I've been doing a bit of backyard (and front yard!) bird watching these days and thought you might like an update! The big news is that Wrennie the wren, whom you may have met before here, has returned! Like the chickadees, the wrens work in concert with one another -- and that concert also includes beautiful trills. Here is one of the two wrens, atop the pole.
And here is the other! No sign of babies yet.
Ms. Chickadee keeps a steady path into and out of her house, often with some food in her mouth. But I'm not hearing bird sounds from within.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chick is always present, too.
Other notables in the yard include Rocky Robin...
...and Bobby Cardinal (who often travels with Mrs. Bobby C. as well.)
So, here's a question for many of my bird friends -- do birds tend to pair and stick together? I've certainly noticed it with the geese but seeing at least three of my yard birds hanging together makes me wonder. If so, well done, birds!
I leave you with a couple views from my neighbor Rosie's beautiful garden!
She's gracious about allowing me to clip some lilacs for the house -- and they smelled fabulous!
Is anyone else stunned that it is almost June?
Sharing with: Saturday's Critters / Pink Saturday / Love Your Creativity / All About Home
Good to see what birds are visiting your very welcoming front and backyards, what a variety to observe just looking out your window. I still haven't had the chance to see the cardinal. Guess what, the black-capped chickadee has recently been voted the official bird of our City.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to answer your question however David would be the one with THE answer. Songbirds don't mate for life in general, but whether they mate for a whole season, I don't know. I've never had wrens. I think it is too woody, so I love seeing yours. I always call my chickadees my Little Chicks. I talk to them when I go out and they are around. Bird watching in the yard can be very fascinating. And lilacs, oh they do smell like heaven, don't they? They are one tree I wish I had, a nice big old growth. Have a wonderful long weekend Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI have seen different species of birds hanging out together, my cardinals tend stay close to each other. Your birds and photos are wonderful, love the cute birds. Lovely flowers and views of your neighbors garden. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
JUNE- Is it? Feels like winter here- dark cold and raining , occasionally there will be a day of sunshine and the blossoms, the plants have become super plants! Nearly sci-fi!
ReplyDeleteOh, those sweet birds you are seeing in your yard right now, Jeanie. I am also seeing so many of them. And Yes, sometimes they come with a companion, but other times, they just come by themselves, stay for awhile, sing their song, and fly away. I just saw a mourning dove come to my yard, gather a few things and fly away. She came back and repeatedly did the same thing. I'm wondering if she's making a nest? That Chickadee is so cute, and the Robin a special bird for sure. How wonderful for you to see the Cardinal. What a beauty he is. Rosie's garden is so green, and those lilacs! So nice of her to let you cut a few and bring them into your home.
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful weekend, Jeanie, and I hope more birds come your way.
~Sheri
I'm not a bird expert by any means, but I think while some birds -- cranes, swans, geese -- mate for life, not all do. The smaller ones are much more fickle!
ReplyDeleteIt seems crazy that June is almost here, the days go by so quickly.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs of the birds and blooms.
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
I love how you give personalized names to all your birds.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy watching birds. I can smell those lilacs right through the computer screen!
ReplyDeleteI think Chickadees mate for life, but just like people, some don't. We have a pair that I would like to believe is the same pair, that nest in our Chickadee box every year. Since they are year around birds here, the extra ones could be their fledglings that leave the nest once or sometimes twice a year. Your photos are a joy to see, and I love that you have named them all. Gave me a great big smile.
ReplyDeleteNice birds and flowers. Here there are lots of babies around, always waiting to be fed! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteOur House Finches always come in pairs and some of the others do too. I love your cute names for the birds you see! The Wren is fun to see AND hear!
ReplyDeleteit does not feel like june yet...it never feels like summer until we open our pool and we have not done that yet!!
ReplyDeleteyour bird houses are lovely and you have captured the birds beautifully. your lilacs are so pretty, best enjoyed both indoors and out!!
Hi Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteI just love watching the birds. Thank you for sharing your sweet little ones. Early morning I take my coffee and sit in the backyard to watch the birds.
I find it so relaxing. Their sounds sooth my soul.
It is so kind of your neighbor to share her lilacs. How I love them.
Mine only had two blooms this year. Maybe next year they will do better.
Wishing you a peaceful weekend
blessings,
Penny
Some birds mate for life (like maybe chicadees), some only for one season at a time (like house wrens). DNA analysis has shown that some of the lifers have occasional affairs with others than their partner. Knowing all this requires a lot of time and effort from human observers and testers!
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I don't see those birds in Hawaii at all. We do have cardinals, mynahs, and pigeons, however.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing two Downy Woodpeckers and two Tufted Titmouses (Titmice?) and, of course, two Cardinals. I see four Carolina Chickadees, and they are all small...nestlings?
ReplyDeleteWe've had wrens nest here, and robins. It's such fun to watch. Watching birds come to the feeders and carry food away is almost as much fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding cardinals mate for life, and that chickadees usually do. Carolina wrens, from what I've read online, are monogamous for at least the season and often for life. 90% is the figure I've seen for the bird species that are monogamous for a season. All I know is what I've read online, though, so who knows how accurate it is...
Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteSome do, some don't for life.
I hope you are feeling better. Bird watching is a cheerful investment if time. Chickadees, is it possible to peek using a little round dental mirror? :)
I love these photos. The bird cages are just too cute. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteCute tiny 'bed and breakfast' houses! Your birds have a high social status; don't just live on a tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely company you keep! (And I suspect Miz Lizzie keeps a watchful eye on your friends as well...) Great pictures -- and I especially appreciated the update on the Chickadee Chronicles. Babies will be coming soon, I expect... Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteyour neighbours garden is how I would like mine! tall dense borders, the birds clearly love both gardens and you have a lovely variety visiting and nesting - no chance of that here as so many cats around!
ReplyDeleteHi, your birds are very different to what we have in UK. Unfortunately we don't have cardinals, they are beautiful. Your wren looks different to ours. Ours are much smaller with a sticky up tail and our robins are different too, smaller, brighter colours with none of the markings round their necks. Let me say I enjoy reading your blog and your paintings are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see all the birds Jeannie and your blooms. What a sweet garden you have! Thank you so much for sharing! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Erika's vote of confidence! The mating system for small songbirds is called serial or seasonal monogamy. In other words they pair off and stay together for a breeding season and then go their separate ways. Once the young have become independent they have mo further contact with their parents. Canada Geese are in another realm entirely. They mate for life and if one partner dies the remaining goose will often live alone for the remaining days of its life. In terms of monogamy some birds would put humans to shame. I actually have a presentation facetiously called "Sex and the Single Bird" which I will be giving at the Huron Fringe Birding Festival next weekend. Over the year it has become the most popular topic of the fifteen or so presentations that I do, especially with seniors!!
ReplyDeleteOh I love seeing your bird friends Jeanie, they certainly have enchanting little houses. I don't have any answers to your questions but I do know doves mate for life. We have a pair that visits us often, them love sitting on our fence and I love watching them. We have little houses for our bird friends and a hummingbird feeder that's always the hangout for those needing a sip of Jim's homemade brew he feeds them. Hope you are feeling better and enjoying this lovely long Memorial Day weekend. Hugs..........
ReplyDeleteWe have also been doing a lot of bird watching, Your neighbor’s garden is beautiful and I just know the lilacs smell heavenly!
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky that your birds like your houses. No one wants to live in mine. The wren would rather build his nest on my veranda in my potted plants rather than use the house I bought for him. It is finally warming up, seems like spring just sailed by with many cold and rainy days.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are chirping and twittering outside my window this morning. I guess they will quiet down a little soon since the little ones will be off on their own.
ReplyDeleteLove that birdhouse in the firs two photos. It looks like two of the same house. One seems to be on a post while th other seems to be hanging. Nice pics.
The birds look like great fun and obviously feel very welcome in their houses. I, too, am suffering from calendar shock - currently getting ready to leave for Florida on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteYes. Stunned!
ReplyDeleteI like to think they are the same pairs but am not talented enough in observation to recognize an individual bird. Glad pairs set up to raise families at your place, nonetheless. ;)
Love those charming bird houses! YES, how did it get to be June already!
ReplyDeleteYeah almost juni…the time goes so quick….lovely all the bird pictures…and what a beautiful garden from your neighbors…love allliums my favorite flowers right now and pionies also my favorite…happy new week love Ria 🍀🍀🍀
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms....and I have been doing a lot of bird watching in the backyard the past few days myself. I love watching them, esp the hummingbirds.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same bunch of birds here, and I love keeping the feeders full, because each week we seem to have some new ones show up, then move on. Only problem is that the geese now have our yard on their community rounds. and they're messy... We have a birdhouse with wrens inside but they're pretty quiet without a lot of activity or noise. We have crows that are predators so they're trying to be incognito. I think they say most birds have a new mate yearly, but geese and mourning doves are monogamous. I love seeing all your flower and birdie pics, something peaceful watching the birds and wildlife go about their business. Hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend and that you're feeling well. Take care Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteCute ones! And proud ones, too!
ReplyDeleteYes! I seem to have lost May somewhere!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your birds and flowers!!
Birds are fascinating little creatures! I currently have a nest in the wreath on my front door, makes opening the door very inconvenient! How nice to have fresh lilacs to enjoy from your nice neighbor! Happy Memorial Day Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteJenna
My M.I.L. is recovering from surgery at my S.I.L. doddyhaus. She has hung multiple bird feeders from a line leading to a gigantic tree in the yard. It was such a pleasure to hang out on the screened porch and watch such a wild variety of birds. We saw a juvenile pileated woodpecker on the suet. Then a hawk swooped in and grabbed one of the smaller birds. I couldn't imagine a better place to recuperate!
ReplyDeleteWe've been doing the same here, though our bird feeders are down because of Avian flu. Seems every other birdhouse has babies, so there is constant chirping and scolding US (the invaders) as we work about the yard. Soon we will be able to put the feeders out again, slowly. Hugs, lovely post! Sandi
ReplyDeleteJeanie, your neighbor's garden is lovely, as are her lilacs. I know you must be enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is hard to believe June is on our doorstep. I used to hear my mom say, "Time moves faster as one gets older." Those words didn't make sense to me - then. But, they sure do now.
You do have some lovely birds. I do know Cardinals mate for life and the male enjoys feeding his lovely wife. The names of your birds are the best. Our cardinal that sits on top of the feeder every morning and waits for Mike is named Rex. After Mike's golfing buddy who gave Mike the most wonder grape tomatoes. Which, we named Rex Reds because Rex had no idea the name of the plant.
Hope you are having a good weekend, Jeanie.
You have so many wonderful birds come to your feeders and birdhouses, Jeanie. I loved seeing them all. I miss seeing cardinals--they don't come this far west.
ReplyDeleteI can't keep birdfeeders up after April as the bears will smell the seed and come into our yards at night to investigate. I've had local friends whose feeders were destroyed that way. I do see many birds in our trees and every morning I wake up to a Mourning Dove cooing.
Yes, I am definitely stunned it is almost June, especially since some days still feel like winter here. Hoping for some sunshine this week.
ReplyDeleteI love your birds and that you name them. That makes me smile.
I can't wait to hear if little babies pop from your cute bird house.
Your neighbors garden is lovely and how nice she lets you pick too.
Happy Memorial day!
Some birds do mate for a season, and perhaps even longer. My cardinals do, and the doves. I often hear them talking to one another, and the doves, especially, will come to my railing and sit together to watch evening fall. It's the sweetest thing in the world. I don't see bluejays together so much, but there's no question that they'll come back to the same spot year after year. And now I have two pair of mallards stopping by; they're easy to identify because their color patterns are so different.
ReplyDeleteMy big thrill this morning was having the baby oppossum I saw just one time finally return: a little bigger, and a little braver. I got a nice photo, but I need to clean up the patio and take more photos before posting any -- things are a little messy just now!
I apologize for being so late visiting. You may have read that my computer died after being hit by a lightening strike, Jeanie. I am finally back online, and dreading June because I am still catching up from May.
ReplyDeleteI saw a male cardinal in my yard the other day. My neighbor thinks there is a nest nearby. I have a very friendly robin, but haven't seen a mate. I'm glad the honkers, oops, I mean Canadian geese are staying at the river. I can't answer either of your questions, since I'm not much of a birder. I DO love your photos, though.
We have 2 wren mamas who come back yearly.. Love their sounds! We also had some pelican sightings on the river a few days ago too. I missed them, but other took photos. Janice
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and the most darling birdhouses! Awesome garden and flowers. Have a great week Jeanie :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't feel like tomorrow should be June since the weather warmed up so very recently. But I am so happy tomorrow is June because May has been the longest month with me not feeling well and Will being in covid isolation! So bring on June!!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the birds! I finally saw some duck babies this weekend on my walk with Will but they were in an area along the creek where they blended in with the scenery so I couldn't get a good picture!
Sweet birds. We have a bunch in our backyard as well but I can not identify all of them. Did not know the little ones were called chickadees.
ReplyDeleteWe did have many nest around our house last year and squirrels and larger birds got to all of them. So I am a little happy to know that I haven't spotted any nests this year. Hopefully the birds are doing a better job had hiding them and keeping their chicks safe from predators.
Look at all those wonderful birds. I don't know about other birds but cardinals mate for life or until they loose their mate.
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteSo many pretty birds in your back yard...And such pretty blooms too!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!!
Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Deb
Middle of the year already . . .
ReplyDeleteFlying by fast!
I have two birdhouses up, no activity though that I can tell.
How long does it take before one of my birds will build a nest!
I don't know for sure, but I think many bird species do mate for life. I could be wrong, but I know it definitely happens with some.
ReplyDeleteYes, completely stunned that it's June! Being a backyard birder, myself, I enjoyed all of your photos. Bobby Cardinal! That made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteI think it must be very relaxing to look out on your yard. I hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteooh lilacs? gorgeous. i am a keen birdwatcher, so i am enjoying the bird photos. we don't have cardinals here of course but we do have many other very colourful birds. and dangerous ones like the cassowary which will rip your guts out!:-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the backyard bird tour, Jeanie, and especially the naming if all of them. While I too was uncertain of their mating tendencies, it was quite clear that many of us knew just the person who would know, David G, of course, and he did come throigh as I read in his previous comment.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you have an interest in the birds. I'm seeing the chickadees visiting my bird houses. Hope they are going to build a nest.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful so have so many birds that love to visit your home! I'm crazy about birds, any kind! I have that Merlin Bird ID app and I love it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Nancy
Isn't it wonderful to watch the birds? I have a pair of Hooded orioles that come back every year, but I doubt that it is the same pair every year. Usually I see the male first and later the female turns up as well, so I guess he finds her eventually after he has arrived in our area. Later in the breeding season they bring their young as well before they migrate south again.
ReplyDelete