Snowbirds and Spring fling

Snow Goose

As the temperatures are rising here our duck numbers are dwindling at the lakes.   The American Wigeon's are down from close to 200 at their peak to less than 30 tonight.   American Coots are holding steady at over 20 but the Northern Shovelers have already left, our neighborhood it seems.  The Snow Goose which spent the winter here has also been missing the past few days. 

Redheads

Although numbers are low we still have a good variety of waterbirds for this time of year.  This week 2 Redheads, a single Ruddy Duck, one Pied-billed Grebe, a Cinnamon Teal, 2 Neotropic Cormorants, a Black-necked Stilt, and a Gadwall made appearances at the ponds.  A Northern Pintail also made an appearance a couple weeks ago.

Northern Pintail

A Great Horned Owl that started nesting around early February has at least 2 young flopping around in their comfy home in the crotch of a Eucalyptus tree.  They don't seem to mind the cars passing by but I always turn off my brights at night as I reach that stretch of pavement.  

Western Screech Owl

Last year we replaced the screech owl nest box in our neighborhood.  After the change out it seemed like it wasn't being used and I was concerned the exposure to wind could be a factor.   Late November of last year I finally found a gray head sticking out of the nest hole.   These past few weeks this guy has been more visible and I finally got some halfway decent pics.  

Screech owls will take readily to owl boxes, but in Arizona it is wise to drill extra holes for ventilation during our hot months.  

His face reminds me of an icon on the web, "Grumpy Cat."   Could this be "Grumpy Owl?"

I started keeping a 2013 yard and neighborhood list for 2013.   Our neighborhood list is currently at 116 species and the yard list is at 40 species (seen or heard from the property).  Some of the yard specialties include a singing Bell's Vireo, Lincoln's Sparrow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wood Duck, Snow Goose, Great Egret, and Peregrine Falcon.   One of the newest visitors is the Pyrrhuloxia pictured below.  We also have 4 Broad-billed Hummingbirds, 2 Anna's, and a Black-chinned using our feeders (and the occasional Gila Woodpecker or Verdin).   Thank you for appreciating our neighborhood and yard wildlife. 

Pyrrhuloxia



Broad-billed Hummingbird male