FOS: First of Season
Shared by Heather Gallagher
Naturalist
heather.gallagher@nashville.gov
Although birders might use this term often, FOS can refer to any natural occurrence. Maybe it's that first Yellow Lady's Slipper you saw at Beaman Park in late April, or the first Yellow Buckeyes you saw on your favorite tree in September. Naturalists record these things annually, looking for patterns in timing, temperature and rain.
But back to the birds.
This morning, I observed a female purple finch in my yard--my FOS, or first of season. She didn't display the bright raspberry head of the male, but she was a welcome, beautiful sight nonetheless.
Female purple finch by Deb Beazley. Note white eye stripe and lack of raspberry color.
Male purple finch by Deb Beazley. His head appears to have been dipped in raspberry jam!
I've had a few other FOSs recently. A red-breasted nuthatch graced our yard two weeks ago; it was the first I'd ever observed in my yard! I have been following the Tennessee Birding Facebook page, so I really wasn't surprised at the sight, as others have been reported across the state since the beginning of October. These little guys are about the same size as a chickadee, and they have a black eyestripe in contrast to the white-breasted nuthatch's white face.
Red-breasted nuthatch by Charlie Curry
If you didn't notice, the white-breasted nuthatch is the "Nature Center bird", our mascot. And they are experiencing an interesting year as well! Are you seeing more nuthatches at your feeders? Check out this article in Audubon.
White-breasted nuthatch by Charlie Curry. Note that he/she is banded!
Some birds I count on returning every year from the northern US and Canada. White-throated sparrows and juncos are two of these, and usually I hear those sparrows before I see them scratching on the ground.
White-throated sparrow with safflower seed.
Probably the most interesting bird that we keep tabs on both at the Nature Center and at home are ruby-throated hummingbirds. Check out my guide page:
According to my guide, my first observation of a ruby-throat was in Beartree, Virginia, in June 1999!
Journaling doesn't have to look all neat and tidy. Use an extra calendar or a field guide. Write down your FOS, make drawings of what you see or merely check off your birds. When do you see your first ruby-throat? What other interesting birds have you observed in your yard? Have you added any special features such as different seed, suet or a bird bath?
Participate in citizen science programs like Project FeederWatch, or just keep your calendar for yourself. You'll be amazed at what is happening in your yard!
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