Our prompts this week: Starts with S, Week's Favourite, Family
Starts with S:
This is a Song Sparrow, which I photographed in my parents' garden last weekend when I was visiting them. I usually see different birds when I visit them, and this time was no exception. So far, I haven't seen a Song Sparrow in my yard.
Interestingly, the Song Sparrow has a remarkable range of subspecies - about 30! - across North America. This one is the typical eastern variant.
Week's Favourite:
I was pleased this week to see a Northern Flicker for the first time in my front yard. I managed to get a picture of it - not a great picture, but it was exciting to see a new-to-my-yard bird, so that makes it my favourite!
Family:
I am hoping that a new family will soon be underway in temporary housing on my downspout! This week, an American Robin built her nest there, and she took three days to complete the process.
Day 1
Day 2
On day 3, it looked similar to day 2, but a bit more built up. Here she is sitting in her nest on day 3.
It was interesting to see her coming and going with bits of twig, and then smaller bits of twig, and then grasses. She ended up bringing chunks of mud that she used to push into the nest sides, presumably for strengthening it, and making a lining that is smooth and soft. I will be checking it to see how many eggs have been laid in it. Last year a robin built its nest in the climbing hydrangea which is just adjacent to this spot, so it might be the same pair I suppose. I do look forward to seeing a robin family over the next few weeks!
