Slow, hot summer

So far, my ambitious plans to go birding all summer have been foiled by this dreadful hot weather and the resulting lack of my own motivation. Yes, I know. Tragic on all accounts. By pure dumb luck though, I have managed to add a few more birds to my year list without even trying.

The first was a pair of Red-tailed Hawks I saw from the road last week. Surprisingly I hadn't seen any yet this year (or had failed to record it). More exciting for me, however, was my first-of-the-year Ruby-throated Hummingbird yesterday! I only saw it for a few moments, but it was just long enough to realize what I was looking at.

It hovered for a few moments around a bush of blue pentas, before zipping down to feed. In the time it took me to get from the window to the front door, however, it was gone. Too bad. I only rarely see hummingbirds where I live, so it's always a treat.

Well, that's about the highlight of my last 2 weeks. I'll try and get myself outside sometime soon, if not for my own sanity then for something more interesting to post about!

Until next time,

Happy birding!

Oh so close!

What a summer so far. Getting ready for college, trying to earn money and waiting out daily afternoon lightning storms has left little time for birding.

I went birding at the archery range today for about an hour but came up with nothing new. It was a bad time of day to go; I hate early afternoon. I saw quite a few Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Cardinals, a Downy Woodpecker, and heard an Osprey, but beyond that, the short trip was uneventful.

I have come close to seeing a couple new species though. Oh, so close! In my backyard, I found Yellow-bellied Sapsucker holes on an elm tree. I have never actually seen a sapsucker, which would be lifer for me.

And yesterday evening, my mom reported she saw a hummingbird at the penta flowers in our garden. I've been checking the flowers periodically, hoping the bird will come back. I have yet to see a hummer this year, so my hopes are up! It would be great to see one in my own yard.

Wish I had something more exciting to report on, but alas, I do not.

Until next time,

Happy birding!