11/14/98
Two woodpeckers have found the suet I hung for them yesterday.
One is a Downy, the other a bit larger and if not for the missing
black spots on it's tail feathers I would have thought the Hairy
woodpecker simply a larger version.Other visiters to the feeder outside my office window are
White-Breasted Nuthatches who land on the gambrel roof and climb
headfirst down it's steep pitch. If only I could do that while roofing.Slate-Colored Juncos often show up at dawn to munch on pie
dough and bird seed I put under the roof, on the tray. These might
very well be my favorites with their hooded heads, they remind me
of hangmen in western movies or executioners at a beheading. The
males are very territorial, taking control of the bird feeder until
getting their full.Chickadees and Tufted Titmice will be visiting more often as
the weather cools down.12/9/98
A Bluejay came to the feeder today, the first I've seen this year.
All the smaller birds flew off until the Jay left with a full belly.1/9/99
A whole flock of Goldfinches visited today. There must have
been ten of them at least. One Junco was in the birdfeeder
at the time and every time a Finch approached he would chase it
away. I hope the Goldfinches return.The Chickadees came to the feeder often today, they don't like
the 'executioners' either but waited in the trees for them to leave.One lone Tufted Titmouse showed up to grab a sunflower seed then leave.
1/13/99
Beautiful Red Finches visited today in force. There must be a
dozen of them out there right now. Of course the executioners
don't let them enter the feeder. They wait in the trees, hoping the
Juncos will leave them some seeds. I'll go add some more in a
minute and fill the water trough for the cows who have been staring
at me from the pasture.Wow! That certainly brought on a flurry of activity! The Red
Finches got together and chased out one of the biggest, fattest
Juncos...HaHa! What fun it is to sit and watch those birds! They
are such acrobats! A string of baler twine is hanging down and
a Red Finch just grabbed it and went twirling in circles with the
wind. Another Finch just went one on one with a Junco, face to
face they fought for a minute, the larger Junco finally
winning and chasing the Finch away. A new visiter just showed up,
it's off to the books for me...looks like a different varety of
Finch though.Nope, it looks like it was a Rusty-capped Sparrow. There are
five different species that frequent our area but I didn't get a
close enough view to distinquish which one it was. I hope it
comes back.1/14/99
A bright red Cardinal just flew in, landed on a branch and
looked into the feeder, then left again. I should go out there
and refill it. The cows are still in the barn anyways. But,
it's snowing hard with a strong wind and I have only begun to get
warm from morning chores. It is rare to see a Cardinal here though...
I might as well do it!
SONRISE