LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, September 20, 2010

It WAS the Bird I thought.

The bird I saw last week was exactly what I thought it was.  The first Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the fall migration.  These birds do not nest here, so we see them only during migration.  The males always arrive first.  After a week or so, the females arrive and the males stay around a few more days.  Then the males leave and the females remain a week or two longer.  Then it's over for the season.

While he is a beautiful bird, his fall plumage is not quite as striking as his spring color.



One of the birds came to the feeder.  At first I thought it might be a female.


But when he flew into the trees I saw the faint reddish coloring on his chest.


Another male has joined the group.



He is waiting for me to go inside so he can fly to the feeders.

What a beauty!
The fall migration is such a wonderful time of the year.  We will enjoy these grosbeaks for a few weeks and then we will look forward to our next migrating friends.

19 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Beauty!

Rudee said...

Beautiful photos! I love the thatch of red.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful grosbeak! We have the black-headed grosbeaks that nest here in the summer. Lately I've noticed a single juvenile still hanging out by the feeder. The rest have all moved on. I'm afraid that he's going to be here alone for the winter. Is that even possible?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh My..... They haven't been here yet.... I hope they don't miss us this year. I always look forward to seeing the Grosbeaks.... I'll keep looking.

Thanks for the great pictures.
Hugs,
Betsy

Folkways Note Book said...

You do view the best of birds. Are you on a coastal migratory route? Do you have time set aside to look for birds? Do you think it is your feeder that brings in the variety you see? Have you been a birder for a long time? Please give us clues as to how you see so many different birds from your home.

Ms. ~K said...

Oh, I will be on the lookout as they are always a treat to see!

Ruth said...

We are fortunate to have them nest in our area but I have only had them at my feeder once. The males are one of the most striking birds around and I love their song in the spring.
...bon voyage until next year!

Vicki Lane said...

We lived here almost thirty years before they became regular summer visitors. Gorgeous birds! And great captures!

Jayne said...

No migrators here just yet but have the feeders full and ready, so you just tell him to come on down to GA! :c)

George said...

These are wonderful pictures of a beautiful bird. We haven't spotted any yet, but I hope we will in the next few days.

LoieJ said...

Hello. I saw your posting on Troutbirder with the name NCMountainwoman. Since we will be visiting NC for the first time in Oct. I thought I'd ask for some advice of where we might visit in the mountains. We'll be visiting our son in Greenville for a few days and then we plan to go elsewhere, mountainwise, until we have to fly back home. I couldn't email you directly because you don't post your email, but if you follow the links to my blog, and my name, the email is posted. Thanks.

troutbirder said...

Great shots. I'm coming to the conclusion we are lucky to have a few who nest in my woods. Many more pass through though. :)

Barb said...

I hope those Grosbeaks come to my mountains - none have arrived yet.

Twisted Fencepost said...

He is a beauty!
You are so lucky to have such a place that has so much beauty around you almost year round.

Anonymous said...

He's so pretty! Right now a barred owl has laid claim to our backyard, so we haven't had many other visitors.

KB said...

Thanks for sharing that beauty! I believe that I have seen a male here in CO just once... a few years ago during migration season. But, for us, the exotic visitors are rarer than for you. Keep enjoying them!

LoieJ said...

After many years of seeing the Rose Breasted Grosbeak at the feeder for two weeks in the spring, a few pairs apparently nested here this year. We had them at the feeder all summer. That a treat.

And thanks for the private reply to my other posting.

Birdie said...

Any secrets to what to put in the feeder to attract the grosbeaks? I have had male and female before, but not regularly. I usually put out black oil sunflower--in a bear inaccessible location! I am in Macon county. However, the feeding platform under the droll yankee feeder is too tempting for squirrels and small raccoons, so there is no platform. will grosbeaks perch on just a peg on the feeder?

NCmountainwoman said...

The grosbeaks are going to the feeder you see in the photograph which has cracked (no-waste) sunflower seeds. As you can see, there is a seed tray attached and they generally perch on it. They also go to another feeder with black sunflower seeds. That feeder does not have a tray and they perch on the ring that surrounds it.

These feeders hang on poles attached to our second-floor deck and are close to the trees. Because of the bears, we have to bring all our feeders in at night.