The first birds of the day were a Downy and Sapsucker feeding on the side-by-side suet cakes. Later on a handsome Hairy showed up. He dropped a piece of suet, went down the tree backwards and when he reached the bottom swiveled his head back to pick up the suet. Then he went back up to the suet cake. Such a cute maneuver.
Looking out the top of the patio door I noticed a gray banded tail. Turned out to be a Sharpie checking out the birds. He was no more than 6 ft from the door so I really got a great look at his size. I'm always surprised how seldom I get Sharpies or Coopers considering the crazy bird activity around all the feeders.
It is so interesting to see the birds come in waves some days. Six Flickers at the same time and around ten male Cardinals. At least three different Pileateds coming for suet daily. The Starlings that were a nuisance for a while seem to have left. Just had a small flock of Cedar Waxwings at the birdbath. That was a nice surprise!
Yesterday a male Cardinal struck the glass door, a very rare occurrence. He was on the grass, not moving. Thought for sure he'd broken his neck. I didn't have a box so I just used a loaf pan and lined it with a piece of polar fleece fabric to keep him warm. Checked on him a few times and after 20 minutes or so he'd recovered and was gone. A good outcome.
Several years ago I'd leaned my used Christmas tree into a corner spot along the house for extra protection/roosting spot for the birds. When I finally decided to discard it I found that a Carolina Wren had made a nest in it. I put this years everlasting Fraser fir in the same place. Let's see if history will repeat itself.
Last week I discovered a Red-shouldered hawk nest in a neighbor's yard. Not sure if it is complete but I have seen the hawk pair on or near it. It is visible from my driveway while the trees are bare and I also see it when I walk my dog in the morning from the other side.
A Facebook page that deals with Bluebirds is showing nest boxes with two entry holes, side by side and is bigger. Supposedly it gives the nestlings more room and the second hole allows the Bluebird to escape should a House Sparrow enter. That may be so but the nestlings would still be victims of the intruder. I've had success eliminating any HOSP that show up early in the season with the Van Ert trap. I can't see the advantage of this new style box. Have any of you used it?
Bruni HaydlJefferson Co.
