The Daily Bucket is a place where we can post and exchange our observations about the natural happenings in our neighborhoods. Birds, bugs, blossoms and more - each notation is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the natural patterns that are unwinding around us.
April 24, 2012.
Working from home the last few days, with the french doors by my corner open to let in the spring air. Each day I've been distracted from my work by birdsong. Up in the neighbor's poplar tree one House Finch has been singing the same song, over and over. It's now so familiar that I recognize it from the others of his tribe that occasionally dare to interrupt him. It's his last phrase, exactly the same every time: ....chimchim-chireeeeee? He's given me an earworm.
Pine Siskins are still here and still vocal. WheEEEE? WheeeEEEE? I've kept the thistle seed bag filled just for them, far later than I have in any other year. Only two at a time visit regularly now, down from the dozens that would empty it over the course of 24 hours a number of weeks ago. A breeding pair? The local records suggest it unlikely, as breeding areas have been previously limited to the mountains east of here, but I would like to imagine the possibility.
Robins. We have Robins. Cheericheercheerio. Cheerio? Cheeriup. Cheerio? Cheeriup.. One Robin dares to be different. He is perhaps a youngster who has not quite gotten the hang of the proper Robin song. Heebert? Heebert. Heebeert? Heeeeeep?!
A Bewick's Wren joined in briefly from the wayback: I'm soo prettyyy? I'm soooo preettyaaa??, the prettiest of his many spring calls, and he has many.
And Black-capped Chicakees. From the pear tree: Feebeee, starting on a note that doesn't exist on our piano and modulating one half step down. From the Doug fir, a matched call: Fee beee. From the pear: Fee.., interrupted by the Doug fir, the same pitch but louder and more strident: Feebeeeee!. And then a chorus back and forth, one tumbling over the top of the other in a war of song: Chickadeedeedee. Chickadeee. Chicka.. Chic.. Chicakde.. Chick!! Chickadedededeeee!!!
But the best came late this afternoon, just a little voice coming in from a few backyards away: Yank yank. Yank yank.. The first Red-breasted Nuthatch of the year. He's probably been around all winter, but this was the first time he'd announced his presence.
April 24, 2012. House Finches, Pine Siskins, Robins, Bewick's Wrens and Red-breasted Nuthatches are vocalizing in the neighborhood.
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Your turn. Everyone is welcome to post their sightings. Just let us know where you're located, as far as you are comfortable saying.
I'll be away most of the day, back in the early evening PDT.