Looks like a cardinal, don't you think? There are still quite a few juvenile cardinals hanging around the backyard and there's a feeder just above the patio where the cardinals like to eat. I'm wondering whether a surprise visit from the Cooper's hawk startled the birds at the feeder and this poor cardinal crashed into the window in its rush to escape.On a totally unrelated note, there has been lots of migration activity here in just the last few days, in fact I just looked out the dining room window and spotted a male American Redstart in the oak tree. (Yard bird #49 for 2009 and a first for the backyard too!) Anyway, when I take Sophie out for her night-time potty breaks, I can hear hundreds of little birdies peeping in the sky overhead, no matter what time of night: 8:30, 12:30, even 4:00 when we get up. It's so amazing that they can fly at night like that. So, while I'm getting ready for work, Mr. Johnson always takes Sophie for another walk and I asked him when he got back, "did you hear all those little birds peeping?" His response? "No." Then when I got to work this morning (at 5:15) I could still hear them while I was walking in from the parking lot. I asked one of the guys who was walking in at the same time, "can you hear those little birds peeping above us?" He looked at me really strangely and also responded, "no." Then I asked my office mate when she got in (of course she already thinks I'm pretty strange) and she laughed as she also said "no." So have any of you heard the little birds peeping at night?? I hope someone says yes because people are starting to look at me like I'm some kind of kook!!
12 comments:
You just have better atuned ears and pay attention where others do not. Yet, I have to admit I haven't heard any night birds, but then I'm usually sleeping. I've seen bats starting at dusk. I will have to pay more attention.
You're only a good kind of crazy.
I've only been able to hear the night peeps when I'm well out of the Cities. I'm hoping this weekend at Hasty will be active with migrants.
I can't believe how much your window print looks like a Cardinal. Either he recovered from the crash or Coop got a meal.
My hearing isn't as good as it used to be. You have made me want to get out at night to listen though. Looking at the moon with my scope proves to be interesting sometimes. I can see bird bodies crossing through the light.
Hi Ruthie, I know exactly what
you are saying. People who are
not aware of such things seem to
never tune them in. Sitting out
in a yard during the day I can hear several species singing or calling while the nonbirders
there haven't heard a thing.
Hap in New Hope
Do you see large flocks of big pink flamingos flying over, too, Ruthie? (Tee-hee, just kidding.)
Thanks Gaelyn! I think I've just become more aware of birds at night since I found out they migrate at night. Maybe I hear them more after dark because there are no other sight distractions.
Hi Lynne,
Lots of migrants in the backyard today (and I heard a red-breasted nuthatch last Sunday). I hope you catch sight of some up at Hasty over the weekend too.
Hi Lisa,
Good suggestion about using the scope at night. I'll try to remember that for the next full moon.
Thanks Hap, it's good to know I'm not the only person with this "problem!" I guess I'm glad to be hearing birds and not strange voices in my head.
Well Mama Pea, if those Pink Flamingoes were flying over, you can bet I'd hear them before I saw them!
At the beginning of summer, I spotted such a shadow on our bedroom window. I had not heard anything, so I didn't know when it happened. Its shape was distinctly mourning dove--although it seemed a little high for doves. And, like you, I found nothing below.
I just wrote about a window strike too. These always bother me. I feel I should apologize to birds for having fooled them.
Well, that's because you are the bird whisperer Ruthie! Of course YOU can hear them all!!!! :c)
Poor, poor birdie in the window. It does certainly resemble a Cardinal with the crest at the top and all. Hope he fared well.
Been out many times at night and honestly haven't heard a thing except for some large groups of Canada Geese heading south. As for yard bird migration, I've been looking and the only new bird to show up lately is some late migrating Robins and a snapper.
Nope, not heard them! But I have seen more and more blackbirds. Wondering if they're getting ready to move on. Or maybe I'm just hoping so!
Think its time I schedule in a visit to Squaw Creek to check out what birds are there.
I've heard the birds at nite, even geese honking, but it is migration season. You want to hear bird noises, all I have to do is open the front door and turn the lite on, and the small pine to the left of the door comes alive because I disturbed them. They do settle down real quick when the lite goes out again.
MOM
Hi Donna,
They don't occur very frequently here, but I always feel bad about the window strikes too.
Thanks Jayne. I'll have to remember "Bird Whisperer" then people might be impressed instead of thinking I'm just a kook!
Hi Richard,
I've noticed a whole bunch of robin activity in the backyard lately too. They're really chowing on the crabapples!
Hi Julie,
I saw one large flock of blackbirds and some unidentified hawks fly over today. If your weather's good, I think this will be a good weekend for you to visit Squaw Creek. I'll watch for your pictures!
Hi Mom,
Sometimes I hear the cardinals out in my white pines too. I always wonder what would be disturbing them in the middle of the night.
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