Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
Click on Mark Twain to jump to Troutbirders book review blog

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Rare Winter Birds In Bluff Country

I’ve had some unusual (for southeastern Minnesota) visitors at our backyard feeders the last few days.  Yes, we birders get really excited when the out of the ordinary shows up. Especially in winter.  We’ve had titmice, which are north of their usual range, a few times before.  The collared dove is a “lifer” for me, so all in all it was an exciting day to see them.  On top of all that my friends Mr. Science and his wife Bobbi spotted some overwintering bluebirds recently in nearby northeastern Iowa.  Another fairly rare birding event in these parts.  Guess where me and Mrs. T will be heading next week…..

The alien collared doves have spread very rapidly from Florida , northwest,  all the way to Alaska according to Cornell University.  Amazingly,  they do not seem to be having a detrimental effect on native doves. Dove Picture from Cornell Ornithology Lab.








 


18 comments:

  1. Congratulations Ray -- always so exciting to see a new bird. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. we have a flock here this winter, too. really pretty birds. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. The collared dove is in Tennessee as well, but I have never seen one in Nashville. With warmer winters many animals are moving north. We have armadillos here now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. About the only birds around here in winter are ravens. Yesterday when it was -20 three were frolicking on the power line outside.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Iowa has a lot more than the map is sharing. We noticed them being around all the time a few years back and after taking shots of them we did the same research as you. I don't remember what country from overseas that they originated bu I do remember them coming in through Florida.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well aren't you lucky! That is one of the advantages of living in the more tropical part of Minnesota! Thanks for sharing your sightings..makes me a tad jealous:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I need to get out and search more. I rarely see any of the things you other bloggers do and I know they're bound to be here, just not in my yard.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi troutbirder...how exciting to see those birds. I recently watched the movie "The Big Year". Do you travel around looking for birds like in that movie? Is there really "a big year" for birders? I really enjoy watching the birds. I saw Cedar Waxwings in my garden for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was thrilled!

    ReplyDelete
  9. How interesting to see a new bird. We still have the usual suspects at out feeders.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a thrill!! Do you see that itty bitty dot at the north central part of Iowa? That must be my aunt. She spotted the collared dove last winter and has again seen them this year. Hope I see them!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting about those collared doves. I love the cooing sounds that doves make.

    So you snowbirds are beginning to fly this way? Well, most of you will be winging your way farther south. The last few days have been fairly balmy here, but more cold weather is still in store for us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Common birds at uncommon times of the year. Very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I so enjoy spotting the bluebirds in the winter. I think they're a bit easier to see against a white background! If you're heading south, I'm very jealous indeed, but enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's great that you have been able to see and capture some new visitors to your backyard. We haven't spotted any new visitors, but we're enjoying our old friends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. HI There, We're having FREEZING rain here today.. Pretty to look at--but not good for one to have to be out in it.... I did get some good photo shots though!!!! ha

    Amazing that those doves have migrated so far. We have the Mourning Doves here.

    Good picture of the bluebirds too.. The birds are at the feeders constantly in bad weather.

    Have a great day.
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  16. We have the Titmouse year round as well as the Mourning Dove but not that pretty dove you show today! How exciting. I spotted a new visiting bird recently but he flew from a bush as I walked past and I only got a quick glimpse but pretty sure it was the Ruby-crowned Kinglet...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank goodness for the winter birds. Winter would be extra long without them!!!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cool! I've heard that they're getting around rapidly but I've yet to see one.Congratulations on your rare visitors!

    ReplyDelete