Date: 8/20/26 7:59 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Little things add up
There is nowhere near the usual bird activity in the yard except for the hummingbirds who are very busy fattening up for their migration.
One of them was sipping from the ant cup, something I hadn't seen before. That was a good reminder to clean them as well when you replenish the nectar.
A few times I've glimpsed a Blue-gray gnatcatcher in the trees out front. The other day I was on my patio and got to see one darting in and out of the quince shrub. They are sooo tiny. What a treat!
The Carolina wrens that nested in my hanging basket have fledged. It was fun to have them right outside the front door.
When I cut grass, I'm sometimes followed by a Flycatcher. The mowing stirs up insects. They often perch so close on a limb or garden wire that I can almost touch them.
A young female Towhee has been coming to the birdbath. Still getting an occasional Baltimore Oriole and some Robins.
With the increase in butterflies, moths and their cool caterpillars things are never boring. Discoveries around every corner.
Date: 8/8/26 6:44 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Common Nighthawk
Today, at 8:30 p.m., I saw a common nighthawk fly past our house. I watched for 20 minutes but didn't see anymore. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 8/3/26 4:28 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Aug 3, 2026
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Aug 3, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Aug 3, 2026
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Summers, West Virginia, US
Aug 3, 2026 2:58 PM - 3:53 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 81 degrees
14 species
Canada Goose 53
Mallard 6
Great Egret 3
Great Blue Heron 7
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 4 2 adults, 2 juveniles
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Wren 1
American Goldfinch 3
Date: 8/2/26 7:49 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Aug 1, 2026
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, Aug 2, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Aug 1, 2026
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Summers, West Virginia, US
Aug 1, 2026 1:35 PM - 2:13 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.75 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 82 degrees, cloudy
14 species
Canada Goose 2
Great Egret 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 14
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 6 1 adult, 1 sub-adult and 4 immatures.
We were surprised as well. We watched the birds for about 20 minutes. They
were circling, talon tagging and chasing each other in open sky with turkey
& black vultures, common ravens & an osprey for comparison. There are two
active nests within a mile and a half of this location. All six were in
view at the same time.
Earlier in the day, we saw another adult along New River about 10 miles
from this location.
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Common Raven 4
American Robin 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Date: 8/2/26 6:06 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Dynamic duo
Yesterday's bird activity in the backyard was pretty slow. Lots of young Titmice and the usual assortment of Chickadees, Gray Catbirds, Chipping sparrows and woodpeckers.
About 4:00 PM I decided to take my book out to the patio just in case something different showed up. I was happy to see the female Towhee but when a male Tanager landed in the pedestal bath I couldn't believe my luck. AND he brought his mate along. Managed to get some cell phone shots, good enough to record the event. Sure made my day.
Since yesterday's temperatures were pleasant enough not to require AC, I had the front door open with just the screen/storm door. It allowed me to keep an eye on the nectar feeder out there. After a while I became aware of a male hummer in the tree about 15 feet away. He sat there for the longest time. Occasionally he would take off, only to return to the same general spot. Often he would be preening.
Today he is there again. I was wondering if he was keeping an eye on the feeder. That suspicion was confirmed when a female approached and he ran her off and then went back to his tree. I just checked and, sure enough, he's out there now. The two nectar feeders in the backyard are in constant use as well, by them and the Downies.
Date: 7/21/26 5:53 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Turkey time
We were about ten minutes into our dogwalk this morning when it started to rain so we turned back. When I reached my driveway I spotted movement at the edge of my front lawn. It was two adult turkeys with 15 poults waddling behind them. So exciting! I'm assuming it was two hens with their offspring. Looked like two moms heading to the playground with their little ones.
While I was mowing the same area yesterday, I was followed by a little Flycatcher. At one point he was on a low branch no more than ten feet from me, just watching. Fun to make eye contact at that close range.
My split shepherds hook by the front door has the nectar feeder on one hook and a hanging basket with mini petunias on the other. When I watered it the other day a Carolina wren flew out. Sure enough, they had a nest right in the middle. Watering will have to be around the edge from now on.
Just watched a young squirrel pulling up little grass shoots from around the birdbath and eating them. I didn't think they ate grass. Guess it is safe, unlike some stressed iceberg lettuce.😉
