Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Looking back: Pine Grosbeaks

Pretty soon migrating ducks will appear in the local puddles and on flooded fields, snipe will forage in the weeds along the edges, and killdeer will emit their sharp cries when flushed from a field. At dusk I'll hear the peenting of a courting woodcock at the edge of the forest. But right now it's the in-between time, mud time. 

You can always count though on Black-capped Chickadees.


You can always count though on Black-capped Chickadees.



Now is a good time to dig out photos of a birds that did not show up this winter, did not irrupt into New England, presumably because there was plenty of food for them up north: the Pine Grosbeak. I saw a small flock of them foraging in fruit trees two winters ago. They are slow moving and easy to overlook.


A female "Rusty" so called because she is sporting a rusty patch on her chest.




Male Pine Grosbeak


Female "Rusty"

I am confident I am going to have photos of some spring-time birds next week - at least of Red-winged Blackbirds. They have already made their presence known with their gurgling "tur-a-lees" sounding from several shrubs in our wetland.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment.



Posted by at
Labels: ,

22 comments:

  1. Robin RobinsonMarch 15, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Interesting "what didn't show up" post. I have not seen Pine GBs here, this year last year, nor ever. Great birds,too so it's a real pity!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dawn FineMarch 15, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Beautiful Birds the Pine Grosbeaks~ Maybe next year! Sending spring birds your way...just shooed a few more Blackbirds your way. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. jocodeaneMarch 15, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    So colourful, especially the red one. Lovely images with the berries around them.

    Apparently bird numbers could be down because of increased (traffic) noise: their singing is not heard widely enough, so they may not all attract a mate.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    Beautiful Hilke!! Never sell those Chickadees short!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  5. theconstantwalkerMarch 15, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    You have some beautiful little birds and your images are always lovely to see.

    ReplyDelete
  6. grammie gMarch 15, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    The Pine Grosbeak photos are nice!!
    You have made me think , I haven't seen the Pine Grosbeaks at all this winter they usually come to the feeders from time to time!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. eileeninmdMarch 15, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Beautiful photos, and your Pine Grosbeaks are awesome birds. I wish I had some!

    ReplyDelete
  8. FABMarch 15, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Hi Hilke. Many of our winter wildfowl are now thinking of moving northwards and we patiently (some impatiently) await the arrival of the little songsters from the south. The female Grosbeak looks very similar to our Hawfinch.

    ReplyDelete
  9. SondraMarch 15, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    WHAT a fantastic bird-no hope of seeing one of those here in my area--

    ReplyDelete
  10. debby spechtMarch 15, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    I enjoy your blog...recommend your fotos to others//keep up the good work.....it helps during the 'mud time'.

    ReplyDelete
  11. mickMarch 16, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    Great photos and both are interesting birds but I especially like the Chickadees

    ReplyDelete
  12. ChrisMarch 16, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Beautiful set. i just hope you will see these spring birds in a spring-like weahter ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. PatMarch 16, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I never tire of observing the Chickade-dee-dee and I love the sound of the Red-winged Blackbird! Nice collection of photos here!

    ReplyDelete
  14. FotokarusellenMarch 16, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    A beautiful set of photos. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Martha ZMarch 16, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    There are plenty of redwings here now, chasing the year around redidents from the feeders. From my window I can watch the bluebirds going into the birds box, yes, it is spring in California.

    ReplyDelete
  16. SpringmanMarch 16, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Pretty soon migrating ducks will appear in the local puddles and on flooded fields, snipe will forage in the weeds along the edges, and killdeer will emit their sharp cries when flushed from a field. At dusk I'll hear the peenting of a courting woodcock at the edge of the forest. But right now it's the in-between time, mud time.

    That kind of writing needs no photographs. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  17. jeanlivingsimpleMarch 16, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Splendid shots of the Pine Grosbeaks. I would love to see them. The Black-cap Chickadee is so cute.
    Looking forward to seeing the Red-wings.

    ReplyDelete
  18. RedgannetMarch 17, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    Hi Hilke, this is my first visit to your blog and I loved it. I found your bio strangely familiar in many ways.
    Best wishes, Redgannet

    ReplyDelete
  19. Stewart MMarch 17, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Hi - interesting idea that climate = colour (color?).

    I think all the waders that leave and return to our shores in rather drab versions of their plumage may go against your idea!

    But thanks for visiting!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

    ReplyDelete
  20. BirdinggirlMarch 17, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Great post! I love grosbeaks in general. And they make for wonderful photo opportunities- always going for the berries on trees :)

    Happy Birding!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hilke BrederMarch 18, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Thank you all for your kind comments! They make it all worth while.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LarryMarch 18, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Nice shots of both the Black-capped Chickadees and the Pine Grosbeaks Hilke! The grosbeaks with the berries are just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)