Bird Watching: DAILY PICS VOL. 330, 1 by gazergirl

gazergirl wrote:
Congratulations Mary on your Dove. I don't know how your Dove ended up in your yard, but weather can play a role in range anomalies. In 2005, hurricane Katrina hit N.O., and a month later, hurricane Rita went ashore in west Louisiana near the Texas border. After Rita, a flock of Black Bellied Whistling Ducks showed up at the rookery in Audubon Park in New Orleans. They stayed for the winter and have returned every winter since. Their normal range is west of here. I can only guess that the hurricane drove them from their normal habitat to Audubon Park, which they found to be a supportive environment, and have returned yearly.

Todays excitement for me was a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers! I had seen one two days ago, and got many excellent "awful bird pics." This is the best - check out that flame-thrower crest!