Eclipse Day! I was amazed at all the bird activity in the garden at 9 a.m. this morning - singing, calling, chasing, feeding - in all garden habitats. Very "birdy." With the temperature at 59 degrees and a heavy cloud of fog overhead, I expected a quiet start, even quieter during the eclipse, which I came to observe. Instead, bluebirds were sallying out over the lawn below the sierra granite bed and poking around in the grass, next to robins both mature and speckled immature. The Black Phoebe was noisy as it picked insects out of the air. Dark-eyed Juncos were the most prevalent including immature following their parents, both in the Sierra and along the Freeway below the Island Section. Both mature and immature Spotted Towhees were noisily foraging and calling. A Red-tailed Hawk cruised low over the garden, possibly seeking one of the voles we've been observing recently. Nine other species were present including Wilson's Warbler, Song Sparrows, Nuttall's woodpecker but only one Anna's hummingbird, vocalizing.
I could find no pollinators, and none of the poppies were open, so most of my observations were focused on the garden birds.
As darkness fell towards totality (76% here), the birds fell silent except for one adult Spotted Towhee who at last was quiet. A chill set in. But as soon as the light started to return, within six minutes, all the birds became active, flying and vocalizing. Yet after half an hour, it was overall much quieter than when I had arrived. Curious!
Did anyone else have an observation of bird behavior through the eclipse?
Lovely description. Thank you so much for posting!
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