Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
There were some enjoyable feathered surprises in our backyard today. After finishing a few important projects in my office that required the computer, I spent the rest of the day on our deck listening (and sometimes watching) for birds while reading Bridget Stutchbury's book, “Silence of the Songbirds” (recommended reading, by the way). A Magnolia Warbler first heard very early this morning was present. I never did get to see it, but judging by the direction of its songs, the warbler was pretty busy doing laps around our yard most of the day. The only other warbler present was an American Redstart. Then another song caught my attention and I recognized its peeup peeup notes almost immediately - it was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. If my recollection is correct, this is the first time we've ever had one in our backyard. Hours passed before I finally decided to document the flycatcher and hauled out the digiscoping gear, capturing it in late afternoon light.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Backyard Birds – 05/26/2008:
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Magnolia Warbler
American Redstart
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
All images © 2008 Mike McDowell