Deanne

Activity 1: Birds matter to me, as my interest began when i was a little girl and would help my Grandfather feed the birds at his feeder. I am over 50, lived in Wisconsin my entire life, and until 3 summers ago never saw a Grosbeak in my life. I am using the same bird feeder, as "home made" as it looks, actually is. My Grandfather made it for my mom when i was little, and I've had it now several years. My interest is growing year by year, with more interest in migratory birds, the raptors, and my favorite Pileated Woodpecker Activity 2: We don't use pesticides, we try not to disturb any of the natural habitat around our home, we try to raise awareness when company comes to visit we point out some of the unique birds at the time, we keep mindful of recycling, we pick up trash people throw by the road, along with many other things. Activity 3: I've noticed a lower number of Sparrows. I remember in the 1970's seeing tons of them all over all the time, now i rarely see any. Activity 4: A project i am considering is putting together a book. I am disabled and spend a good part of my day in a chair watching the bird feeder out the window. As i see the seasons change, i see the birds change. First the Sand Cranes come back, then finches come back, then the humming birds, and the Grosbeaks. The variety at the feeder is astounding to me, as i write this there's a Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Chickadee and a Brown headed Cow Bird at my feeder! Such an abundance! Thank you so much for your course, i really learned a lot!

Really neat picture!! This is my favorite bird. I have one in my trees, comes often to my bird feeder, but every time i try to get a photo he becomes camera shy! Thanks for sharing.

Activity #1: I watched daily, a flock of Blue Jays that hang out. I set up a trail cam near where they nest and over a  winter got some really nice pictures on the cam. It almost seems like one sits high up in the trees while the others were foraging in the snow. (is that a feather from preening in the lower right?) Activity #2: I watched a variety at my home bird feeder this morning. A "flock" of 4+ yellow finches hanging out on a block i put in a hanger. Several brown headed cow birds at the feeder eating.Activity #3: Listening out my door this morning I could hear some Sand Cranes calling (the echo in the woods sounds like we live in Jurassic Park!), I heard the Red Wing Blackbird call and the distinct tap tap tap of a Woodpecker. 

Thanks for sharing, can you put up pictures? especially of your nesting boxes? I'm interested in how you did it, how high up off the ground, etc. Thanks!

1. I saw 2 Mourning Doves and Chickadees. Easy to spot the differences by size, color, and their shape. 2. Three different birds this morning, same colors: Robin, Mourning Doves, Wild Turkey. The robin looked a darker brown, easy to know it due to the orange belly, the Turkey was easy to ID due to it's size, though i did second guess was it a pheasant? Used the Merlin ID and due to the brown patch above the tail feathers was able to tell it was a Wild Turkey. The doves easy to know the difference, one thing i did learn via the lesson were the spots on their wings, i never noticed spots on Mourning Doves before. 3. Three birds searching for food, same as #2, Robin, Mourning Doves, and the Wild Turkey. All three were foraging on the ground. The Doves were savaging seed on the ground by the bird feeder, the Turkey was out in the grassy area as were the robins. 4. My favorite bird is the Pileated Woodpecker. Easy to distinguish by it's large size, as well as the black and white coloring along with the brilliant red hood.