This morning as Graham and I had our coffee, we looked out into the back yard, gabbing and watching for the bird species that we have in our yard. We have three birdhouses in the back yard. All are hung at about eye level on our fence. One of them is a “duplex”, since it has two entrances and a little wall between the rooms.
We have a lot of what I think are Chipping Sparrows living now in all three of these birdhouses. The starlings that visit seem intent on getting into these homes, but the sparrows are pretty territorial, and no sooner does a starling perch at the entrance to one of the birdhouses, a gang of sparrows shows up to kick him out.
Sparrow.
Early morning inevitably brings a pair of mourning doves to the top of the fence and their call has become one of my favourites. They returned just last week, along with the robins, who have been flitting around trying to mate all morning here. I like the way they hop across the grass.
Mourning doves.
Some little finches are usually around, too, and in the winter they’re dark grey until mating season, when their yellow feathers appear.
Two summers ago there was a pair of blue jays nesting nearby, and they would perch on the top of the fence just outside our kitchen door, or on the gate. They are so beautiful to see up close when they don’t realize you’re watching.
Because we live fairly close to Lake Ontario, the odd seagull flies overhead, and flocks of Canada geese have been zooming noisily overhead lately, too.
The most unusual bird we’ve had is undoubtedly the heron that I saw sitting stoically atop the neighbour’s roof last fall.
Heron on the roof.
I’d love it if some cardinals would come around but I don’t think we have the right habitat around here for them.
At this month’s COG Durham chapter meeting, Wednesday, March 28, Christina Sharma, Volunteer Canadian Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward and Richard Joos, Avian Ecologist, will present “Attracting Birds to Your Backyard Garden”.
Note: Playing in the Dirt will be moving soon to its new URL, www.playinginthedirt.ca. Watch for updates!
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The starlings were going crazy building a nest and making a ruckus on our roof on Sunday morning. It’s nice to hear the birds again.