Song Sparrow | the Intown Hawk

Again our monthly journal is mostly about birds. In addition to these colorful visitors, we saw many Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Red-tailed Hawks in January. The weather continues to be unseasonably warm, and we are seeing territorial disputes already beginning; particularly Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Nuthatches and American Robins. And we are on the lookout for early hummingbird arrivals.

White-throated Sparrow – Zonotrichia albicollis Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA – January 3, 2016

White-breasted Nuthatch – Sitta carolinensis Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 30, 2016

Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA – January, 2016

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Regulus calendula Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA – January, 2016

Pine Warbler – Setophaga pinus Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA – January, 2016

Eastern Towhee – Pipilo erythrophthalmus Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 30, 2016

Eastern Phoebe – Sayornis phoebe Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 30, 2016

Eastern Bluebird – Sialia sialis Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 16, 2016

Downy Woodpecker – Picoides pubescens Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 30, 2016

Dark-eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis Peachtree Park, Atlanta, GA – January 3, 2016

Cedar Waxwing – Bombycilla cedrorum Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 16, 2016

Brown-headed Nuthatch – Sitta pusilla Peachtree Park, Atlanta GA – January 30, 2016

American Robin

Especially if you are foraging for food, Like the Song Sparrow below in the native grass.

Song Sparrow on native grass

Native grass

Native grass seedhead

We plant for color and to attract pollinators in the spring, summer and fall. But when winter comes and the garden turns brown, leaving plants with seed heads will provide much needed food for all manner of wildlife – especially birds.

Like this row of river oats beside the path.