Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Bird Bonanza in my Backyard
They came in great numbers suddenly, while I watched from my kitchen window.
They were mostly there for the water though there was plenty to eat, too. Despite Seattle’s reputation, it’s been a long, dry summer, as usual.
The American Robins were most prevalent, with many youngsters, still in their spotted breasts. Mature Robins have a solid red breast.
They were fearless and bold, fighting for their time in the birdbaths.
Chasing away smaller birds who were often there first.
They prevailed over the Female Goldfinch below – or is it a Pine Siskin?
A few Stellar Jays joined the fun.
There was room for the tiniest birds too, who came and went quickly; a Golden-Crowned Kinglet and Red-Breasted Nuthatch below.
The party lasted for almost an hour while I took pictures through the window and Benji begged to go out. Sorry, no.
Just another day for the birds in the Great Northwest as summer comes to a close.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Quite the gathering you had there, but a bird bath is always going to be popular when it’s dry.
It was fun to see so many swoop in and come and go for almost an hour!
Very beautiful photos and birds, Susanne! There is a robin that hangs out on one of my birdbaths every evening lately, the little birds don’t seem to mind the robin there. So fun to watch them and the hummers!
Thanks, John! It’s fun watching birds and how they interact with each other.
Yes, our beautiful tiny dinosaurs!
beautiful
The Stellar Jays are pretty. None of those in Massachusetts.
Yes. I love that deep blue color!
Providing water is always a great attractant, and your bird photos are the proof. Great close-ups, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. They need water and I’m happy to provide it for them. ☺️
I always like seeing your American robins, so very different from ours! The nuthatch however is quite similar to one we have – I love the soft colours 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! It was fun having so many different birds come and visit all at the same time! I especially loved having young Robins, with their fluffy feathers and spotted breast! I looked up the European Robin and compared to the American Robin, and they are indeed different, the American Robin, larger and a member of the Thrush family, the European, of the Flycatcher family. Apparently, the Americans named our Robin, based on what they remembered from their European roots, as both birds have a red breast, and similar habits. But they are indeed different birds.
Yes, very different but both handsome in their own way!
Yes! 🙂
Havent seen a Stellars Jay since Oregon. Perhaps they aren’t in the East. I will have to check my field guide.
Someone else commented they don’t have them in Massachusetts; it appears they’re found most commonly in western North America.
So that’s where all our birds went! What incredible images of your feathered visitors, Susanne! The images of the Robin fighting with the goldfinch are precious, well captured!
Thanks, Terri. Are they awol where you are? 😉 🙂 They’re plentiful here, maybe they prefer the weather! But that one afternoon, was amazing when so many visited at once, fighting for the birdbaths!
I haven’t seen any birds for a few days. Enjoy the show!
Oh wow, that’s interesting. Maybe they know what’s coming!