Today (February 16, 2015) is the final day of this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. If you haven’t joined in yet there’s still time! Just go to the GBBC website, register for a free account and spend at least 15 minutes counting the birds in your yard or wherever else you might be today. I’ve had an excellent time participating in this year’s count. Here are the bird species I’ve cataloged thus far:
- Cooper’s Hawk – Accipiter cooperii
- Eurasian Collared-Dove – Streptopelia decaocto
- Inca Dove – Columbina inca
- White-winged Dove – Zenaida asiatica
- Mourning Dove – Zenaida macroura
- Blue Jay – Cyanocitta cristata
- American Robin – Turdus migratorius
- Northern Mockingbird – Mimus polyglottos
- European Starling – Sturnus vulgaris
- Cedar Waxwing – Bombycilla cedrorum
- Dark-eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis
- Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis
- Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus
- Great-tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus
- House Finch – Haemorhous mexicanus
- Pine Siskin – Spinus pinus
- American Goldfinch – Spinus tristis
- House Sparrow – Passer domesticus
The most interesting sighting I’ve had so far would be the throng of Cedar Waxwings in the photo below. There were several hawks circling at the time this picture was taken. After being alerted by the raucous calls of a group of Bluejays, these Cedar Waxwings took refuge in this large tree in our front yard. The dullness of the photo matches the dullness of the weather we were having at the time. While the Waxwings are evident due to their crests, its a bit difficult to recognize that there is also an American Robin as well as at least one American Goldfinch in this bunch!
Here’s a closer look at a few of the birds in the swarm above. Again, the photo isn’t great, but yesterday afternoon was so very gray that I’m surprised it came out as well as it did.
I hope to do at least one more count before the day is done. For the past few days I was able to sit in a recessed part of our back patio to watch for birds, but today I’ll have to make do with hanging out at the back window. Brrrrr! It’s cold outside but at least the sun has come out. That should bring the birds out as well. Happy Birding!
The Transmutational Garden 
Citizen scientists unite! Quite an impressive list! Taking a photo sure makes counting easier – they are always moving!
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Some are so unbelievably quick!
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We have a count over here where you allocate an hour over the course of the nominated weekend. But we only submit one set of results. I like the idea that you can undertake more than one count, and its over a longer period of time. Your list looks exciting, apart from the Starlings and Sparrows, none of your birds are seen over here.
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I wish I could have seen something out of the ordinary, but it wasn’t to be! The GBBC is done all over the world, so you might consider taking part next year. Every time I had some free time I just picked a spot to park myself and began counting. I ended up with seven lists. I actually enjoy just looking and taking photos. I’ve had to stop in the middle of a shot just to jot down numbers of birds that have arrived. But it was fun!
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Good number of birds, the Waxwings are a lovely bird, not seen one for a few years..
Amanda xx
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The Waxwings seem to be invisible most of the time, usually just appearing when danger looms.
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What an exciting list of birds you have. I love the Cedar lapwings.
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This was the first year I took part in the GBBC and it was exciting to watch for the birds.
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Well done, and lucky you seeing so many different kinds of birds. xx
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Thanks. I enjoyed participating and look forward to doing it again next year.
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Great list! I love the drama of a waxwings visit!
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Thanks. Yes, those birds are quite dramatic. They don’t just pop up one or two at a time, they always seem to come in bunches.
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I love seeing a flock of waxwings. Goldfinches too. Today I was out birding, but it was just all the regular songbirds, no special sightings. You really saw a variety of doves!
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We do have quite a few doves. They’ve gotten to the point that they sit on the telephone wires and in the trees waiting for me to come out and toss some seed. I’m starting to wean them off of it slowly so they start looking elsewhere with spring coming.
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Great bird list! I have seen a cedar waxwing only once in the garden, and that was a couple of years ago. I am trying to tempt them by planting shrubs with their favorite berries, but so far no luck.
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I’m looking for some type of berry shrubs to plant also, other than the photinia they’ve been eating on. I’m sure they’re munching on the cedar berries in a neighbor’s yard, so I’m seriously thinking about planting one of those. I hope you do have some luck and get them into your garden.
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