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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Are the birds confused?

I couldn't believe my eyes when this bird showed up today. It's not supposed to be here this time of year. Can you see which bird on this photo I'm referring to? You may have to click on the photo to enlarge it.


I can hardly imagine that it's an early or late migrant, nor a post-breeding wanderer. What does that leave but a confused or desperate bird?  (TOS Handbook of Texas Birds says, "Lark Buntings begin moving south as early as late July, and northbound birds can be found through mid-May.") 

The new feeder setup seems to have almost eliminated the bee and cowbird problem. Or the cowbirds were ready to leave anyway. There're still a dozen or so cowbirds around, but not like there were.


Below are four of the 40 or more species present.


In case you couldn't spot the out-of-place bird, here's a closer shot of the Lark Bunting.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

That first photo reminds me of a pretty Christmas tree with colorful ornaments. Are your trees always filled with so many varieties or is the drought the culprit? Poor birds, but wonderful photo ops! They are lucky to be at the oasis!

Carolyn Ohl-Johnson said...

Now that you mention it, it does look that way. The birds in that tree all love sunflower seeds and are waiting for me to get away from the feeder. This is the first June I've had so many birds. It's the drought and maybe the heat.

Anonymous said...

It’s interesting to see the difference in birds you have there and what we get in the Davis Mountains

Keller