Lillian Q. Stokes's Blog, page 4

Stokes Guide to Finches of The United States and Canada, advance copy has arrived!!

 

Yesterday – One of the most special moments in an author's life is when they open the package with huge anticipation and a bit of trepidation, and hold their new book in their hands for the first time. My reaction to my advance copy (with coauthor Matthew A. Young) and my 36th Stokes Guide, was WOW!! It is everything I hoped for – stunningly beautiful thanks to the amazing photographers whose work we used, gorgeous design, packed with information on all things finch from ID, life history, vocalizations, irruption and migration info, creative essays, the latest range maps, scientific research, a special section on finches of Hawaii, how to feed and garden for finches, and much more. My wonderful coauthor, finch expert Matt Young, is at a birding festival so he will see his copy when he gets back (sorry Matt but I know you will love the book). I only got one advance copy and the publication date is September 17, 2024 when copies will be available at all retailers, so we will all have to wait. This is a book for anyone who likes birds, from backyard birders to the most avid crossbill fans. I can't wait to introduce them to this amazing group of birds.If you are a reviewer and want an advance review PDF copy let Matt or I know. Email contact form is on the top right of this blog.P.S. PreOrder copies are available now PreOrder The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada

Migration in full swing, Oriole and Tanagers have arrived!

 

Scarlet Tanager Baltimore Oriole  Oriole Nest 
Birds, birds birds, migration mania and warbler mania are all squeezed into May. I am enjoying it all. A few images grabbed on the go while co-leading the mother's day bird walk at Walden Pond State Reservation. The Scarlet Tanager was in trees over the parking lot and the oriole nest was near the visitor's enter. Orioles were everywhere and we located another nest being built. I was able to grab the photos then show them to others on the walk. Get out there in May, for in June the migrants will be gone to their breeding areas, then you can enjoy your local breeders.

Beautiful Male Evening Grosbeak Just Arrived!!

 I got my wish! Yesterday I hoped the male Evening Grosbeak would show up today (two females showed up yesterday) and magically this morning there he was! Don't you love it when that happens? He is the FOS (first of season) male to arrive here!

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Have Arrived!

 Happy Day, FOS (first of season) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks showed up today, two females!! I will be looking for the males tomorrow. The male has been described as wearing a tuxedo with a red tie (sometimes it looks like a red heart, the males' red patch varies enabling you to individually identify them), the female's white eyebrow helps identify her. Both male and female sing (their song sounds like a robin in a hurry) and both give a call note that sounds like a sneaker squeak on the gym floor! Listen for it.

Bluebird of Hope

 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all -..
Love this poem (by Emily Dickinson), it reminds me of bluebirds. They have just build a nest in the box in my yard!!

Purple Finches are on the Move, Watch for Them!

                                                    Purple Finch, male 
Purple Finch, female  House Finch, male looks similar to Purple Finch, male I'm excited that it's getting really finchy here in eastern MA! Finally, Purple Finches are coming through, had two males yesterday, a female the day before and a male and female today, plus Pine Siskin yesterday. The last photo is a male House Finch. Notice the difference with the male Purple Finch who is suffused all over with a more raspberry red and has little flank streaking, whereas the male House Finch has red on head, breast and rump, heavily streaked flanks and a shorter more curved bill. We have a special section in the new The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada (pub. Sept. 17, 2024, available for preorder now on amazon and more) on telling the confusing red finches apart.

Much of the East Under Severe Weather Threat.

"Severe" (fill in the blank; tornadoes, snow, wind, sleet, rain, flooding) seems to be the new norm as much of the eastern part of the country is under weather threats today and tomorrow.Stay safe, hunker down and fill feeders beforehand.

 

HAPPY EASTER!!

                                      HAPPY EASTER COTTONTAIL!!

                                              ENJOY YOUR EASTER

DO YOU HAVE GOLDFINCHES NOW?

If you came to this blog post because you were expecting answers about why you are not seeing goldfinches in any year, here is the answer.
Goldfinches are erratic about where they occur. They move around in winter depending on food sources. They may not appear in winter, spring, summer or fall in areas where they were previously. So at any time of year you may not be seeing them when you saw them before.
In addition, Goldfinches breeding range includes most of the northern two thirds of the country and into Canada. In winter, they leave the northernmost part of that range and are found in the rest of the U.S. including down into the South. Thus do not expect to see them in the far northern area of their range in winter, or the most southern part of their range in summer. Goldfinches change color in winter from their breeding yellow plumage to a brown-gray.
The best way to attract goldfinches is to keep feeders full of hulled sunflower, one of their favorites, or you can use thistle (nyjer) seed, make sure it is fresh. I have a new book coming out this fall, Sept. 17, 2024, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. It includes everything about American Goldfinches and all the other finches; ID, breeding, food, migrations, conservation, and more. You can Pre-Order it now HERE!

HAPPY 1ST DAY OF SPRING!!

 

Happy First Day of Spring! Early arrivals that have been spotted, Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebe. These insect eaters will have to contend with the roller coaster weather in New England, warm, sunny, and windy today, then next week rain, cold, and even possibly a snow shower. They are a welcome sign that things are moving forward, bring on the other migrants!