Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Birding In My Backyard

Me fixing nest box
My Hopper Feeder

After school I went outside to bird watch, there was many birds including the Brown-headed Cowbird. Which ornithologists call a "nest parasite" because they lay their eggs in other birds nest's. The cowbirds I saw were eating out of my hopper feeder. Then I went over to our sand box and saw, what I thought was a baby bird out of our nest. I checked our nest and all the baby birds were gone! So I figured that must be one of the robins from that nest. The baby bird sounded awful. It sounded like PUKT, ChiiirPP, Piut, put, put!!!. But it wasn't its fault, it was just practicing robin songs.

Yesterday, I was sitting down and a House Sparrow was perched on a tree inches away from me! I thought it was very exciting and I also saw grackles.

Anyway, back to what happened today. Brown-headed Cowbirds do kill other birds don't they? In a way? If you know please tell me because I'm getting tired of chasing the cowbirds out of our yard.

The bee population is going WAAAAY UP! There's even a bee by the window I'm typing by. But not to worry because these don't sting often. Unlike last years bees because I got stung last year. The bees this year also seem bigger than the ones I saw last year. Anyone know why?

Back to the birds; we had many grackles doing territorial fights which looked impressive because they look so much bigger than there normal size. Like the one I showed you with the funny story. Ha, ha! And there was a dove sleeping on the platform feeder on the birdseed. I always wondered where birds slept but I never expected this.

In two weeks my family and I are going to Point Pelee National Park and here is the park's website: www.pointpelee.ca . Since we are going there in mid-May its supposed to be the best place in North America to go birding!!!

Anyway, its my bed-time so bye!

7 comments:

The Becka said...

My mom and I saw a pair of Cowbirds while walking our dog sometime last week (in a field). She called the Cowbirds "parasites" and I was like, "What? How are they parasites...?".

Yes, I know nothing about birds. :(

I've also noticed more bees than usual over here too. My dog has a nasty habit of trying to eat a bee everytime one passes him by.

Birdman said...

Hello, becka
Cowbirds are "parasites" because they lay egg in other birds nest's.

Your dog better watch out, he might get stung!
Bye,
Birdman

omalois said...

Enjoyed your blog birdman. Bees and omalois are not on friendly terms. Too many bad memories. Have a good time at Point Pele.

The Becka said...

Yep, my mom told me why cowbirds were "parasites".

Ruth said...

I would love to go to Point Pelee in May! I am working a couple of weekends this month, and don't know if I can make it. Are you going in one day, or staying overnight??
We need those bees!

Birdman said...

Hello
omalois-Thanks, to bad you got stung a bunch of times. They sure hurt don't they?

becka-OK, I just thought you were asking me "How are they parasites?".

body soul and spirit-To bad you can't go to Point Pelee. :-( We are going to Point Pelee on the long weekend so were staying overnight.
Bye,
Birdman

The Becka said...

Sorry! I didn't explain that part very well in my first comment...