For years I've enjoyed watching the birds that come to my own backyard. That's obviously not because I'm trying to find those rarest of species or to build the biggest life list, but because every day brings something new to notice.
A pair of American Robins suddenly appears on the bird bath. (Not the most unusual occurrence, but that's the point.) Goldfinches seem to change color overnight. The hummingbirds disappear for a few days and then return as if they never left. (Of course, I have to be looking at just the right moment.)
Those little moments are easy to miss unless we slow down and look.
That's why I'm starting this newsletter.
Each Friday I'll share a few observations from the backyard, something to watch for in the coming week, a simple journal prompt, and occasionally a helpful article or update from Backyard Bird Tracker. I hope these emails encourage you to look out your window just a little more often and enjoy whatever birds decide to stop by.
So, let's begin.
This Week in the Backyard
I have my adjustable, standing desk wedged in between the dining room table and the south wall of our house so I can easily look out the French doors and see my bird feeders in the backyard out beyond the patio.
I happened to glance out there once on Monday morning and saw a small flock of black birds come in for a landing. I didn't get a good look though because something scared them up into our 30-year-old maple. I figured, "Must be a bunch of Grackles or maybe Red-winged Blackbirds."
A little later, they returned and stayed longer. I could see now that they weren't red-wings, and they were too small for Grackles. I had to get my monocular to see what they really were.
Brown-headed Cowbirds! A total of 9 of them!
I've seen cowbirds before but never this many all at once. 'Twas a pleasant surprise.
What to Watch For
This week, try to pay attention to who arrives first.
If you have a feeder, a birdbath, or even a favorite tree outside your window, notice which bird makes the first appearance each morning.
Is it always the same species? Does it change with the weather?
No need to keep score. Just notice.
Sometimes the smallest patterns become the most enjoyable ones.
Backyard Moment
A few days ago I glanced out the window and saw something fairly unusual.
No birds.
Then I looked at the feeders and realized why. Most of them were empty or nearly so.
Since it wasn't raining, I went out and grabbed the two tube feeders and took them to the garbage can in the garage where I store the food bags. I used my handy-dandy scoop tool to refill them and then put them back on their shepherd's hook poles.
It didn't take long for the first visitors to arrive after that. I don't remember for sure, but it was probably the usual House Finches and House Sparrows first on the scene.
Sorry, guys. I'll try not to let it happen again.
Journal Prompt
What's one bird you look forward to seeing every time it visits your backyard?
Not necessarily the rarest one. Just the one that makes you smile.
If you keep a journal—or use the Backyard Bird Tracker app—you might even jot down why.
From the Backyard Bird Tracker
Backyard Bird Tracker continues to grow, both as a website and as an app. I'll occasionally share new articles, helpful features, or resources here when I think they might help you enjoy your backyard birds even more.
But this newsletter won't be about announcements.
It's about paying attention.