Birdchick Podcast
Birdchick Podcast

Birdchick Podcast

Sharon Stiteler and Bill Stiteler

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Sharon Stiteler, the Birdchick, talks about the latest in birding news.

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Party Pants
JUN 8, 2025
Party Pants
<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="1179x2556" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=1000w" width="1179" height="2556" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/3667766e-7277-4bec-85b4-310adbf4f8b2/IMG_4152.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">A screenshot of Party’s stats from the Denali website. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">“The thing I love most about Denali is that it turned Sharon into a dog person.” Katie Nyberg.</p><p class="">For the record, I was always pro dog. I love dogs, I love my friend’s dogs. I just never saw myself as having the sort of life where I could live/commit to a dog. I never wanted to live with a dog, until I met a government dog. </p><p class="">When I blew up my life to move to Alaska to work for Denali National Park and Preserve, I signed up to be a volunteer dog walker for one of their sled dogs. If I was moving to a new state and new park, then I was going all in on the experience. As I was being trained in at the Denali Kennels, the young ranger asked if I wanted to walk a particular dog, the kennels had 30 at the time. I said, “I’m a middle-aged short lady, who would you recommend?”</p><p class="">He said, “I’ll assign you Party, she’s our smallest dog.”</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="1440x1800" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=1000w" width="1440" height="1800" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/15523cad-2430-45ab-9c67-ac80016eab8c/IMG_9246.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Party on the right with the much larger Gus on the left. (NPS Photo).</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">Denali names their litters after a theme. Party and her siblings were born in July of 2016, the year of the National Park Service centennial so all the pups got a birthday themed name: Party, Pinata, Cupcake, and Happy. She was their smallest dog, but she was one of their smartest. She was well loved by all for sassiness and little dances she did. Her first winter training on the sleds, staff grabbed a great picture of her sitting on the sled and staring at the musher, it even made it into the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/park-ranger-needs-furry-friends-to-help-get-around-the-alaskan-wilds/2018/02/16/5323ca6c-0b62-11e8-95a5-c396801049ef_story.html">Washington Post</a>. All the dogs had their own harnesses for walking and they were labeled since they were custom to the dog’s size. One day while attaching her harness, I noted her true name she had with kennels staff: Party Pants.</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="3024x4032" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=1000w" width="3024" height="4032" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/1d29ab0d-716b-4d10-85e8-ec04ac2d63fa/Party+Pants.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Her true name.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="2320x3088" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=1000w" width="2320" height="3088" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/955c0883-99d0-4b4a-8fc4-43a233c609fb/Party+%282%29.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Our first selfie after our first walk was very awkward. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">Our first few walks were very…professional. She didn’t play with me and stuck to the buisness at hand of sniffiing, pooping, and peeing on our walks. I tried to play with her when we would get back but she would sit on top of her dog house and look as though she was tolerating my presence. Until one evening when I showed up with a tiny morsel of rotisserie chicken in my pocket. After that, we were besties. </p> <p class="">One day I heard a warbler on our walk and tried to “pish” at it. She immediately stopped walking and turned to face me. I pished again and she thought it was a weird game and jumped up and pushed me. She eventually learned to sit when I would stop to look at a bird and even became quite adept at pointing out spruce grouse hidden along the Park Road. One of my favorite moments was taking in the sounds of Swainson’s thrushes on our walks in May.</p> <p class="">Party and I got along so well, that the evening walks were my favorite time of the day. As soon as I would enter the dog yard, Party would come out of her dog house, running in circles, boisterously bark with excitement for our evening routine. I felt like an amazing rock star every time I walked into the dog yard. My absolute favorite thing that she did when she saw me was turn around, aim her butt at me, and wag her tail while turning her head. I got some video of it one day while I got momentarily distracted by a woodpecker in the dog yard. </p> <p class="">Party and I took in the gorgeous landscapes May through September. Often rainbows would appear in the evenings on our walks. I’d tell her about my day. I’d tell my concerns and complaints. I’d ask for advice. She walked and sniffed. In September she would disappear for training and sometimes weeks long sortis pulling sleds in the Alaskan wilderness. </p><p class="">It was fun to watch the kennels staff come through the neighborhoods to train the dogs and get them ready for the season. If we didn’t have enough snow, they’d pull staff on carts with wheels to build up their endurance. One day I was checking my PO Box at the Denali post office and I heard the familiar barking of the dogs nearby. I headed over to the Riley Creek trail and saw the dog truck and some of the dogs tied up waiting their turn for training. One dog in particular got incredibly vocal and was “roooooing” for my attention. And then I saw the small dog turning round and round, jumping, and wagging her tail directly at me. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="3024x4032" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=1000w" width="3024" height="4032" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/ae5be09b-17da-46e0-b3c0-d2dc4991c61a/IMG_4429.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">“I can’t wait to pull a sleeeeeeeeeeeeed!”</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">These dogs LOVE pulling sleds. They bark and howl with as the equipment gets set up. One morning in winter I went to say goodbye to Party before she would leave for three weeks and she was so excited, she could barely contain herself at the sight of the sled being set up. <br><br>As Party and I got closer, friends suggested that I apply to adopt her. Anyone can apply to adopt one of the Denali sled dogs when they retire. Preference is given to people who have a relationship with the dog. Could I adopt her? Should I adopt her? When I took a job with the Forest Service that would move me back down to Minnesota, I was weepy in the kennel manager’s office. </p><p class="">“Sharon, Minnesota is a fine place for Party to retire to,” David Tomeo assured me. </p><p class="">“Yeah, but if it’s better that she join someone’s private sled dog team up here, I’ll understand,” I said.</p><p class="">“She will be nine years old, she won’t have the same energy, she’ll be ready to be a pet when she retires,” he assured me. </p><p class="">So I applied to adopt her and picked my Minnesota home based on its dog friendly building rules, private dog park, and ample trails for both bike riding and dog walking and hoped for the best. I settled into my new Forest Service job and life. Then changes in government happened and I learned that my job would be going away sometime in the future and I should figure out my exit strategy. The same day I learned this, I got a call from Tomeo at the kennels informing me that Party was retiring and I could take her.</p><p class="">I went through so many emotions not unlike <a href="https://tenor.com/view/anchorman-emotion-glass-case-of-emotion-gif-20673921">Ron Burgundy in a phone booth. </a></p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="1200x1600" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=1000w" width="1200" height="1600" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/448d1972-2c80-4bf7-bf39-b2e37389473e/e8a6cdb9-35cb-4655-b3b1-4a9ce9362301.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">Party’s arrival at the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">I had friends come with me to the airport the day Party arrived. My friend Gayle documented the reunion, including my ugly crying at the site of her crate. I was terrified she wouldn’t remember me. When I poked me finger in her crate and said, “Party” she gingerly licked my finger. She seemed to recognize me but she also desperately wanted out. We got her out of the crate and chance to pee and stretch her legs, we walked to the valet to wait for my friend Josh’s jeep that would take her to my place. While waiting, I pished a little like I would at a bird. She immediately turned around and pushed me and then gave me doggie kisses. She did remember me!</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="4284x5712" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=1000w" width="4284" height="5712" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/d7006a31-62de-4c1f-b1b5-6cf4020f7244/IMG_6215.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p data-rte-preserve-empty="true">BOOP</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">And now we settle into a new life. There’s lots of adjustment ahead like getting her to trust ceiling fans and feeling safe through thunder. But she thinks beds are the coolest and has made many new friends in our private dog park. With some time, she might even start to play with dog toys. However she wants it, I look forward to spoiling her in her retirement from federal service. </p><p class="">So, lost a government job, but gained a government dog. Good trade. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="2316x3088" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=1000w" width="2316" height="3088" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/cc2efb4e-0f36-412e-a40f-5d44e2928943/IMG_6280.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure>
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-1 MIN
Red-bellied Woodpeckers used to be called "Chad"
JAN 31, 2025
Red-bellied Woodpeckers used to be called "Chad"
<p class="">I have a robust collection of bird books and some that are over a century old. I was recently looking over B<em>irds of America</em> originally published in 1917 but I think my copy is from the 1930s. I was just doijng some casual browsing about woodpeckers and came across the section of other names for red-bellied woodpecker:</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2702x2638" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=1000w" width="2702" height="2638" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6aaef5fe-e519-4933-97c8-4d029ea9f735/red-bellied+woodpecker+male.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p class="">Male red-bellied woodpecker.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">Zebra Bird (looking at their backs, makes sense)<br>Zebra-back (ok)<br>Chad (Wait…what?)<br>Shamshack (OK, now you’re just making this up)<br>Ramshack (What next, Abendego?)<br><br>OK, the “zebra bird” and “zebra-back” are actually better names than red-bellied woodpecker. But I was curious about “chad.”</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2826x2049" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=1000w" width="2826" height="2049" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/0f38c3c7-0a22-4c58-890c-353066ddaacf/red-bellied+woodpecker+and+robins.jpg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p class="">A chad coming in for a drink while a couple of robins wrestle in the bath. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class=""><strong>According to the book, “Chad is also a common appellation in some of the middle western States.” And it goes on later to say, “…upon alighting often gives voice to the harsh, brassy, cry of <em>chad, chad</em>, from one of its local names has been acquired.”</strong> That actually makes sense. In my brain I hear red-bellies as saying, <a href="https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/230037631"><em>chew chew</em> </a>when they give their call, so chad isn’t too far of a stretch…but shamshack and ramshack? I did some mild googling and found another great name, <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/columnists/marcia-davis/2016/09/24/marcia-davis-redbellied-woodpeckers-name-illogical-creates-confusion/91115544/">jamjack</a>! The article says that it is also derived from some of the calls that I might call chew chew. So, I guess I will forever be noting chads out my window shouting “shamshack!”</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG" data-image-dimensions="3264x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=1000w" width="3264" height="2448" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/7a6af77a-6ca5-4a06-b2a8-ad5c2a98726e/Red-bellied+Woodpecker+Tongue.JPG?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p class="">Female red-bellied woodpecker tongue. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">Incidentally, as I was doing all this deep diving on the red-bellied woodpecker tonight, I noted that All About Birds says, “Males have longer, wider-tipped tongues than females, possibly allowing a breeding pair to forage in slightly different places on their territory and maximize their use of available food.”<br><br>Yes, every woman is thinking about “foraging potential” when they read about a longer, wider-tipped tongue…</p>
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-1 MIN
Hummingbirds in Late Summer
AUG 23, 2024
Hummingbirds in Late Summer
<p class=""><br></p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="2583x2348" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=1000w" width="2583" height="2348" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/6fec082a-db9f-470f-b71d-abbbcea9d7c5/IMG_2218.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Hummingbird coming in for nectar as I put this post together.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">It has been a crazy ruby-throated hummingbird summer for me. And I’m grateful. Even as I type this on a Thursday evening in August on my deck, a ruby-throated hummingbird is hovering close to my nectar feeder while trying to decide if I’m a threat.</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="4032x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=1000w" width="4032" height="3024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/00def0d6-3ef1-4668-a9ec-e58171e6eee1/IMG_1901.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Ruby-throated hummingbird nest digiscoped with my phone and spotting scope. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">I was walking around Westwood Hills at the end of July and watched a hummingbird gleaning insects around a water feature. I watched her fly up to a thin branch right over the trail to what looked like a small notch on the tree. I got her in my binoculars, and sure enough she was on a nest. I uploaded a video on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9-JRs9xbHn/?hl=en">Instagram</a> that gives a better perspective of where the nest was. </p><p class="">Two weeks later I came back and sure enough there were two chicks sticking their little heads out. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="3024x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=1000w" width="3024" height="3024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/4d9a8949-f051-4d10-8b0d-ae20a16be62e/IMG_3268.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Baby hummingbirds! If you want to see some baby hummingbird tongue, check out the video on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-lzpzSxgOB/?hl=en">Instagram</a>. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">When I knew I was moving back to Minnesota, I checked an apartment complex that was on my old birding patch. I used to pass this place all the time while birding and thought the grounds right on a wetland with a water feature and Joe-Pye-weed looked ideal. When I mentioned it to my husband at the time, he didn’t like the zip code, “That’s St. Louis Park, I have to have a Minneapolis zip code.” We all have our quirks. </p><p class="">But when I was cruising the website while in Alaska looking for a new place to live, I noticed that they named all of their floor plans after birds. Welp. I guess this is fate? When I did the actual in-person inspection, the woman showing me around said, “I’m going to start by showing you the Starling.”</p><p class="">I said jokingly, “I’m not sure I can live in an invasive species.”</p><p class="">“Then I’ll show your the Loon,” she said. </p><p class="">How could I not fall in love with this place? I live in the Morning Dove floor plan—which cracks me up because it’s one of the larger units and the Osprey is a one bedroom. And if you’ve ever seen a <a href="https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/weird-nesting-location-for-mourning-doves/43958">mourning dove nest</a>…it’s in no way shape or form a two bedroom. </p><p class="">But I also noticed on the tour that a lot of people had bird feeders—especially hummingbird feeders. Having worked in a bird store, I know how many people do not keep fresh nectar in their feeders and they kind of become a decroative thing that hummingbirds visit for a second and move one. </p><p class="">After I moved in, I put up a seed feeder and didn’t bother with nectar. In Minnesota, hummingbirds pass through the Twin Cities metro area in May and nest out of urban areas and show up like mad in August. May 2 I was on my deck. A female hummingbird flew to my deck, she hovered around the seed feeder, then hovered in front of my face, and then flew away. </p><p class="">“Oh hell,” I thought, “did my previous neighbor have a feeder and was she back from migration expecting the same from me?” The next day on my deck…the same thing happenedd. I’m not a fan of hummingbird feeders because you have to really keep them clean to get the hummers, I prefer flowers, but I also wasn’t in the right state of mind to maintain a proper hummingbird container garden. </p><p class="">But a bought a pair of hummingbird feeders so I could set up an easy rotation system of putting out a feeder and having a clean one at the ready to quickly refill and put out when the current one had the nectar go bad…about two and a half days based on sun angles. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="3162x2371" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=1000w" width="3162" height="2371" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/07419900-fad6-4aa6-86f0-7019f0ab9071/IMG_3072+%281%29.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Hummingbird perched on a branch just off of my deck. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">She checked it out and sipped demurely. </p><p class="">Then one day with my home office window open I heard a familiar clicking sound. I went to my deck and instantly found the male ruby-throated hummingbird doing his "U” shaped dive back and forth in the tree in front of me. Wow, displaying and nesting right off my deck. I guess it pays birding-wise to have a zip code just outside of Minneapolis.</p><p class="">Now she and her offspring visit my feeder and periodically engage in some fun aerial jousting and I will keep my hummingbird feeder rotation going until the ruby-throats move on sometime in October. </p><p class="">In many ways I feel like I’ve had a “basic bitch” birding summer. I haven’t chased rarities, but just delighted in the common Minnesota birds I missed so much while I was in Alaska. And I’m grateful for the hot hummingbird action I’ve had at home and at Westwood.</p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" class=""></p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" class=""></p>
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-1 MIN
Fall Migration Is On
AUG 17, 2024
Fall Migration Is On
<p class="">I really missed fall migration while living in Alaska. Yes Alaska has fall migration, but it was all too brief. In Minnesota migration lasts months with shorebirds popping up as early as late July. But really it starts in August and depending on when lakes and rivers freeze it can least into early December. </p><p class="">While birding at Westwood Hills this week with my friend Kara, we watched dozens of <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/overview">common nighthawks </a>fly over at about 5 pm, feeding and beginning the journey south. Yesterday, while working, I noticed a warbler flitting in the tree and got my binoculars on it. It was a young, hatched this summer <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tennessee_Warbler/overview">Tennessee Warbler</a>. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="4032x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=1000w" width="4032" height="3024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/8b4185e8-0e9f-456b-ba73-21a3c94fd92b/IMG_9483.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>The view from the Rock Creek Trail inside Denali National Park and Preserve. I could walk out my front door and hike this regularly.</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">I knew I was in trouble in Alaska my first fall. The park starts to shut down mid September and if you live there, you practically have it to yourself. I decided I was going to hike a trail out my front door called the Rock Trail daily until the weather stopped me. I have seen many autumns, but none as spectacular as in Central Alaska. And after a few days of this plan, I realized I was bored on the hike and I couldn’t figure out why. What was wrong with me that I thought that view above was boring? And then I realized what was happening, I wasn’t hearing anything. No birds, no crickets, no katydids, nothing. Dead silence , and then I realized all the birds had left. There were a few cranes and swans flying over still. But the waves of warblers, waterfowl, sparrows, that I’d come to expect over many months in Minnesota they had all left already. Of course, I knew from reading books and articles that breeding seasons were fast and furious in the Arctic. I was living in the Sub Arctic…less than 330 miles south of the Arctic Circle. I realized that it was going to be months of silence…It was late September, I wouldn’t really hear birds again until late April…over six months away. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="4032x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=1000w" width="4032" height="3024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/f7b130b7-686b-40b2-aa77-d275cd78bb45/IMG_8593.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Boreal Chickadee</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">That’s not to say there were no birds. Boreal chickadees, magpies, and Canada jays were around. The first winter didn’t have much of a tree crop so I didn’t really see any crossbills or redpolls. I wasn’t allowed to have a bird feeder where I lived because park rules and grizzly bears so I could easily go days without seeing a bird. </p> <p class="">On Saturdays in winter, I’d drive the sixteen miles to Healy to visit the grocery/hardware store/gun store/convenience store/liquor store known as Three Bears to watch the parking lot ravens as a form of desperation birding. Often, I’d buy a bag of walnuts to toss out to them. </p><p class="">My first Christmas Bird Count only had three species. The second one had more thanks to it being an irruptive year for finches and grosbeaks. Side note: the upside to a CBC in Alaska is that there is so little daylight, you count starts around 10 am and only lasts about four hours. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="3024x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=1000w" width="3024" height="3024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53b038a9e4b044d9476ee0e3/fc0f08f1-1ee7-4c93-a152-ddcf164ca792/F78CD386-5D02-42A1-A6BA-F4B347C9814F.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper"> <p>Wood thrush coming in for a bathe. </p> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="">So looking at the calendar and realizing fall migration is on, I’m going to take it all in and enjoy it for as long as possible. Warblers are already moving through in Minnesota, and it won’t be long until we see even more nighthawks overhead, and wood thrushes (like on above) will be passing through our yards. We still three more months ahead at least and I intend to savor it. </p>
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-1 MIN