What's Happening in the Yard in August?

August is in full swing!  Here's what to look for this month in your upstate New York yard:

YOUNG HUMMINGBIRDS
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will fledge this month so look for an explosion of activity at your birdfeeders!

Young male hummingbird

YOUNG GOLDFINCHES
American Goldfinches are late nesters and their young will leave the nest around mid-month or later.  Listen for the incessant begging calls of the young.

Goldfinch young and parent

BALD BLUE JAYS
Many birds are molting this month.  Look for Blue Jays or Northern Cardinals that lose all their head feathers at once (instead of in an orderly fashion).  Don't worry - they grow back!

Bald head Blue Jay

THE LAST ADULT MALE HUMMINGBIRD
Watch your feeders closely to mark the last sighting of adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  They start fall migration before the females and the young.

MIGRATING WARBLERS
Fall migration has begun!  Look beyond the feeders and watch for migrating warblers such as Canada Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and American Redstarts.

Canada Warbler

Let us know when you see these things happening in your yard!

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

JG, that's what keeps things interesting!

[JG]

I am in Michigan, which is not that far geographically or climate-wise from upstate NY... It sure does seem to be a funny year here.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Ellen & JG, we've never had (at least in my yard) any young show up until August. This summer has had many oddities so who knows?!?!
Barbara, thanks for sharing many interesting observations. I saw a junco panting the other day. And you're right, the jays are BIG babies!!

[Barbara]

Many of my hummers have already moved on... there are a few babies still around but the hive of activity last weekend has disappated... still baby jays begging for food, though they are much bigger now than the parents. I think the heat and drought have made a tremendous difference to bird activity despite their "internal clocks." I see birds with beaks open panting just like the dogs very often... we so need rain.

[JG]

I concur with Ellen - I have had a mom, dad, and baby taking turns at my feeder for several weeks now... Strange year!

[Ellen]

I didn't realize that the hummingbirds are only now fledging. I've been seeing 2 or 3 at a time in our garden and around the feeder, and I had assumed that some were young ones.