It’s that time of year when my focus turns to birding – or should I say the birds catch my eye. My hummingbirds have been leisurely feeding for about a month at my two feeders and then about 5 days ago they started eating like it was going to disappear tomorrow. One feeder I filled Monday was empty by Tuesday night and I think that is a new record at my house.
I could definitely see why it was empty as we had a spectacular show of swarming hummingbirds for about an hour at dusk. Our dainty and gracious hummers turned into vicious defenders of their spot on the feeder. The display of hummingbird tails during this fencing match was really something to see.
I have also seen my first goldfinch of the year and the swallows are staking out the bird houses. Lots of activity for backyard entertainment!
Also, a reminder that you can go online and find live camera viewing of birds. There are many to choose from across the country. These are fun as you can see their nesting habits and the young as they hatch and start to eat and grow. A couple of the best ones are below. The Cornell site has an array of different cameras to choose from. As the season goes on it is fun to check them all out and see the birdies progress.
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/16/Red-tailed_Hawks/
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/
Also on the Cornell site are online tutorials in case you are interested in knowing more about birds. As they say on the website, if you want to “be a better birder” this is a great resource to check out.
Happy bird watching fellow residents!
Quote of the Week:
You have to believe in happiness,
Or happiness never comes …
Ah, that’s the reason a bird can sing –
On his darkest day he believes in Spring.
Douglas Malloch
Happenings this Week:
Tonight: Potluck night at Stillwaters Estates! Every month this is a new and different event as each resident brings different dishes to share. Join the fun here at The Gathering Place at 6 p.m. this evening. Bring your own plate and favorite dish to share.
Friday, April 25th: Lewis County Community Concerts presents Jesse Lynch’s Jazz 101. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at Centralia College Corbet Theatre. This concert includes the sounds of Scott Joplin, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and other Jazz greats. Tickets are $35.
Saturday, April 26th: Spring Craft & Garden Sale from 9am-3pm at St. Timothy’s, 1826 SW Snively in Chehalis. Friendly Neighbors Garden Club will offer expertly grown vegetables, herbs, perennials, shrubs, trees, and unusual plants. Baked goods and pie by the slice will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Nancy Simms at 360-748-6510.
Saturday, April 26th: Talent Show Set for Fox Theatre. The 2014 Talent Show, sponsored by the Centralia-Chehalis Soroptimists and Centralia-Chehalis Kiwanis clubs, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Centralia’s Fox Theatre. There will be three age groups: up to 8 years of age, 9-13 years, and age 14 through senior in high school. Prizes of $250, $100 and $50 will be awarded to the top three placers in each age group. Admission is $10 for adults, $20 for families of three to five persons, and $5 for children from age 7 to 18. A light dinner can be purchased from the Soroptimists and yogurt is available at Holley’s Place, located next door to the Fox. For more information, email Donna Karvia at [email protected] or Mary Shahan at [email protected].
Weather: Several weather sites say rainy through the weekend and then next week the sun will come out and they forecast 80 degrees by Wednesday! I went to the Old Farmer’s Almanac to see if this could really be true. In fact, the Almanac says a warming trend towards the end of April so I guess it is possible. Happy, Happy, Happy!
