Negri Nepote: Dickcissel and More

Dickcissel


Indigo Bunting


Tree Swallow





We had a nice little, local birding adventure this morning. Many things combined that influenced our lack of ambition for birding of late; poor spring migration turnout, lousy weather, and work and travel for Mike. We had such success at spotting what we set out for and more this morning, that it really renewed our enjoyment for birding. It was VERY hot, though, even early this morning, so we enjoyed for as long as we could out in the fields and then headed off for other adventures. As an aside, there is a blueberry bash this weekend at Terhune Farms, and Chris thinks the blueberry pie is the best piece of pie she's ever had!

Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird also from Glenhurst Meadows

Tree Swallow

Eastern Bluebird

A quick trip to the meadowlands

We took a quick drive to Richard W. DeKorte Park in the meadowlands.
It was a nice day for a walk in the sun and we enjoyed the few birds we saw. However, we also like having a bottle of wine on our dock and waiting for the birds to come to us.

Tree Swallow

Gadwall

Juvenile Swallows

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Tree Swallow

The swallows have been out in full force this spring. The juveniles in these pictures were part of groups that seemed to be honing their flying skills. The immature tree swallow made several aborted attempts at entering the duck house, coming within inches of our heads a couple times. It's possible its nest was in the duck house since we also had swallows frequenting it last month. The swallow interrupted the house wren and rested on the duck house. We saw an adult come to feed it, but the feeding was broken up when they were chased away by the orange avenger, aka the Baltimore Oriole, enforcing the no-fly zone within 50 feet of their nest.

Tree Swallow

 

We have been unable to convince a duck to make a nest in the duck house we purchased. A tree swallow has been checking out the neighborhood. (Thanks Beth, we thought it was a barn swallow).

Swallows

The upper photo is a barn swallow with the buff colored chest.
The lower photo shows a male and female tree swallow, we think.

Tree Swallow

So, this is our nesting box for Wood Ducks. They didn't use it unfortunately, but it has been looking like a couple of Tree Swallows might make use of it. We have been watching them fly all over the lake eating insects and we thought we would never get a picture since they don't stop, so we're glad they might take up residence so we have more chances to photograph them. A little reminder to us of the barn swallows that used to come to one of our horse barns in California every year, so we're pleased to see them.