Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread

[Fishhead]

I’ve seen a handful around Minnesota, but today I went down south of me to see the nesting Eurasian Tree Sparrows in Fillmore county, which borders Iowa. They are the far less prevalent and less aggressive cousins of the also non native house sparrows

 

[BoxsterCy]

For what it’s worth this is the towards the end of breeding season for the Barred Owl. I tent camped a week ago and the Barred owls made some strange noises a couple of times.

Between Theo Wirth Park, Westwood NC, Sochacki Park and my hood I've seen 11 Barred Owls this year already. They seem to be everywhere.

 

[Lafaester54]

Between Theo Wirth Park, Westwood NC, Sochacki Park and my hood I've seen 11 Barred Owls this year already. They seem to be everywhere.

Wish I was there to see those Barred Owls.

 

[NWICY]

Yesterday this owl spent the entire day in my front yard, watching chipmunks and sleeping some. Moved around from crabapple to maple to redbud to neighbors roof to crabapple and finally flew off to neighbors oak up high near dusk. Another owl was in my maple a bit later and after some hooting between them they flew off together. Figured these were adults (see picture). And tonight there were two in my crabapple around 830 and have been hanging since than but these seem like immatures, they are whining and not hooting and have been moving from my yard to neighbors and back. Did just hear hooting from the crabapple so maybe an adult showed up? Any owl experts on CF want to weigh in?

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I think if those owls stay around you won't have to worry about the rabbits eating your hostas.

 

[cyclonestunners]

Birds aren't real.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I think if those owls stay around you won't have to worry about the rabbits eating your hostas.

They won't take an adult rabbit but would like a tasty baby or juvenile rabbit. Did just miss seeing a Barred Owl steal a baby squirrel out of the nest this spring. Saw her with it just after. Adult squirrels are generally too quick to get nabbed. Hell, they have been in the crabapple with my owl today.

 

[VeloClone]

Yesterday this owl spent the entire day in my front yard, watching chipmunks and sleeping some. Moved around from crabapple to maple to redbud to neighbors roof to crabapple and finally flew off to neighbors oak up high near dusk. Another owl was in my maple a bit later and after some hooting between them they flew off together. Figured these were adults (see picture). And tonight there were two in my crabapple around 830 and have been hanging since than but these seem like immatures, they are whining and not hooting and have been moving from my yard to neighbors and back. Did just hear hooting from the crabapple so maybe an adult showed up? Any owl experts on CF want to weigh in?

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Expert opinion: Yup, that's an owl.

 

[Kinch]

Ballties are really tanking up on jellly now.

 

[Fishhead]

Nothing glamourous, but a nice handsome midwestern native sparrow overlooked by non birders. Vesper Sparrow seen today posing on some barbed wire. You can often find these on powerlines in farm country

 

[CyclonesRock]

Hummingbird activity really ramping up on my sugar water feeder. They spend more time chasing each other way than actually feeding.

 

[madguy30]

Saw a lot of egrets, pelicans (much more than usual) and I believe Cormorants the other day in Dubuque.

I get the feeling they're gathering up.

Also was in eastern Iowa two weeks ago and saw several groups of birds in big bunches. A few trees sounded more like the spring.

 

[carvers4math]

Hummingbird activity really ramping up on my sugar water feeder. They spend more time chasing each other way than actually feeding.

Same. Had three on the feeder at once, which is in a flower bed. Two were in the flowers at the same time.

 

[Kinch]

Saw a lot of egrets, pelicans (much more than usual) and I believe Cormorants the other day in Dubuque.

I get the feeling they're gathering up.

Also was in eastern Iowa two weeks ago and saw several groups of birds in big bunches. A few trees sounded more like the spring.

According to birdcast.com, last night saw more than 3 million birds migrate over Dubuque.

 

[ackatch]

Hummingbird activity really ramping up on my sugar water feeder. They spend more time chasing each other way than actually feeding.

It's been insane for me too. I don't know how many we have but the feeder is pretty much always occupied.

 

[isucyfan]

I had a fun experience in my backyard with a couple of Cooper's hawk fledglings.

 

[Kinch]

I had a fun experience I'm my backyard with a couple of Cooper's hawk fledglings.

You have a neat backyard.

 

[isucyfan]

You have a neat backyard.

I'm in the city, and am constantly amazed at the wildlife that shows up in a little urban lot. A water feature really attracts animals.

 

[Kinch]

Still have Baltimore Orioles and Hummingbirds in Southeast Iowa.

 

[wxman1]

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

WE GOT BIRDS! Tomorrow night (9/19) looks to be a high migration night for Iowa, so lend a hand (wing?) and turn off any unnecessary lighting to help our feathered friends find their way and...

www.facebook.com

 

[Kinch]

We still have some humming birds in southeast Iowa.