By Mary Drew at Pasty Central (Mdrew) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 07:02 am:
When you’re a bird watcher, it’s always exciting when you see the first Ruby-throated Humminbird back on your feeders. Jean Dessellier captured a shot of her first hummer this past week. She also had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on her feeder, with seed in mouth. It doesn’t seem like these Grosbeaks are quite as common as the Evening Grosbeaks, so it’s fun to spot them at the feeders also.
Bob Gilreath also had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the trees and at his feeders, this past week. They sure are pretty with that splash of red on the chest. An Indigo Bunting also visited Bob’s feeders. Such a striking color on these smaller birds...you can’t miss them. Luckily Bob was quick on the draw and captured a shot of that Indigo beauty!
Then we recently had a Red-headed Woodpecker at our feeders. A first for us, as we’d never seen one here before. Another unmistakable bird with that bright red head. Check out the long beak, too. We were surprised that it would go to the feeder and take sunflower seeds over to the tree and peck it open there to eat the seed inside. Fun to watch new birds arrive.
The video is from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The lead in says that Red-headed Woodpeckers used to be common in open forests of eastern North America, but their numbers have declined sharply. From what I read, it’s due to dead trees being cut down and starlings competing with them for nesting in the holes of dead trees that remain. They are the only woodpecker with an entirely red head and chest.
Keep voting for Lake Superior as the Best Lake in all three categories.
Best Lake
Best Lake for Swimming
Best Lake for Water Sports.
Vote for the best lake in the U.S. once per day until polls close on Monday, June 5 at noon ET. No matter the outcome, we want to do our Big Lake proud.
By Deb S. (Usedtobeayooper) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 09:15 am:
Great pictures! Those are the birds we've
seen here this week. So pretty!
Voted and still #3.
By Donna (Donna) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 10:06 am:
Those pics are beautiful indeed. And great shot
Bob..it is hard to get those Indigo Buntings. They
really don't like to get their pic taken!
And a red headed woodpecker? Wow...he took a left
instead of a right hey? Lucky girl, Mary!
#3
By Alex "UP-Goldwinger" (Alex) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 11:23 am:
Beautiful pix and video…nature in all its glory!
Thanks to all who contributed.
