5:23 AM – These bright yellow Goldfinches have started to appear at the finch ‘thistle sock’, and the birdbath. According to Cornell Lab website, these are ‘adult breeding males’. Here are several getting some water. The sparrow in the feeder doesn’t seem to be bothered by the activity.
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We had a storm last night, with some wind that blew the platform feeder out of it’s frame. The seeds spilled on the deck and rail. Here’s Mr. Cardinal helping out with the clean-up.
5:44 AM – The Cardinals have been doing a lot of food sharing the last few days. Here’s a couple of times we caught it on camera:
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Yesterday it was mealworms; today it’s suet. Mr. Cardinal seems to have really expanded his food preferences. Next, he’ll be ordering a pizza.
4:29 AM – The Cardinals are not usually very vocal at the feeder, but Mr. C is clearly calling to (and looking for) Mrs. C, and getting a response. This Spring courtship has been really interesting to watch:
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More new Cardinal behavior: lately he’s been spotted at the mealworm feeder a few times. Maybe he just wants a change of diet, or maybe the black oil sunflower seeds (his usual food), which got wet the night before in a rain storm, were unappetizing.
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Of course, the mealworms are popular with a lot of birds. Here’s a parade of them, taking turns at the feeder: bluebird, cardinal, yellow-rumped warbler, then bluebird again.
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And finally, a new cat in town. We usually see two regulars, a black cat and a really big ginger. This is this one first appearance.
12:13 AM – This squirrel was squatting in the platform feeder when D. spotted him, and decided to run him off. Check out the expression on his squirrel face when he hears the back door start to open.
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And now, the escape in slow motion:
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Just when we think the Purple Finches are gone for good, there they are.
5:47 AM – This cardinal is clearly waiting for something, presumably Mrs. Cardinal:
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Bluebirds usually stick to the mealworm feeder. Yesterday we saw one at the platform feeder, but probably due to the worms we’d added to the seed mix there. Not sure why this Bluebird is enjoying the suet, but she seems to like it just fine.
4:51 AM – We finally got video of the Cardinals sharing food again.
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The Bluebird at the platform feeder is a rare event around here. No doubt he’s here because we have some mealworms mixed in with the regular seed.
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One of the few Goldfinch visitors these days:
4:15 AM – More of Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal. Mr. Cardinal looks like he’s ready to feed Mrs. C, but she never quite looks ready for it.
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We installed a motion detecting spotlight to try to deter the raccoons and cats at night. Looks like the big yard cat likes the spotlight.
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No flocks of them, but the Purple Finches and Goldfinches are still around, at least a few of them:
8:22 AM – The American Robins showed up on the deck this morning. We’ve seen them on the front lawn recently, but this is their first appearance at the feeders for a while. In this video, two robins approach the platform feeder, but a Mourning Dove is hogging it. In the second video, one of the robins takes a bath.
Below, robin bathing:
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1:05 AM – For about an hour yesterday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal came and went at the platform feeder. We watched – but the camera didn’t record – Mr. Cardinal feeding Mrs. C. The camera is set to record for 1 minute – the feeding took place at about 1 minute 5 seconds. We did get lots of video of them landing on the feeder, staying 5 or 10 seconds, then flying off, only to return. Here’s Mr. Cardinal waiting for Mrs.
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Just when we thought the Purple Finches were gone, this lone male shows up. Don’t know where all the flocks of them went. Maybe they got a better offer at a backyard feeding station down the block.
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That suet feeder is looking pretty gnawed up. Here’s a Brown Headed Nuthatch doing his part.
7:40 AM – The finches – both the Purple and Goldfinches – seem to have moved on. I spotted a couple of female Purples on the suet feeder the other day, but the clouds of them that dominated the platform feeder are gone. Instead, we have Mourning Doves, sparrows and squirrels. Plus, of course, the Cardinals.
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This is the squirrel with piece bitten out of his ear. He’s a frequent visitor.
7:48 AM – Here’s what’s happening this morning at the Food Court. It’s a normal day.
Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal:
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Bluebird having breakfast:
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Here’s that Carolina Wren with no tail. We see him all the time, almost always at the mealworm feeder. He doesn’t seem to have any trouble getting around:
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A female Downy Woodpecker. They always look bigger in the videos than they are in real life: