A large black walnut tree in our neighbor's yard catches the morning sun and, during the colder months, attracts squirrels and a good variety of songbirds as they attempt to warm up before a day of foraging. Clearly visible from our back deck, it offers a convenient survey of our wild neighbors.
On this bright, chilly morning, I observed only ten avian species during a fifty minute vigil but twice that number are encountered on some mornings. The barren limbs offer unobstructed views and the birds, enjoying the solar heat after a cold night, are often relatively still. Indeed, such a scenario is recommended for beginning birders as they struggle to identify new winter residents and visitors.
While most birders and naturalists enjoy tramping through fields, forests and wetlands in pursuit of their quarry, we sometimes see more species in a shorter period of time in our own backyard. Having a nearby basking tree augments that experience.
