hi all,
a few changes of note around here:
red-naped sapsucker - 1 male (same bird?) seen off and on since April 7
cassin's finch -- at least 5 birds this morning, including three gorgeous
males. they were absent this winter, but have been around in low numbers since
late march.
yellow-rumped warbler -- 1 unidentified ssp called from the cottonwood tree but
flew off before I could see it - voice was more like myrtle race.
white-crowned sparrow -- absent or rare in winter, now fairly common.
say's phoebe -- 1 bird heard singing down the hill this morning
brown-headed cowbird -- 1 male heard on 4/7
pine siskins are abundant, am. goldfinches are back as of several weeks ago,
still lots of juncos (mostly pink-sided, oregon, and a few slate-colored), also
magpies, steller's jays and scrub jays (although the scrub jays have not been
frequenting the feeders lately), and a downy woodpecker has been daily for the
last 2 weeks or so.
mountain bluebird - arrived sometime between March 7-14 (I was in Mexico) and
started nest-building on 4/7 in same box as in previous years. Still nest
building as of today.
Sadly, when I came home yesterday afternoon, the male bluebird was perched on
the ground by our small pond, acting strange and lethargic. he allowed
unusually close approach (<10 feet) and would flush to another odd perch
location, usually on the ground. I was worried he wouldn't make it through the
night, but this morning found him engaged in a vigorous chase with his mate and
later singing from a high perch -- back to his good old self (assuming it's the
same bird). However, I have not see him since then, whereas normally he would
perch and sing right around the bird house all morning -- so still a little
strange. Has anybody else ever encountered this type of apparent illness in
birds, especially bluebirds? I was wondering if it might have become sick from
drinking from our 'pond' (a ~25 gallon water feature, ~1 ft deep, with
cascading waterfall, natural rocks/plants, etc). The water appears very clear
and clean and many birds come to
drink from it but of course they also defecate in it. I've never noticed a
sick bird in the yard before (and I did find my 5-year old sucking on his
sleeve after sticking his hand in the pond, and he seems ok...). Is this type
of water source generally safe for birds? I clean it out and change the water
every month or two (doesn't appear to need it more frequently), but of course
it only take a minute to foul the water. Is there a way to purify the water in
the pond? Iodine? Any advice would be appreciated.
Best,
Arvind Panjabi
5700' feet, Larimer County, CO
On the north slope of Milner Mtn
In mountain mahogany shrubland and grassland
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