Yesterday we had 4 Purple Finches at the feeder a first for us. That makes 127 species observed here over the past 20 years, not bad for 4 acres in a sea of corn & beans. I just wanted to reinforce the importance of diverse, native plantings. When we first moved out to this abused piece of land we only saw house sparrows, starlings and Robins. As our trees, shrubs and prairie plantings matured the bird count went up as well.
Still have a couple dozen Pine Siskins, 2 RB Nuthatches, WB Nuthatches and hordes of Goldfinches at the feeder. Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers come and go. Speaking of woodpeckers ... we were pleased to see a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers fledge 2 young here this summer. We also observed a couple of Grackles and a lone, male Red-winged Blackbird this weekend. This morning I watched 2 immature and 2 mature Baldies feeding on a carcass right next to Hwy 1, a couple miles west of Iowa City Menards store. Mark Muller Cosgrove Johnson county --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
