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Other than pictures, words will have to do. The main thing was this; In creating a place in the garden for them, even in this small place, a peaceful and safe habitat has grown into existence. Once you are marked on their migration map, they do not forget you.
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From east to west small birds descend southward for the cooler months. Some make it all the way to South America, some to Mexico, and some say Texas is just right by staying for the entire winter! This has been a real joy in my most recent years of bird watching. There are four of these I will attempt to spotlight in separate articles. I have chosen certain small and very wild birds because they represent a cross section of small insect eating birds, and if you live in the US, you are bound to see at least one of these every year. The chances increase highly when some part of the garden is geared toward the lower end of the food chain. Here I have accomplished this by planting larval host plants in my back yard. All summer the benefits abound with various resident birds and native butterflies. Yet when fall and winter come there are a few new characters here in the wings that bear more distinction as you will see.
They are mainly small non-gregarious birds, which is all the more intriguing for the fortitude and navigational skill they must have to survive flying back and forth solo over so many miles. To hear of them is a delight, to read about them is fascinating! To see them in my own back yard, priceless! This came as a surprise after many years of raising butterflies in conjunction with bird watching. By enlarging their territory it has become a reality that I look forward to every winter. When most folks are putting up their gardening tools and bundling up plants, so am I. However all the while looking over my shoulder for the return of these little garden sweethearts.
Late last summer (September 2006), I caught a glimpse of a little yellow bird in one of the front yard trees. Managing to snap a blurry picture (left), I was able to make a positive identification of him as Wilson's Warbler. He was diligently on his way to Central America, and had stopped to find food and water. Even the short visit had a very endearing effect on my memory. Possibly even capturing a bit of the excitement Alexander Wilson must have had upon seeing one of them for the first time.
Which brings us to September 3 of this year, looking out over the small garden in back resting from the day's work. Out of my periphery I was struck by the movement of something bright and yellow in the back corner Privet shrub. I sat very still as the small yellow bird spiraled up to a tree closer to me. Right over my shoulder in fact. Here it was, a whole year later and another Wilson's!! Definitely a different one, it was a young male this time. I was able to take a series of about 10 photographs, during which he flit off the branch to capture a damselfly landing right back on the same branch. Looking for more, he was not so much worried about me there snapping the pictures.
This warbler can be seen all throughout the contiguous states during spring and fall migration times. They cover inhabitable land in Canada from east to west during the summer while breeding, and spend our winter in Central America. I'm happy to add that there is no concern of them becoming extinct at this time, plus these little guys produce up to 6 eggs in a clutch. So your chances of seeing one where you live and garden are getting better all the time. Although they are more abundant in the western states. Just keep a good lookout at their migratory times at the zone you live in. You will likely learn when that time is by a significant sign of summer's, or winter's, last leg. Knowing when the last leg of those 2 seasons is up to you in your own zone. They must set out on their journey in plenty of time to cross the whole USA well before winter begins going south, and likewise way before summer begins going north.
The secret to drawing them, if there be one, lies in the lower organisms of the garden. Planting larval host plants has been a major part of that here, and many native plants are among those. Birds can see the trails of their best habitats from the air and from far  away. They will visit gardens using large trees and shrubbery for exclamation landmarks. They know that when they get to where those plants are they will find a non-toxic edible smorgasbord of protein. A few species of the smaller birds will eat meal worms from a feeder, however most of the wilder small birds enjoy a good fight before eating. This is actually quite critical to the wild birds for knowing their catch is safe to eat by how lively it is. This is also because they fancy themselves as big wild game hunters.
It is an incredible joy to have evolved this small back yard over time, and see the free creatures where they live. Their coming here is a higher compliment to my garden than all the Jones's accolades. It is difficult to explain. Other than pictures, words will have to do. The main thing was this; In creating a place in the garden for them, even in this small place, a peaceful and safe habitat has grown into existence. Once you are marked on their migration map, they do not forget you. Better yet, keep it wild enough there in your own garden, and see for yourself!
Links of interest:
Bird Watching Forum (right here on Dave's Garden Web)
All About Birds
Field Guides:
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
National Geographic Birds of North America
 | Debnes has been retired since her youngest of 4 was born. Now she has spent any spare moments researching every sort of life in the garden. Furthermore writing for about 10 years, on subjects of faith, plants, and wildlife, and it all revolves around the garden. In the process of pursuing several of her life's passions, she found some real treasures in practical every day life. It's where she confirmed that everything on earth, be it thought or matter, sows a seed. |
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Subject: Treasure in the archives
Posted by angele (from Elephant Butte, NM) on February 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM::-) Great article Deb! Extremely enjoyable reading. Thanks ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on February 14, 2008 at 11:24 AM: Thank You Angele! ...
Subject: Your little bird story....
Posted by tabasco (from Cincinnati (Anderson, OH) on November 16, 2007 at 1:31 PM:is very interesting. And cute pics of him, too!
Would love to get a Wilson's Warbler stopping at our yard on migration. Will have to 'study up' on it!
Am looking forward to your other birdy articles, deb! Keep 'em coming! ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 16, 2007 at 4:53 PM: Thanks Judy,
I have been waiting for some of the warblers to come back. And I am hoping for the Kinglet again this winter. Then I will be very fired up to write. Until then I have several topics I want to cover and share.
I really hope you get on the writing team. I know you do quite a bit of research like I do. This saves people a lot of what we have to do to write this stuff. Likewise it can lead some of them into doing their own looking up for things they are passionate about. Maybe even plant a writing seed, lol. Many of my mentors did that for me, so what else could happen? The way I write and all the technical aspect may not be exactly perfect, however I remain approachable to everyone.
I want folks to say, "if debnes can do that, so can I!!". Then there is a seed firmly planted :-)
debnes ...
Subject: Can anyone identify a similar bird?
Posted by helen181 (from Bangor, CA) on October 22, 2007 at 10:36 AM:I especially liked reading your article because I am fond of a similar bird who comes to drink from our fountain. In the North Sierra Foothills of California my favorite is a very small bird like yours with a bright yellow breast but brownish/tans elsewhere and with a kind of tufted "hairdo" that makes her look like she's wearing a little pointy cap. So far I haven't gotten it together to take a photo and I haven't seen her lately. Maybe she has gone off on the kind of flight you described. I searched on whatbird.com and the closest ID I was able to make was the Ash-throated Flycatcher. It's a very close match but it's not the exact bird. "My" bird has a bright yellow breast and no dark reddish color. In case anyone knows what kind of bird like this hangs around in my dry oak woodlands/foothills -- or of a better way a non-expert-birdwatcher can make an identification -- please let me know! ...
Subject: Well Done!
Posted by pelletory (from Marlton, NJ) on October 22, 2007 at 7:31 AM:Very nice and informative article Deb!
Looking forward to the next ones!
Pelle :-) ... Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on October 22, 2007 at 8:29 AM: Splendid work! And you have added a
dimension to my thinking!!
Fitsy ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on October 22, 2007 at 8:50 AM: Thank you Fitsy and pelle!
What's better than having these things revealed?
Being able to convey it to others!
Of course there are many afterthoughts on my part. I see the slight things that could have been clearer and an error or 2.. I hope to clear it up more as I go writing about creatures in the garden. Can't change it once it hits the docket.
I love these little birdies! Thx for the nice comments!
debnes
...
Subject: Delightful!
Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on October 22, 2007 at 1:00 AM:They are so pretty and cute--wonderful pictures, too! I'm not out west anymore, but it is fun to see all the migrating birds come through here. I always thought they would enjoy mealworms, but never got around to providing them. Thanks for the reminder--it would be fun to watch them eat those! ... Posted by Cordeledawg (from Cordele, GA) on October 22, 2007 at 7:07 AM: I've seen little yellow birds in the early spring around a huge maple tree next to my bird feeders. I often wonder why I never see them at any other time of the year. It never occurred to me that they could be migratory. I wonder if my yellow birds could be Wilson's Warlbers! Oh, I must be prepared to take pictures of them if they come back to my yard next spring. Thank you, Deb, for opening my eyes wider. ... Posted by CapeCodGardener (from Yarmouthport, MA) on October 22, 2007 at 8:36 AM: Great pictures and information, Deb! Wish I had your expertise with a camera and as a bird watcher. I've just planted a bird and butterfly garden, and have hopes for luring more of these fascinating beauties. More importantly, you have inspired me NOT to develop a "wild" area of my yard, but rather, to leave it "for the birds!" Thank you. ... Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on October 22, 2007 at 12:10 PM: Deb, You did it again!!! Such a lovely article, great information and so poetic too.
We need more of these to inspire us.
Josephine. ... Posted by broncbuster (from Waxahachie, TX) on October 22, 2007 at 1:47 PM: Fantastic article, Deb! I, too, love to watch birds and other wildlife. I agree that when they choose my place to visit, it is a great compliment. Can't wait to meet you next week!! ... Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on October 22, 2007 at 5:49 PM: I am not a birdwatcher, except for the raptors...those fascinate me. So it is a clear testament to your skills with words that I thoroughly enjoyed your article. Thanks for giving me a new viewpoint and doing it in such an entertaining manner! ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on October 22, 2007 at 10:50 PM: Aww you guys are so precious!!
Thank you for all the kind words. It is the angle that keeps me a diligent gardener. More to care about than just my aesthetic preferences. It's like getting up to feed a crying baby to me and keeps me on fire and dedicated to tend my garden.
Much gratitude to ya all!
debnes ...
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