Given the expected snow last weekend I made sure I had plenty of birdseed and suet. Good thing too, since my 600 ft driveway is still snow and ice. Fortunately I'd asked a neighbor to move my second concrete birdbath to the back, replacing the cracked one. The heater was doing its best but there was still an icy rim. The deep snow and thick ice cover prevented the deer from emptying it.
The bird activity has been amazing. On Jan 24 a White-crowned sparrow showed up and is still here. During the week I saw a second one as they were feeding together. There is also one that may be a sub-adult (?). He has the tan headstripes but Merlin confirmed my ID.
I was happy to see two Brown Creepers going up the tree.
Pileated, Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied woodpeckers are regulars. Northern Flicker numbers have increased. It's not unusual to see four or five at the same time. Such handsome birds and not shy at all.
Watching the birds on the kitchen window tray allows me to see details such as the difference in leg colors. The vary from pink to yellow to gray. The Goldfinches are the main gobblers of the sunflower chips and peanut suet I put out there. There is also a cute Song sparrow that enjoys the offerings. If it needs refilling, he lets me know.
I was surprised, however, when I walked into the kitchen and found the big Pileated on the tray, hacking away at my homemade peanut suet. Lucky I made a double batch this week.
A female Red-winged blackbird has been mingling with the birds around one particular feeder. This afternoon a small flock of them descended on another tray feeder. For the first time I got to see them up close and photograph them. When they left the solo bird did not join them but stayed with her mixed flock friends.
The biggest surprise this morning was a Hermit Thrush getting a drink from the birdbath. I hoped the cold and snow would bring in a Fox sparrow.
