Countdown to the bird count.

I looked at my calender the other day only to realize that it's almost time to start counting. The Great Backyard Bird Count starts this Friday, February 12th. I'm hoping we find some interesting birds to count this year. I've been a little busy and unable to take many bird pictures, although we've had lots of visitors lately.
I have a feeling the Juncos will outnumber all the birds again like last year. Chickadees and Nuthatches, along with Sparrows and Wrens have all been at the bird feeders. I've also noticed a new hummingbird hanging out in the Cherry tree in our front yard. I can't figure out what it's going to, I haven't seen it at the feeder, just flying in and out of the tree.
I peeked outside to see a Spotted Towhee hopping around and singing in our front yard. He flew off before I returned with my camera.
This little guy was so into his bath he didn't notice me taking pictures.

This Song Sparrow would sit and rest, almost like he was daydreaming, before he would dive down into the water.

Here he goes, ready to get wet...

Splishing and

splashing his little heart out. How can they make such a big splash with so little water?

He must have repeated this whole bathing routine three times while I was outside.

I'm going to get all the feeders filled today so that the birds will continue to visit during the count. Someone mentioned in their post last year about putting some seed or food close to the house so they could get some good close up pictures, I think I'll try that too this year.

Get ready to count!

The Great Backyard Bird Count has announced the dates for next year's bird count. It's February 12 - 15, 2010. I've always been a backyard birdwatcher and this was a fun way to make my hobby mean something.

Click on the picture above to learn more.

Black capped Chickadees are always regulars at the feeders here.

The Anna's Hummingbird has been here every day. She just keeps posing for me.

Song sparrow has been a recent visitor.

I'm so happy to see the Red-breasted Nuthatches have been returning. I love watching these birds hop up and down the tree trunks or visit the suet feeders in the winter.

I've also been spotting a Townsend's Warbler again at the bark butter feeder. There is a picture of one on my sidebar that was visiting our garden this time last year. Hopefully I'll be able to get a picture of one with my new camera soon.

Last year my 11 year old daughter and I participated for the first time in the bird count. Click here to read our counts. She was even more excited about it than I imagined. This is a good time to practice your birdwatching and learning about your local birds. You only have to count the birds you know, so don't be intimidated to try.