We were blessed with some unusual observations this month—we suspect these species are usually here in August, but we’re not always in the right place to observe them. Gotta get outdoors! In the meantime, enjoy this month’s list of what we’ve seen through (or near) our Viewing Window.
- Blue Jay (and juveniles with bald heads ~8/8 – 8/18)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Tufted Titmouse
- Mourning Dove
- American Goldfinch
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Black-capped chickadee
- Northern Cardinal (and juvenile with black beak 8/16)
- American Crow
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Purple Finch
- Evening Grosbeak
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Common Grackle
- Gray Catbird
- House Finch
- Cooper’s Hawk (8/17 by S. Dakers)
- Song Sparrow (fledgling with a short tail 8/21)
- Turkey Vulture
- Broad Winged-hawk (heard 8/23)
No male hummingbirds on 8/31.
Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.
For more precise records, you can also see eBird data for recent years at the Museum.
It’s always fun to distinguish the Clear-winged Sphinx Moth and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird as they both hover about the bee balm. And what a month for mammals! We’ve the usuals: Gray squirrels, Red squirrels, Eastern chipmunks.. ;.and we’ve also noticed Eastern cottontail rabbit, a bobcat, and a young porcupine! This last was spotted and photographed by some visitors on August 28 as it came across Bob’s Bridge and up the bath. (Bob’s Bridge is the lower bridge of the two near the Museum entrance; Gale’s Crossing is the new one.)
All observers can add their sightings to our whiteboard list! We’re here from 10am to 4pm daily, and earlier if there’s a bird walk. For those, check out our events page. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too, for more comments, links, and observations!
The “Through the Window” series is an informal record of observations made by staff, volunteers, and visitors. Anyone at the Museum may add to this list. Observations are usually through our viewing window: a large window with a film covering that helps hide watchers from the birds. We have chairs and binoculars to try, a white board, and many identification guides. Outdoors, several feeders are attached on a single, bear-resistant pole. A small pond, flowers and water plants, shrubs and trees add cover and (seasonally) other food choices . You can sometimes see what we see via our webcam.