The COVID-19 virus has changed the way we go about our daily routines with the people we love, know and work with.   We hope you are staying safe.

The Garden remains constant, which helps us stay constant in our love for it and our hopes for the future. 

The birds are a joy!  Among them are:

Dark-eyed Junco                                      Downy Woodpecker  

Goldfinch                                                  Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow                         Northern Mockingbird

Cardinals                                                  White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren                                          Eastern Bluebird

Mourning Dove                                         White-throated Sparrow

Carolina Chickadee                                  House Finch

Blue Jay                                                      Hawks and Eagles.

Tufted Titmouse 

Robin 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Although the summer solstice will not occur until the third week in June, the season is actually well under way by the first of the month.  The migrants have completed their movement across Virginia and evidence of breeding activity is everywhere.  Bluebirds, chickadees, Carolina wrens, and titmice may well be working on their second broods by early June.

For those who enjoy feeding birds, summer can be a particularly entertaininng season.  Woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, and cardinals bring recently fledged young to the feeders, where the adults teach them to open seeds.  It is easy to become anthropomorphic, observing that some youngsters seem to "catch on" to the task right away, whereas, there is always at least one baby that simply sits around and squawks, waiting for a parent to do something.

This is also the time of year that cardinals, mockingbirds, and robins may begin a serious battle with their reflections in windows and patio doors.  Covering the window with paper will help to reduce the reflections and, hopefully, the battle.

As you continue to enjoy your garden this season, please take a moment to watch this video about neonicotinoids. 

"One seed coated with neonicotinoid pesticides is enough to kill a songbird like Blue Grossbeak.  Avoiding these and other pesticides in your home and garden can make a difference."      https://abcbirds.org/neonics

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanBirdConserve/videos/391859614988157/

https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/explore/regions/southeast/virginia/virginia-birding-season-summer.php

"d riaaon which the Summeer blushing farewell, at my feet we

—Albert Laighton, “In the Woods”d myriad leaves, on wmer wrotr blushing fa, at my feet were strown."

—Albert Laighton, “In hich hing farewell, at my feet were strown."

—Albert Laighton, “In the Woods”