11, 13 May

11 May

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S109692646

weather:  8 am 8C wind SSE 10,  12:00m 12C wind SSE 13 cloudy

tide:  10:30 am 2.6m, rising

13 May

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S109899284

weather:  8 am 7C wind SE 4, 9C wind ESE gust 27, patchy frost initially clear then showers

tide:  10:30 am, low tide rising

11 May

A good day for ear birding.  Quail, and then crows mobbing a great horned owl, who responded hooting in protest.  I should develop recording skills.

It's definitely becoming springlike in the behaviour of hawthorn and birds, although I read in the news that it's the coldest May in a hundred years, and I believe it.  


This photo tells the story--hawthorn blooming and snow on the mountains in the background.

And then there's this robin, busily organising a nest.  I hope she's insulating well.


This siskin looks to be fluffed up against the weather...


...at least, I hope that he's not ailing.  As far as I know, songbirds aren't at risk of avian 'flu.

13 May

Indeed, Friday the 13th, although it seemed a lucky day for birding.



It remains cold and rainy, although I managed to get out and home before the deluge.

Today they weren't crows, but ravens, harassing two young owls.


This handsome youngster must be the younger of the pair--there was another owl at a distance, in too much shrubbery to photograph.  I have read (in the Cornell website) that the younger owl will beg at older siblings.  Sure enough, in addition to hooting (I think in response to the ravens?), this own was doing the begging screech at his older sib.

A song sparrow must have a nest somewhere--I haven't seen it, but here s/he is bringing nummy worms to the kids, and looking rather proud.


There does seem to be a lot of nesting underway at the Estuary.

This golden-crowned sparrow is showing a brooding patch.


I don't think the hummingbird is necessarily breeding but he was certainly displaying.


The salmonberries are setting on.


I don't know what's going on with the eagle nest--I'm not seeing anybody at home.  I hope they're ok.

Perhaps one day, in addition to looking like spring (apart from the snow pack), it will feel like it as well.







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