Birding Journal Observations - November / December 2013

Red-Bellied Woodpeker visits a suet feeding station

Birdwatchers witnessed a longer-lasting migration in 2013 due to the wetter and cooler weather of spring. In general migration was simply postponed just a bit, but in a few cases a few bird species were newly welcomed at Lowcountry feeders. For instance, I recorded my first ever brown-headed nuthatch and rufous hummingbird sightings. For a longtime wildlife observer, these sightings tell me that different climactic conditions played a role in their appearance, and I learned a bit more about the wonders of migration.

The first hard freeze of winter arrived early on November 13, and dipped into the 20's - thus beginning what has been a continuous trend of 'whiplash weather' with the mercury dipping sharply followed by summer-like warm spells. Multiple sightings of a ruby-crowned kinglet at the feeder is my highlight for the last two months of 2013. Other observations include kingfisher, Canada geese, cardinal, mockingbird, white-throated sparrow, pileated woodpecker, house finch, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, chipping sparrow, hairy woodpecker, Carolina wren, dove, red-bellied woodpecker, male towhee, yellow-bellied sapsucker and yellow-rumped warbler.

To view the sightings data in 2013 for Swallow-tailed Kites click here.

To view past Birding Journal Observations click here.

To view past Birding Journal Observations from Nov / Dec click 2012, 2011, 2010.