The First Day of 2011

Carolina wren

     We generally try to get out into the field on the first day of the year in an attempt to get a head-start on the new "Year-list".  Today, however, I'm trying to beat a cold (thank God a rare occurrence for me), and defer to watching some football on TV while keeping an attentive eye on our 11 feeders.   Our first bird of the New Year as it so happens was one that I was thrilled to have.....a fine Carolina wren.  This bird has been a regular at the feeding stations this year, and it seemed only right that he would be the one to usher in the new birding year.  The day's list was rounded out with a dozen more typical "yard birds" with our resident House sparrows making up the bulk of the numbers.

We also had good numbers of the handsome White-throated sparrows, Blue jays, Northern cardinals, many juncos and titmice,  an occasional Common grackle, and American crows flying high up in the surrounding trees.

      We can be sure that these feeder birds will be with us throughout most of the remainder of our time here in the northeast.  It is only a few weeks from our departure to Florida, and in the meantime, we'll make an effort to get as many of our northern winter finches, Bald eagles, and other visitors from the colder regions of New England and Canada.  But for now, we'll enjoy the view from our living room window and get the new year's list started.

Common grackle