New images
Blackbird, Red-Winged
Really rare around here, Grandpa Roy has learned to recognize the male's call.
73 images2 videos
Bluebird, Eastern
Bluebirds prefer meal worms. As long as there is a steady supply, they will be in the area all year round.
400 images2 videos
Bunting, Indigo
A beautiful bird that only goes to feeders when there are few insects, their primary diet.
19 images
Cardinals, Northern
Cardinals are quite common at the feeders. Normally at least four or more are observed.
327 images
Catbird, Gray
Called a Catbird because it sounds like a cat when calling. It also mimics the songs of other birds. This bird is a summer visitor to the feeders.
168 images
Coot, American
This Coot has only been seen one fall season, in 2020. It was around for a few days and then never returned.
3 images
Cormorant, Double-Crested
Species Number 64 behind the house. Frequently seen, but hard to photograph, as evidenced by the limited number of photos.
27 images
Cowbird, Brown-Headed
The Cowbird is considered a pest at feeders and isn't observed very often.
57 images
Creeper, Brown
Species number 76 behind the house. Not only is the Brown Creeper rare in North Carolina, it is hard to see; however, when seen they usually are the non-breeding variant.
3 images
Crow. Fish
According to eBird, this Crow is a Fish Crow, not an American Crow. Therefore, this bird marks species number 77 behind the house.
8 images
Dove, Mourning
Mourning Doves are the ones heard "cooing" in the distance after a rain. They prefer to eat from the ground beneath the feeders.
154 images
Duck, Muscovy
Species number 68 swam down the lake right next to our bulkhead on 14 June 2022. It tried to join a small flock of Mallards. It was last seen in December 2022.
32 images
Duck, Wood
Photos taken through the dining room window are not very good, but they do document Grandpa's first sighting of this rare duck on the lake behind the house.
4 images
Finch, Purple
Species number 71 photographed at the house on 11 December 2022. Rarely seen, it is hard to distinguish the male from the House Finch. The female is easier to recognize.
53 images
Flycatcher, Great Crested
These Flycatchers are seen over the lake in warm weather starting about April. It is rare to get a good photo of one.
10 images
Gadwall
Grandpa Roy has seen this bird only one time. He had another breed for it, but the Birding site states it is a Gadwall.
1 image
Goose, Canada
Very common bird, seen daily on the lake. Licensed people look for nests and "shake" the eggs so no young will hatch as they do not migrate and are considered a nuisance. As of spring 2022, it is illegal to feed them in the village.
95 images
Grackle, Common
Grackles are an undesirable bird. They travel in flocks and empty feeders literally overnight.
147 images
Grebe, Pied-Bill
The Grebe usually is alone on the lake. It appears during the colder months, though supposedly they are in the area all year round.
45 images
Grosbeak, Rose-Breasted
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak photographed and identified on 1 October 2021 is the 60th species photographed in the backyard. As it turns out, a female was at the feeders in October 2020 but was erroneously identified as a Chipping Sparrow. Those photos are now in this album.
46 images
Heron, Great Blue
The Great Blue Heron is a common sight on the lake year-round. It is the largest bird seen.
147 images3 videos
Heron, Green
The Green Herons return every year to have their young in a nest across the lake. They are gone by late July each year.
77 images
Hummingbird, Ruby Throated
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is common during the summer. They fight at their feeders.
64 images
Junco, Dark-Eyed
Juncos also are called Snow Birds. They are most common in the winter and usually feed on the ground beneath the feeders.
111 images
Kingfisher, Belted
The Kingfisher is another hard-to-photograph bird though it is common along the lake.
38 images
Mockingbird, Northern
The Mockingbird is seen at the feeders during the colder months. In the summer they are seen along the roads.
125 images1 video
Night-Heron, Black Crowned
Species 78 behind the house. It is a juvenile. Adults look much different. Probably will never see another one.
3 images
Nuthatch, Brown-Headed
The Brown-Headed Nuthatch is a fairly common bird at the feeders.
171 images1 video
Nuthatch, Red-Breasted
Not seen until this winter, the Red-Breasted Nuthatch is a common bird in North Carolina. Species number 75 behind the house.
38 images
Nuthatch, White-Breasted
A fairly common bird at the feeders is the White-Breasted Nuthatch.
97 images
Oriole, Orchard
Species number 74, the Orchard Oriole. Very rare as it prefers fruit. When that is not available, however, it will go after insects.
6 images
Osprey
Grandpa Roy photographed his first Osprey across the lake, high in a tree, in September 2011. In October 2021, he finally got a few photos with the better camera.
14 images
Pewee, Eastern Wood
Species number 79, photographed in two trees, one a dead one hanging over the lake and one near Grandpa Roy, but with a dead branch. It seems the Pewee prefers dead trees for looking for insects. It is a type of Flycatcher.
6 images
Redstart. American
4 images
Robin, American
Usually seen during the cooler months, Robins never go to the feeders but prefer insects and worms on the ground.
115 images
Sparrow, Chipping
Chipping Sparrows are quite common and prefer to pick seed from the ground but will go to the feeders.
197 images
Swallow, Barn
They build their nests under overturned boats now as a defense against Hawks and are rarely seen at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
5 images
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged
Originally thought to be a Sand Swallow, grandpa's, additional photography actually confirmed it is a Northern Rough-winged Swallow.
92 images
Tanager, Summer
Species number 58 in the backyard. Rare for this area. The Summer Tanagers do not go to feeders.
58 images
Thrasher, Brown
The Brown Thrasher is Grandma Bert's favorite bird. One usually can be seen at the feeders nearly all year round. They prefer to be on the ground.
192 images1 video
Thrush, Hermit
Rare in our neighborhood, Grandpa Roy first photographed a Hermit Thrush at Weymouth Woods in 2021.
21 images
Towhee, Eastern
The Towhee prefers to be on the ground beneath the feeders. It often is hard to spot.
148 images
Vireo, White-Eyed
Bird species number 72 photographed behind the house. North Carolina is their breeding ground, but they are not listed otherwise as a local bird.
4 images
Vulture, Black
Hard to identify as they resemble the Turkey Vulture so closely, but they are here.
7 images
Vulture, Turkey
Unlike some areas, Grandpa Roy normally only sees one lone Turkey Vulture soaring high in the sky. Other areas will see a large number of them.
97 images
Warbler, Yellow Throated
The 50th bird species that Grandpa Roy photographed here at home was the Yellow-Throated Warbler, a winter bird. It has not returned since these photos from August 2021.
7 images
Waxwing, Cedar
Grandpa Roy believes the Cedar Waxwing is a beautiful bird. They are not around for long.
86 images
Woodpecker, Pileated
The Pileated Woodpecker is rarely seen, but they are in the area all-year-round.
77 images
Woodpecker, Red-Headed
Seen for the first time in summer 2021. The Red-Headed Woodpeckers rarely appeared in 2022, but so far in spring 2023 it has been to the feeders a number of times.
115 images
Yellowthroat, Common
A bird that prefers to be high in the trees, but builds its nest close to the ground. Seen only rarely.
8 images