Bird Ramblings

Violet-green Swallows are back! Our first of the season Violet-green Swallows were spotted here at Dallas Retirement Village on Sunday March 1st. We were out putting up nesting boxes that are specifically designed for swallows, when Jeanette suddenly noticed three Violet-green Swallows circling about. Later, I was lucky enough to get this photo of one of the swallows checking out the dryer vents on The Lodge. Previously the Violet-green Swallows were last seen here at DRV on September 4th before leaving for winter locations to the South. 

 

Bird Ramblings - Scrub Jay

Charles C. Barnard Park, located on the east-end of Academy Street continues to be one of our favorite Dallas City Parks to watch birds. One of the most consistent birds we see there is the California Scrub Jay, shown here with a peanut in its beak. This photo, taken February 15th, suggest to me that homes adjacent to the park have bird feeders with peanuts.

The "Lane Express" will be taking DRV residents on a bus trip to this park on March 11th. Be sure and call Lore Balzer at 5033623-1853 to reserve a seat,
 

Bird Ramblings - Merlin

Last Merlin?? Everyday Jeanette and I check the tall cedar trees here in the Dallas Retirement Village for a Merlin, expecting to see the last one of this season because it is the time when Merlins will migrate north as far as Alaska for their breeding season. This photo was taken on February 22nd in front of The Lodge main entrance, and could quite possibly be the last one for this year. If it is we won't see a Merlin back here until next winter, normally in November.

Bird Ramblings - Sapsucker

One of the birds that we consistently keep an eye out for here in Dallas Retirement Village is the Red-breasted Sapsucker. This one was photographed on the 12th of February at its usual location on Tilgner Avenue. It is actually the most common member of the Woodpecker Family to be seen here in Dallas Retirement Village. However, it is only a seasonal visitor from September through April. Presumably, from May through August they are off somewhere busy with nesting in a location that has older trees appropriate for making a cavity nest. The bottom line is that if you want to see them here this season, it needs to be in the next two months.   
 

Cattail Cove State Park - 2018

Here is where we were eight years ago on the 14th of February, Cattail Cove State Park in Arizona. We were working as volunteers leading bird walks, and because the campground was crowded, we elected to stay in the boat overflow lot. There were no hook-ups for electricity, water or sewer. We recently had solar panels installed on the roof of our Leisure Travel Serenity, so that took care of our electrical needs. On one of our days off we would drive down to the dump station to empty our grey and black tanks and fill up our freshwater tank. Then we would drive into Lake Havasu City to buy our groceries for the week. It was an exciting season, we had discovered Great Horned Owls nesting in the cliffs next to our parking spot, which we would hear in the evening, and early in the morning. This was the last year of 10 years wandering south for the winter. Lots of great memories and many wonderful friendships. 
 

Bird Ramblings - Hummingbirds

We had a lot of excitement this past week at Dallas Retirement Village when Executive Assistant Susan Fink discovered this female Anna's Hummingbird building a nest in a dogwood tree in The Lodge Central Courtyard. Susan went and got Administrative Receptionist Mary Ransier, who took this photo. This is our first Hummingbird nest of the season. Time will tell if she finishes the nest. I always worry that too much human curiosity will cause her to abandon the nest building site. We will be monitoring all the trees in the Courtyard for any possibilities. - Jim Scott  
 

Bird Ramblings - Bluebirds

Western Bluebirds have made an early appearance and have been visible here in Dallas Retirement Village for several weeks. This Western Bluebird was photographed on January 24th at Kirk and Cheryl Wagener's Garden Home backyard feeder. Cheryl had alerted me earlier to their presence. Western Bluebirds always show up early and seem to be interested in the area, checking out nesting boxes. Then, suddenly they disappear for about a month, which I suggest is a honeymoon period, before coming back 
 in a serious effort of nest building.