New images
Blackbird, Red-Winged
Really rare around here, Grandpa Roy has learned to recognize the male's call.
72 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.
329 images2 videos
Bunting, Indigo
A beautiful bird that only goes to feeders when there are few insects, their primary diet.
17 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.
156 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.
21 images
Cowbird, Brown-Headed
The Cowbird is considered a pest at feeders and isn't observed very often.
49 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.
112 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
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.
9 images
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.
78 images
Grackle, Common
Grackles are an undesirable bird. They travel in flocks and empty feeders literally overnight.
144 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.
20 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.
119 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.
66 images
Hummingbird, Ruby Throated
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is common during the summer. They fight at their feeders.
63 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.
68 images
Kingfisher, Belted
The Kingfisher is another hard-to-photograph bird though it is common along the lake.
26 images
Mockingbird, Northern
The Mockingbird is seen at the feeders during the colder months. In the summer they are seen along the roads.
104 images1 video
Nuthatch, Brown-Headed
The Brown-Headed Nuthatch is a fairly common bird at the feeders.
122 images1 video
Nuthatch, White-Breasted
A fairly common bird at the feeders is the White-Breasted Nuthatch.
117 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
Robin, American
Usually seen during the cooler months, Robins never go to the feeders but prefer insects and worms on the ground.
91 images
Sparrow, Chipping
Chipping Sparrows are quite common and prefer to pick seed from the ground but will go to the feeders.
155 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.
84 images
Tanager, Summer
Species number 58 in the backyard. Rare for this area. The Summer Tanagers do not go to feeders.
50 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.
170 images1 video
Thrush, Hermit
Rare in our neighborhood, Grandpa Roy first photographed a Hermit Thrush at Weymouth Woods last year.
9 images
Towhee, Eastern
The Towhee prefers to be on the ground beneath the feeders. It often is hard to spot.
126 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.
4 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.
71 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.
8 images
Waxwing, Cedar
Grandpa Roy believes the Cedar Waxwing is a beautiful bird. They are not around for long.
71 images
Wigeon
The identity of this bird is uncertain, though several people in the birding groups Grandpa Roy frequents thought it to be a Wigeon.
1 image
Woodpecker, Pileated
The Pileated Woodpecker is rarely seen, but they are in the area all-year-round.
35 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.
112 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