[tn-bird] Common birds in our yard right now


Hi all:

I finally positively ID'ed a Summer Tanager this morning so I can add it to 
the list of what we have here. I have been hearing that "pit-i-tuck" call for 
some time and have seen the birds flying quickly from tree to tree. But they 
are mostly elusive - hiding within the branches. This morning I heard that 
call and I was at the ready. It was a male and I was sitting on the screen 
porch. He was sitting on top of it! Right on top of the drain spout and in 
the mock grape vines which cover that side of the porch. I quickly went 
outside and there he was posing as if for a picture. Then he started his dawn 
song. He let me have a good look at him and then he flew off to continue 
singing his song elsewhere.

These are birds which I either commonly see and/or hear on our property at 
this time of year (and for the last several months): Indigo Bunting, Northern 
Cardinal, Chuck-will's-widow, Mourning Dove, House Finch (nesting), American 
Goldfinch, Common Grackle, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Northern 
Mockingbird, Common Nighthawk, American Robin, Chimney Swift, Summer Tanager, 
Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
Eastern Wood-Peewee, Carolina Wren (saved a fledgling from our dog and 
returned it (hopefully successfully) to its parents last Saturday).

I have noticed a considerable decline this year in Eastern Bluebird and 
Carolina Chickadee. Also I have not seen or heard a Brown-headed Cowbird in 
at least 2 years (formerly very common in our yard). Maybe there is a 
connection between the lack of cowbirds and the arrival of the Summer 
Tanager? Also the House Finch comes back to nest here for the last couple of 
years.

This is not on our property but just up the road is Stewarts Creek and I 
noticed Red-winged Blackbirds for the first time this year. Also for the 
first time earlier this month we had a Northern Bobwhite on our property 
calling continuously for at least a half hour.

It's also interesting to watch the feral Chickens (they just showed up one 
day and have multiplied since then - they roost in the trees at night) and 
the one Guineafowl (a male) which we purchased. The guineafowl competes with 
the roosters for hens! I guess he doesn't realize they aren't even in the 
same family! lol But that doesn't stop him from chasing and sometimes 
half-killing roosters who try to invade his 'harem.'

Anyone is welcome to come and bird our property. Please contact me privately 
to make arrangements. We have about 21 acres subdivided into 4 lots. All but 
one have been developed with residences - all family. If you look at a topo 
map we are on Burnt Knob Road just east of Hwy 102 (Almaville Road) in 
Rutherford County. Our property sits between Stewart Creek and Gibbs Knob. We 
have a good amount of woods, fence rows with lots of trees and a very long 
drive that has lots of tall grass and woods on the side. That is a very good 
place to look for birds. There are even some junk piles here and there 
including some old junk cars so I will be on the lookout for Bewick's Wrens.

Barry Jernigan
finch64@xxxxxxx
Murfreesboro, TN
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