Regular as clockwork, our winter birds returned to the backyard in the first weeks of October. The post-Idalia Painted Bunting didn’t stick around, but now his friends are here to stay. The Palm Warblers are shaking their tails on the lawn, the Gray Catbirds are meowing for beautyberries, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectars from my honeysuckle. I’m still loving my Blink birdcam, and as the temperatures continue to drop, it will be time for the Beast to make a comeback!
As we celebrate Labor Day and the end of summer, it’s a good time to review the backyard birdcam. This video is very different than the Spring 2023 birdcam video! Things slow down a lot in the summertime. The cardinals visit regularly for an early-morning bath. The Brown Thrasher nesting attempts failed, and they found better places to hang out. A family of House Finches became regulars. The Eastern Bluebirds hang out on the golf course but haven’t visited the yard. The best action has been in the past few days, either as a result of the changing seasons, or possibly as a result of Hurricane Idalia. In addition to my first-of-fall Painted Bunting, I’ve seen the Brown Thrasher return, along with visits from the Tufted Titmouse.
The light is definitely changing, the days are getting shorter, and I smell fall in the breeze (Rich says I’m crazy). It’ll just be a few more weeks before the warblers return!
I haven’t posted in a while – it’s been HOT and I’ve been busy! I will get back into the swing of bird photography as the weather cools and the birds return to sunny FL!
But today I had a fun surprise that I just have to share. Usually my first of fall Painted Bunting comes in the first week or two of October. If you search back on the blog, you’ll see a pattern for at least the last 10 years. So you can imagine my delight when I looked out this morning (August 31) to see a male Painted Bunting at the bird bath. :)
Buntings do start to show up in this area around this time, but it’s a first for my yard. It’s also possible that this little guy found his way here yesterday as a result of Hurricane Idalia. He’s not the only one possibly misplaced by the storm. The birders on the west coast of FL are enjoying all the Flamingos showing up on the beaches today!
This little bird and I hope that all the refugees of Hurricane Idalia find shelter, a good meal, and a birdbath as they find their way back to normal.
