Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)

Ovenbird from Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY, USA on May 09, 2023 at 03:58 PM by Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener). Foraging among the dead leaves in the ground in my garden

iNaturalist

Vimeo

And today, the Ceratina (Zadontomerus), small carpenter bees, are flying. Females overwintered as adults from last year in dry, pithy plant stems from two years ago I left standing. They will nest in the same stems, if possible. This year's generation will nest in different stems I left standing from *last* year. And so on.

If I had cut down everything this Spring, or Fall, I would have destroyed their nests and broken their reproductive cycle.

#Bees #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Scarlet Tanager from Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY, USA on May 12, 2023 at 02:35 PM by Chris Kreussling (Flatbush Gardener)

iNaturalist

They came back!
(Video, but no sound needed.)

Brooklyn is on the Atlantic Flyway. I'm just a half-mile south of Prospect Park, a fave/famed birding spot.

From the start, I've designed my backyard, using native plants, like a clearing in the woods. It works.

All kinds of birds drop in, especially during Spring/Fall migrations. The stone birdbath is a favorite. Berries Summer & Winter.

https://vimeo.com/826330837

#Birds #Aves #Vimeo #Video #ScarletTanager #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

Scarlet Tanaget Drinking From My Birdbath

Vimeo

Two days ago, I had another birdbath visitor: a female yellowthroat!

https://vimeo.com/827764452

#Birds #Aves #Vimeo #Video #YellowThroat #Warblers #Parulidae #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

Bathing Warbler

Vimeo

And this afternoon, I had an even more uncommon visitor to my backyard: a female magnolia warbler.

I've only seen one in my garden twice before, five years ago, and ten years ago! So I guess I was due for a quinquennial visit.

https://vimeo.com/828453046

#Birds #Aves #Vimeo #Video #MagnoliaWarbler #Warblers #Parulidae #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

Magnolia Warbler Visiting my Backyard Birdbath

Vimeo
@xris Congratulations. Your birding vision is a reality. This yard has added to the Atlantic Flyway with a bath and berries.