Redbreasted Nuthatches
are one of my favorite fall visitors. They are constantly busy, have practically no fear of humans and make the funniest little sounds. They are so fast that it can be hard to tell if you have a male or a female in front of you. These photos show their difference. The male has a jetblack “hat” while the female sports a grayish top. (Top two here show a male, bottom two a female.)
It is very interesting
how different things are this November, compared to all the other years I have been here. Temperatures are more than mild, which I think is responsible for the relative quiet in the yard right now. Nature provides an abundance of food, there are still insects around too, so the birds seek feeders less. The Grackle and Redwinged Blackbird are still around too, and today I saw in a local birding group that someone had a Hummingbird on their feeder in Michigan. I am enjoying this mild weather but I really hope we will get some cold too. Anyways, here are some of the current residents, most of which are very busy taking nuts and seeds and hiding them for snowy days.
(Redbreasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Blackcapped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and House Finch)
The small crowd
is not less entertaining right now. It is a funny time because summer and winter kind of meet. Spring can be felt and seen. The Goldfinches are starting to get their bright yellow summer plumage but at the same time, Redbreasted Nuthatches are still hanging around, as well as Juncos who do the most insane flight manoeuvers right now. (The lens fogged up when the Junco was there, and I think it created a cool look.)
Video: The sandwich feeder
Starlings like suet, and since they can be very voracious, people are trying to find ways to keep them at bay. I like an innovative feeder, so I got this one a while ago. It's two plates that you fill with bark butter or suet spread, just like a sandwich, but you leave the edges free. Woodpeckers can reach in, anything with shorter tongues and beaks cannot. This is one of the setups I currently have out. The Finches won’t go there, and the MoDos cannot reach it either. I I overfilled it a bit on the first day, so the edges offered a welcome snack for the Red-breasted Nuthatches and Chickadees.
January is slowly
dragging on, and there is not a lot happening right now except for a steady stream of regulars. And with February approaching, I am beginning to think of spring. This is a good time to work and make plans. I have gotten seeds for the garden the other day and think about what plants could be added to make the yard more bird-friendly. Doing that may include planting berry bushes, a pollinator garden and landscaping that accomodates native wildlife. I am also doing some maintenance this weekend which means that the livestream will be off for a couple of days. Have a great Thursday!
(pictured - some of the regulars: Eastern Bluebirds in the top, a Redbreasted Nuthatch, a Blue Jay and a Junco on the bottom)
One of my favorites,
the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Tiny, vocal, bold and very diligent. This is one of the birds that will wait nearby when I refill, and not be scared when I am still right there. One time I had one feeding from my hand, too. Yesterday, he was the first and last bird to appear in my camera roll. I love the evening light.
Video: Owlie has seen some things...
It’s been a week, and Owlie has gotten a lot of attention from the birds here, and has changed a bit in appearance. You can’t see that the back is almost entirely eaten already. I love that this feeder invites several species to eat together, they usually don’t always like to share so much… Here we have one of my favorites, a Redbreasted Nuthatch (I think it is a male, his head cap is all black, the females have grey there), and a Goldfinch. This was taken with the Birdsy Cam, and in case you have not heard yet - they have now launched in the US and you can get a camera in their current Christmas sale. Check out their website at birdsy.com.
Race-car stripe birb is back,
and I am so happy because I love these guys! I have seen and heard the Red-breasted Nuthatches for a bit now, and today, one went for the cam. These birds are cold season birds around here, and they are one of the most entertaining and tame feathered friends I have come across. They are super vocal too, and when you hear something that sounds like a beatbox, you might have a Red-breasted Nuthatch in your yard.
It's been an exciting day.
Here are some borbs for your pleasure and relaxation.
(Blackcapped Chickadee, European Starling, Redbreasted Nuthatch)
The sun
is making itself rare these days, which is not doing a lot to lift the overall mood or photo quality. The yard is full of regulars, and I am happily helping them to eat well to make it through the cold. One of the most diligent is this Red-breasted Nuthatch lady. I have two couples at most, and whenever I come out for a refill, she is the first to come, even when I still stand there. I love these birds.
We have been getting
a bit of winter weather recently. Snow days always bring in the birds, so it is fun to watch the feeders on days like that.
The small crowd
for the winter - these guys are very diligent and alert and work all day to get their winter stashes ready. I also saw a Brown Creeper today, and I am sure he appreciates every morsel the Nuthatches are hiding in the trees.
(House Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch)
It was picture day,
and everybody had their portrait taken. Those who are small in size got a full-body one 😃
(Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Redbellied Woodpecker, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay)
The fall crowd
is starting to settle in for the cold season. I am still hoping for Purple Finches too but I am very happy that the Redbreasted Nuthatches are here again. I also saw the first Juncos yesterday. Here’s to a good new week!
(from left to right: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee)
