And Another Look at the Bird Bath

How about one more bird bather?  Well, sure!  And here is a fine shot of one of the more vigorous bath users---a Brown Thrasher.  All of the thrushes and their allies have a great interest in bird bathing.  It's usually much greater than with the other passerines.  Nor do they seem terribly bothered by water depth in the various styles of bath here: the shallow and the somewhat deeper both get their traffic.Enjoy this look!

Seeing Thrashers

Suddenly...there were Thrashers!  Brown Thrashers are fascinating birds that are perennials in these parts, but for whatever reason they are intensely obvious this month.  We see them on the feeders (suet).  We see them in the yard.  We see them throughout the neighborhood.  Is it that the spring brings out a change in behavior?  or is this some temporary weirdness?  I'm never sure.  Although I am leaning to the former, noticing the same sort of thing evidenced by the towhees.  I'll have to be extra vigilant, say, in winter and see if the thrashers might just be as visible at that time of year.

Skulker Tribe Lying Low

Some of the most interesting birds in our territory are those that "skulk": those that move about furtively under brush and scratch out a living on the ground.  Among these are the Brown Thrasher (shown), Eastern Towhee, and Chipping Sparrow.  For some weeks I have had real difficulty finding these characters, although I know they're out there.  Our small natural area buffer is so good that it can hide dozens of birds from the casual observer.  I figure they'll be a little more obvious in winter when the low leaves drop, and of course in spring when they sing up a storm.  For autumn, it's a game of hide and seek.  And hide is winning!

Greater Thrasher Activity

In recent weeks I have noticed a good deal more Brown Thrasher activity.  This species comes and goes in terms of observations, or at least, one sees them more plainly at some times of year and much less at others.  And July is turning out to be a very good Thrasher month indeed.  They work the scratching ground (shown) regularly and also make visits to the feeders, where they most often pursue suet (else, I assume, insects getting in the safflower platform).  And at all times they're wary and skittish.  It's definitely good to see them around, as that assures me any of our pest problems are being mitigated by nature's own exterminators!

Double the Fun

In light of the continued excessive heat (peaked at 106F today) I dragged out my second ground level bird bath, normally used in winter, and filled it, and cleaned and filled the rest.  The extra water was a huge hit today, as species after species stopped by for drinks and baths.  Here, a Brown Thrasher and Eastern Towhee enjoyed the water stations late in the afternoon.  So it was double the fun! (for me, the observer. Not so much for the birds...)  The heat wave lessens only slightly tomorrow and Monday, so the extra stations will be maintained.  I'm expecting another wave of birds!

Lots of Thrasher Action

In the past week or so I have observed an especially frequent visit pattern by Brown Thrashers.  I think I've seen them more in April than in the past half year combined.  Normally thrashers are skulkers and stay away from feeders.  Not so much now.  They are particularly interested in suet and I believe what's behind it are young thrashers.  It is about the right time of year, and the thrashers should have started nesting in March at the latest.  I have not seen any juveniles but their presence is suggested, and likely very close by.  As usual for me, I can't locate a nest but heaven knows what backyard they might be in!  Hence we have high expectations to see the fledglings...any day now. 

Hello Stranger!

Here's a bird we haven't seen in a while!  Today, BirdCam captured a photo of our old friend, "Old Yelloweyes", the Brown Thrasher.  The trasher was visiting one of its favorite feeders (the hanging platform) almost certainly in expectation of a suet nugget.  The thrashers come and go at long intervals.  And I don't tend to see them much in winter -- at least not this far above ground.  We'll probably not see too much until April.  And in fact we only had the one picture all day.  We'll keep watching and hope the thrasher comes by more regularly this summer!