying high in the sky with a hoo-ho-hoo type of call! This is a bird that you have to see to respect their size! The tundra swan pairs will go steady with another for a year before deciding to breed! The babies are call cygnets, the parents are highly protective and have been known to shatter a human arm into shambles with one smack of their wings! So be careful when intruding on them! If you get a chance to see a Tundra Swan you won't be displeased with their natural beauty!

Have a blessed day!!

Eastern Meadowlark Fun Fact!

While doing irrigation all summer long at my job I always see this short sticky bird flying around in the meadows! This bird is fast flying and quite a beautiful bird with its flashes of yellow and black in flight! This bird is an Eastern Meadowlark!

Fun Fact: The male Eastern Meadowlark can have 2 or even up to three mates at one time...poor guy has a lot of grounds to cover!

Have a blessed day!

"Winter Finch"

During the winter months there will be a bird that looks like a mixture of a female house finch and american goldfinch... The winter finch is often referred to as the Pine Siskin! This bird is commonly found in conifers, hence the name! The pine siskin will come to feeders in the winter to feed on thistle and sunflower seeds! A very delightful bird to see and hear! If your taking a walk during these winter months keep your ears open for a bird making a cheerful call that ends with a Zeee Zeee note! Enjoy the inclement weather today! Be safe!

Merry Christmas!

Anyone seeing any cool birds on our white Christmas? Juncos? White throated sparrows? Cardinals? Have a blessed day!

Final Bluebird Count In 3 years at VA Tech!

I have stepped down from Va Tech but my birdhouses will still remain at the AREC center in Winchester! In the 3 years I was there, the bluebirds successfully raised and fledged 42 young, out of 49 young! 85% success rate! I'll take that ;)