Cardinals, woodpeckers and blue jays are year round residents but now visiting us here in northern New Jersey are the Baltimore orioles, rose breasted grosbeaks and ruby throated hummingbirds, all so beautiful to see.

The likely birds feature in Merlin is very cool.  During our stay at home time I have been able to keep an eye on my feeder much more than normal and see some of the trends on likely birds happening right in front of my eyes.

These activities tasked us to more fully explore the e-Bird site. (Activity 1) The Sandhill crane was just sited by my daughter traveling north from 200 miles away. We tracked the migration pattern and noted why we have to travel from our home to see them. (Activity 2) Black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers, & dark-eyed juncos are in abundance year round in our neighborhood. Whereas mallards, trumpeter swans, and Canadian Geese are seasonal residents. The latter seem to take ownership of most urban parks in Minnesota Spring, Summer, & Fall. We visited a National Wildlife Refuge Center this past week to spot the migrating mallards, hawks, turkey vultures, American White Pelicans, Cliff/ Barn, or Tree Swallows (they flit around too fast to note differences!), blue jays, and ruffed grouse. (Activity 3) The Macaulay Library opened our eyes to the seasonal differences in one particular bird whereas we'd previously noted only male/female differences.

Activity 4: Right now, I expect to find House Finches, and a few Lesser Goldfinches. In six months, I'd still expect to find house finches, but I wouldn't see any Lesser Goldfinches. Instead, I might see Cedar Waxwings.

The White-crowned Sparrow, the Double-crested Cormorant, and the California Quail are all ubiquitous where I live.  I was surprised that the California Quail seems to be the least common bird of the three.  I learned that it is also found in South America in an area that has a similar climate. The Double-crested Cormorant is found all over the country and I had assumed that it was a bird only found near the ocean.  The White-crowned Sparrow is pretty common, but seems to follow the warmer weather.

I was looking at the activity about comparing the appearances of a common loon.  I noticed that the eyes were  bright red in the first half of the year and they seemed to change  in the last half of the year(dark red or black).  Is this a fact or is it due to the lighting conditions that affect photographic results due to the change in seasons?

Activity 4: My favorite birding spot is also the easiest for me - my backyard! Six months from now, I'll still see cardinals, crows, and woodpeckers, but my hummingbird friends will likely be all (or mostly) gone for the season. There is a also a Summer Tanager visiting right now who will be wintering in Central or South America. I am definitely enjoying watching him for now though!

Activity 1:  The migration videos show me why I always see Cardinals but only have a limited window to see Blackburnian Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and will never see a Western Tanager or Rufous Hummingbird unless I vacation out west.  Activity 2: Three year-round resident birds for my area (Columbus, Ohio) are Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, and White-breasted Nuthatch.  Three birds that only live in my area for part of the year are Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, and American Redstart.  Activity 3:  Both the Male American Goldfinches and Common Loons have more vivid coloring in the summer months than in the winter.  Since I have Goldfinches at my feeders year-round, I have noticed this with them.   Activity 4: I don't just have one favorite birding spot, but I know I can count on seeing Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Baltimore Orioles right now.  In six months I could see Cedar Waxwings, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.  I can see Wild Turkeys year-round and right now they are very easy to spot at Blendon Woods Metro Park.

[3] The American Goldfinches right now are in the process of exchanging their olive/tan winter plumage for the more enticing brilliant yellow plumage. Their wing-bars remain evident in both seasons although the bill does change colour. I find them at my feeders in both seasons although more frequently in the winter. They seem to prefer nyjer during the winter. I only see loons during the summer when visiting a friend's cottage in northern Ontario near Algonquin Park. During the summer, they are a beautiful black and white with a black necklace and brown head. The pictures of them during the winter that I found on your website show them to be more uniformly grey with a greyer bill. Had I not taken the time to look, I would not have recognised this bird during the off-season.

[2] Three birds that I can count on being here all year are the Cooper's Hawk, the Northern Cardinal and the Black-capped Chickadee. The look and sound the same all year, although I find the chickadees tends to be a more faithful visitors to my feeders during the snowy months. At this time of year, they tend to expand their range and depend less on my feeders. This month, I had a pair of new visitors arrive rather early from their migration: a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. They stayed for a couple of days but have not been seen since. The White-crowned Sparrows and the White-throated Sparrows have been here before and can always be counted on to feed under my feeders. Once the Covid situation has resolved itself, whenever that might be, I would like to head to the park by the St Clair River in order to take part in some high-quality birding and to enjoy the arrival of the warblers. Alas, all of our parks have been closed since the beginning of the Covid issue.

[4] Right now, my favourite birding location is the abandoned orchard that is a three-minute walk from my house, which is a stone's throw from the extreme southern end of Lake Huron. The area in question is now filled in large part with secondary-growth forest and is a haven for many species of birds, including my faithful friend, the Cooper's Hawk, who likes to visit my backyard frequently. Right now, unless the expected polar vortex hits and drops snow on the area, we are on the cusp of the return of a large wave of migratory birds. Most of my migratory winter birds have left -- I haven't seen a Junco in days -- and I am beginning to see the return of old friends like the White-crowned Sparrow. When fall returns, I expect to see the opposite playing itself out: my summer friends will begin to leave and my winter friends will begin to return. Although I love all of my birds, I do look forward, as I have now for sixteen years, the return of Project Feederwatch in the fall.

Activity 4: In six months, it will be November and I will still be seeing Cardinals, Chickadees, and Hairy Woodpeckers at my feeders. The Pileated Woodpeckers will still be heard drumming in the woods, and will occasionally be seen at the feeders. In the hedgerows, I will no longer see Kingbirds, Blue Grosbeak, or Ruby throated Hummingbirds and Eastern Wood-Pewees. Our barn swallows will have left. The Goldfinches will still be here, but will be much more difficult to spot in their duller plumage. The Mourning doves will still be here, as will the Turkeys, and the Bald Eagles, but I probably will not see them as frequently as I am currently.

[1] I paid particular attention to the birds that fly up through Point Pelee in the Great Lakes because I live two hours north of there on the Canadian side of the southern end of Lake Huron. I noted the vast numbers of birds that are funnelled through that gateway to the north. I also noted the large numbers of birds that skirt the western edge of the Great Lakes and head north into the prairie provinces. I was particularly struck by the invisible dividing line that the central portion of the American mainland seems to be for migrating birds. It is as if western birds spread out with some heading into the central portion of the continent and eastern birds doing the same. That likely explains some of the interbreeding that I read about.

Activity 4: In Central British Columbia we have a few months of cold weather, so the number of species, and number of those staying the winter decrease considerably. I get really tired of taking pictures of Canadian Geese in the winter. Fortunately spring comes early. Winter: Canadian Geese, Song and House Sparrow, Starlings, my favorite Black-capped Chickadee (I am working on locating them by song), American Crow (some really large ones). There are a few others, but not seen in the city normally. We have a few Alaskan swans that winter here. So nice to see. Summer: Oh boy! So many. How do they do it? American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds are the first to show up (Blackbirds mainly around our marshes). Our early spring brings so many in April and May: Mallards, Northern Flicker, California Quail (they are so cute, but my mom complains they dig up the garden), American Goldfinch, House finch (this is the largest finch i have seen), just saw a group of Violet-green Swallows for the first time, I love the soft sound of the Mourning Dove, American Coots, the Osprey are a big deal nesting in our city right now. There are so many; and i have seen so many new to me already this spring. 

Activity 3: It is incredible the difference in colors in different seasons. It makes sense that many birds are less colorful in the winter for camouflage. We do not have either species in our area in the winter. It is interesting that the males are more colorful than females in summer. The color and markings are so vibrant, and I guess pleasing to the females. Is it also that birds in colder winter climates have extra feathers to keep warm? It would make sense. I am going to look that up. In the human race it is the females that decorate to attract males. Funny.

Activity 2: Canada Geese: Many stay in central British Columbia year round. Sparrows and Starlings: some House Sparrows stay over the winter, as do many Starlings. Winter is not too long where we are. I have seen so many varieties this spring! Spring comes early here, and many species have been back for more than a month. For us the first to arrive are Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds. I feel fortunate to have seen many rare ones already this year; Cinnamon Duck, Wood Duck, Blue-headed Mallard, Ruddy Ducks, and more. The breeding Osprey are a big event here.

Activity 3 : - Male American Goldfinches in summer and winter During winter the black crown is gone, bright yellow color is gone, the color of bill has changed. Wings and tail patterns remain same.   Common Loons in summer and winter During winters only things that looks same to me is the color of eyes.

Activity 4 - Hope to see Mallard, Great white Pelican and Osprey in October.

Activity 1 Northern Cardinal with Blackburnian Warbler

• Northern Cardinal   - Looks like they are non-migratory birds.
• Blackburnian Warbler - Start moving from north part of south America after April. They are abundant in north eastern USA from June to August then again move towards south America.

Scarlet Tanager with Western Tanager

• Scarlet Tanager - During non breeding season abundant in north eastern South America. Then move towards USA and breed in central to eastern part of USA. Post breeding migration start from September and they reach north eastern South America by December.
• Western Tanager - During non breeding season which looks longer than Scarlet tanager i.e Nov. to Mar. they are abundant in southern part of North America. April - June they migrate, they breed in western part of USA and Canada. Breeding period is very short,a month and they start moving towards south of North America within a month

Ruby-throated Hummingbird with Rufous Hummingbird

• Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Non-breeding season and range are similar to Western Tanager i.e Nov. to March abundant in southern parts of North America. Mar - May is migration and breeding grounds are spread over from central to eastern USA, grounds are similar to Scarlet Tanager though the breeding period is smaller and Ruby-throated Hummingbird starts moving to non breeding range from Aug.
• Rufous Hummingbird - Non-breeding season Nov. to mid Feb in central Mexico. Migration period is Feb- April and they move parallel to the western coast of North America. Short breeding mid May to mid June period and range is North western USA and western Canada.

Sandhill Crane with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

• Sandhill Crane - Short non breeding period , range is so scattered. During a four month long migration they are everywhere , there is no patter in the movement. Long breeding season and they breed all-over northern USA and Canada.
• Yellow-bellied Flycatcher- Such long non breeding season, almost half a year mid Nov. - mid April. Very short breeding season they breed in the lands north of USA.

Namaste to all, Activity 2 - Year round birds - Indian spot billed duck, Green bee-eater and Indian pond-heron Seasonal birds - White-naped woodpecker,Indian Golden Oriole and Pied Avocet.   Have seen white- naped woodpecker and Indian golden oriole. A co-worker who knew about my interest in birds clicked a picture of Indian golden oriole for me. It stayed in office premises for couple of days.

Activity 3 Male American Goldfinch- Throughout both summer and winter, the Goldfinch maintains its golden colour but its vibrancy changes with seasonality.  In the summer, the Goldfinch is  vibrant yellow throughout its body, with a distinct black patch on its crown and black and white wings.  In contrast, the winter Goldfinch is a dull yellow, with black and white wings and notably absent is the black patch on its crown.   Common Loons- The difference between a Common Loon in the summer as compared to the winter is quite striking.  In the summer they have a black and white checkered back, an iridescent black head with red eyes.  The loon's neck is distinct with a black and white striped ring, followed by another ring of iridescent black.   In the winter, all the regal colouring of the summer is muted to a grey and the red eyes are black.

In my area of rural Northeast Texas an ad lib Activity:  I have a peanut feeder and see 5 birds there. Carolina chickadee ,Carolina Wren, White-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker and Tufted Titmouse.  On my seed feeder I see Cardinals, white crowned sparrows, white necked sparrows.  Rarely see a house finch.  On the ground I see a brown thrashers, blue jays,  and a mourning dove pair.  Most exciting for me is a pair of black-bellied whistling ducks  Began coming to a pond near town 4 to 5 years ago at approximately the same time. They are really beautiful. Saw some red winged blackbirds at same pond yesterday.  Year round we have some Canada geese there also.

Activity 2 In my area my year-round residents are; The Northern Cardinal, The Canada Goose, and the Black-capped Chickadee.  In the city I see Canada Geese and Cardinals daily, but If I want to see a Chickadee I need to go to the Bruce Trail or a Conservation area.  My occasional residents are; the Baltimore Oriole, The American Redstart, and the Eastern Kingbird.  Of those, I have only seen the Baltimore Oriole a few years back when my neighbour had a cherry tree in the backyard.

Activity 1 Northern Cardinal vs. Blackburnian Warbler The Cardinal tends to stay in North America whereas the Blackburnian Warblers spend their winters in South American and migrate North in mid spring, heading back south in the fall.   Scarlet Tanager vs.Western Tanager The Scarlet Tanager winters in South America.  In the Spring it makes its way across the Eastern half of the United States and up to Eastern Canada for the summer months until it again migrates South for the  winter.  The Western Tanager winters in Mexico and Central America.  In the spring they migrate to the Western half of the United States and Western Canada. Ruby-throated Hummingbird vs. Rufous Hummingbird The Ruby-throated Hummingbird winters in Mexico and Central America, with isolated pockets in Florida.  In the Spring they migrate across the Gulf and up to the Eastern half of the United States, up into Canada where they are found in the Eastern, Prairie, and Western Provinces. The Rufous Hummingbird Winters in Mexico and Central America.  In the spring it migrates North following the West Coast of the United States up into Canada.  On its migration South it covers a wider geographical area.  

Activity 1: some birds have very long migrations based on the seasons, while others, like the Northern Cardinal, seem to stay put more or less throughout the year. Some birds migrate from the same starting point along very different paths, with some opting for a route over the Gulf of Mexico and up the east coast, for example, while others moving up the west coast. Activity 2: I live in Montreal. I've become quite fascinated with the bar charts and range maps available in Merlin lately. Three birds that are found in my area throughout the year and that I've seen lately: Mallard; American Crow; and Northern Cardinal. Three birds that only live in my area for part of the year: Tree Swallow; Double-Crested Cormorant; and Great Egret. I've seen all three of these in the past month! I'm really fascinated by the Great Egret's range map. Usually range maps for migratory species have a migration zone that connects a breeding zone and a year-round or non-breeding zone. But for the Great Egret, the migration zone is actually further north than all other zones (year-round, non-breeding, and breeding). What the heck are they doing migrating well beyond their breeding areas? Activity 3: summer season is clearly the season for getting dressed up. It's like the prom! Both birds have the same base color schemes in summer and winter, but the summer plumage is sharper, brighter, more demarcated and decorated. I've only just started paying close attention to birds around me, despite having loved the outdoors and nature my whole life. I'm interested to see how hard it will be to identify birds once plumages for my regular sightings start changing. Already, it's hard to differentiate male and female when plumage varies considerably, not to mention immature birds; so when all of their plumages start changing in different directions later in the year -- that's going to be a challenge. But I look forward to it. Activity 4: My favorite birding spot is probably the birding spot that I haven't been to yet -- the far north, the coastal waters where I grew up but no longer live, deep boreal forest -- these places are ones I dream about being in to see what's there. But my most regular birding spots hold a different kind of special place in my heart. I love getting to know a place deeply by spending a lot of time there. I have a place I go to several times a day for walks and that I've gotten to know in much deeper ways since I've started paying attention to what birds show up, and doing some reading in Merlin and elsewhere on what is likely to appear at different times of the year. Right now, that spot is dominated by Red-Winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, Great Blue Herons, Double-Crested Cormorants, Mallards, Ring-Billed Gulls, Tree Swallows, and others. Interestingly, in six months, the mix of birds that people typically see at this site seems to be very similar. Birds that migrate away from here will be back on their southward migration in about six months (e.g., Buffleheads, Common Goldeneye). The Tree Swallow is one of the few examples of a bird that is here now but who probably won't be around in six months.