Cedar Waxwings

Two years ago today I happened to look out the kitchen window and watched as a flock of crested birds swooped into the yard and flitted between our birch tree and the neighbor's maple. They were cedar waxwings looking for berries together before mating season would pair them off.

"A flock of cedar waxwings on the neighbor's maple tree..." sounds a bit like the beginning of a poem.

I haven't seen one of their kind since.

Dedicated to Grandpa Bob, a bird lover himself. Happy Birthday, I love you and miss you!

Duluth Robins

Courtesy of my Dad:

I've never seen so many robins in my life, even in a season. They're out front under the crabapple tree. Some are up on the branches knocking the dried crabapples down, and the others are enjoying the works of the others. Out back, it's similar but a better variety of birds, mostly ground feeders. So I've been throwing out a cup of seeds every hour or so. Fun to watch, for sure. I'm used to seeing robins on warmer, moist days in spring, not with a snow cover. These hardy souls were definitely on the hunt for nutrition after almost two days of strong winds.

A Blackbird Consortium

There are at least 21 birds in this posse and they've been swarming the feeder all day long, moving as one organism as they descend on the yard or get spooked away by a passing vehicle. Most of them are grackles, with a few cowbirds throw in the mix, and about a half dozen red-winged blackbirds. All these different varieties of one type of bird.

Who says we can't all get along?

Nothing clever, just a cardinal

Springtime Birdservations!

A briefing on what the birds have been up to in my neighborhood:

• While on a walk we heard the chickadees with their two-note call. One bird called out and another answered, descending down the musical scale. As they continued with their individual rhythms, the notes were soon in tandem with each other to make perfect harmony.
• The goldfinches are gaining their summer plumage back so they look more as their name describes and not the buff color they were all winter. I saw one call out from a spindly sprig at the top of a pine tree, alerting all available females to his grandeur.
• A crow also took advantage of the highest point on the street and claimed himself to be king of the hill from atop a chimney.
• Every time I see geese my heart melts a little. Often in pairs on grassy areas, one picks away at the ground while the other watches for danger. 
• Two bluebird sightings in one week! It's so exciting to see rusty red and cerulean blue dart through the air.
• There is what I believe to be an egret living in the pond by the community center. They move so carefully, even their flight appears in slow-motion.
• Our backyard has been full of activity from the robins as they hunt worms and enjoy old berries still on the tree.
• Also in the backyard was a large bird I didn't see long enough to figure out what it was. It was bigger than a robin, was feeding on the ground, and when he took flight there appeared to be a bright yellow coloring under his wings. This would lead me to believe it was a flicker but I'm not certain.
• I've heard more red-winged blackbirds than I've seen.
• And finally, I've seen many birds of prey gliding overhead. Their cries reminded me of something you'd hear in an old western movie as  the sun bakes the desert landscape.

Spring!

The robins have been out in full force today and there is not an inch of soundscape not crammed with their song. This must mean spring is around the corner.

Be Like the Bird

My aunt gave me a book of children's poetry and in it I found a lovely piece by Victor Hugo.

Be like the bird, who 

Halting in his flight

On limb too slight

Feels it give way beneath him,

Yet sings, 

Knowing he hath wings. 

 

Fluffy Winter Plumage

Since seeing the flock of goldfinches on Christmas Eve, I put out a thistle seed sock to encourage them to return. Having seen no action all week, I finally had my first visitor. It was about 5 degrees out so he's got his winter plumage puffed out to maximum. The rest of his crew arrived later and preferred the birch tree.

Nine Finches Flocking

This morning I saw what could have been a verse of the 12 Days of Christmas. A flock of nine goldfinches nibbling away at the birch tree.

Merry Christmas!

Nine Finches Flocking

Tiny Prints

With all the beautiful snow we've had, I had to pull this photo out. I took it last December on our front steps because the little snowy prints completely melted my heart.

Flying Drunk

While watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at my mom and dad's house we were startled by a loud bang against the big front window. Whatever it was had hit with such force we thought maybe someone had instigated a snowball fight with a misfire on the house.

There on the ground below the window was a robin who had flown too fast and smacked into the reflection. He had landed on his back on the sidewalk below and panted in his shocked state for several minutes. We were pretty sure he was "flying towards the light" but a few minutes later he began moving his head around like he was trying to figure out what the heck just happened. All of us watching were relieved when he managed to flop onto his feet, and he even allowed my dad to pick him up and place him on the planter in front of the house, out of the way any hungry neighborhood cats.

The poor little guy sat there looking pathetic as he watched his robin buddies buzz around the crabapple tree eating its fermented fruits. That's my theory anyway- that the berries that never fell from the tree have become an intoxicating treat. Maybe that's why this guy lost control as he left the Crabapple Bar. He eventually flew away, a little worse for wear.

Juncos! Part II

After our big snow yesterday I put out some bird seed making sure there was some scattered on the ground to attract the juncos. Here is one happy little guy. The photo doesn't do him justice; his charcoal black coat and fluffy white underbelly look so cozy atop of blanket of clean snow.

Winter is coming, just ask the birds

I haven't posted much lately and that's not for lack of bird activity.

Birds are migrating, with some leaving us for warmer southern temps, and some joining us from their northern summer homes, like juncos. The geese have been practicing their Vs. It's funny watching some of those younger geese try to figure out where they are supposed to fall into line. By now those formations are getting tighter and coming together quicker than a few weeks ago. Some might have left already but there are still flocks who haven't yet.

I noticed a few weeks ago that the goldfinches have already donned their "winter coats." From the back they still have their signature finch design with the wings creating a stripey V, and no longer bright yellow but more of a dull taupe.

Everyone is taking advantage of the bountiful natural seed harvest, trying to gain their winter fat stores. We have a few sparrows who have fattened up considerably since the last of their offspring left the nest. My feeders have been empty for the past few months because I know there is plenty of food for them to find in the seeding flowers and weeds, like my sunflowers and the neighbor's coneflowers, both favorites of the goldfinch.

The birds know it won't be long now before the weather changes!

Juncos!

The slate juncos have returned! These little snowbirds are about the size of a sparrow and have beautiful gray feathers and soft white bellies. In flight their tails fan out into a contrasting slate and white sail. They look especially pretty on a snowy day. I startled one the other day and he called out in a hard tic sound, but I think they also have a few songs in their repertoire.

Pictures don't do them justice this time of year. I'll wait for the day when they cluster under my feeder atop a clean blanket of snow.

Sunflowers

I planted sunflowers on the side of the garage, knowing that goldfinches and others like to nibble at the seed heads in the fall. Beneath each flower head there is a collection of white bird droppings- proof that the seeds are ripe and birds are hungry.

Another obvious sign....

Blue Jay

A pair of blue jays took turns at the feeder this morning, leaving a line of sparrows waiting for them to move on.

Sparrow Dirt Bath

A few sparrows enjoying sun-baked dirt for a little bath. They dug bowls (or bathtubs?) in the ground by scooting around on their tummies, then fluttered their wings to kick the dirt over themselves.

Momma Squirrel and the Hungry Birds

For a while a little black squirrel and a larger gray squirrel would visit our feeder for breakfast each day, and sometimes for an afternoon snack. Sometimes I try to chase them away because they spill birdseed from the tube and toss aside less preferred morsels as they dig through the tray in search of the good stuff.

In addition to being messy eaters they keep the birds away. The other day I noticed several sparrows standing on the sidewalk, watching the bird feeding station longingly as if they were helpless to feed themselves. I followed their gaze to the giant gray squirrel sitting in the tray. Poor little birds were waiting for her to leave!

I was just about to run out there in my pajamas and spout something crazy like, "get outta here, you varmint!" But then the squirrel reached up to the tube to grab a sunflower seed and I noticed she had recently nursed (I won't describe her personal details here, but I've included her picture so you can see for yourself). I stopped myself - I can't bring myself to shoo away a squirrel who is nursing babies!

So for now, as long as momma squirrel is nursing, I will leave her to stuff her face with as much bird food as she needs. The birds will just have to wait their turn.

Sock Feeder

Because of an increase in goldfinch activity, I bought a nyjer seed sock feeder to accommodate these sweet birds. It went unnoticed for a day, but now even the sparrows and chickadees are enjoying it. I positioned the tray underneath the sock so the seeds won't drop to the ground and plant themselves, and the sparrows have found it's a convenient platform from which they reach up to the sock to grab a few bites, and it's also a great place to politely wait one's turn.

Salt and Pepper

My sister-in-law gave me these salt and pepper shakers for my birthday this year. Aren't they perfect?