WE HAVE BLUEBIRDS!!!! One of our bluebird houses finally have occupants!!!
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird has been spotted at MJS this week. This bird has beautiful cobalt blue feathers and a warm orange-red breast and white belly. It is a member of the thrush family. It enjoys
eating mealworms and other insects.
eating mealworms and other insects.
Melissa Jones Birding Club
The bird club is now in its second year at MJS. Many of our last year's students have gone on to Baldwin and many have decided to sign on to the Jr. Audubon Club.
October 25, 2012 was the beginning date for the bird club at Jones. Our first day included sightings of our first Northern Flicker at school. We also saw a flock of black birds, a white throated sparrow, a blue jay, a robin and an unconfirmed sighting of a hawk.
Learning how to correctly identify birds.
The bird club has been learning to focus on particular areas of birds, the top of their head (the crown) the eye circles (ring around the eyes) and bars on the wings to make an accurate identification in the field.
Red tailed Hawk
The bird club had spotted some activity in the evergreens that border the school's property. There were cardinals and sparrows when one of the birders spotted the hawk, not far from us on a branch overhanging the road. It was a large red tailed hawk enjoying breakfast. We decided to walk towards it so we could watch it fly over our heads. It was a beauty! Definitely our bird of the day.
Dark Eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco was the first bird spotted on our first bird walk. Unfortunately it was the victim of a window strike but it gave us an opportunity to have a really close up view of this slate colored bird with the white belly. We had just learned about the anatomy of birds so with a pair of gloves I picked him up and showed the students the feathers, especially the white outline of the tail feathers that flash when they fly up into a tree for cover.
You can find Dark-eyed Juncos by walking around open, partially wooded areas with understory for cover. Keep your eyes on the ground and listen for their twittering call or their trilling song.
You can find Dark-eyed Juncos by walking around open, partially wooded areas with understory for cover. Keep your eyes on the ground and listen for their twittering call or their trilling song.
Tufted Titmouse
The Tufted Titmouse was one of the first birds we found at the school feeder and in the thickets around the property. They are a small sized bird known for coming in groups to feeders in Ct. especially in winter. They prefer sunflower seeds but will eat suet, peanuts, and other seeds as well. They build their nests in cavities, so putting up nest boxes is a good way to attract breeding titmice to your yard.
Black Capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee was also seen at our feeders and in the thickets, not surprisingly along with the tufted titmouse since they often are together. This is another small sized bird, grey in color with an obvious black cap on his head.and white cheeks.
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove. A graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove that’s common across the continent. Mourning Doves perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground; their flight is fast and bullet straight. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like laments. When taking off, their wings make a sharp whistling or whinnying. Mourning Doves are the most frequently hunted species in North America.
Cedar Waxwings
Actual photo taken by Zach G...flock of cedar waxwings on Jan 10th, 2011.
Cedar Waxwing
This bird was a real treat for us to find on a brisk January morning.
the Cedar Waxwing is a silky, shiny collection of brown, gray, and lemon-yellow, accented with a subdued crest, black mask. They were happily munching the berries on our dogwood trees on the side of the school.
the Cedar Waxwing is a silky, shiny collection of brown, gray, and lemon-yellow, accented with a subdued crest, black mask. They were happily munching the berries on our dogwood trees on the side of the school.
Red bellied woodpecker
This guy is a frequent feeder at our suet station at school. Often misidentied as a red-headed woodpecker, they are often seen at backyard feeders.
Northern Cardinal, Male
We finally spotted the beautiful male cardinal on Wednesday, January 11th 2012. He was feeding at a very active garden bird feeder, especially enjoying the sunflower seeds. These birds are easily identifiable with their spectacular red plumage.
Just Cute
A drawing of a horned owl by one of my students, too cute.
Our Brand New Audubon Sign!!
The newly designed Healthy Habitat sign was delivered this week. It is beautiful! We are very proud to receive it.
The school's hawk perched on the barn in the back.
A Great Christmas Gift
My new birdhouse, a Christmas gift from Ben R. who made it with the help of his dad. Notice the pencil perch.