Birds by the numbers

Although we did not participate in a formal Summer Bird Survey, I thought I'd try to group the West Campus birds this week by the numbers. These are mental notes on observation frequency - no actual paper tallies, hence the broad ranges, with repetition, yes - a flawed system.

 Common chicory, Cichorium intybus - link to Wikipedia page - such a summer color.  My camera has trouble with some purples, but caught this blue pretty well.  I have tried valiantly to identify the insects.  They are not bees, but hover flies, of the family Syrphidae (sometimes called flower flies).  Maybe genus Eristalis.  Any entomologists out there? Start looking at insects, and you realize we birders have it really easy.

Here we go... bird list for the week of July 2-6, 2012:
40 +:
American Robin
20-40:
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
10-20:
Mourning Dove
Song Sparrow
European Starling
5-10:
Gray Catbird
House Wren
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rock Pigeon
Northern Cardinal
3-5:
Barn Swallow
Chipping Sparrow
Herring Gull
Blue Jay
Northern Flicker
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Yellow Warbler
Common Grackle
American Crow
2-3:
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Mockingbird
Wood Thrush
Wild Turkey
Only one individual observed:
Willow Flycatcher
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Great Egret
Black-capped Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker

Thirty two species for the week - really pretty good for mid-summer.

Rubus phoenicolasius - (name links to Wikipedia) - a non-native species, Japanese Wineberry is related to our wild raspberries and blackberries and is equally edible.  Speaking of which, looks like there will be a decent crop of blackberries this summer.  Berry pie anyone?