(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Daily Bucket - June backyard [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-22 Mid June 2024 Pacific Northwest I get sidetracked by watching and listening to the bird and insect activity in my backyard when I’m trimming and watering. On a couple of occasions recently I took a few photos while I sat, which is a form of phenology documentation. Here’s a bit of what’s going on in my yard at this season. Bewick’s wren in apple tree. This looks like a good apple year, after several poor ones — we had a more clement spring. American goldfinch. This one is still in full breeding plumage but most of the goldfinches are molting now. This part of my yard has fruit trees and herb beds. The hummers have mostly abandoned the feeder now there’s plenty of flower nectar and bugs to eat in the yard. I’ve replanted where herbs were killed by last winter’s deep freeze. Young Townsend’s chipmunks have become independent now Another part of the yard has garden beds and shrubbery (evergreen, berry-producing). The birdbath setup has evolved over the years to be very simple and easy to clean, even if not as aesthetic as it used to be (plastic tray). It’s not far from my seed feeder so lots of finches and such visit this birdbath. Pine siskin. Have seen only a few of these this year, which is just as well. Dense winter flocks are especially susceptible to salmonellosis. In the surrounding trees nearby — Orange crowned warbler singing. Their songs have become quite various lately. House wren hauling food, maybe a termite? for a youngster. Noisy altercation yesterday in the nearby trees: Young raven crashing around in undergrowth Accipter (Sharpie, Coop?) was upset with its presence, screaming at it …and attacking. Couldn’t get a better view through foliage but the hawk chased the raven away I stitched together a few video clips from the garden area (Bewick’s wren, Rufous hummers, robin, purple finches and possibly house): . I saw and heard a variety of other birds, like Chestnut-backed chickadees (one at nestbox), Black-headed grosbeaks (less singing now), House finches (lots of juves), Red crossbill (saw one juv with female), Olive-sided flycatcher (much less singing now), Ravens (hearing at least two juves calling), Collared doves, Hairy woodpeckers (incl juv male), Red-breasted nuthatch (incl juves), Swainson’s thrush (still singing from midday to sunset), Oregon juncos, Spotted towhees (several juves tussling), Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds (using hose water for bathing), Flicker (incl juv), Turkey vultures, a Mourning dove, a couple of Bandtail pigeons. Have also seen one of the Black-capped chickadees at the feeder, continuing. Various bees, wasps, flies, beetles too. The kinds of birds and insects in my yard are different from who I see in the deep woods, open fields, roadside and shoreline. About a half of my half-acre lot is wild native trees and undergrowth, the other half is house/garage/driveway plus what is cultivated. I have fruit trees, herb beds, bushes, a few strips of lawn, perennial berry beds and vegetable beds. I maintain two birdbaths and birdfeeders in the yard. Those require vigilant cleaning, especially now: the birdbaths become more of an attraction as summer dry season progresses. I have made that as simple as possible so I can do it routinely, which is critical for bird health. Salmonellosis and Avian pox are around and spread easily. The H5N1 avian flu virus is not considered a threat to songbirds (Avian Influenza Outbreak: Should You Take Down Your Bird Feeders?) unless there is domestic poultry nearby, and fortunately avian flu has not been found birds or mammals in San Juan county, where I live, maybe due to our isolation as islands. We do have organizations testing for that ongoing, especially carcasses of species known to become infected, like geese, raptors, seals. But it’s out there in the country. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) UPDATE. Sitting and watching the backyard reveals not just the kinds of birds around at the moment but also what they’re doing. Lots of fledging going on right now, many little birdies bumbling around learning the ropes. Some summer migrants will be moving on soon I expect, like the male Rufous hummers (most are gone already) and the Crossbills, based on their stage of nesting. Springtime singing is on the wane and molting has started. Summer solstice is now past. 🐝 Cool, with temps in the 60s in the PNW islands today. Mostly sunny and calm. The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/22/2247480/-The-Daily-Bucket-June-backyard?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/