October Tweet and See

Welcome to Kingdom Arrows and the October bird list for our family.  This is a meme I have been hosting for a year.




As you can tell, I have stopped posting very often, however I am honored to be nominated for Best Nature Blog.  I actually had to have someone email me and tell me that, I am not being a good blog reader right now either!  I do feel like all my nature ideas have come from Barb at the Handbook of Nature Study, so I would REALLY suggest you vote for her.  She is my nature hero!

Please feel free to keep up with your own list and you can linky here.  Normally I post the last day of the month, but chaos has reigned freely around here the last few months.

Here is our list:

• American Kestrel
• Killdeer
• Turkey Vulture
• Black Vulture
• American Crow
• Bluebird
• American Coots
• Canada Geese
• Double Crested Cormorant
• Great Blue Heron
• Carolina Chickadee

Heather

September Tweet and See

Whew, I have never posted Tweet and See on the 15th of the month.

But, I promise, I am not a slacker," (said in the most whiney voice).

Name that movie!

Anyway, I am motivated to post since Homeschool Dawn and fam are on their way to our house for Fall Break!  And, they are coming even though the Sandhill Cranes have not come for the winter.  What great friends they are.  Of course, being that we are here at the "Scenic City," there are plenty of other tourist things to do.

So here is my list:

• mourning dove
• house finch
• bluebird
• cardinal
• chipping sparrow
• american crow
• carolina wren
• american goldfinch
• brown-headed nuthatch
• white breasted  nuthatch
• song sparrow
• eastern peewee
• ruby throated hummingbird
• brown thrasher
• robin
• mockingbird
• killdeer
• turkey vulture
• black vulture
• american kestrel
• red tailed hawk
• osprey

Heather

August Tweet and See

Wow, Tweet and See has had a hard month!

Our area of the country is in a severe drought.  We had the least amount of rain in August that has ever been recorded in a month in our area. 

I think the birds have left for greener pastures and better water.  My birdbath actually evaporates before it even has a chance to grow algae in it!

Here is my microscopic list for this month.  BUT, I want you to know that I just purchased more black oil sunflowers and have readjusted both of my feeding stations this morning in an effort to woo some birds back.  As we are entering September, some of our birds will be beginning their migratory flight, and we are waiting for our Sandhill Cranes to be arriving within the next SIX WEEKS!

• Barn swallow
• Mockingbird
• Carolina Chickadee
• Bluebird
• Northern Cardinal
• House finch
• Tufted Titmouse
• Blue Jay
• Mourning Dove
• Rock Dove
• Brown-headed Nuthatch
• Carolina Wren
• Red-Headed Woodpecker*

My red-headed woodpecker is a life bird!!! And I will tell you, the pictures do not do them justice! 

How has your bird watching been this month?

Heather

July Tweet and See

As is obvious, I am taking a seriously long blog hiatus.  Life has other demands I need to focus on, such as the second of my children developing a panic disorder.  But, I did want to let you know a little of what is still going on around here, and list my Tweet and See!

As for books I have been reading:

• The Importance of Being Earnest- absolutely hysterical and a quick read
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde- an honest look at total depravity
• Ben- Hur- another LONG book, but very quick moving and a very real look at Rome's occupation of Israel.
• The Pursuit of God

Reading aloud to my kids:

• Dr. Doolittle
• American Stories, Vol 3
• Five Little Peppers Midway
• Swiss Family Robinson-  a book worth wading through to get to the end.  It took us THREE months to finish:)

As for art:

We have finished Drawing with Children- but the meme's are still open and anyone can participate.  I will begin using a book called You Can Paint Pastels, to teach my kids more about this medium this week.  Oil pastels are their favorites!!

Now for Tweet and See, July 2011

• Bobwhite
• Bluebird
• American Robin
• American Crow
• Cardinal
• Mockingbird
• Mourning Dove
• Red Shouldered Hawk
• Ruby Throated Hummingbird
• Great Blue Heron
• Kingbird
• Killdeer
• Hermit Thrush
• Canada Geese
• Downy Woodpecker
• House Finch
• American Goldfinch
• Brown Headed Nuthatch
• White Breasted Nuthatch
• Tufted Titmouse
• Hairy Woodpecker  *
• Common Yellowthroat *
• Louisiana Waterthrush*
• Yellow Warbler  *

The most exciting thing happened this month, Homeschool Dawn and I got to go birding for a few hours, and we were chauffered by our friend Amy.  We three had a girl's weekend, and we visited the local Nature Center.  Three of the four new birds for my Life List this month came from Dawn's awesome birding auditory skills.  She even got the Common Yellowthroat to answer to our Identiflyer.  I hope to do that again REALLY SOON!!

So, how was your birding month??

Heather

Tweet and See

Tweet and See for June was AWESOME for Kingdom Arrows.  I added FIVE birds to our Life List!!!

Add your list to our meme and post it on your blog!

Here is the list:

• Cedar Waxwing *
• Amercian Crow
• Killdeer
• American Robin
• Indigo Bunting *
• Eastern Towhee
• Canada Goose
• Mallard
• Blue bird
• American Goldfinch
• Morning Dove
• Rock Dove
• Mockingbird
• Grackle
• Cowbird
• Eastern Kingbird *
• Wood Thrush *
• American Robin
• Eastern Pee Wee
• Song Sparrow
• Chipping Sparrow
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Barn Swallow
• Osprey
• Wild Turkey
• Great Blue Heron
• Carolina Wren
• Blue Jay
• Cardinal
• Downy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker  *
• Bobwhite
• Chuck Wills Widow

Here is my photo for the month:

Here are several American Goldfinches playing in a puddle in the middle of  a road.  They were so cute hopping around!

Heather

Tweet and See, May 2011

Wow!  This was a crazy month, and I wonder how many of you were able to keep up with your bird list!  I am adding a new component to Tweet and See, thanks to Angie at Pebblekeeper.  If you would like, you can add your Favorite Bird Happening or Bird Scene picture for the month.  Here are mine for the month.

Here is the list we saw in May where I live:
A * represents the first time on our list.

1. House Finch
2. Eastern Pee Wee *
3. Carolina Wren
4. Bob White *
5. Osprey
6. Cardinal
7. Grackle
8. Amercian Crow
9. Mockingbird
10. Turkey Vulture
11. Black Vulture
12. Bluebird
13. Eastern Towhee
14. Song Sparrow
15. Killdeer
16. Red Shouldered Hawk
17. Mallard
18. Muscovy
19. Canada Goose
20. Carolina Chickadee
21. Brown Thrasher *
22. Starling
23. Downy Woodpecker
24. Mourning Dove
25. Brown-headed cowbird
26. Catbird
27. American Robin
28. Peacock
29. Red winged Blackbird

Here is the list from our tirp to Williamsburg and the Outer Banks.  I really was surpirsed at some of the common  birds, even though we were 12 hours away and in a completely different habitat.  Some of the same birds were the Mockingbird, Crow, Robin, Catbird and Cowbird.

Birds in the Outer Banks:

1. Brown Pelican *
2. Laughing Gull *
3. Herring Gull *
4. Rock Dove
5. Sanderling *
6. Double Crested Cormorant *
7. Ring Billed Gull
8. Purple Martin
9. Great Egret
10. Boat Tailed Grackle *
11. Fish Crow *
12. Foster's Tern *
13. Snowy Egret *
14. Black-Capped Chickadee (not a Carolina)*

Birds in the Williamsburg area:

1. Blue Jay
2. Barn Swallow *
3. Royal Tern *
4. House Sparrow
5. Immature Female Dickcissel* (any other ideas, this even has stumped Dawn)

What do you think?  Is this a mystery bird?

Heather




PS- June 6 Kingdom Arrows and Olive Plants are co-hosting a Blog Hop, the Great Reveal.  Read here for info on how to participate.  I can't wait to read what everyone's curriculum plans are for the next school year!

April Tweet and See

Well, I can hardly figure out if I am coming or going these last three weeks, but I am resurfacing to add our Bird list for the month of April.  We did see a few surprises!  But, a few of the regulars at our feeders have stopped coming, I guess the regular outdoor buffet is satisfying them. 

• Pine Siskin
• Ring-Billed Gull
• Canada Goose
• Morning Dove
• Rock Dove
• American Crow
• Carolina Chickadee
• Mockingbird
• American Goldfinch
• Cardinal
• White Throated Sparrow *
• Golden Eagle and baby *
• Chipping Sparrow
• Great Blue Heron
• Mallard
• Eastern Towhee
• Brown headed Cowbird
• Chuck Will's Widow *
• Purple Martin
• Catbird *
• Whippoorwill *
• Osprey *
• Red-Winged Blackbird
• Grackle

* are the first time we have added them to our life list.

How were things in your neck of the woods?  I am wondering if any of your birds seemed "off" this month due to the rain or storms.  We are down here in the South and have tornado destruction all around us, our little town was spared.  I did notice one pair of crows that were out a the same time a tornado was touching down about 3 miles from them-Go Figure!

Start your lists for May.  Also, make plans to keep them up when you travel.  In a few weeks we will be heading up to the Outer Banks and Williamsburg, and you can bet we are packing out Kaufman- the best bird book I have found!  Our bird list will look a bit unusual and we are excited!!


Heather

Tweet and See, March 2011 & GIVEAWAY

Wow, another month has FLOWN by:)

We have had more rainy than sunny days, so our birdwatching list is a little slim.  But we have a giveaway to make up the difference!  Crowes Nest Media has graciously offered a FREE copy of Your Backyard DVD.  This DVD features 18 feeder birds, their eating and living habitats and lots of great video of these birds in action.  Perfect for families who are just starting to learn how to bird.  It does focus mostly on Eastern birds, east of the Mississippi River. 

Now, I have to say I have had some sketchy experiences with homeschool DVD productions.  But, this video is excellent quality, and the actors are wonderful (the Crowe children).  I needed more help on a few of my bird calls and I was able to identify the Red-Winged Blackbird from the DVD.  I had heard this bird earlier in the day and I did not recognize it. 

My only complaint is that they did not include directions for making the Orange Bird Feeder for the oriole.  I have scoured the internet to find directions! 

I did receive a free copy to review.  But, I plan on using the discount code to buy one of these for my nephews because I LOVE it that much.  There is another DVD in the works to be out later this summer and I hope I get to review that one too!

I think children, schooled or homeschooled will love this DVD from about age 3 up.  We have all enjoyed it, multiple times.  Also, there is no goofy music that gets stuck in your head:) 

Also, for those who would like to purchase a copy, they are offering a BIG discount (usually $19.95), they only cost $12.00 if you use the discount code: Tweet.  He! He!  This discount code is good for today until April 9, which is 3 days after the drawing, for those who don't win.  This giveaway starts today and ends April 6, at midnight.  Random drawing with the announcement of the winner on April 7.

To enter:

• leave a comment telling me what your favorite bird is and why
• blog about it and come back and tell me your link.
• tweet about it and link up to follow me on Twitter (@birdnscrap), then come back and tell me.
• link on Facebook and come and tell me.
• purchase one copy from Crowes Nest Media, and come back and tell me.

Now for The Kingdom Arrows Tweet and See List...

• Carolina Wren
• Mounring Dove
• Pine Siskin
• Mockingbird
• Eastern Towhee
• Song Sparrow
• Grakle
• Starling
• Robin
• Belted Kingfisher
• Purple Finch
• Bluebird
• Red Winged Blackbird
• Tufted Titmouse
• Carolina Chickadee
• Chipping Sparrow
• Killdeer
• Cowbird
• N Cardinal
• Blue Jay
• Great Blue Heron
• Field Sparrow
• Mallard Duck

Twenty-three, not great, but good for such a rainy, busy month.  What has happened in your neck of the woods?  Link up so we can all fly over and visit!

Heather

Disclaimer: I received no other compensation than a copy of Your Backyard  DVD to review.  Also, my quotation/apostrophe key is not working.

Tweet and See, February 2011

OK, be proud of me, I actually remembered today is the last day of the month and am writing this post!  I have been unexpectedly out of town until late last night, and if one of my fellow bloggers had not emailed me, I would be a day behind again!

We had an even better month for February, and I am not sure if it is because more birds are coming back for the spring or we had our good birdwatching eyes on due to the GBBC.  Either way we added several birds to our LIFE LIST!! Whooo, Hoo!  We had 34 birds!

I thought I would add another little piece of fun.  Here is the approximate latitude  and longitude for where we live:
Latitude:   35,  Longitude: -84.  If you want to add that to your blog, then we can all to the homework to get an idea of where you are observing your birds.

Our regular observing areas are mostly pine woods and farming land.  We live a few miles from the river and live near mountains.  If you look at our list you will see our birds run the range for all those types of habitats.

If you are bored with your time or want to add another dynamic to your bird watching, you can Google Ornithology Clubs in your area.  I found ours meets the fourth Thursday night of the month.  I hope to take our older children to it, since it is a great learning opportunity and another chance for them to be mentored by other adults.  They usually are free or have a small amount of dues for the year. 


Here goes, the ones with a star are new to our Life List.

• Crow
• Carolina Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• American Bluebird
• Black Vulture
• Turkey Vulture
• Northern Cardinal
• Rock Dove
• Canada Geese
• Ring-Billed Gulls
• Northern Mockingbird
• Carolina Wren
• Downy Woodpecker *
• Song Sparrow
• Sandhill Cranes
• Red Tailed Hawk
• House Finch
• Eastern Towhee
• Tufted Titmouse
• Pine Siskin  *
• Starling
• Mallard
• Northern Harrier  *
• Red Shoulder Hawk  *
• House Wren
• Grackle
• Mourning Dove
• Great Blue Heron
• Wild Turkey
• Horned Lark  *
• Purple Finch *
• Brown Headed Nuthatch *
• Great Horned Owl
• Chipping Sparrow  *



Here is our Purple Finch.  We had to take a photo since we could not figure it out.

Dawn has written an excellent post about the camera helping you to identify birds, click here to read it. 

Heather

Don't forget to start that March list, and thanks for sharing the Meme!

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Birders for Life

I posted my first piece for the new blog, Birders For Life.  Fly on over and check it out. 

I chronical exactly how I identified a Hawk this weekend, the steps and the tools.

Heather

Tweet and See, January 2011

Tweet and See is finally here.  List all the birds you and your family saw for the month of January and link here.  I thought it might be nice to list a little more data so that others can get a feel for why the birds were in your area. 

Location: Near the Smoky Mountains, on the Tennessee side
Altitude:  about 800 ft above sea level
Our yard:  a field surrounded by Long Needle Pine Trees, but we live about 2 miles from a river

• Sandhill Cranes
• Carolina Wren
• Song Sparrow
• Crow
• White Breasted Nuthatch
• House Sparrow
• Northern Cardinal
• Robin
• Eastern Towhee
• Blue Jay
• White Throated Sparrow
• Canada Geese
• Great Blue Heron
• Ring Billed Gulls
• Turkey Vulture
• Black Vulture
• Carolina Chickadee
• Barred Owl
• Mallard
• White Muscovy Duck
• American Goldfinch
• European Starling
• House Finch
• Tufted Titmouse
• Rock Dove
• Red Tailed Hawk
• Mourning Dove
• Bald Eagle (captivity)
• Peacock (captivity)

The biggest surprise was to find out what we have been calling the Black Capped Chickadee is really the Carolina Chickadee.  I spoke with an ornithologist and he told me Black Caps are located at 3000 ft above sea level, and a little further north from our home!  Who knew?

That brought our total to 29 species, far better than in December!

How about your birds? 



Heather

Outdoor Hour Challenge, Winter Study #1, Cattails

We are a little behind on the Friday link for the Winter Study, mostly because it took a while to find cattails, and then we had to be able to drive in our record snowfall of 8 inches.

Thanks to our friend Jennifer, she told us about some cattails past the airport in our small town.  We drove over and took some pics, and brought some samples back to study in the comfort of our WARM home!

Here is my 6 year olds nature journal entry.

This was the first time we have observed cattails, so we did not have much comparison.  But, they were in ice (water) and were narrow-leaved.  There were some downy seeds left on the flower and we looked at it under a magnifying glass.  We also found the brown balloon was soft like a sponge.  They were taller than mom.  We can't wait to go back over the next 3 seasons!

Reminder:  It is not to late to start your bird lists of all the birds you observe or hear in your area.  On the last day of January, you can post about it and have a Linky here so we can compare birds.  Today we were able to add 6 more to our list while out looking at our cattails!  Click here to read about Tweet and See. 

Heather

Tweet and See

I was inspired by Barb, Harmony Art Mom, who challenged me to keep a Bird List of all the birds we see each month.  So, December was the first month of this new adventure.  I have to admit, I do not have any handy-dandy birding binoculars (HINT:  Birthday Idea), so  these are birds that came to our feeder or that our family just saw as we were going about our business.

Typically this post will be the last day of the month, but since our whole family was laying in bed for 12 days sick with the flu, we are a little late.  I will be adding a Mr. Linky at the end of  January and we want as many friends to join in with us as possible. 

So, start your list!

I just hung a paper up on the wall that I added to as we saw or heard birds.  Very easy and low key.  Oh, "Tweet and See," do you get it??

Here Goes:

• Carolina Wren
• American Coot
• Goldfinch
• Bluebird
• American Crows
• Canada Geese
• Black Capped Chickadee
• Northern Cardinal
• Mockingbird
• House sparrows
• Sandhill Cranes
• Bluejay

On our trip to see Olive Plants we saw or heard:

• Pine Warbler
• Belted Kingfisher
• Killdeer

Happy Birding,
Heather