Date: 10/10/25 12:34 pm From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Merlin was right
While getting an ID on a call early this morning, which turned out to be just a Cardinal, it also showed White-throated sparrow. It was not within earshot, so I thought it might be a mistake. Nope. When it got light, there was the White-throated sparrow at the birdbath. First new arrival. Just yesterday morning I still had two Hummingbirds, most likely the last ones passing through.
Also this morning a Song Sparrow arrived. Haven't seen one of them for a while. A male Towhee and Gray Catbird were in and out of the quince shrub.
A cool visitor came by yesterday. It was a juvenile Red-winged blackbird. Very interesting marking. When he used the birdbath, I got glimpses of the small, red patches.
There is a male Cardinal that is missing his left eye. It may be from an old injury. It doesn't look like conjunctivitis. Finches with that usually have an odd, unbalanced way of flying. This Cardinal looks normal. The only reason I noticed his eye was because the kitchen window feeder tray is so close.
