House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) Male, Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) Male and Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) photos by Larry Jordan
Even though the Great Backyard Bird Count is still accepting check list submissions until March 1st, it is already a huge success. They already have 2,994 species recorded (at this posting) and over 23 million birds counted across the globe. So far bird watchers have submitted 114,050 check lists!
My list for the first day of the GBBC included 24 species, all observed from my yard in Northern California. Here are a few of the birds I counted in my yard on Friday, February 15th.
No yard list this time of year would be complete without the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis).
I spotted two Eurasian Collard-Doves (Streptopelia decaocto)…
and a male Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picides nuttallii).
I only saw one Purple Finch and there were only a few House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) around.
My resident White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) were present…
and the Red-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) that arrived back in September.
The Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) have been here in large numbers, but not for this count…
and the Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) never disappoint. This is the male…
and the equally gorgeous female Evening Grosbeak.
This is my Friday list for all the birds seen in or over my yard between 7am and 9am for the 16th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count:
- Mourning Dove – 12
- Anna’s Hummingbird – 1
- Lesser Goldfinch – 4
- American Robin – 7
- Western Bluebird – 2
- Spotted Towhee – 2
- Acorn Woodpecker – 2
- Northern Flicker – 1
- Red-shouldered Hawk – 1 (fly over)
- Oak Titmouse – 2
- Western Scrub-Jay – 7
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 1
- Evening Grosbeak – 38
- Dark-eyed Junco – 12
- California Quail – 7
- Pine Siskin – 8
- Red-breasted Nuthatch – 2
- White-breasted Nuthatch – 2
- House Finch – 2
- Purple Finch – 1
- Eurasian Collard-Dove – 2
- Hermit Thrush – 1
- Turkey Vuture – 7
- Tundra Swan – 30 (fly over)
For more great birding fun, catch Wild Bird Wednesday and The Bird D’pot.
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I sometimes think my yard is full of birds but looking at your list my yard isn’t nearly as abundant with them . Perhaps I’ll sit for a time and actually count.
I’m amazed you captured three species together in that first shot – well done!
Larry, I am glad the GBBC was a huge success. You have wonderful birds in your yard. THe Evening Grosbeaks are one of my favorites. Beautiful birds and photos.
Great set of pictures – and a good yard list – I’ll have to post a list next year if the count remains international!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M – Melbourne
Marvelous. That very first photo, a triple treat…all in one. That was truly being in the right place at the right time. All of your shares, as always, is fantastic. PS…wish I would have known about the GBBC – I could’ve counted dozens of sparrows. LOL They overrun our feeders.
I had so much fun with the GBBC, participating all four days. Got to see some new species which was very exciting. Love your shots here, especially the grosbeak.
awesome opening shot showing 3 species at once!
Nice captures Larry. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Splendid photos and congratulations on a nice list! We had a blast and the county total exceeded last year’s by a good margin.
Great pics! I got 2 new feeder birds during this years GBBC.