It appears, reports our birding correspondent John Tschopp, that 2018 is an exceptional year for reproduction. At least for the birds. (We’ll obviously have to wait a few more months to find out if the prime conditions alter the human population, too.)

Cedar Waxwings. Photo by John Tschopp

Bullock’s Oriole. Photo by John Tschopp

Bullock’s Oriole, nesting with plastic material. Photo by John Tschopp
The berry bushes are loaded. The cherry trees are full of fruit and the bird nests are lively with fledglings. Fränzi Schnyder let us have a look into her nests. The Cedar Waxwings don’t seem to mind the pine. The Bullock’s Oriole are using some plastic for nesting material. Two days ago, a family of Redbreasted Sapsuckers explored our yard. That same day we observed a family of Hairy Woodpeckers at Riverlands. So many young birds around !
A note to the local birders: we have one sighting of a White Pelican, airborne. Keep an eye out for this big bird. You can’t miss it.