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Tag: Finches

Brief Spring Days

Brief Spring Days

Total Species Recorded: 45

Spring has gently appeared for a few sunny days in February. It’s been a welcomed change after weeks of heavy fog and chilly weather that dampened spirits. Even the birds have seemed melancholy in this heavy weather. In past years, some birds would start singing as early as January. Aside from the backyard White-crowned Sparrows singing a quick tune first thing in the morning, it’s been oddly quiet, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

Now that the sun has been poking out, suddenly the musical landscape has cheered up and the air is filled with song. House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches have been singing over each other in the same trees. Eurasian Collared-Doves are suddenly present, both cooing to potential mates and attacking competitors that dared to stray into their invisible territory. It’s been such a gloomy winter that even the starlings’ songs have been a welcomed change from the silent, gray cold days.

I have been waiting for the right moment to capture a recording of singing finches to add to my Big Recording Year list. As soon as the sun arrived, our backyard was suddenly filled with House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches, all sharing a tree for preening and the bird bath for drinking. Since House Finches are so common, I don’t always pay attention to them, but the recording project is reintroducing me to the complexity of their songs, making me appreciate them all the more. I’m happy that they are choosing to sing in my backyard giving me great opportunities to listen and observe.

This temporary spring won’t last long as a chilly rain is forecast to arrive soon. But for now, the birds are itching to get a mate and in spite of the expected return of cloudy weather, the birds are singing away!

To read more posts about this challenge, see the dedicated Bird Recording Challenge 2026 web page or click on “Bird Recording Challenge 2026” under “Tags” at the bottom of this post.

Neighborhood Treasures

Neighborhood Treasures

Lawrence's Goldfinches and Lesser Goldfinch

Two Lawrence’s Goldfinches and a Lesser Goldfinch eating among yellow and pink flowers

Sometimes birds pop up in spots where you least expect them. Where I live, the urban sprawl is viciously pushing the boundaries between development and fields. The rural landscape of active farmlands is being gobbled up by a dizzying number of houses and shopping centers. I’ve been mourning the clear reduction of Barn Swallows that previously nested in our neighborhood and the lack of Yellow-billed Magpies that we would see eating in the fields.

But there are signs of hope. New human-made ponds, likely intended for flood management, are popping up, attracting waterfowl and shorebirds. One such pond is in the middle of an enormous construction project next to a community park. Last winter, water filled this pond giving life to a marsh-like environment. White-crowned Sparrows, Lincoln Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and Savannah Sparrows could all be found running around the exposed dirt. Marsh Wrens sang their funky tune from the cattails. American Pipits walked with their long gait along the fence. But what really delighted me was the Virginia Rail and Soras that called this little oasis their home during the winter. One Sora would give its whinnying call and set off the other two or three at various locations, which then gave rise to the rail’s grunts. All this could be found tucked in this little spot in the middle of a housing development.

Fast forward to spring and this spot held another surprise. Wildflowers sprouted suddenly, transforming the bare metal fence into a painting exploding with little pink and yellow flowers. A large mixed flock of Lesser Goldfinches and American Goldfinches were devouring this food source, as if assuming the flowers would be gone soon (in fact, the flowers were mowed down not too long afterwards). A closer inspection of the flock revealed multiple Lawrence’s Goldfinches – a pure treat for this area! Their uniquely-marked faces and pale gray plumage made them stand out from the other goldies. They stuck around for nearly a week, despite their well-known propensity for wandering for food and not staying put.

Killdeer Nest

Killdeer nest with four eggs camouflaged on the ground

A final fun surprise was finding a Killdeer nest just outside of the safety of the fence. We nearly stepped on the four eggs – their camouflage was so well done, and then spotted the parent nearby nervously watching. I took a quick picture on my phone and left the nest immediately. I’m not sure about the nest’s fate as I didn’t find the time to check on it again, but I hope it survived the challenges of breeding in the middle of a big housing area, giving life to future generations of birds.

Morning Routine

Morning Routine

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird, one of many birds I hear in the mornings

Groggy and disoriented, I pulled myself out of bed. What day is it? Do I work today? Did I oversleep? Quarantine-brain is in full force, causing the days to blend together. Bleary-eyed, I wandered into the kitchen to grab my breakfast and watch the birds. I heard a squabble at the bird feeder just outside the window. The feeder was nearly out of the much-desired sunflower seeds causing fierce territory wars. I threw open the window, which would normally scatter all the birds, but one brave Lesser Goldfinch remained behind. She watched me grab the feeder and patiently waited for the refill.

Once the feeder was back in place, the delicate female goldfinch plopped herself onto the plate and hogged down for a solid six minutes with no interruptions from other birds. I watched as she grabbed a seed and meticulously chewed it down, all while darting her gaze looking out for danger. Her bill was plastered with chunks of seeds – I wanted to offer her a napkin. Grabbing a bit of my bagel, I moved just enough to spook her, thus ending the buffet.

The rest of the morning was spent listening to the leftovers of the morning chorus. I watched a pair of crows tend to their nest. A pair of Dark-eyed Juncos picked through dropped seeds in the gutter below. Pigeons were flapping against a brilliant blue sky. Shelter-in-place has been challenging for us humans. But sitting at the window watching the birds helps to let go of worries for just a little while.

Bird Feeder Blues

Bird Feeder Blues

I woke up to a chilly February morning, grabbed my phone, and surfed through my emails in bed. This is a typical routine for the weekend as I look through my rare bird alerts. One of my emails was from the National Audubon Society advertising a pretty blue bird feeder. A few hours later, I was the proud new owner of a feeder.

I’ve had bird feeders in the past. A finch sock for thistle attracted House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches, but after the roof was redone on our apartment building, we decided to remove the feeder since it made a mess and could have affected the new roofing from our third-story location.

Then I had a hummingbird feeder for a while. Sadly, I forgot to refill the feeder for several days and it was outside cooking in the hot sun. Mold grew inside the glass tube, and despite multiple rounds of bleaching, I couldn’t get rid of it. I didn’t want to harm the hummers, so I threw it away.

Now I’m using a feeder that can attract multiple types of birds. I filled it with no-mess sunflower seeds, and waited.

And waited.

And waited…

February comes and goes. March comes and goes. What the heck? Daily I would stare at the bird-less feeder, jealously hearing all the finches calling outside. Why won’t they come?

With the stay-at-home orders in place, I’m now working from home. No commute means I have some extra time before I start work. I’m spending that extra time in the mornings watching the crows build and tend to a nest and listening to the morning chorus of songs and calls. And watching the bird-less feeder.

On a warm April afternoon, I was in the living room and heard a Lesser Goldfinch sing. It sounded close! I snuck into the kitchen to look at the feeder through the window. Aaaand nothing. Bummed, I went back to the living room. But wait, I heard it again! I repeated my slow approach, and spotted it – a male Lesser Goldfinch downing the seed and singing! It was later joined by a female.

I’ve been watching this pair visit the feeder sporadically throughout the day. I’m happy to finally have some bird action at the feeder.

Listen Carefully: Lesser Goldfinch Songs

Listen Carefully: Lesser Goldfinch Songs

Lesser Goldfinch

Lesser Goldfinch, Pt. Pinole Regional Shoreline, 2015

I like to walk fast. Zip around here and there. Although when I’m birding, I’m averaging about one mile an hour. But when not birding I’m speedy.

Recently my foot has been giving me problems, and the last couple of days it’s forced me to walk around much slower than I prefer. I take it in stride and try to enjoy the new sights and sounds of an otherwise familiar area. Colors are springing up in gardens and birds are more active as they gather nesting materials and fill the air with songs.

Garden Flower

Garden Flower, Berkeley, 2010

Yesterday I spotted a Lesser Goldfinch brightly singing in the early evening in a small tree next to a medical building. Although I was on my way home and my mind was preoccupied with throwing together dinner, I stopped and listened. Familiar dips and crunchy chips filled the air. I heard a Chestnut-backed Chickadee call, but couldn’t find the bird. I heard it again, only to realize that the goldfinch made the call! My attention completely focused on the Goldie and its singing, I heard it demonstrate two more calls: an Oak Titmouse and a Black Phoebe. I ran home and a quick Google search confirmed that Lesser Goldfinches do in fact mimic, although ornithologists are not clear why. What a delightful thing to discover, all because I had been walking slower and enjoying the experience!