Birding Dude: Backyard Birds Are The Best...

After getting skunked on trying to get gas in 4 attempts and having some work to do, I decided to stay home. It did not mean I would not bird because I see good birds in my backyard and if it is a good flight day, who knows what I might pick up flying into or over the yard.

As luck would have it, I made out alright with the backyard feeders being visited frequently by the usual visitors. Plus, I got visits from some of the irruptive species such as Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus) and Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus). Sometime in the afternoon around 2:00 p.m. I thought I heard a Common Redpoll, so I went outside with my camera and carefully checked the birds at the feeders.

Unfortunately, I did not find any, but as I was enjoying watching the birds feed, I heard a sound that seemed familiar. Crossbills? Can't be I thought, as I watched about 9 birds fly and land on the Pines in the backyard. I casually lifted my bins and was astonished when I locked on one of the birds. I was looking at a White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)a female. I scanned in the near vicinity where the flock had landed and picked up several more including two males. I quickly snapped several pictures, thinking I needed to have documentation.

I am glad I had the camera and acted fast because they did not stay too long. After picking on some of the cones, they called out to each other and all took off in a South Westerly direction. This was a new yard bird for me and I could not believe that I got these after seeing Evening Grosbeaks yesterday in my home county of Queens. Who knows, maybe Evening Grosbeaks maybe next in my yard. Here are some photos of today's yard birds.