This past week I had the opportunity to spend a bit more time outside than usual. Since I was home sick on Friday and the weather was gorgeous, I spoiled cardiac cat mercilessly by sitting with him for hours in the backyard. On Friday, we saw our first American Goldfinches--both females in their drab olive colors and Saturday we saw our first Chipping Sparrow. Since my backyard bird species count is in the 60's I pay a lot more attention to when birds arrive and their behavior rather than I do for new species.
Sadly we also saw our first House Finch suffering from the finch eye disease. As a result I'll be taking down my feeders and sanitizing them. Because so many people feed birds in this area, I don't really subscribe to the school of thought that I should keep my feeders down for a few weeks to let the feeding flock disperse. I also try to catch these guys and take them to a wild bird rehabilitation specialist in the area, because the disease is treatable.
Happy Easter!
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