Birds in the Feeder

The Big, Bad Visitor to the Feeders

2009-03-31T10:25:00.003-04:00

I was sitting at my desk on Sunday afternoon, thinking how depressing it was that snow was falling again. At the end of March. The birds were eating like crazy so I knew it was going to snow for a bit. Until the shadow appeared. Darkness passed the window and the birds immediately disappeared. Hmmm.

I peeked out the window and sure enough...I had a hawk visitor. Since it was snowing, the focus wasn't cooperating on the camera. This hawk has been around a few times between all of the neighbor's houses, but he's never perched right off the front porch before. I must have tastier birds this year.

Then, Monday morning I was trying to work. Someone was agitated and starting to annoy me. Really agitated. After ten more minutes it dawned on me to check the other tree. I looked and saw a Tufted Titmouse under the bush, chirping his warning call non-stop. Sure enough...the hawk was in his same perch again. He flew off when he saw me, so I didn't get a chance for more pictures.

My best guess is a sharp shinned hawk, since the tail looks like it is straight across. The difference between the sharp shinned and the Cooper's is the shape of the tail. The picture doesn't show the tail well enough to determine which one it is, so we'll have to wait for a better picture and a clearer day.

Red Bellied Woodpecker Nestboxes

2009-03-27T08:55:00.005-04:00

Is there such a thing as red-bellied woodpecker nestboxes?

I have a pair of the red bellies that come in to the suet and the sunflowers each day. Has anyone seen them use a nestbox or do they only use trees? I'd like to keep them around and see babies and wasn't sure how, besides providing suet. Any ideas?

Goldfinches are Molting! UPDATE w Pic

2009-03-24T12:27:00.005-04:00

The goldfinches are molting. Today I had a female goldfinch who had a few bright yellow feathers on her. Yes! Spring is just around the corner folks.

The goldfinch had the bright yellow feathers showing on her neck and around the top of her head. I almost couldn't tell if it was male or female at first. Oops. She came to the sock type feeder with thistle seed. Since I put it out last week, I've had one or two birds check it out occasionally. Today and yesterday, there were two on it at all times.

If she comes back, I'll try and get a picture to post.

Here's the picture, dirty window and all. The kids drew a target on the window for their dart guns and I didn't realize it was still there until the sun shone through it!

Hairy Woodpecker

2009-03-19T16:07:00.005-04:00

Today I had a visit from a Hairy Woodpecker. It was the male because he had the red spot on his head. I didn't get a picture (didn't even think of it, actually), so here's one from the web.

I have a lot of Downy's, both male and female, but this one was a bit bigger. It's the first time I've had a Hairy since we moved in almost two years ago. Yay. He came to the suet but didn't stay long. Maybe because of the cat in the window??

Also had a goldfinch come in to the thistle sock for the first time. Spring must be around the corner...

Homemade Pinecone Feeders

2009-03-18T16:13:00.004-04:00

For a Cub Scout project, we made pine cone bird feeders. Instead of just smearing peanut butter on the cone and rolling it in bird seed (messy with 8 - 7 year old boys) I tried something new. I found a recipe that uses half peanut butter, half shortening and 1/2 cup of birdseed. I did:

1 c shortening
1 c peanut butter
1 c bird food

Mixed it all up and the boys used plastic knives to smear it on. No birdseed mess on the floor and there wasn't anything wasted. The birds liked it too, because we hung up three outside and they were empty in a matter of days. I saw chickadees near them, downy woodpeckers and even a sparrow or two munching.