mpls birding may 8, 2008

In a half hour of birding by the Mississippi River, Minneapolis I saw:
black and white warbler
palm warbler
Nashville Warbler
a Yellow Rumped Warbler invasion
ovenbird
tennessee warbler

swainson's thrush
brown thrasher

Palm Warbler

Swainson's Thrush

seed starting

Lettuce seedings

After trying several different methods to start seeds outside, this has been the best. I used a tray (use an food container, egg carton, or stryofoam container) and a seed starter soil mix. I put a few drainage holes in the bottom of the container, then I planted the seeds. I put a reused plastic cover on it and placed the container on foil (a used windshield blocker). I kept the soil mix moist until the seeds spouted. When the temperature warmed up I took the cover off and planted the seedlings in the ground.

warbler migration in mpls

In a half hour of birding, I saw a Turkey Vulture, several Chipping Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, Yellow Warblers, Black and White Warblers, many Yellow Rumped Warblers, Tennessee Warblers, a Yellow Throated Vireo, and a male American Redstart. Not bad for a lunch break.




This male American Redstart was almost posing for me. It is very difficult to take a photo of a small five inch bird with a small digital camera. This Redstart made it easy to capture his image. He sat perched on a branch long enough for me to take a few photos. Most birds fly away as soon as they see the camera.

Yellow Warbler, photo from Wikipedia

Chipping Sparrow

birding report, south mpls may 6, 2008

Spring bird migration continues. Today I saw many Yellow Rumped Warblers and White Throated Sparrows. There was one Black and White Warbler, a few Tennessee Warblers, and some House Wrens. Later in the day I saw a Swainson's Thrush.

From left to right, Tennessee Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Black and White Warbler.
Photos from Wikipedia and Minnesota Public Radio.

spring backyard birds

The White Throated Sparrows (WTS) and the Brown Thrasher(s) are still hanging out in the yard. The WTS are everywhere, singing in the trees, and foraging on the ground.

Brown Thrasher and a White Throated Sparrow

White Throated Sparrows

Click on photos for larger view.

invasion of the white throated sparrows

Photo from Wikipedia

This time of year the White Throated Sparrows "invade" the area. A birder said, "The White Throated Sparrow ship has landed." It's true. You never see just one. They migrate in groups. These birds can be loud. When foraging on the ground they kick up leaves and dirt. It sounds like a large animal foraging.

During this time of year large groups of White Throated Sparrows show up. Tonight in the rain several sparrows were foraging for food and singing.

happy mayday!

Bird migration is moving through the Minnesota. In Minneapolis, Yellow Rumped Warblers (YRW) and White Throated Sparrows (WTS) are numerous. When I got home today there were lots of YRWs and WTSs in the yard. Both were calling and the sparrows were singing. I saw a first of the year Nashville Warbler, while birding at lunch. Later in the evening there was a Brown Thrasher in the yard.

The tulips and bulbs are blooming. The leaves are sprouting on the trees. It's Beltane and life has returned to the northland. Tonight the air is moist as the rain approaches.

Nashville Warbler

photo from USGS Patuxent Bird Population Studies