First of the little Flycatchers

While doing the rounds today I saw and heard a Western Wood-Pewee (96) in the neighbours yard. I'm amazed at their nest locations. They like to build their nest towards the end of a vertical branch, well away from the trunk and fairly open. They rely on the making the nest look like part of the branch with spider webs and gray coloured material. 

Here's an example of a nest I found in the Pend O'reille area a few summers ago. 

It's a tough job

but somebody's got to do it. Sit in that chair I mean and watch the hummers feeding.  (That red thing attached to the window with a suction cup is a hummingbird feeder.) Today we learned we have 3 male and 3 female Rufous (we usually only see one at a time) and a pair of Calliope and Black-chinned. We also got video tape footage of me holding the feeder in my hand and a male Rufous feeding at it. Cool! Larry say's he'll post it later for me. Thanks Hon!

Yellow-headed Blackbird

This morning, my alarm clock was a female Yellow-headed Blackbird (93). Her unusual call can't be confused with anything else! As with the lone Coot and Wood Duck, we get one Yellow-headed Blackbird every spring. I decided to go out and see what else was around. The Brewer's Blackbird nest was still active. A Common Yellowthroat (94) was calling but stayed hidden. A bird that usually hides until I hear them was seen in full view! This was a Gray Catbird (95). I thought I heard one a few days ago but now I can confirm it. 

Normally, there are several families of Canada Geese but this year I only saw them once. Very unusual. But it's also okay as there are lots of geese around!

I heard an unusual noise in the pond just as I was leaving. There was some rippling in the water which I'd noticed several times before but never see anything. This time I did. Four very large frogs! Once I identify them I'll post a photo.

Swainson's Thrush

Heard the beautiful flute like song of a Swainson's Thrush last night while we enjoyed a soak in the hot tub. Brewer's Blackbird nest still active. 

Glade etc.

I rode my bike over to Glade this morning to check on the 3 nest boxes I monitor. They all had wasps...  The first was empty, the second looked like a Chickadee nest (lots of moss) and the third was a Tree Swallow with the nest almost complete. 

I saw some Bank Swallows (89) zipping around and calling 'chrrrr'. Then a flock of Wild Turkeys (90) which I almost missed I was concentrating looking at what I thought was a Western Bluebird, but couldn't relocate it. 

Riding along Shoreacres Road near the Highway I have in past years always seen and heard Lazuli Buntings (91). I was not disappointed today and saw a beautiful red, white & blue male perched at the top of a tree singing his heart out. 

The elusive Western Meadowlark has been singing constantly in my back yard the past few days. I guess he's making up for having been silent for so long!

At Glade I came across a Variable (Anicia) Checkerspot Butterfly. 

Yesterday, some friends were over visiting and one of them found a birds nest! I was so excited but what was it. It was on the ground, fairly large (robin size) and with brownish eggs. Once I got back to the house we checked my egg books and decided it was a Brewer's Blackbird nest. This also fits with the description of the bird that was seen very near the nest and have been around our house daily. Cool! First time I've seen their nest before! I thought they nested in trees but they apparently have multiple nesting preferences.  See the image below of the nest. I'll keep you posted on any progress.

Just a few minutes ago, while checking on the progress of my plants around the garden shed a Western Garter Snake startled me. He quickly made tracks in the opposite direction.

Wood Ducks

Just like the American Coot, every year there is one pair of Wood Ducks (88) in the ponds. Tonight, I only saw a female but I'm sure the male is around. She was with a pair of Mallards and Blue-winged Teal.  Checked the Tree Swallow boxes today and only half have nests built in them. No eggs yet. The Western Kingbirds are vocal and we are wondering where they will nest. The 3 species of hummingbirds entertain us at the feeder at the window. 

Finally!

Finally, after almost two months of waiting, I heard a Western Meadowlark (86) this morning. Normally, they are commonly seen and heard starting in mid-March. Glad to know they are still in the area. I heard the familiar 'churring' of a Bullock's Oriole (87). Despite their bright orange, black and white colouring, they can blend into the leaves very well and can be hard to spot. If I didn't know their call, I'm sure I would have missed him. A pair of Blue-winged Teal were in the small pond with a Mallard. The Bald Eagles are still tending their nest so I'm hopeful they have offspring this year.