Tag Archives: eat insects

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Western Bluebirds nest in cavities so putting up the perfect size birdhouse might lure a pair to nest nearby your home. They are found near the bluffs here on the Coast. Susan and Jim Grenwelge have had Bluebirds coming to this beautiful birdhouse for several years.

Western Bluebird pair by Susan Grenwelge

Small birds, a Western Bluebird weighs only about an ounce. They are charming to see. Bluebirds mostly eat insects, though they will eat fruit and seeds, along with insects in the wintertime. To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/western_bluebird/sounds

Thanks to Susan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Fox Sparrows are large sparrows, seven inches long. They can be seen on the Mendonoma Coast this time of year as they migrate to our area from points north. Bryant Hichwa photographed one recently.

Fox Sparrows eat mostly insects and have a distinctive "double scratch" motion. They hop forward and then back, dragging their feet through the leaf litter while they search for a tasty bug.

To hear their beautiful whistling song, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/fox_sparrow/sounds

Thanks to Bryant for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Ron LeValley photographed a pair of Water Striders mating on a pond. Look closely at the surface tension of the water - trees are reflected.

Water Striders are bugs that can literally walk on water. They eat insects on the surface of the water.

Beauty surrounds us if we but pause to notice. Lucky for us that Ron has allowed me to share his photo here. To see much more of  Ron's photography, here is his website: http://www.levalleyphoto.com/home/