Backyard Birds and Willard Bay Spur

It's about 7:30 in the morning and I'm sitting here at my desk working on this blog with the window open enjoying the birds singing and calling. So far I can hear Robins doing their morning songs, Downy Woodpecker calling and drumming and the American Goldfinch talking to each other. A Magpie is making it's call along with a Crow. Hummmmm just went real quite and the birds have disappeared, something must be lurking out there.
Over the last week, or at least since I've been home, I have had the enjoyment of numerous amounts of American Goldfinch in different degrees of molting into breeding plumage and Lesser Goldfinch coming into the feeders and bath pans. I must add that it is a little saddening to see that the Juncos and Towhees have departed for their summer grounds.

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch

Lesser Goldfinch

American Goldfinch

There have also been others including Townsend's Solitaire, Casin's Finch, House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow and just now an Broad-tailed Hummingbird at the feeder. Also I have had Western Scrub Jay a regular coming in for peanuts or a drink. American Robins and Cedar Waxwings. 

American Robin

Casin's Finch

Cedar Waxwing

Townsend's Solitaire

Western Scrub Jay

 The Eurasian Collared Doves are a regular visitor in for a bite and drink. Oh on another note the Western Screech Owl that spent the winter must of decided to make, to find, another spot to take up residence as we haven't seen it for awhile. Still a few Pine Siskins showing up from time to time.

White-crowned Sparrow

 The birds have started calling again in the backyard, Eurasian Collared Dove doing it cooooing. The White-crowned Sparrows are making their single "seeet" note call as they work around the base of the bushes. So the backyard is alive and doing well.

I made a couple of outings over the last two mornings out to the Willard Bay Spur mostly to photograph the Snowy Plovers but also see what could be found. First morning I was able to count 20 Snowy Plovers, but as Mike Hearell noted in one of his postings it is sad to see them in among-est all the shot up clay pigeons and garbage people have left. Yellow-headed Black birds were making a showing along with the Red-winged Blackbirds. Franklin Gulls in their Pink breeding attire with Bonaparte's Gulls into the molt. Willets, Avocets, White Pelicans and more making there appearance. Not to be left out where several flock of American Pipit's, a few Song Sparrows, a Savannah Sparrow and a sole Lincoln's Sparrow.

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Avocet Scuffle

Swallows a many

Yellow-headed Blackbird

I observed several flights of Sandhill Cranes along with a few Double Crested Cormorants. Great Blue Herons and Greater Scaup. Spring is definitely here and the birds are here to also to make full use of it. Ahhhhh the Cedar Waxwings are in the backyard I can hear.