Scarlet Tanager

Species: Scarlet Tanager
Family: Cardinalidae
Date: 5.20.16

Observation:

We spotted a Scarlet Tanager skipping from treetop to treetop off the east side of the house.  He seemed very disinterested in the swarm of newly hatched flies next to him (seen in the photo below).

A Fact:

Scarlet Tanagers are long distance migrators.  They breed in eastern North America and migrate to northern South America for the winter.







Learn More at All About Birds: Scarlet Tanager

Eastern Cottontail

Species: Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus flofidanus)
Family: Leporidae
Date: 1.31.16



Observation:  

This cottontail has been hiding out in between our wood stacks during the day.  

A Fact from Dana:

The cottontail has a number of enemies including bobcats, dogs, foxes, coyotes, skunks and crows, and their young are preyed upon by hawks, owls, larger snakes and even red squirrels. 


Learn more at BioKids: Eastern Cottontail

Black-capped Chickadee

 Species: Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus)
Family: Paridae
Date: 1.18.16




Observation: 

This chickadee was spotted along the edge of the fields out the north end of our property.




A Fact from Alice (courtesy of the National Audubon Society's Field Guide):

Voice: The Black-capped Chickadee's voice is a buzzy chick-a-dee-dee-dee or a clear whistled fee-bee.

Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, and open woodlands; suburban areas in the winter.


Learn more at All About Birds: Black-capped Chickadee