Backyard Bird Sightings from our Members and Neighbors
It’s been a bird-filled fall! With fruits and nuts in abundance, and other treats for birds to eat, SCVAS members and neighbors are seeing a variety of birds in their yards.
Here’s our backyard bird report for the end of October and the month of November:
Unice Chang (San Jose) has a persimmon tree in her yard, which attracted some very happy Cedar Waxwings at the beginning of November. Other birds she’s spotted recently are Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Finches, Mourning Doves, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Hummingbirds.
Unice writes: “Prior to this year, other than Hummingbirds, I could not identify any other birds. Now they are my good friends and I love to watch them as they enjoy eating, singing, flying, hopping around, and fighting. Knowing birds is a big blessing to me. I am inspired by these free souls every day.”
Bhaskar Janakiraman (Los Altos) has been watching Golden-crowned Sparrows in his yard; they first arrived at the end of October.
Bhaskar says: “We enjoy watching birds visiting our yard all through the year. This year, we've seen California Scrub-Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, Hummingbirds, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Black Phoebes, Spotted Towhees, and also a Nuttall's Woodpecker. The Golden-crowned Sparrow is one of the latest arrivals. It’s delightful to watch the birds digging into the ground, alongside the Spotted Towhee and Juncos.”
Eve Meier (San Jose) had ten Bushtits and four Pine Siskins among other birds in her yard on November 5. She writes: “ Late fall is my favorite time to bird my backyard. The weather is finally cool enough that I can eat my lunch on my back patio while I watch the birds. It’s a nice calming break in my otherwise hectic day.”
Backyard bird photographer Suresh Thirumalai (Santa Clara) has been enjoying creating a portfolio of fall birds. Here are some of his favorite photos from the past month.
Suresh says: “One morning there were a lot of sparrows and I noticed that one at the treetop was different. I was happy to find out later that it was a White-throated Sparrow. A first sighting for me! I was lucky to get a good picture as it stayed around only for a few minutes.”
“I saw movement in the backyard and saw this Cooper’s Hawk perch on the backyard fence. I did not want to spook the bird and took this picture through the patio door. I usually see the hawk in the neighborhood perched on the utility poles or in the trees with a kill or chasing other birds. I was happy to see it up close in the backyard.”
“A couple of California Scrub-Jays visit the bird bath in our backyard regularly and they also bring acorns from the neighborhood trees. I was surprised to see this Scrub-Jay pose for me at a close distance as they are usually very skittish and hard to get a picture of in the backyard.”
Emma Shelton (Menlo Park) saw a Varied Thrush recently in her yard. Or rather her husband - “who had new glasses!” - spotted it. “He didn’t know what it was but his description was spot on, and relayed to our birder son.” She has also seen Pygmy Nuthatches and heard a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Other visitors to Emma’s yard include Oak Titmice and House Finches at her feeders, and this Spotted Towhee strolling along the fence.
Pete Dunten (Mountain View) also has a persimmon tree that has attracted the interest of birds, including the Yellow-rumped Warbler below.
Pete writes: “The large old White Ash in our front yard was in poor condition, or in good condition for the Sapsuckers that visited in winter. Fortunately, Mountain View will replace your trees adjacent to the street, and we got a young persimmon tree. It's had a few fruits its first two winters, and as it matures I'm hoping for more good photo opportunities.”
Barbara Millin (Palo Alto) observed birds enjoying a different type of feast in late November: “Of note this week was a gang of various birds swooping after subterranean termites that had just emerged in a neighbor’s yard. We thought we saw Western Bluebirds, Phoebes and Yellow-rumped Warblers. We went home for binoculars. Upon arriving back at the scene we saw mostly Cedar Waxwings feasting on the termites.”
Becky Ewens (San Jose) enjoys watching birds forage in her yard, including this Bewick’s Wren.
Becky says: “One of my favorite birds is a California Scrub-Jay that will sit on the shepherd's hook and repeatedly call. When I reply to him (usually "Hi bird!" repeated each time he calls), he then will hop down to eat out of the feeder. It's an odd little routine and I can't tell if the bird just wants to know where I am before eating. My feeders are right outside my window so the birds can see me inside. Most of the birds don't react to my two cats that enjoy staring at the birds through the window but when I walk up, they usually fly off. But not that Scrub-Jay!”
What birds are you seeing and hearing in your yard? Do you have a favorite story or picture to share?
Send your notes and photos to backyardbirds@scvas.org. We’ll feature them in our next edition of All Around Town!
Banner Photo: Hermit Thrush by Suresh Thirumalai