Since adding the sight and sound of moving water to both my birdbaths, the activity at the baths has been wonderful! Here's a series of images taken late August/early September.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
I have been testing a solar-powered birdbath fountain in a bath on the front deck. Its splashing spray and sunny location seems to draw mostly Chipping Sparrows, goldfinches, and doves. It is also the chipmunks' favorite watering hole.
Here's a series of pictures that show a growing party of Chipping Sparrows enjoying that bath. They pulled together this fun gathering in only 3 minutes time!
The bath on the shady, wooded side of the house sports a dripper that drips 24x7. It seems to attract the jays, chickadees, grosbeaks, and migrating birds, and is the favorite of the Purple Finches.
This picture was taken on September 4th. Looks like the male goldfinch is already beginning to molt.
Make sure you provide water for your birds in all seasons. Add a dripper or fountain during the summer to attract the birds, and have a heated birdbath for the colder months.
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I see that your blog takes place in Saratoga County... Wow, Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak, very, very good birds for this area, especially this time of year.
If you don't already you should post your yard/feeder sightings to the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club who keeps records of the birds in the area. www.hmbc.net or (518) 439-8080.
You may also want to consider if you haven't already Hudson-Mohawk Birds Discussion group on yahoo. Most of the bird sightings in the Capital District appear on this list serve.
Posted by: Will | September 14, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Wow, I really need to get myself one of these! Love all those birdies you are getting! Mostly the Evening Grosbeak!
Posted by: mon@rch | September 09, 2007 at 09:29 PM