Bird Life

One of the joys of working in the gardens at Abundance Ecovillage is that I can see (and hear) many birds. Every time I walk south of the kitchen greenhouse, I see a brown thrasher flying in or out of the willows. Robins are abundant and even nesting in the kitchen greenhouse. Red-winged blackbirds are one the most common birds, singing their conk-a-ree from perches on trees. Originally a wetland bird they have adapted well to the modified agricultural landscape of North America and can nest in a variety of places. Killdeer nest on the ground and a pair were nesting near the potato beds. They had a fit when Valerie and I were planting potatoes. Killdeer is a funny name for a bird, they are named after their call- killdeer, killdeer. Yesterday I was happy to see a mother killdeer with her babies walking along the edge of the Ecovillage driveway. The young birds can run about almost immediately after hatching unlike many young birds. They look like little round balls on long legs. I often see meadow larks when walking in the grass between the kitchen greenhouse and the two greenhouses to the west. The tropics may be known for their colorful birds, but the Eastern Goldfinch is quite a striking golden yellow. I've seen goldfinches quite often and hope they are staying and not just passing through. And one day I saw a brilliant blue colored bird - probably an indigo bunting.

Red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures are common raptors in this area. A little less common, I've seen American kestrel hunting in the pasture south of the Ecovillage. I'm always on the lookout for a new species. If any of you like to watch birds, I invite you to walk around the Ecovillage.