FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Fall Day Birds - photos

["Roger Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

VA Birders,
The birding started early at our home this morning. Among the first to arrive 
to feed were the Mourning Doves, White-throated and Song Sparrows. I looked for 
the Savannah Sparrow that had been hanging around for the last couple of days, 
but it must have moved on. Next came a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that 
checked out the peanut butter mixture in the suet feeder before leaving.

Shortly after that a very large (probably female) Red-tailed Hawk came gliding 
from the woods to land in the top of a tall locust tree near the backyard. Only 
a few yards behind it was a Red-shouldered Hawk that also chose a perch. The 
Red-shouldered was probably feeling territorial since it had nested in the 
area, but was no match for the much larger Red-tail. After sitting for about 15 
minutes the Red-tail flew toward the perch of the Red-shouldered and they both 
disappeared once again into the woods. The resident squirrels, rabbits and 
chipmunks were nowhere to be found, while the hawks were near.

A little later in the day two first of the season Common Grackles showed up to 
feed under the feeders, where the Goldfinches and the House Finches were busy.

In the afternoon I was surprised to see two female Rusty Blackbirds foraging in 
the grass. I hadn't seen this species here since Nov. 29, 2004. One of the 
Rusties found a huge grub and had a difficult time eating it. They fed around 
the yard near the foraging sparrows, rabbits and chipmunks for about an hour 
before moving on. Photos can be seen at 
http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/falldaybirds 

Good Birding,

Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
Buchanan County