Summer is Almost Here.

The other day I saw an Evening Grosbeak perched and swaying with the wind at the top of a neighbor's gigantic evergreen tree.  Since then, I've been hearing their familiar chirping sound on and off.


So it was nothing strange that one of them just plopped up on a branch just in front me.

Mrs. Evening Grosbeak: "Hi, I remember this backyard.  Plenty of food is here."

Mr. Evening Grosbeak: "I like this feeder next to the tree where I can flee 

right away in case of an imminent danger."

Summer Visitors

For the last few days I've been hearing the soft, rhythmic chorus of Evening Grosbeaks.  It was coming from the top of  tall trees in the neighborhood.  So I hoped they would come down to my backyard soon.

This morning they landed here while it was nice and sunny before the big rain shower.

"We are a big family and like to sing in chorus,
so you may hear us up in the tall tree."

"I'm the head of the family.  We
appreciate roasted sunflower seeds."

Evening Grosbeak's Visit

The other day I saw a dragonfly.  A sign of summer.  This time, it was a red one perched on the wooden stick with the eyes rolling for a long time.

 

Another sign of summer is that I saw Evening Grosbeaks. 

On top of a sycamore tree, three Evening Grosbeaks were overlooking the town, wondering where a good feeding spot is.

 

"Hey sis, which garden

is loaded with our favorite seeds?"

In the evening, they came down to my backyard and one peeked its head from the wisteria vines.

" Pick-a-poo...  Do you have my seeds here?"

Then she flew in closer onto my new dwarf pear tree in the setting sun.

"We've got a very large bill for cracking seeds. 

I can take care of big seeds, insects, and fruit. If you have

a good selection of seeds, we'll fly over to your place."

Birdbath Basics

A birdbath is almost as important as bird food.  Why?  The water is first for drinking, and, second, for bathing.  Especially when you don't have any creek or river nearby. 

When placing a birdbath in your backyard, please follow these guidelines:

1) Keep nothing within 2 feet around on all sides since the birds are vulnerable with wet and heavy feathers.  No preditors are allowed nearby.
2) Have a small tree within a few yards for an emergency refuge. 
3) Change the water daily, and scrub the algae and droppings as needed.

Now your birds are ready to enjoy the birdbath just like my backyard friends:

Black-capped Chickadee:  "On a hot day, it's nice and cool."

Oregon Junco:  "When it gets very hot, I'll escape to the mountains.  But until then, I can take a bath here to cool down."

Evening Grosbeak:  "Daily glassful of water is good for health - I heard it on the bird news."

House Finch:  "The fresh morning water can't be underlined enough.  Do I look sound and well?  Certainly I am."

Scrub Jay:  "Ummm, good.  I just saw the backyard owner changed the water.  A taste of fresh water!!"

American Goldfinch:  "I'll send you a kiss to the conscientious backyard owner.  Hurray!!"

I hope your bird friends will love the fresh water this summer to stay clean and healthy.

Evening Grosbeaks' Serenade

Evening Grosbeaks proudly present a short spring concert.

 "I hope you'll enjoy!"

White-throated Sparrow:  "I'm coming right up."

Evening Grosbeak, female:  "Me, too.  Wait a minute."

Bushtit:  "I'm getting late...."

Red-breasted Nuthatch:  "I'm the last one to join."

Now that everyone is ready, let's start.

Well, it was a kind of short.  But next time when you hear a similar chirping, go and look who's out there.  It may be an Evening Grosbeak perched on your tree.

Evening Grosbeaks are Back, too.

Last few days I felt like being in a tropical forest because the loud callings and chirpings were going on right in my backyard.  Well, they were Evening Grosbeaks I hadn't seen since last summer.   I saw a total of six of them, munching the pear blossoms and roasted sunflower seeds.   No wonder it was so loud.  My largest feeder only accommodated 4 large birds like them at one time.  So some had to do a U-turn back to a tree nearby.

See, how crowded it got here!!! 

Let me introduce Mr. (yellow and brown) and Mrs. (grey with a bit of yellow)  Evening Grosbeaks.  Don't they look fabulous with their striking colors?  They are one of the largest finches.  They like to eat seeds, insects, and fruit.

  After eating so much, this threesome needed to satisfy their thirst.

Mrs. was calling for a late husband?!!  I hope she was not mad at him.

Another Mrs. was inspecting the scattered seeds before eating.

Evening Grosbeaks visit my backyard once in a while during the warm months.  I hope to see them again before long.

Evening Grosbeak

On the top of a tall fir tree, I first found these strikingly colorful birds.

A total of six of them looking over the horizon in the bright December morning sun.  Since then, I always wished some of them would come down to my backyard...

Several months later in June, one female  just arrived on one of my feeders. and soon after a fancy looking male followed.

First he explored around the lawn,

then onto another feeder, and met Mr. House Finch without any quarrel.

Next to inspect was .......

Of course, a birdbath.  It is essential to have clean water for a break in the summer time flying.

So Mrs. Grosbeak added, " No problem."

They move in large flocks, searching for food throughout the year.  When they are near here, they will surely stop over again.