Bird Watching Club

The following was taken from on-line.

The monarch butterfly population has been shrinking for nearly two
decades in the Adirondacks and throughout North America, and now
scientists are asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take action
to stop the decline.

In late August, the Center for Biological Diversity, Xerces
Society, Center for Food Safety and biologist Lincoln Brower filed a
petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect monarchs
under the Endangered Species Act.

Scientists say that the
monarchs' population has declined by more than 90 percent in less than
20 years and that they have lost more than 165 million acres of habitat,
including nearly a third of their summer breeding grounds.

I knew the Monarchs were in decline but had no idea. How sad.

That's a beauty Lisa.

Teka, my niece emailed me yesterday from Iowa all excited that a hummingbird jumped on her finger. She was taking their feeder outside and they were all swarming around. Migration season no doubt. She got them to land on her finger two different days. I am definitely getting a feeder next year. Haven't seen very many Monarchs this year either.

I saw my doctor again today and all tests have come back normal or negative. He has ordered an abdominal ultrasound so hoping no stones will show up and this thing will just fizzle out. My six month mammogram is on Monday too. I can't believe it is time already.

Yes!

different swan same time frame...

I just took this photo of a monarch butterfly on my pink and purple wild asters!

I saw only 1 Monarch last year and non this year. It is such a shame. That is a lovely photo Teka. 

Lisa, I kind of liked the grumpy hummer!! Shame the others are not getting a chance though!

I saw this little guy from a distance today while out walking and there was nowhere to rest the camera at 300mm. but managed a highish ISO/shutter speed to try and compensate for me wobbling

Thank you Teka, yes I believe so. There are a lot around the area. This one was in the bird garden at the local Audubon Society.

Teka,  A lovely photo of the Monarch and your beautiful flowers. I haven't seen any Monarchs lately. There is an empty lot adjacent to my backyard and I am amazed at all the grasshoppers I have seen when walking by that field. That is something I had not seen like the Monarchs but for some reason they are back now.

Lizzysmom, Lovely Goldfinch. I am saddened that for some reason they stopped coming to my thistle sock. I have changed socks and put new thistle and still they only come to my fountain to drink and take a bath but will not eat. The Chickadees (which I have quite a few) and the Goldfinch are my favorite birds.

Lisa, it is nice that you have family in the area. I would be ecstatic if I saw a bunch of hummers!  When I see ONE I am excited.

I have used socks for years and they enjoyed clinging to it but not now. I remember I was at a bird specialty store looking for a finch feeder and this guy recommended the sock. My first thought was wouldn't the seed get all rotten in the elements. It actually turned out quite the opposite because there is more air flow to prevent that. I might have to go back to the one with perches and see if that will attract them again. I have other feeders. Some are hanging dishes which the birds love the most and the traditional one with perches for my safflower. My red finches will eat the safflower but the Goldfinches don't. I have serious issues with the squirrels and chipmunks getting into my other feeders. This sock is on a Shepherd's hook and not right near a tree so the animals can't get to it. I do have a stray cat that has been a problem and hawks that have made the birds a little jumpy at times so it is hard to pinpoint the issue.

I've seen chickadees eat little green worms and luna moths!

Twins? How cute!

scrub jay yesterday