Birds in the Neighborhood

Young Cooper's Hawk                                 © Diane B. Reed

Eurasian Collared Dove                   © Diane B. Reed

There's never a dull moment at the pond at this time of the year. The first crop of baby ducks are so big you can't tell them from the adults, and a new flotilla of fuzzy ducklings made their debut yesterday. This young Cooper's Hawk seemed downright flustered when he made a number of forays at the birds near the feeder to no avail. He had trouble finding a suitable perch and finally sat on the stone that covers our outdoor fireplace chimney for quite a while looking perplexed.

Black-Headed Grosbeak                    © Diane B. Reed

We've had a few interesting birds over the last week, including this Eurasian Collared Dove, a cousin to the Mourning Dove, but sleeker and with a distinctive "collar." We've also had a pair of Black-Headed Grosbeaks and an occasional Bullock's Oriole.

Bullock's Oriole                                     © Diane B. Reed

Song Sparrow         © Diane B. Reed

 But we always enjoy the regulars, including the House Finches, Goldfinches and our Song Sparrow who serenades us at dusk with his sweet song. And the California Quail have been scratching around under the feeder, surrounded by their brood of chicks. 




We never know what  we're going to see next, there's always something interesting in the neighborhood!