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The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Summer 2020
Pacific Northwest
Open water for drinking and bathing is in short supply during summer once our usual seasonal drought sets in. No mud puddles at all. No ponds or wetlands within a mile of my house. Birdbaths become extremely popular in summer. Those with moving water even more so. I set up a fountain of sorts last year with materials I had around plus a pump I bought to circulate water. The big pot sprung a leak over the winter so we lined the bottom with a layer of epoxy and set it up again in spring. I’ve been playing around with the configuration of rocks and things for birds to perch on — that’s a work in progress. Last summer I planted some evergreen shrubs around it which I hope will fill out, making it more convenient to the birds.
Fountain area
The birdbaths give me a great way to observe the phenology of nesting and migration too. Most common visitors in July included Purple finches, Red crossbills, Black headed grosbeaks, Goldfinches, Red breasted nuthatches, Juncos, Spotted Towhees, Robins, Pine siskins, Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds. Once a Hermit thrush came by. Many of the visitors were the fledglings of the season. Last summer I saw warblers and they may have visited this year too, but I haven’t spent a lot of time out there close by watching.
Here are two days this summer with selected birdies.
July 15:
Hermit thrush
Female crossbill, a goldfinch and juv Purple finch
Juvenile junco
bathing
🦋
By now, in mid August, bird populations are changing. The crossbills are gone, and almost all the goldfinches, both of which were very abundant this year. Rufous hummers have departed.
August 13:
Pine siskins
En route
Red breasted
I watched a Robin and a Siskin share a bath that day. They sized each other up, and the siskin gave the Robin all the space he wanted, but there was enough room for both.
A short video of the bath:
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🐝
Cloudy and sprinkly today in the PNW. Blustery but warm, currently 60°. Not quite a tenth of an inch of rain since yesterday morning.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
🌼
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