Counting Crows

Stellar's Jay

This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count.  So for an hour or two every day I've been peering out my window at all  the birds in my own backyard.  It's fun to take notice of how the bird species differ from day to day.  Seems like every day there are new visitors to our habitat.

We have lots of native plants and mature Douglas Fir trees in our yard.  Just down the street is a natural area with a stream and wetland buffers that provides additional sanctuary for wildlife.  Being surrounded by so much wildlife friendly open space definitely offers the benefit of a greater variety of birds.

Townsend's Warbler

Yesterday I saw a Golden Crowned Kinglet.  Today's unique sighting was a Townsend's Warbler.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?  The suet feeder seems to be an attractive spot for colorful visitors this weekend.

Of course there are lots of the common visitors like Anna's and Rufous Hummingbirds, Oregon Juncos, Chestnut Backed Chickadees, Stellar's Jays and Varied Thrushes at the feeders, too.  

So far the tie for largest number of birds in a single sighting  is a flock of Bushtits that literally covered my suet feeder for a few minutes and an army of American Crows who stopped by to call attention (LOUDLY) to the neighborhood cat that was lurking in the shrubbery.

Counting birds is fun.  It's a great way to learn about nature and a fun way for kids to join in the fun.  You can spend 15 minutes or 15 hours. If you haven't yet done so, find out more at

Great Backyard Bird Count
 
 I hope you will take a few minutes to get out and enjoy nature this weekend!