The Big Yard: Birdwatching in a Time of Quarantine

Or: The Evolution of a Pajama Lister

Yard bird #85, a less-than Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the suet feeder.

Day 232 of the Quarantine (November 1, 2020)

            November and still no rain.  The well has stopped pumping altogether and I’ve ordered a third truck of water to fill the tanks.  Tim from Maddux & Son’s knows the routine—4000 gallons of non-potable.  Two tanks.  $190.  (Billed by the hour not the amount.)  At least the Covid fountain still holds water and calls the birds, most recently an American robin and a flock of 13 western bluebirds.  Downright patriotic being a few days before the election.

            For the past few days, a rose-breasted grosbeak has joined the black-headed and blue grosbeaks to leverage sunflower seeds from the hanging block.  The bird is uncommon this time of year in Arizona, with very low numbers, one more reason my yard has become a feature on the Rare Bird Report.  Rose-breasted grosbeak.  A name and a description in one.  Except this one, being an immature male, is more of a buffy-breasted punybeak.

A rare visitor to southeast Arizona, this is a mature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the same suet feeder a few years ago.

            This morning I sit in front of the fountain in my PJs watching birds, mostly juncos and thrushes, as the species count diminishes with the change of seasons.  The sun crests the eastern Mules and blasts my cheeks.  I adjust my seat and park my feet on the mesquite bench before me and a small hognose skunk trundles beneath my chair and between my legs heading for the fountain.  I watch with unbelieving eyes.  It’s morning.  Skunks are nocturnal.  Is it thumbing its fat, stubby, oversized nose at me?  Twenty-two skunks.  Twenty-two trips down the mountain with a plume of stink trailing behind me.  Twenty-two happy relocations—at least on my part.  And this guy has the audacity to show its face in my presence in daylight.

            I wear a new euphemism for getting skunked. Hope it washes out.

A Hog-nosed Skunk on its way to a new home after eviction from under the house.

Yard bird #131, the American Robin is a year-round resident in southern Arizona but fairly rare (4-5 sightings per year) in my yard.

Yard bird #132, the Western Bluebird is a common visitor during the winter months.

Usually seen in small flocks, Western Bluebirds visit the Covid fountain.

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