Category Archives: Birds

Fall sightings

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It wasn’t so much the departure, about a week ago, of the Purple Martins from Forest Park or the nesting behavior of American Goldfinches that made me realize fall was here, as it was the sighting today of a Pied-billed Grebe in the waterway between Forest Park’s Deer Lake and skating rink.

Goldfinches have been visiting the coneflowers in our yard for about a week now—males only, of course. The three Red-winged Blackbirds quit using the feeder several weeks ago, but a new brood of House Sparrows has taken their place.

A friend reported an Olive-sided Flycatcher today in Tower Grove Park (in the usual spot), and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher there on Sunday, August 14.

It’s too soon, still, for White-throated Sparrows, but I’m starting to look forward to their arrival.

Some morning birds and a story to be told later

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I stopped at Tower Grove Park this morning and was reminded that I need to review plates 31 and 32 in Peterson’s Warblers. There were 2 in the park this morning that mystified me. Their tail-pumping behavior suggested Palm Warbler, as did the long tail with white spots (although the spots looked more to me like those of a Yellow-rumped Warbler), yellow undertail coverts, and yellow throats. But the bellies were clear white, and I didn’t see any streaking on the breasts.

Also in the park this morning were my first American Redstart (a male) and Gray Catbird of the year, as well as many White-throated Sparrows, a Hermit Thrush, several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (male and female) and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

There was also a Kentucky Warbler in the bird garden. Caught in a net that was not being monitored in a way appropriate for the park. This is the story to be told later.

Stall

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Days of winds from the west and the north have resulted in a slow migration insofar as the city migration traps are concerned. After midnight tonight the winds are forecast to shift from NNW to SSE. Looks as though I’ll be making a detour through Tower Grove Park on the way to work tomorrow.

Eden

This morning during the walk to the office I experienced one of those moments that feel primeval. As I stood at the edge of the waterway near the skating rink I found myself in the midst of at least 100 Chimney Swifts and dozens of Barn, Northern Rough-winged, and Tree Swallows. It was as though I were a rock in a stream—birds flowed toward my face and veered around it.

A single Purple Martin was at the nest box. On Friday the Eastern Bluebirds were inspecting it. I wait to see who will move in.

Two herons along the river: a Little Blue caught and swallowed a fish while I watched, and a Green peered into the water hoping to do the same.

A Spotted Sandpiper and 2 Killdeer represented the shorebirds.

Tower Grove Park

A friend reported a Pine Siskin near the Cypress Circle. Once again it eluded me. I did see a late-ish sapsucker (male).

Yard Bird Report

A female cowbird was a new yard bird yesterday, an addition to the list that I make with mixed feelings.

The robin that made her nest where the arm of the satellite dish is attached to the house is still sitting on the eggs.

On Sunday I noticed that 2 of the male House Finches in the yard had conjunctivitis. The feeders have been bleached and are being monitored.

Today the male Red-winged Blackbird that has been visiting the feeder for several weeks bit one of the House Finches.

They’re coming in, and they’re singing

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Two newcomers this morning in Tower Grove Park: 1 Nashville Warbler (in the bird garden) and 2 Chimney Swifts (above the open area between the bird garden and the oak grove). White-throated Sparrows are singing, as are Field Sparrows and thrashers, and I’m hearing voices I don’t recognize.

Flickers are turning up in pairs. Sapsucker numbers seem to have dwindled.

This afternoon in Lafayette Park I counted at least 10 Brown Thrashers in one large bush. There were a few juncos in the park, a flock of Field Sparrows, and a Swamp Sparrow. Still no Lincoln’s Sparrow.