Entries Tagged 'Callaway Nature Preserve' ↓

I went to the doctor and got my brace off. My knee is feeling a lot better and there is no injury anymore. I have not gone birding yet, but in my yard I have seen the usual residents and I saw a Swainson’s Thrush and a few warblers like American Redstarts and a Black-and-white Warbler.

Last weekend was my uncle (Eddie)’s birthday. We got him a blind called an Outhouse Blind (hee hee). It is for taking photos without the birds getting scared. I tried it out when I was on crutches and I got a few pictures of some type of flycatcher, which I haven’t uploaded yet.

Eddie’s new blind - Photo by Birdfreak

Tomorrow, we are supposed to go on a birding field trip to Illinois Beach State Park but it is supposed to rain a LOT so we might have to cancel it. That would be sad.

I’ll keep you informed.

Over Labor Day weekend I injured my knee. My neighbor’s dog ran into my leg and it twisted it backwards and it really hurt. The dog didn’t see me and ran into me but it was on accident.

So, birding has been no fun because I can’t walk very well. I was able to sit down and bird in the backyard though and luckily there are some warblers and other birds like Common Nighthawks to watch.

Hanging out in the Callaway Nature Preserve - photo by Birdfreak

In my backyard there are three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that are coming to the feeders. They are fun to watch hovering and drinking.

It is hard to deal with not playing baseball or hiking and I don’t know yet how long I will have to wait to get better. I hope it is soon.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - photo by Birdfreak

The Downy Pair - by Birdfreak

The Downy couple has had babies. When I walk under the Birch Tree, I can hear the babies making little sounds in the hole. The Mom and Dad are carrying bugs into the nest and the peeping sounds get louder.

Willow Tree Seat - good for Downy Woodpecker watching - Birdfreak

I like to sit on the Willow stump and watch the Downy Woodpeckers feed their babies and fly around to get food. My cousins like to watch the family too. We can’t play Wiffleball in the backyard because we don’t want to disturb the woodpeckers.

I hope to get photos of the babies when they come out of the nest!

A couple of Downy Woodpeckers have moved into the Birch Tree in our backyard. The male Downy flew by the hole that they are trying to nest in with food in his mouth. The female poked out of the hole and ate it right from his mouth!

She is hard to see, but she is sticking her head out of the hole

They have been making the hole for a few weeks now, and I think there might be eggs My cousin Sammie and I were watching the hole today after school as the female kept on poking her head out. After awhile, she flew away, so maybe there are not eggs yet.

Downy Woodpecker by Birdfreak

Also in the yard today I saw White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, American Crow, Lincoln’s Sparrow (which my Mom helped me find), American Goldfinch, and Northern Cardinal. I did not bird all weekend because I had a big baseball tournament.

I hope our new neighbors like the Birch Tree neighborhood!