Birding Again!

For the first time in over 2 months, I mounted the big lens on my camera and photographed birds in the backyard. Hurricane Irene took out much of the backyard and washed away the trees, shrubs, and plants which we have cultivated for a decade to benefit birds and butterflies.

Installation of the new leach field required removing an old apple tree and several other large bushes which provided cover for the birds.

Even so, we preserved what we could, and some of the resident birds came daily to feed, in spite of the heavy equipment working nearby.

The residents included at least two pair of Downy Woodpeckers. This one is trying to reorient himself to the new feeder locations on a high bush rose which we saved ...

Downy Woodpecker

A small island of thick cover remained untouched behind the stone wall, providing Song Sparrows a close haven of safety. I wish there were someway to identify individual birds. As the changes took place in the yard, it often seemed that the Song Sparrows went first to where the feeders had been. With the leach field completed, grass seed spread, and feeders placed in new locations, they are beginning to get themselves reoriented. But are they the ones which came all summer, or did they stop on the way north and are now stopping on the way south, scratching first in the spot where they scratched in the Spring? I have no idea.

Song Sparrow

Mourning Doves have been present throughout, although their numbers do not seem as great as in previous Falls. But they come to the platform and forage on the ground several times a day.

Mourning Dove

Hairy Woodpeckers have also made daily visits, managing to find the suet feeder in its various locations.

Hairy Woodpecker

Installation of the leach field required digging up most of what remained of the lawn, yard, and flower beds behind the house.

Installing the leach field for the septic system

Taken just minutes before publishing this post, the leach field is completed, feeders are in and as close to cover as possible. Additional clean-up and grading will be completed this morning.

Completed leach field is seeded and finish work is being done

Good birding!