![Pileated Woodpecker june92020 1800ab BINNS 1D2A6498 copy copy Pileated Woodpecker june92020 1800ab BINNS 1D2A6498 copy copy](https://mlidtupnuhh2.i.optimole.com/cb:CW8P.34791/w:1800/h:1199/q:90/ig:avif/https://wildsidenaturetours.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pileated-Woodpecker-june92020-1800ab-BINNS-1D2A6498-copy-copy.jpg)
IN THE BACKYARD: Philadelphia early-June
Jun 15, 2020 | by Adrian Binns
June is the month for breeding bird activity, and my backyard hosts a number of expected species. However, the first day of the month I recorded a singing male Blackburnian Warbler, one of the last migrants to move through the region. A lone Red-eyed Vireo sang a few days, but perhaps failed to attract a mate and hasn’t been heard since.
As the breeding season progresses, I enjoy watching multiple Gray Catbirds dart through the yard picking up insects. We just discovered an active catbird nest in the shrub next to the house! I occasionally see and hear Great Crested Flycatchers and Eastern Kingbirds; these likely are nesting in the neighborhood. I saw a pair of Cooper’s Hawks displaying early in the month, and a pair of Chimney Swifts displays frequently overhead.
![](https://mlidtupnuhh2.i.optimole.com/cb:CW8P.34791/w:auto/h:auto/q:eco/ig:avif/id:29b901eaf7373bf13983a4b01d511e06/https://wildsidenaturetours.com/American-Crow-flt-600-ab-BINNS-1D2A6631-copy.jpg)
American Crow
American Crows start quite early, and their offspring have already fledged from their nest high in our pine tree. Family bonds are strong, and the young crows make a lot of noise, sounding very similar to Fish Crows.
![](https://mlidtupnuhh2.i.optimole.com/cb:CW8P.34791/w:auto/h:auto/q:eco/ig:avif/id:2a7bd7dedf8ff41355ac3e2e48da8e8f/https://wildsidenaturetours.com/Eastern-Bluebird-m-600-ab-BINNS-1D2A6676-copy.jpg)
Eastern Bluebird
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, it’s been years since I was home to enjoy spring and summer in my own backyard. It’s been fun to watch and photograph my garden birds this season. A big surprise was the addition of two new species to my yard list, which now totals 119: Eastern Bluebird and Pileated Woodpecker! Both were heard and seen in the adjacent cemetery, before they briefly appeared in my yard, at the edge of two contrasting habitats.
![](https://mlidtupnuhh2.i.optimole.com/cb:CW8P.34791/w:auto/h:auto/q:eco/ig:avif/id:9848fae52837bcc7071bacd235bf315e/https://wildsidenaturetours.com/Pileated-Woodpecker-flt-june92020-600x250-ab-BINNS-1D2A6456-copy-2.jpg)
Pileated Woodpecker
The rest of the month may unfold quietly, providing good opportunity to photograph common yard birds, and watch butterflies nectaring on flowers.
update June 1-14