Staying in as much as we have lately, the birds were at least coming by for a visit. Now that fall has arrived, we were expecting the birds to return. BUT!
The trees beyond those houses are the beginning of the forest.
The feeders are filled, yet the birds are not returning. Could it be because they are destroying a huge area of trees right here by us???
Here is a picture, from the weather radar zoomed in on this area. It is a satellite view. The bare spot at the top is where the new houses were put in last year. (Of course, the view is the newest that they have released.)
The dark spot in front is a huge forest. When I have shown photos of the birds, those trees have been visible over the houses. That strip of trees is about all that is left of all of those woods. They are clearing it all out for another housing addition. I am expecting any day for those trees to disappear. When they do, I’ll update and show a photo with the trees gone.
The yellow outlines the area that has already been cleared. When that little section is cleared, who knows if many birds will come back this winter. With our area being new, there are few trees that have been planted, and the ones that have been, are only a few feet tall.
Yet! There is always hope for the strange finds now and then. We were visited by a new bird about a week ago. One we have not seen that often. First time we saw one was in Louisiana years ago.
What a surprise!! This Shrike is a first for our yard, and a first in a long time since we spotted the last one.
Stay tuned to see what might show up this winter. I am hoping that we have as many as last winter, but we shall see. Thankfully, we still have the water birds walking by now and then. Oh! Another gator has shown up and ate a Muscovy Duck recently. But that is another post.
Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy Before the LORD, for He is coming; For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalms 96:12-13) [Unfortunately, these trees will not be in that chorus
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
About 20 years ago Sherry & I moved to where we now live in Denton County (Texas), when there were then more trees that houses or apartment building. But now the reverse is true — and you guessed how that deforestation has changed birdwatching opportunities. But we still have a bunch of Mourning Doves and a roadrunner or 2 (who patrol our home lawns for snakes, thankfully!), plus a few passerines like cardinals,, blue jays, mockingbirds, and the occasional bluebird. Too bad land developers don’t respect the deforestation prohibition of Deuteronomy 20:19-20.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. You reminded me of what I wonder about. I wonder where those snakes and critters will go? We don’t have roadrunners to catch them should they crawl this way. Though, the gator is patrolling the strip of water behind us, in case they are swimmers. :)
LikeLike
Sad Lee that the developers are destroying your forests, they are doing this here and causing the conservationists much grief as they take the Government to court, as they are taking Koala habitat as well as endangered bird habitat. Sad that you don’t see many birds because of this. Sadly once it is gone it is gone for good. The photos you have posted of the Loggerhead a great, as this is an interesting bird we never see. Though the Gator presence sure makes life a little more interesting there also. :-)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know we need houses to live in, but it would be nice if they could at least leave a few strips of trees in between here and there. He stayed for about 20 min. or so, and has not returned. May have been migrating through and needed to rest. Glad he picked our hook to land on.
LikeLiked by 1 person