I love all the photos. :o)

When I was putting Christmas lights up early last month, I found a bird's nest in a Rhodie on the south side of the house.

Yesterday we only received about 2 or 3 inches of wind driven snow in metro west Boston. I was thinking of going outdoors, but instead watched the wind blow my two neighborhood Carolina Wrens off the feeder. The Downey Woodpecker hung on to the suet feeder.

Blue Jays come to the hanging sunflower tube feeder. They seem to load up their cheeks with seeds. I have plenty of Mourning Doves. One year my daughter saw a Red Tail dive down to try and capture a Dove. The Dove got away, and just left a few feathers.

My husband threw out a whole loaf of bread, and the crows finished it off in mere minutes. We have a group of eight that patrol the neighborhood. Our house and the feeder area is a regular check point. They send their one scout to call out if he/she spots something.

My favorite bird couple over the past four years has been a Cardinal couple. Last year they raised one female and one male. The two previous years they just raised one male each year. I love the way the male Cardinal cracks the seeds open and feeds them to the female. So romantic!

Sooey - very cool about your yellow-rumped Warbler! I think they are kind of elusive so you are lucky to have seen it. What kind of habitat do you have around you?

I really enjoy following this thread and seeing everybody's photos....

Hi ellen, Yes, the Yellow-Rumped Warbler seems to be an elusive bird. I think the only reason I saw it was the bad weather and the suet. Our habitat is that of a typical Cape Cod wood lot. We have pine and oak with some nice thicket and shrub cover. Our location also helps, we are within 200 yards of Nickerson State Park. Our now elderly neighbours on the south side of our house are real birders who also offer several feeders, water and suet. Our homes are about 120 feet apart so the birds have a plethora of choice. I have been trying to get a picture of the YRW but I have not seen it today. In fact, so far today we have had very little bird activity. A big change from yesterday and Sunday when I could hardly keep up with them.

hostasz...Yesterday I saw a big ol' Blue Jay on the tube feeder that I fill of sunflower hearts. He hung on for dear life as he gobbled up seed after seed after seed. When he flew away, after eating his fill, I swear he had a hard time gaining altitude.

OK, I'm off. If I can get out of the drive I will head over to Agway. I am out of sunflower hearts so, it would seem, I have a real emergency on my hands...

sooey

Hi all........I've really been enjoying your bird watching (and your knowledge!) to the extent that I added two more feeders today along with a suet log in our crabapple tree near the wetlands. I already had several feeders a little closer to the house but realized they'd use them more in a more protected location. (kinda hard to get to though in 2' of snow...)

WOW.......about the time I entered the house the fun began in earnest! I've been shooting zoom for the last hour and would love your help in IDing some of these guys (I'm sure many are "repeats" ...)

My birdwatching in Denver consisted of magpies, sparrows, robins and bluebirds....that was about it. So I'm eager to learn more about our local guys.

Here's some shots I put into my Webshots albums....if you know what they are I'd really appreciate your leaving a note in the comments section over there. Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: bird feeder

jant: I didn't want to sign up for Webshots, so I couldn't leave comments. It looks to me as if the first few shots are Black-capped Chickadees. The black bird may be a Common Grackle (not usually around in winter). The next two are Tufted Titmice (note the pointy head).

One of your "Two Same" is probably a chickadee, I'm not sure if the other is the same, or is a Junco. Number 11 is probably a Junco. #12, could be a juvenile male cardinal - not completely red yet, but more red than the females.

I don't know about the next one.

And you saw owls?!?! In the daytime!!!

sooey: Congratulations on the Yellow-rumped Warbler! I guess it was the male you saw - I checked my guide and the female looks like almost every other little brown bird out there....

Claire

Thanks Claire for the help. Although I have a field guide so many look gray/brown/black...hard to tell lol. I believe that may have been a Barred Owl we saw. It was probably about 3pm or so. I checked my field guide and apparently they hunt quite frequently during the day. Also have some stunning pix of our Red Tail Hawk but can I find them??? Sheesh he's huge!

I think we had some Goldfinches later today and another few "new ones" to me. Thanks for the help!

Mass Audubon is having a backyard feeder bird count this weekend, Saturday Feb. 2 and Sunday Feb. 3. I've never participated in this (didn't know about it), but it sounds worthwhile. They solicit photos too.

Mass Audubon Focus on Feeders 2008

Claire

jant...Oh My Goodness...that does indeed look like a Barred Owl. What a beauty! Did you hear it's call and then look for it or, did you just see it in the tree? They are huge when they swoop down through the trees. I have read that if you want to attract owls that you should feed the birds. The fallen feed atracts mice which in turns attracts the owls. What a wondeful find! Lucky you!

Claire, yes I think it was a male YRW in his non breeding/winter plumage. I did not see it today. I sat by the slider, camera in hand, but he was a no show. Tomorrow is another day.

sooey

Love the Barred Owl! He does look a little sleepy. Wonderful photos.

Sooey, I had to go look up the Yellow-rumped Warbler - interesting-looking bird. The Audubon Guide to New England says its range is "Oct-Apr - SE coastal New England"

Claire, that Mass Audubon feeder count looks interesting. I'm going to think about participating.

Jant - that's great you were inspired to get more feeders! It does kind of suck you in (does that mean we are suckers for these birds? :) How cool you saw an Owl in your yard! I've heard them around here at night but never seen one. Have you had any trouble with squirrels with your feeders hanging in the tree?

I got a half-decent shot of a Red Breasted Nuthatch on the Suet Log - it's hard to catch a photo of these high-energy little birds. They like to eat both types of suet and the sunflower seeds. I see them on the raw suet the 2nd most frequently next to the Downys.

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Also got a picture of a "silhouette" of a favorite bird up on a branch as the sun was going down this afternoon. Can you all guess what kind of bird this is by the silhouette?

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Terrene - is the silhouette some kind of wren?

Maybe somebody can help me identify this bird who (last year) hit our window and sat dazed on our porch for a few minutes (conveniently giving me time to grab the camera). I think it may be a Golden-Crowned Kinglet but I can't be sure...

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Thanks for the tip on the Audubon bird count, we have done that in previous years, will try to add it to the weekend list of things to do...

Oh My, ellen, what a sweet little bird. It does look like it could be a Golden-Crowned Kinglet...a juvenile or female.(?) I see a thin bill, yellow wing and tail edges and it sure looks small enough. When during last year did this little beauty hit your window? After nesting?

terrent...a Bluebird? Yes...always sweet no matter how you see thm.

sooey

This morning I noticed not one bird around my birdfeeders. Then up in a hemlock, about 20 feet from the feeders was a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. I yelled to everyone at home to come look, but did not have time to grab a camera. He flew away to the woods across the street.

This is a link below. I'll keep my eyes open for him/her again. They aren't looking to eat seeds, but birds.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharp Shinned Hawk from Cornell Univ.

ellen: I dug out my field guides and checked an online guide. Maybe it's a ruby-crowned kinglet, not golden-crowned? The g-c seems to have more markings on the face than the r-c..

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at PFW

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Nature of New England

Knowing terrene, I also guess the blue bird is the silhouette.

The snow is turning more and more slushy, and I noticed four cardinals knee-deep in slush feeding under the old osmanthus. It struck me that there are both male and female cardinals in the same area. Usually in the winter they are strictly on opposite sides of the gym. Downies too are tolerating closer distances - could breeding season be getting closer?

Claire

Ellen...from my Peterson Guide I would lean more toward the female or juvenile Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. The bird in your picture has no eyebrow but it does have a broken eye ring. "Tiny stub-tailed birdlet: olive-gray above, with strong wing bars...A conspicuous broken white eye-ring gives a big-eyed look. Any kinglets witout a crown patch and supercilium is this species." According to Peterson the range might be off. But according to my Cape Cod Bird Club checklist, we have them on the Cape "in small numbers - rare but regular" September - May.

hostasz...Wow...I have seen a Sharp-Shinned in my yard only once. It was early this season and I was very impressed.

sooey

Hi claire,

Nice shot of the Cardnials in the snow. I am seeing more and more of them as the winter progresses. I think they like the hopper feeders more than the tube feeders. I see them in much greater numbers at the hopper feeder in the yard of my neighbours next door. I would like one for next year but I fear the squirrels would enjoy it more than the birds.

The snow is just about gone from my yard. It's now down to a slushy soup. I had to fill the tube with the sunflower hearts this morning...it was empty...I tried to walk around from the garage to get to it but there was a big pile of snow in the way, left by the plow. Now, just three hours later, the path is clear. I wish we could hold on to the water left behind. Come July and August, we will long for it.

It looks like we were posting at the same time re: the Kinglet.

sooey

I think you're right that it's a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet! Thanks! The photo had a date on it of Oct 2006. I understand they are migrators so maybe he was just passing through. I've never seen another one here.

Speaking of Sharp-shinned Hawks..here is a photo I took a few years ago. We had put our old Christmas tree outside after the holidays, next to the bird feeders to give them some cover. Look who crashed the party:
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He was standing right on the Christmas tree stem while a group of small sparrows were inside the tree (no doubt terrified). He knew he just had to wait. They eventually flew out and made a mad dash for nearby trees and the hawk wasn't fast enough, and left hungry.

We watched it from inside the house and it was really suspenseful!!

JanT, I was looking at your beautiful garden photos and was so impressed with your White Wood Asters..I have NEVER seen them so full and lush. What is your secret?!

Hi all, yes Sooey and Claire are right, the silhouette is the male Bluebird sitting up on a branch surveilling the area. When you watch them for awhile you can see they have certain ways of perching and holding their heads. Very photogenic and they aren't wiggly birds like Cardinals or hyper like the Red-breasted Nuthatches and Chickadees.

Ellen cute little bird, I've never seen a Kinglet. Also, isn't that Hawk smart, perching there waiting for the little birds. I put the Xmas trees out under the trees in the bird feeding area too for extra cover.

Claire, I watched a male Cardinal chase a female Cardinal around the feeder area the other day. Immediately got the impression that they were courting. Also the Goldfinches do seem to be getting a bit more yellow. Maybe Spring is not too far away now!

Ellen........I responded to your question about the Asters on our winter photos thread...sorry 'bout that. Old minds get confusssed. lol

Hi Kids,

I got my PFW email Newsletter/update today and I was happy to see that they have fixed their PFW member map. For a long time they had me placed in the middle of CCB and Claire was no where near Plymouth. We are now where we should be. I was happy to see that there are a few folks on the Cape, to the east and north/east of me and, someone in Provincetown. It's interesting to see.

I had two Brown Creepers chasing each other around the yard today. Bird chatter is picking up. Tomorrow is February 1st. Better weather is ahead!

sooey

Nothing exotic here today, but I was amused to look out and see a goldfinch sitting on the ice in the copper birdbath, apparently sunbathing. The metal must feel warm in the sun.

I'm off to look at the PFW count site map.

Claire

What a sweet little bird. I agree, that copper must reflect just enough heat or sun to make that bird bath a nice spot to take a nap. I see the ice is melting around the edges. Ahhaaa...to be a bird in Plymouth...

Much like you, claire, I had nothing exotic at all today. I spent close to an hour, camera in hand at the slider, waiting for that Yellow-rumped Warbler...he was a no show. In fact, all bird numbers were down today.

This will be a busy weekend but I hope I'm able to fit in some time to count birds. One count will serve double duty...one report to Mass Audubon and one to PFW. I would also like to get some good pictures for MA. I need to find my camera tripod. But which box is it in?

Anyone else counting for Mass Audubon this weekend?

sooey

Well finally saw some brand new action today! Am I right....House Finch? There were 2 males, one took off (love that pix!) and then the female came around. They stayed forever in that bird feeder! (Even had time to wipe wet paint off my hands and grab my camera...) Also some more juncos ( I think) ground feeding, mourning doves, cards, blue jays...everyone's getting "storm ready" I think.

Great pix Claire...I need a better bird bath. And Ellen...that's something about the hawk waiting for his prey to exit!

Well, here's our snow!

Here is a link that might be useful: before the storm

Better make that snow, hail AND sleet. Well, I'm supposed to be painting kitchen woodwork but the activity is the higest I've seen yet....and in the middle of this storm no less.

My first White Breasted Nuthatch too found the suet.

Here is a link that might be useful: during the storm

OK......I am NOT getting any painting done! I go over to wash off a brush and there are the finches back in the squirrel proof feeder. These birds are NOT stoooopid. They/he primarily has taken up residence and is waiting out the storm..........too funny! He's not even feeding...jus' kinda hangin' around!

Well, it DOES have a little overhang....snort. I won't link this one. Just hit on the other link...they're the last shots.

Jant, you seem to be having a wonderful time with your birds! You can see how easy it is to become hooked! Nice pictures! You are getting snow? Sorry. On the Cape we are getting some heavy rain and some wind but, no snow. I am happy for it. I need to be out early in the morning so rain is fine with me.

sooey

Psssstt...remember to put the lid back on the paint can while you are watching the birds.

jant: The word is obviously out - not only has a new bird restaurant opened up, but it has camping areas too, with emergency shelters! You're getting the MA regulars now - keep up the great photos!

sooey: My bird numbers are also down. Yesterday and today are my PFW count days. I'll do the Mass Audubon count this weekend.

Yesterday I saw some skirmishes between the crows and a Cooper's Hawk.

First the hawk landed in a pine, and the crows flew over and bullied it away. I thought that was the end of it, but the hawk came back and perched in another tree while the crows ostentatiously fed on the ground (probably keeping one eye on the hawk).

Suddenly the hawk flew down and buzzed the crows, then flew back up to a tree. The crows didn't flinch and continued eating for a while, but the hawk just waited and waited and eventually the crows left.

The hawk didn't catch anything, but it came back at least twice more that morning. I didn't get any photos - I have more than enough photos of hawks sitting in trees. When the hawk buzzed the crows I was so dumbfounded I stood there with the camera in my hands while I stared. Another dope-slap moment.

Claire

Jant, yes those are male House Finches. Glad to see that you are enjoying the birds so much!

Speaking of Hawks, I snapped the first picture of a Coopers or Sharp shinned Hawk today (not the greatest picture but I got one). I looked out the back and noticed that all the birds were flying away from the feeders in a hurry. Then the Hawk came swooping through the feeder area into the back and landed on a branch. He looked around for a few minutes, then took off, realizing he wasn't getting lunch here today!

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Morning all.........yes, it's a lot of fun! Windy this morning...I have NEVA seen clouds moving as fast as they are right now. No bird action yet. Hey, it's the weekend though...must be sleepin' in lol.

Off to buy a squirrel baffle and better "winter" birdbath this morning...Maybe I'll have ma guy take over with the camera... lol.

Maybe I'll pick up a few more "emergency shelters" too!

Worst day yet on Saturday...probably due to the high winds. Absolutely nothing but chickadees....and squirrels...and chipmunks.

Put up 2 more feeders, 2 new birdbaths and another suet. New seed too...my other half is quite amused... lol.

Well, already it's much more 'citin today! Another new one...Carolina Wren it looks like.... particularly fond of the new suet I put up yesterday. Of course the chickadees were the first ones to spot the new feeders. Blue Jays in there too.

4 house finches at the "emergency shelter" feeder also. Two males, two females. That's the only feeder they seem to like.........high rent district!

Here is a link that might be useful: New feeder station

Un be liev a ble!!! I was supposed to be making "somethin" for the Super Bowl this afternoon. So, I'm stirring away in the kit...my other half wondering what I'm making..."Why Suet honey....wanna try some?" lol

OK....so out I go to smear some on tree trunks. The chickadees have been quite busy at the new station and there were 2 in the birch tree when I walked over there. They didn't move. I went right up to the tree and put out my hand (kinda messy with suet on it lol) One chickadee flies off BUT???? The other one jumped RIGHT ONTO MY HAND. And stayed there for FIVE minutes! He didn't eat the suet...just kinda looked at me, opening his beak now and then. I finally had to shift my weight as I was standing "funny" and getting uncomfortable. He then flew about a foot up into the tree and stayed there. Finally he flew of when I walked away.

Now I've read some stories written by birders about training chickadees in particular to eat out of your hand but to walk up to one and have him jump into it the first time!!???

Blown away.....really. My other half is now going to be ready with the camera when I try again!

Holy Crap! A Chickadee landed on your hand??? And stayed there for that long??? Oh My! I can be out on the deck filling the feeders and the Chicakadees will fly over to the railing and watch me but I never ever thought of putting out my hand to one of them. You are magical! No, wait...you must be Cinderella or Snow White! Were you snging at the time? I'm so impressed! Not to mention that you seem to be having a wonderful time with your birds. I am very happy for ALL of you! Suet? For a super bowl gathering? Hummm...Is everything better when it sits on a Ritz? Let us know...

I have found time to fit in my bird counts this weekend but very few birds have been around. It's a beautiful weekend here on the Cape so I guess the birds are off eating bugs and other natural goodies. I'm a little dissapointed since I am counting for both PFW and MA. Yesterday I watched for just short of an hour and I had only one Goldfinch. I thought that was a little strange... today has been better but not by much.

sooey
who will now offer an out stretched hand to a Chickadee...

I'm getting to be a board hog but this really is fun! More new guys today...my new station is quite a hit. And my homemade suet a much bigger hit than the 2 storebought ones. That brought in my first downy woodpecker today.

There is one bird that's confounding me. It's marked just like a bluejay but the head/beak doesn't seem right. And it's not aggressive at all as they normally can be. Help with ID please?

Here is a link that might be useful: new birds

Sooey......yes, offer them some Sunflower seeds! SING?? Good Lord.......would drive off a BAR lol.

I'm getting desperate enuf to consider the suet on a Ritz............good thinkin'!

Hi Jan, yes, #27 (?) is a Blue Jay. But you are right, he does have a different look about him. For one, his tuft is not standing up. He might be having a bad day. Your homemade suet looks good enough to eat! Did you put berries in it? I have some Cranberries left over from this years harvest...think they would eat them if I tossed them out on the ground?

sooey

Thanks Sooey.....bad HAIR DAY lol???? Even the eyes look so much softer and the beak not as long or sharp...ah dunno!

I still have a lot of suet in the fridge........Mikey loves everything! Yes, cranberries I crushed up, raisins, sunflowers, ....kitchen sink I guess.

Yeah, I'd toss them out!

Robins today: about 8 drinking from the bird bath, on the lawn. Never have I seen robins in early February. Marie in Lexington MA.

jant: Nice to see you throwing yourself into the bird world, and learning really fast. I bet you didn't know you are a chickadee whisperer.

I agree with sooey that you saw a Blue Jay, even if it looks a little different. I went back to some older photos, and Blue Jays here don't always have the crest up. Maybe they're younger, or just hunched up, or used too much mousse.

I'm still watching the crow-hawk interactions here. Last Thursday was the skirmish, and then I didn't see a hawk for a few days. Sunday I looked out and saw a dark colored bird half-hidden in the big old osmanthus. I expected to see a hawk lurking there, but I was amazed to see three or four crows quietly sitting almost invisible among the leaves. I'd never seen them there before. They usually perch on open branches with good visibility.

They remained for a long time and then left. I'm sure they were waiting to ambush the hawk. This morning I saw the four crows feeding on the ground and a hawk flying away. I try not to take sides, but I can't help rooting for the crows.

Claire

Hi Marie,

On the Cape, we have Robins all year but, they are not the same Robins summer to winter. Our summer Robins migrate up from the south and spend the warm months with us. The Robins we have during the winter are those that have migrated down to us from the much colder north. Those Robbins will stay as long as they can find food. If we have a winter with lots of snow cover and they are not able to find food, they will move further south. I'm getting this info from Vern Laux who is an Ornithologist, local to the Cape, Islands and South Coast.

sooey
who never gets tired of seeing the Robins of winter...

that's interesting sooey. in late winter I have often seen them come and go. They stripped the crabapple, pooped all over the ramp and cars, and disappeared.

Claire...thanks for posting those pix of the jays! Yeah, a lil' heavy handed with the mousse me thinks...snort.

They do look young don't you think? Not much action yesterday...funny how it goes from day to day.

Claire...thanks for posting those pix of the jays! Yeah, a lil' heavy handed with the mousse me thinks...snort.

They do look young don't you think? Not much action yesterday...funny how it goes from day to day.

GW has the hiccups today....

Yep...robins around here too all winter. Kinda on and off.

JanT - that's great about the chickadee...I've heard of it but it's never happened to me :-(

Suet on ritz crackers? Ok you are definitely hooked now!!

Suet on ritz crackers.... reminds me of when I lived in Germany years ago. I went to a party and the German hosts were serving lard to smear on bread, pork lard I think. It tasted good! but I had to suppress a shudder when I thought about it.

Claire

I'm still exploring suet options: last Sunday was a good day at the latest version suet feeder.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is standing on a suet cage or maybe a branch, but eating out of the old pine cone which had suet/peanut butter mix. This is the first time I've seen the Red-belly on the suet feeder - usually it feeds on the hopper or the ground.

The Downy Woodpecker is also standing on the upper suet cage, but eating out of that same cage which contains a C&S Almond Treat suet block.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch likes the bottom cage, which I think has a C&S Nutty Treat, or something similar.

I have another single hanging suet cage on the rose arch with C&S Insect Treat in it. Downies, wrens, titmice and chickadees like this one, maybe because it's well-hidden in the rose canes (which is why I don't have a good photo of it).

I'm trying to avoid mixing up my own suet glop, particularly because I don't have a convenient source of rendered suet. The raw suet hasn't been more popular than the store-bought.

Claire

Hi Kids,

This thread is getting a bit long so, I will start a new one. But first...

Claire, do the Crows go after your suet? We are having a real time with them here. They land in numbers of 3 - 6 on the suet cage and on the deck railings and take turns feasting. One good thing about Crows is that they are not very stealthy. I know when they are around. They also do not like to see me at the window so all I need to do is stand at the slider and they take off. They don't bother the smaller, free hanging suet cages that I have. Only the smaller birds go after those.

sooey
who will now start a new thread...

I'll finish up this thread by answering sooey's question. The crows don't touch the hanging suet cages, but they love suet on the ground.

When I change the suet, for whatever reason (getting low, want to try something else, etc.) I throw the remainder on the ground. The crows always leap on it; sometimes eating it there and sometimes flying off with it.

Claire