5:41 AM – Mealworms are the Bluebirds’ favorite. Here’s a couple hogging out.
Three birds drinking: Robin, Mockingbird and Brown Thrasher.
Monday – 1.15.2018
3:44 AM – We spotted a new bird yesterday, a Northern Flicker. This is a variety of woodpecker. According to the online experts, they live in the South year around, though this is the first one we’ve seen. They’re a very handsome bird. The video is not the best, but it’s good enough to identify him. It starts with a Robin getting water, then the Flicker arrives and runs him off.
On these freezing days, once the ice is replaced with liquid water, the traffic picks up at the bird bath. Here’s a Tufted Titmouse and a Pine Warbler.
This squirrel has unusual markings – part brown and part gray. Not sure is this is a seasonal change, or if he’s just getting old. They’re mostly one color; around here they’re gray.
Sunday – 1.14.2018
3:36 AM AM – Normal everyday Bluebird getting a drink of water.
Pine Warbler hopping around the cylinder feeder. We’ve been calling these Yellow Warblers, but that’s incorrect. The bars on the wings mark them as Pine Warblers.
Saturday -1.13.2018
4:41 AM – Red-bellied Woodpecker in the platform feeder. He leaves, and a tiny Chickadee comes in after him.
White Breasted Nuthatch is completely comfortable eating upside down.
Friday – 1.12.2018
3:16 AM – The birds (and squirrels) are getting tamer. Here I am with a Mockingbird, and a Tufted Titmouse (briefly). Sometimes we see, up close, the small ‘darter’ birds that fly in, grab a seed and fly out, like the Chickadees and Nuthatches, but those that stay a few minutes are rare.
This Downy Woodpecker is an enthusiastic eater.
One more Downy Woodpecker video, this one of a male sideways on the cylinder of compressed seed. That doesn’t stop him from eating his fill.
Thursday – 1.11.2018
4:15 AM – The mealworm feeder is almost empty, and the Bluebird and Eastern Phoebe are rooting for scraps. They don’t look all that happy about it.
A few birds drinking – I’m sure they’re happy that the ice is gone (for now). There’s a Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Purple Finch.
Wednesday – 1.10.2018
3:46 AM – Typical action on the platform feeder, except for the Red-bellied Woodpecker. He’s just an occasional visitor, preferring the suet and compressed seed cylinder.
More platform feeder birds, this time Carolina Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Sparrows and more Cardinals.
Tuesday – 1.9.2018
5:05 AM – Bluebird on the cylinder feeder. These Bluebirds are really blue.
Mockingbird adjusting to the recent cold weather by puffing their feathers, creating insulation. It makes them look like little butterballs, but they’re really just filled with air.
Monday – 1.8.2018
4:08 AM – Busy time a the platform feeder. The sparrows get into a free-for-all, until a Bluebird comes along and runs them off. Note the sparrow that flies at the Bluebird. That’s bold behavior by the little bird.
When the water is frozen a good part of the day, and most of the night, the animals get thirsty. This raccoon is really lapping it up. Fortunately the cold snap is about over, and temps at night will be above freezing.
Sunday – 1.7.2018
3:10 AM – It’s been a cold winter so far, as this squirrel sitting on the ice eating a peanut shows us. The Bluebird adapts by puffing his feathers up, creating a layer of insulating air.
Later in the day, the ice is gone, and many birds take advantage of the liquid water now available. Like these three Bluebirds.
This Bluebird looks turquoise, no doubt due to the lighting. However, I’ve seen this bird – or at least a bird of this color – a few times before recently. So, who knows? Maybe he really is turquoise.