The sparrow and warbler migration is in full swing after arriving in the Portal area about two to three weeks early. These welcome friends are keeping our bird feeders and water features humming with activity. During the last two days we have had Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows and Brewer’s Sparrows joining our regulars for baths in our four level cascade pond. MacGillivray’s Warblers, Virginia’s Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers and Yellow Warblers occupy the upper cascade of our pond complex with four Western Tanagers who are coming in for Pyracantha berries and a bath each morning. Lesser Goldfinches bathe with Chipping Sparrows and Blue Grosbeaks in the middle tier while all of the others gather where they can get in for a splash in the lower cascade or the pond.
When the northern birds arrive early like this, it usually foretells of a long, cold winter for the areas up north from which they came. If this year holds to the norm, then this should be a great year for backyard birds everywhere. During these years the finches from the north usually come down into the south a little further. This should be a good year for Purple Finches, Cassin’s Finches, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and Redpolls so get the nyjer thistle feeders set up and ready to accomodate these beautiful acrobats. It is also time to get your ponds and bird baths winterized. This is going to be a great year for bird enthusiasts.
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