Bird Watching: Daily Bird Pics. Vol. #404, 1 by Chillybean

Chillybean wrote:
Oh, I like Bobolinks. We had them here until the hay was mowed, but I did hear some on my bird walk last night up near the creek. That's never mowed, so a safe spot for them.

Donna, I know what you mean. I was so disheartened when the farmer came to mow and then bale the hay. It was my first time noticing we had bobolinks. The dickcissels and meadowlarks were still singing after the mowing, so I think they got out of the way or their nests were not in the pasture, but the Bobolinks were silent. I think what does our killdeer the worst damage is the county motor graters that come by after every rain or at least every month and grates the gravel roads, whether needed or not. The killdeer here like to nest along the edge of the roads.

It wasn't until I began to have an interest in the birds that I realized how much we humans effect their (and other animals') environment. It is so much more than just putting out a few feeders. I talked to my husband about a grass free lawn, which would not require any herbicide. He is interested because of the grass allergies he and one of my sons have. We have quite a bit of clover and dandelions already.

I hope to really see a yellow-headed blackbird. I thought I saw one, but we were going down the road too fast for a good look.

A fresh from the nest Chipping Sparrow.