LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Birds in Spring


I am awakened most mornings to the loud song of the Eastern Towhee ("drink your tea"), or the very loud Tufted Titmouse (peter, peter, peter).  Our house is in the woods, so we have lots of birds.  Living in moderate North Carolina (climate not politics), we have lots of songbirds that live with us year-round.  But they are never more fun than in spring when they are busy mating and nesting.  And activity is at peak right now.


We have at least three pairs of Down Woodpeckers




And several pairs of cardinals




Although we have fresh water all the time, this goldfinch prefers to drink from a tree cavity that holds rainwater.




We have many, many American Goldfinches.
They are perhaps our most common birds.




The cardinals eat early and late




They do not winter here, but we welcome Purple Finches every spring and summer.
We have two nesting pairs every year.



The different variety of birds here would fill several posts.  We are lacking Bluebirds near our house.  But we can stroll on the golf course or near the lake and see plenty of them along with the usual waterfowl.

We are blessed indeed.  Not only do we have these wonderful resident birds, we are treated to the grandeur of the spring migration.


11 comments:

Carolina Linthead said...

We have heard and seen a couple of Tufted Titmice? Titmouses? around here. They will get your attention! We generally have a pair or two of Cardinals and a few Goldfinches. I see the occasional House Finch, but no Purple Finches. And of course the Downies and the occasional Red-bellied woodpeckers, along with a host of sparrows. I am enjoying our local runs and fens right now, filled with song!

troutbirder said...

Spring is indeed a glorious busy time for the birds... and us birders. Baron and I are straining at the leash to get out in the woods...:)

KB said...

Ah, you've made me truly yearn for spring (that starts around June here)! Wonderful photos. How I love the sound of birds singing, just as you described.

Jayne said...

Beautiful!! I have nesting bluebirds, mockingbirds, and chickadees thus far.

Hey Carolyn, send me your new email addy if you would. Tried to send you a note to your mtnwaves.net address and it came back. :c)

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful array of colors and song they bring every spring!

Taradharma said...

you do indeed have beautiful birds about the place. my friends just outside of Chapel Hill have feeders set up all over the place, and live in a wood, so they, too, are treated to all the birds.

We, however, have a pair of common pigeons setting up shop on the neighbor's roof top. I hear them cooing all day. No doubt chicks will soon join them.

Folkways Note Book said...

Your environment must contain all that many types of birds desire. Bluebirds are a favorite of mine. We have two creeks in our "holler" and I notice that the blue birds prefer to nest around one over the other? Bird behavior fascinates me. Good post.-- barbara

Janie said...

We have lots of goldfinch, but alas, no cardinals.
You have a lovely collection of birds in your neighborhood.

Busy Bee Suz said...

You do have quite the variety; love them all.
I have mostly cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers and dove. On occasion I spot some small finches, but I'm not sure what kind they are besides the cute kind. :)

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Linthead - It is amazing what a loud voice the little titmouse has.

KB - I do love to hear the birds singing, but one titmouse sits on a nearby tree and keeps on and on despite getting no answers. He actually gets a bit irritating after a while.

Barbara - I think the open water is less important than the open space along the banks. I do wish we had bluebirds, but we do occasionally see Indigo Buntings which are just as beautiful.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I really enjoy watching the birds, we have such a variety here and some who migrate through. Waiting on the Rose Breasted Grosbeak to come through now...sightings in GA and Southern SC.