Monday (18 Apr) afternoon was warm and sunny. I spent a few hours watching (and photographing) the backyard birds.
In addition to the year-rounders (nuthatches, chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers) a number of returning migrants have appeared. There were good numbers of American goldfinches, sometimes as many as a dozen or so at one time. I am always amazed at the brilliance of the yellow coloring of the males at this time of year. Smaller numbers of purple finches were also present.
Small flocks of juncos (eight or ten) came and went all afternoon. I am unable to get a sense of what stimulates the entire flock to make an exodus. When they leave en mass they seem to startle everyone else (including me!) and often cause all of the finches to flee as well.
Lastly, I saw two singletons… a red-breasted nuthatch (which I did not photograph) and a chipping sparrow.
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Another fine FLOCK of winged wonders, Frank!
Those purple finches are quite beautiful.
Thanks for sharing them. . .
Comment by Joe Kennedy — 20 April 2016 @ 12:52 PM