Birds I Saw on my Trip to New York

June, 2009

My parents have a Willow Flycatcher nesting under their porch -- my Mom was able to identify it by its call. They also have a Belted Kingfisher nesting in a burrow on the hillside overlooking their pond.

We saw huge Osprey nests on the drive to Vermont, saw at least one Great Blue Heron (maybe it's the one that puts his big old beak through the trout in Dad's pond, only to leave them belly-up because they're too big to eat), and passed a few Ring-necked Pheasants along the roadside.

Oh, and let's not forget the Ruby-throated Hummingbird that visits my parents' feeder.

Just for Comparison - American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch at feeder
Originally uploaded by Nikon Nut

I used to have a ton of goldfinches at my feeder in Trumansburg. So pretty and so feisty -- they were fun to watch!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id

Red-winged Blackbirds chasing a Red-tailed Hawk

Red-winged blackbirds chasing away a red-tailed hawk
Originally uploaded by donjd2

This chase is so fun to watch! So much diving and swooping -- it's a real aerial show!

Birds I've Seen Around Arizona - Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird
Originally uploaded by nancyjwagner

Another bird familiar from home. When I lived in Mecklenburg, NY, I loved sitting on Dave & Kim's porch, watching red-winged blackbirds chase a red-tailed hawk, swooping and diving at him above the field across the road. Apparently, this was nest-protecting behavior. Here in AZ, I mostly see them congregating in corn fields.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird/id

Birds I've Seen Around Arizona - Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal: A Perfect Pair
Originally uploaded by MLK6615

Speaking of birds that are easy to recognize, here's the Northern Cardinal. I'm always happy to see them because they remind me of home. Usually I see them at the Desert Botanical Garden, but I've seen them at Apache Lake, too.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/id

Birds I've Seen in my Yard - House Finch

House Finches (Pair) - You sweet talker you! ;-)
Originally uploaded by Rick Leche

I first had house finches at my feeder in Trumansburg, NY, so when they showed up in my backyard here, I was thrilled to be able to identify them. Don't laugh. It's weird moving from one side of the country to the other. The landscape and the birds are so foreign, and learning to identify the plants and wildlife makes me feel like I belong here.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/id