Ostdrossel

Inspired by the internet, I built a squirrelbox to try my luck. I put some nuts in there to lure them but only a foraging Red Squirrel came. I decided to end the project today because Starlings started showing up and were too interested. They are an invasive species here, and I will not give them nesting help on my property and potentially stress native birds. I would have loved to see squirrel life but this will have to wait for a different time and place. (I put a Wyze cam inside the box and this was filmed with a Birdfy that I mounted on the outside.) #nature

The wind is raging on, bringing migratory birds and warmer air closer, but these lovely winter guests are still hanging around- the Juncos. It is always funny to see how their demeanor changes from more shy at the start of fall to pretty feisty going into spring. They will start their journey north soon but I am quite enjoying their antics and curiosity until then. #birds

And here is a Redwinged Blackbird showing what he's got. For the time being, it's males only, the females arrive a bit later. #birds

The Grackle puff show offs have begun, and it is always a great time to watch the rivaling displays. They were good at hiding and getting out of frame today but they were so fun and active that I decided to make a video. The last piece is there because it contains the strangest noises. Maybe a Starling, maybe a camera mic malfunction, maybe both? #birds

It's a busy work week for me and nothing much is happening in the yard, so here is another blast from the past, some of the tiny winged jewels that will soon arrive here again - the Rubythroated Hummingbirds. I feel like I say that will all the birds but they also have a special spot in my heart. I remember how surprised I was when I heard we have them here. My European heart was and still is delighted 🙂 #birds

Another timelapse of the Swallowtail chrysalis, happily dreaming of the sky and sunshine... And a very late but heartfelt happy women's day to all! There is lots of work to do, and I wish more of us would hold the reins, I think the world would be a better place than it is right now ❤️‍🩹 #bugs

I've been looking at many Grackles throughout the years, and one thing I have noticed in videos is how much the size of their pupils changes. I tried to slow down and zoom in here to show it a bit. The light is not changing dramatically, does anyone know why Grackle eyes do this? Also, they are showing off already 🖤#birds

Redwinged Blackbirds and Grackles can look mega elegant and awe-inspiring. But then also be complete goofballs 😆Ah, I am so happy they are back. I hope the clouds vanish at some point and we get some sun here in Michigan. #birds

There are still plenty of Juncos around, I usually see them up until April. I loved how proudly this one presented itself. Then there's the most interesting Cardi man in the yard, with a really unique patchy look (he's with a Goldfinch), and then a Woodpecker takes a snacky shower. More rain tomorrow but things are waking up! #birds

This male Redbellied Woodpecker is one of the locals and one of my favorites. I recognize him because of his unusual "eyebrows", the pale sections by the eyes. Usually, the head is all red there. In the first photo, you can also nicely see the name-giving red belly. Yes, it is just a spot, but apparently another bird had been named Redheaded Woodpecker first (also a gorgeous beauty but rarely visiting here). #birds

Now with spring approaching, it is also a good time to maintain nesting boxes. They should protect the birds from the elements and from potential predators that could climb up and reach in. There is a ton of good info out there, and sialis.org is a treasure trove of all things related. Here is a video from 2023, when a Chickadee family raised their babies in one of my boxes. #birds

It is still cold but it feels like spring hormones are waking up. And everybody is starting to show off a bit... The bird way. #birds #nature

I have no suet out, reduced the peanut butter offerings and have no mealworms in open feeders but these rascals return to raid everything in search for soft things relentlessly if they ever found something edible somewhere. They certainly take fun pictures but I am never sad to not see them - the Starlings 😬😄 #birds

It was 13 degrees Celsius outside today! I had the windows open and it was very hard to not start fooling about in the garden. But in two days, we are going below zero again, so I gotta keep my cool. Another Grackle has shown up too, and this guy is a returner, I can tell by the white dot on his neck. I love it when that happens. Have a good weekend! #birds

Eastern Bluebirds have a very special spot in my heart, and on my body now too. It is because I saw them raise their babies for several years in my yard, and I just fell in love with them. For some reason they do not hang around that much anymore but I keep hoping they will return. Here is a Dad feeding his baby, from a lovely night in June a couple of years ago. (A Cardi sings in the back.) I am cranky and under the weather, and I dream of this daily currently. Come on, spring! #birds

There have been a couple of Aurora Borealis mentions recently, but the Michigan winter perma cloud has prevented me from seeing any. I put the camera out last night because the forecast showed no snow or rain, and while there were no dancing lights in the sky, there was still a lot going on and the stars were pretty as always. #sky #timelapse

I've wanted to do this for a very long time, and yesterday it was finally time. The old ink is gone and made room for something that is much more me, with a baby Bluebird, a Swallowtail and caterpillar, Nasturtium, Hellebore, Hibiscus, Columbine and Serviceberry. This is the work of the fabulous Karl (@kmars.tats), who helped me figure out the design and patiently listened to me ramble for hours while he got to work. He is with @thistleandthorn.ink. It has to heal but I love it so much already ❤ #birds #nature #tattoo

Some days I feel like an old lady, I always seem to be talking about the weather 😆 But it goes hand in hand with watching wildlife and nature too. After a springy week, winter is returning again for a bit. Activity in the yard has slowed down, I think migration is beginning, and I will probably take feeders in for a bit to "cleanse the plate". I like doing that every so often, it helps with birds like Starlings and House Sparrows, and now is a good time. Chickadees will stick around and forage in the garden. #birds

It felt like 5 pm all day today and we seem to live in a semi-permanent fog cloud currently. There is not a lot of bird activity, but I did take another timelapse of the Black Swallowtail chrysalis, and look how much it wiggled! It must feel the warmer temperatures. Dreaming of spring and sunshine and flowers, just like me... #bugs

Another FOY of this week - the beautiful Red-winged Blackbird. Their calls are also a harbinger of spring for me. The weather is also wild today, we had a thunderstorm earlier. I am sure winter will return again but it is really nice to see some different birds again. #birds #foy #signsofspring

Look who's back 😍 I already saw a Grackle yesterday, and this must be the same one, but it came back today for photos. It is maybe a little early but the yard is also melting into a mud pit, and it overall feels rather springy. Spring is my favorite season, I love and live for the whole feeling of Vorfreude ("pre-joy" aka anticipation) 💚 #birds

I got to try out a new feeder, and it looks like the birds like it as much as me 🙂 I call it "the Cathedral", and it is from Kingsyard. It's neat because it's easy to assemble, clean and fill, looks quite fancy (comes in other colors too), and birds like MoDos who like to hog a feeder have a harder time. There were even two female Purple Finches! #birds

Nesting season is still months away but that does not hold some back to check out available spots. I love seeing the Chickadees coming over because I hope they will nest in one of the boxes again this year (I have close access to the pump they used last summer so the cannot go in there again). I built both boxes out of 6 inch diameter PVC pipe in the style of the Gilbertson box. #birds

The weather has been getting milder (Yay!), and traffic has slowed down a bit. I think very very slowly, spring is approaching. I still put some peanut butter out, and it is nice to see how birds can enjoy it without Starlings nearby 🫣 (they have their times when they visit) Here is a female Redbellied Woodpecker, as can be told by the grey on her head. Along with some Juncos and a Nuthatch. #birds

Another timelapse of the Black Swallowtail chrysalis. It is dreaming of spring in the enclosure in the un-insulated sunroom 🩷 If you look closely, you can see it move, it actually did a whole body wiggle this time, not just the bottom part. Not super exciting but it always makes me happy to see that, knowing it is alive and doing well. #butterfly #timelapse #nature

That halftime show got me dreaming of the beach! Meanwhile here in Michigan we are far away from that, still buried in snow and ice. At least the sun was out today though. And the Birdfy feeder was busy! (Cardi, Redbellied WP, Goldfinch, Junco, House Finch, Cardi, Goldfinch, Blue Jay, RB Nuthatch, Cowbird, RWBB, Cardi, Junco, Blue Jay) Come good into Monday! #birds

A fun little scene in from the ground today - a Purple Finch started coming yesterday, and he blends right in with the White-throated Sparrows, the Cardinals, the Goldfinches and the Juncos. #birds

This has become the Cardinal feeder, for some reason they love it. I do not blame them, they look gorgeous with the bowl. They are even doing some artsy action shots with a House Finch 😆 #birds #nature