With the spring migration, I’ve been keeping a close eye on what is flying through my backyard. Lately it seems like I see a new species everyday!

The other day in the late afternoon, I was birding in the backyard. I had my camera because I was actually trying to get a photo of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird that has been visiting my feeder.

I was seeing a lot of the same birds that I normally see everyday, but I kept trying to spot something new!

After a while I was getting a bit frustrated, since the hummingbird kept zipping by me after he had stopped at he feeder. Then he wouldn’t come back for a long time!

Then when I was looking off in a totally different direction, I heard something making noise at the feeder… I quickly turned to see this bird enjoying some seeds…

It was the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I was thrilled to see him, since they winter from Mexico through Central America. They only migrate through my area to go and breed up in the northern US and into Canada.

He stopped for some seed and then had a drink of water and I haven’t seen him since…

Soon after his visit, I began to hear a sharp dzeed song high in the trees on the water’s edge. I saw a couple of birds fluttering around. When they landed I finally got my binoculars on them and was happy to see a pair of …

Eastern Kingbirds, which I was actually expecting to see soon, since they do breed throughout most of the US. You can find them in many areas, such as, the edges along rivers, marshes, farmland, orchards, the woods, prairies and along roadsides…

And finally, after a fun afternoon of watching the birds in my backyard, I did get a photo of my Ruby-throated Hummingbird!

This one is the male, he had the iridescent ruby throat that he displayed after he started to fly off from the feeder (no photo, but maybe next time!)

Stay healthy and safe!