Date: 9/7/26 9:23 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Labor Day Special
Spotting two Yellow-billed cuckoos moving around my old crabapple tree out front started a birdy morning. They were here for a good 15 minutes. Nice to be able to see them out in the open, displaying the rufous coloring on the wing. A Blue-gray gnatcatcher was in the same area. Always a treat to see those little guys. A cute Flycatcher was busy getting insects.
The Spicebush berries are also attracting warblers. I was only able to identify a Yellow warbler. The other one had a faint line above the eye, not good enough to ID the species.
I was surprised to have a young Cardinal show up. Still had the dark beak. Unusual this late in the year. Guess birds have "change of life" babies too. A male Cardinal looks like he lost his toupee. The top of his head is flat and minus feathers.
Lots of Hummingbird action. I have noticed that they do rest for longer periods of time on perches I provide for them.
Just saw a Red-bellied woodpecker getting Spicebush berries. I didn't know they liked them. A male Pileated was on the suet yesterday, the first visit in several weeks.
This is one of those days where I wish I could be in two places at once. Looking out the kitchen window there was a Yellow warbler in front of the quince shrub. A few minutes later, possibly the same one, was sitting on the railing right outside the front door.
During the bird slowdown in the last month and a half, the butterflies and fascinating caterpillars have more than filled the void. So much to learn and enjoy.
