Birds of the Carthage Neighborhood of Omaha

Carthage is a neighborhood of a few square blocks within the completely urban setting of eastern Omaha. On its east side is Northwest Radial Highway. Its western extent is 50th street. The south side boundary is Cuming Street and its northern edge is Hamilton Street.

There are lots of houses and apartment buildings, but the trees provide habitat for a variety of wild birds. The location is also significant as it is a hilltop area which various birds fly over during some times during the year.

Having been attentive to bird life within this space since May 2003, it became obvious on March 4, 2014 that the day's sightings were the 500th time that an observation was denoted. Some of the notations kept in a database were for one species, but there also has been attention given to noting all the birds on some days, typically during a walk-about the blocks, listening and watching. The tally has always been fewer than 20 species, and most typically about 15 or so.

Typical urban species are regularly seen. Several Northern Cardinals are singing now, and robins are starting to arrive. Blue Jays can always be heard. A Red-bellied Woodpecker has prepared a nesting cavity in recent weeks, being boisterous about it. Hopefully the European Starlings will not appropriate this place.

There have been several unexpected occurrences. Most of these have occurred at the grassy lot just south of 49th and Hamilton Street. Notable observations here have been two Bald Eagles, as reported by the bird-watching guy at the adjacent convenience mart. Other times, they have been seen soaring above. Personally, it was exciting to see a Lark Sparrow and an Eastern Meadowlark at the same habitat place. The barren parking lot to the east was the site where a Killdeer was noted in March 2011. It was an unexpected sight to see a Rough-legged Hawk, flying just above the tree-tops, early in the morning of February 24, 2011.

Keeping records on a regular basis, indicates the rare occurrence of a Red-Winged Blackbird in the backyard in March and May 2012. There are always the American Crows to appreciate, especially when they gather during the winter-time months. The Carolina Wren has been intermittent in its occurrence, and given particular attention because of its expressive call.

During the night hours, the Eastern Screech-Owl can be heard outside the house window. It has only been seen once or twice, but its voice is typically heard. The Great Horned Owl has only been seen on rare occasions, only heard in November. It occurs to a regular extent elsewhere in midtown.

This tally indicates the birdlife to enjoy by being attentive to a particular place, on a regular basis. There are birds everywhere, and these are those species known for one particular neighborhood in Omaha. Numbers given in this table are summary of the number counted for the year. There are many more details that might be considered, especially in regards to time of occurrence, distinct counts, etc. from the 1,885 individual records of observation associated with 78 species.

Common Name	2003	2004	2005	2006	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Greater White-fronted Goose	- -	- -	- -	- -	185	- -	- -	45	- -	- -	- -
Snow Goose	0	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	255	660	1200	1050	- -
Cackling Goose	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	20	- -	- -
Canada Goose	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	645	842	37	- -
Domestic Chicken	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	10	- -	- -
American White Pelican	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	- -
Double-crested Cormorant	- -	- -	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	129	71	- -
Great Blue Heron	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -
Turkey Vulture	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	3	12	27	- -	- -
Bald Eagle	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	3	1
Sharp-shinned Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	2	- -
Cooper's Hawk	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	9	3	8	11	- -
Broad-winged Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	- -	2	- -
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	- -	1	1	- -	- -	2	2	8	10	3
Rough-legged Hawk	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
American Kestrel	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	- -
Killdeer	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Franklin's Gull	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	100	- -	11	- -
Ring-billed Gull	- -	- -	- -	- -	260	100	65	412	661	694	- -
Mourning Dove	26	2	- -	- -	2	3	16	33	46	51	2
Eastern Screech-Owl	1	1	- -	- -	- -	5	3	6	11	3	2
Great Horned Owl	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Common Nighthawk	229	- -	- -	- -	- -	37	78	93	28	965	- -
Chimney Swift	41	- -	- -	- -	5	33	38	246	77	74	- -
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1	- -	- -	- -	1	1	14	11	16	21	7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Downy Woodpecker	4	1	- -	- -	0	3	8	16	25	23	3
Hairy Woodpecker	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	2	5	- -
Northern Flicker	2	- -	- -	- -	0	3	10	21	17	21	1
Western Kingbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	0	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Eastern Kingbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	13	1	- -
Warbling Vireo	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	1	2	- -	- -
Red-eyed Vireo	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	2	1	- -
Blue Jay	3	- -	2	- -	0	5	42	35	37	77	10
American Crow	275	125	10	2	201	160	163	913	501	1662	711
Purple Martin	- -	- -	- -	- -	450	- -	500	2085	430	725	- -
Barn Swallow	5	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	6	2	- -	- -
Black-capped Chickadee	5	- -	1	- -	- -	6	17	36	56	68	7
Red-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
White-breasted Nuthatch	1	1	- -	- -	1	1	16	18	27	31	8
Brown Creeper	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	2	2	8	2	- -
Carolina Wren	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	1	2	- -
House Wren	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	4	11	14	5	- -
Golden-crowned Kinglet	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	1	- -	- -	- -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	- -	1	- -
Swainson's Thrush	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
American Robin	49	- -	- -	- -	6	5	79	196	87	314	5
Gray Catbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	- -
Brown Thrasher	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	1	2	3	- -
Cedar Waxwing	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	7	9	- -	- -
Tennessee Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	3	- -	- -	- -
Orange-crowned Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Nashville Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Yellow Warbler	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	1	- -	1	- -
Yellow-rumped Warbler	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5	2	8	- -
American Redstart	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Ovenbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Spotted Towhee	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
American Tree Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Chipping Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	5	11	8	10	- -
Lark Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -
Fox Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Lincoln's Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
White-throated Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	2	- -	6	- -
White-crowned Sparrow	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Dark-eyed Junco	9	7	2	0	7	17	55	45	92	91	14
Northern Cardinal	8	4	4	0	5	7	32	36	56	93	17
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
Red-winged Blackbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -
Eastern Meadowlark	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	2	- -
Common Grackle	67	- -	- -	- -	4	7	70	143	351	284	- -
Brown-headed Cowbird	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	9	- -	4	3	- -
Baltimore Oriole	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	2	5	4	- -
Purple Finch	2	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
House Finch	8	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	21	38	35	54	3
American Goldfinch	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	5	12	18	25	- -
House Sparrow	46	40	- -	0	4	4	153	177	445	664	77

With winter waning, the local birds are appreciating the food. House Sparrows especially appreciate the buffet in the back yard. It took some time to convey that one bird mix was not suitable, but another bird-mix option meant that many birds flew in and appreciated the seed mix at the bird feeder. A chunk of change has been spent to provide winter residents a buffet. There is also another back yard where birds in this neighborhood can get something to eat, over on 50th Avenue, just south of Izard Street. It's well kept and has more than one feeding station for hungry birds to enjoy during the cold months of the year.

The domestic chickens are now gone. A "hawk" did take one while the small bunch was cared for by a family along north 49th Street. They no longer have these birds in their backyard.

There will be more exciting bird views in Carthage, and that is because birds fly about, and its only because of watchers, that their significance is known. If there is one pertinent point, bird watching certainly means that a person's view is kept to the sky!

Details of One Sort or Another

With a bunch of records to ponder, the following details have been wrought from the database, for presentation purposes.

Geese are especially prominent along the Missouri River valley, and that includes the Carthage hills just to the west.

Snow Goose Numbers Date: Number Seen 03/06/2012: 1200 03/07/2011: 250 03/11/2011: 225 03/15/2010: 85 03/15/2010: 85 03/23/2013: 850 11/19/2010: 25 11/22/2013: 200 11/22/2011: 100 11/22/2010: 25 11/23/2010: 35 12/04/2011: 85

Canada Goose Numbers Date: Number Seen 02/25/2012: 280 02/26/2012: 450 03/06/2010: 7 03/07/2013: 29 03/06/2012: 35 03/10/2011: 65 06/03/2013: 8 (local birds flying about) 11/20/2011: 500 12/04/2011: 80 12/28/2012: 77 There are only two instances when the Greater White-fronted Goose has been seen here (observed numbers: 185 and 45); and three instances of Cackling Goose, with counts of 10 and 10 on two February dates in 2012, and 4 on a date in December 2011.

Crows are an especially expressive bird at Carthage. There has been crow court on the north side. They have gathered in the morning and in the evening, especially during winter-time months. Fewer of them occur during the warm months, and though they might not be as pervasive, they still indicate their presence in one significant manner or another. They are regularly seen flying above the streets, but are also appreciated when they decide to stop for a time opon the tree-top branches of the big trees here. Their expressiveness has meant some particular attention to their occurrence.

These are the 118 records of known occurrence for these fine, vividly black, and notably expressive birds at Carthage. The tally is listed according to the day of the year, as indicated by Julian date.

Date: Number of Crows; Species Notation

¶ 01/01/2013: 56; going southward from ca. 4:00 p.m. to 4:15; a couple landed and lingered for a bit of time

¶ 01/02/2012: 4

¶ 01/05/2011: 225; at least this number seen, with others probably already gone past; flying southerly about 3:30 p.m.

¶ 01/06/2014: 1

¶ 01/08/2012: 35; generally about in the treetops during dusk

¶ 01/08/2014: 200; swirling about in the dark above 49th and Hamilton streets at 6:50 p.m.; nearly two hours after sunset

¶ 01/09/2014: 220; at 7 p.m. sitting in the upper treetops of four deciduous trees at 48th avenue and Caldwell street; not roosting here on 11th

¶ 01/10/2009: 2; in the neighborhood

¶ 01/17/2013: 4; loud black birds vocal while lurking about the block

¶ 01/17/2004: 125; counted during walk-about

¶ 01/18/2011: 11; in the early daytime

¶ 01/20/2012: 96; flying northward above the trees ca. 5:15 p.m.

¶ 01/21/2013: 2; during mid-afternoon

¶ 01/27/2013: 3; circa 4:30 p.m., preening atop the prominent snags

¶ 01/27/2012: 2; going southerly in the evening

¶ 01/28/2011: 35; early morning

¶ 02/01/2011: 3; flying southerly about mid-afternoon while outside shoveling snow

¶ 02/02/2010: 2

¶ 02/08/2012: 116; flying north, northwest at 7 a.m.

¶ 02/09/2011: 21; in the treetops in the first morning

¶ 02/09/2013: 2; later in the morning, crowing about the block

¶ 02/11/2013: 21; going southward at the treetops; ca. 5:35 to 5:40 p.m.

¶ 02/11/2014: 215; perched among the local trees or flying southward ca. 5:45 p.m.

¶ 02/12/2013: 75; going past ca. 7 a.m. towards the north

¶ 02/14/2013: 68; gathered two yards over in early morning

¶ 02/15/2013: 69; flying northward between 7:05 and 7:20 a.m.; some landed and lingered for a few minutes in same tree as yesterday

¶ 02/16/2013: 2; perched in the treetops ca. 4 p.m.

¶ 02/17/2011: 85; at least this number gathered in the evening

¶ 02/19/2014: 20; perched around in the treetops at 6 p.m.

¶ 02/19/2012: 20; heard at dawn without actual sighting, so numbers present inadequate

¶ 02/20/2013: 79; flying past in a couple of minutes prior to 7 a.m.

¶ 02/21/2011: 200; perched in tree tops and coursing on the brisk, evening winds

¶ 02/24/2012: 50; flying southward at 6 p.m.

¶ 02/25/2012: 17; northward bound

¶ 02/28/2014: 45; flock perched in treetop at 49th and Izard until scared away by resident at corner

¶ 03/01/2013: 130; flying past ca. 6:45 to 7 a.m.

¶ 02/29/2012: 19; milling about at dusk

¶ 03/02/2013: 275; flying southerly from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m.

¶ 03/03/2011: 52; gathered at dusk

¶ 03/04/2014: 10; going northward at first light

¶ 03/06/2010: 35; going southward in the evening

¶ 03/07/2013: 230; flying southward from 6:05 to ca. 6:20 p.m.

¶ 03/07/2011: 1; readily heard

¶ 03/07/2012: 2

¶ 03/08/2013: 11; flying southward ca. 5:00 p.m.

¶ 03/10/2013: 2; about in the earlier morning

¶ 03/11/2013: 377; flying southward at dusk; mostly from 7:10 to 7:30 p.m., daylight savings time; first heard in the morning going northerly at 7 a.m.; mostly clear skies, with no wind

¶ 03/13/2010: 10; flowing southward above the neighborhood

¶ 03/13/2013: 28; numbers noted from 19:10 to 19:30 at the residence

¶ 03/15/2011: 2; during evening stroll

¶ 03/18/2013: 40; going southerly at 7:30 p.m.

¶ 03/26/2013: 12; flying northerly shortly after 7 a.m.

¶ 03/31/2013: 2; quiet at the end of the block

¶ 04/05/2010: 1; heard at the first light of the spring dawn

¶ 04/07/2013: 1; in yard across street, chasing something

¶ 04/13/2012: 1

¶ 04/25/2012: 1; heard out the window

¶ 04/28/2013: 1; probably nesting down the block in conifer at Cuming Street

¶ 05/01/2012: 1

¶ 05/05/2013: 2; at 49th and Cuming Street

¶ 05/08/2012: 1; walking around on the block

¶ 05/12/2012: 1; easily heard about when the sun is rising

¶ 05/27/2012: 2

¶ 05/28/2012: 3; adults and dependent young

¶ 06/04/2012: 2

¶ 06/12/2003: 1; winging along the way

¶ 06/22/2012: 2; eating common grackle nestlings in conifer by the house; commotion heard

¶ 07/07/2012: 2

¶ 07/12/2011: 2

¶ 07/16/2003: 1; heard while on the bike ride about

¶ 07/25/2011: 2

¶ 08/02/2013: 1; heard through the window of the dungeon

¶ 08/04/2012: 2; crows scattered about the neighborhood

¶ 08/17/2009: 1

¶ 08/20/2011: 3; in the latter afternoon

¶ 09/08/2013: 1; heard to the west

¶ 09/20/2011: 1; alone in the evening

¶ 09/26/2013: 1; transient at the convenience store on the north side

¶ 10/03/2010: 5

¶ 10/08/2009: 2; seen outside

¶ 10/08/2013: 1; flying southward in strong winds under cloudy skies

¶ 10/10/2011: 2

¶ 10/10/2012: 1; heard in the immediate neighborhood

¶ 10/14/2013: 6; flying westerly on the south side

¶ 10/14/2012: 2

¶ 10/18/2012: 2; heard in the latter morning

¶ 10/19/2010: 2; on the north side walking about a parking lot there

¶ 10/20/2011: 2; readily heard and two seen

¶ 10/21/2009: 3; on roof of apartment on Hamilton Street

¶ 10/20/2012: 3; congregating in the treetops

¶ 10/28/2012: 2; 5 flying past at the end of the day

¶ 11/01/2011: 1; 4 on east side at pre-dawn

¶ 11/11/2009: 95; in three trees on 49th street; the time outdoors led to a neighborhood gathering to put the street light bulb back in place, which included an errant dog from the corner house on the block

¶ 11/13/2012: 11; cawing about minutes before sunrise

¶ 11/16/2013: 23; flying northward about 7 a.m.

¶ 11/20/2012: 22; flying over at dawn

¶ 11/22/2011: 2; heard

¶ 11/26/2013: 12; noted being blown southward while getting newspaper from front porch at 4:38 p.m.

¶ 11/30/2003: 45; in treetops to east of 900 North 49th feeder

¶ 12/02/2010: 7; flying northward in latter afternoon

¶ 12/02/2008: 107; flying southward in small bunches over Carthage at 16:00

¶ 12/02/2012: 4

¶ 12/03/2005: 2; bothering a local red-tailed hawk

¶ 12/05/2010: 11; flying southward

¶ 12/07/2005: 8; 900 block of north 49th street

¶ 12/07/2011: 2; at dawn

¶ 12/09/2011: 245; flying northward just before dawn

¶ 12/13/2013: 75; flock whirling about at the north side at 5:55 p.m., in the dark skies long after sunset which was at 4:55 p.m.

¶ 12/13/2003: 3

¶ 12/17/2010: 44; flying over the neighborhood at first light

¶ 12/17/2009: 57; flying northward at sunrise

¶ 12/18/2003: 225; in dusk-time trees about 900 north block

¶ 12/19/2008: 94; during 1600 hour

¶ 12/24/2006: 2; winging along

¶ 12/27/2012: 102; flying southeast from 4:05 to 4:25 p.m.

¶ 12/29/2011: 3; a few noted from what is a pre-roost gathering in the area

¶ 12/30/2010: 45; evening gathering in the treetops

¶ 12/31/2010: 1; heard

The next addition to the list of birds for this neighborhood might be a colorful warbler, or some other species being obscure during their intermittent presence. Brown Creepers have been seen here, though there is a great demand to actually record their occurrence. With this tally, there has to be some attentive, knowledgeable watcher that can convey something new for Carthage. My eyes are already pealed, with attentive observation to observe some new bit of bird life appreciating this particular neighborhood.

Northern Cardinal Dates Date: Number ¶ 01/01/2013: 2 ¶ 01/02/2012: 3 ¶ 01/10/2009: 2 ¶ 01/13/2012: 2 ¶ 01/15/2013: 2 ¶ 01/16/2014: 2 ¶ 01/17/2004: 2 ¶ 01/18/2014: 2 ¶ 01/20/2012: 2 ¶ 01/21/2013: 2 ¶ 01/27/2013: 3 ¶ 01/28/2012: 1 ¶ 01/29/2010: 2 ¶ 02/02/2004: 2 ¶ 02/05/2010: 4 ¶ 02/06/2014: 2 ¶ 02/08/2012: 1 ¶ 02/09/2013: 3 ¶ 02/13/2012: 6 ¶ 02/16/2013: 3 ¶ 02/19/2014: 3 ¶ 02/19/2012: 2 ¶ 02/21/2010: 2 ¶ 02/26/2011: 2 ¶ 02/27/2011: 2 ¶ 02/28/2014: 4 ¶ 03/04/2014: 4 ¶ 03/05/2013: 3 ¶ 03/07/2011: 2 ¶ 03/08/2013: 3 ¶ 03/07/2012: 2 ¶ 03/10/2011: 1 ¶ 03/10/2013: 6 ¶ 03/12/2010: 1 ¶ 03/13/2008: 2 ¶ 03/16/2011: 2 ¶ 03/19/2010: 2 ¶ 03/20/2013: 2 ¶ 03/25/2008: 3 ¶ 03/31/2013: 6

¶ 04/05/2010: 3 ¶ 04/07/2013: 4 ¶ 04/08/2011: 1 ¶ 04/12/2013: 3 ¶ 04/13/2012: 2 ¶ 04/28/2013: 4 ¶ 04/28/2011: 2 ¶ 05/01/2011: 2 ¶ 05/01/2012: 2 ¶ 05/03/2011: 2 ¶ 05/06/2013: 2 ¶ 05/20/2011: 1 ¶ 05/22/2010: 2 ¶ 05/26/2013: 4 ¶ 05/27/2012: 2 ¶ 06/03/2003: 3 ¶ 06/06/2013: 4 ¶ 06/06/2012: 3 ¶ 06/11/2009: 1 ¶ 06/12/2003: 1 ¶ 06/15/2013: 3 ¶ 06/22/2012: 2 ¶ 06/25/2003: 2 ¶ 07/07/2012: 1 ¶ 07/12/2011: 1 ¶ 07/13/2010: 2 ¶ 07/16/2003: 1 ¶ 07/19/2012: 1 ¶ 07/21/2013: 9 ¶ 07/22/2010: 1 ¶ 08/03/2013: 4 ¶ 08/03/2012: 2 ¶ 08/09/2011: 2 ¶ 08/12/2011: 2 ¶ 08/17/2009: 1 ¶ 08/24/2010: 2 ¶ 08/29/2013: 4 ¶ 09/08/2013: 3 ¶ 09/14/2012: 2 ¶ 09/15/2011: 2 ¶ 09/22/2009: 1 ¶ 09/24/2013: 3

¶ 10/11/2012: 1 ¶ 10/13/2011: 1 ¶ 10/13/2013: 2 ¶ 10/20/2012: 2 ¶ 10/31/2011: 2 ¶ 11/02/2010: 2 ¶ 11/10/2010: 3 ¶ 11/11/2010: 2 ¶ 11/13/2012: 2 ¶ 11/17/2013: 2 ¶ 11/23/2013: 2 ¶ 11/22/2012: 2 ¶ 11/24/2012: 4 ¶ 11/30/2013: 1 ¶ 11/29/2012: 2 ¶ 12/02/2012: 3 ¶ 12/04/2011: 1 ¶ 12/05/2010: 2 ¶ 12/05/2012: 2 ¶ 12/07/2005: 4 ¶ 12/07/2013: 2 ¶ 12/08/2009: 1 ¶ 12/11/2011: 6 ¶ 12/14/2009: 1 ¶ 12/15/2013: 2 ¶ 12/15/2003: 1 ¶ 12/26/2012: 2 ¶ 12/29/2011: 2 The stacatto song of this expressive, little red bird is only slightly less appreciated than the "hello" greeting of the Black-capped Chickadee. Both are permanent residents.

These are details for one more occurrent species, the diminutive and so quiet Brown Creeper. It occurs more often than it has been seen.

Creeper Times

Date: Number; Species Notation

¶ 01/07/2009: 1; in the back yard

¶ 01/08/2013: 1; creeper going up oak tree bark in back yard

¶ 02/26/2011: 1; up the pine tree out front

¶ 04/21/2013: 1; on the maple in the back yard

¶ 10/08/2012: 1; going up and then up again on the bark of the backyard oak tree

¶ 10/14/2012: 1; going up the back yard oak tree

¶ 10/23/2012: 1; on the back-yard oak tree; then downy woodpecker arrived

¶ 10/31/2010: 2; in the back yard of 900 block north

¶ 11/22/2012: 1

¶ 11/24/2012: 1; up oak trunk outside the window

¶ 11/25/2012: 1; in the morning on the oak tree

¶ 11/29/2012: 1; going up the backyard oak tree

¶ 12/04/2011: 1; noted in neighbors conifer while seeing if the newspaper had arrived yet, after 8 a.m. on the weekend

¶ 12/05/2012: 1; on trunk of back-yard oak tree

As this bit of scribbling came to an end on a Sunday evening, it seemed appropriate to be outside, once again. The sky was partly blue. There was a chorus of a few crows — mostly to the west — and a lesser number of robins chirping. Not to be ignored were the squirrel antics, partly on the ground and otherwise on the utility wires strung along the back-side of the property lots, with a particular pole seeming to indicates the animal's boundary. A cardinal has claimed the back side of the yard, as conveyed by its steady song. It was a perfect evening to linger and listen, east of the big metallic star prominent in the west.

Spring-time bird activity was enjoyed, once again.