Sunday, March 3, 2019

Stellar year for birds at the feeders

The yellow, black and white Evening Grosbeaks join the more common Pine Grosbeaks and Bluejays
Chickadee takes shelter from the wind among the lilacs beside the house
This is the best winter we have ever seen for numbers and variety of birds at our birdfeeders.
The harsh temperatures and three feet of snow might have something to do with that; however by all reports we are still more fortunate than others.
One of the biggest surprises has been large numbers of Evening Grosbeaks. These gaudy, parrot-like finches are here every day whereas in the past they might only appear a couple of times all winter,
Pine Grosbeaks are just as numerous. Bluejays are the other large birds at the sunflower platform feeder.
Common Redpolls have the top numbers for the small birds. They are followed by Chickadees, Goldfinches, Juncos and Redbreasted Nuthatches.
There are probably four pairs each of Hairy Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers.
Every so often a couple of Crows also show up.
Alhough they don't come to the feeders, other birds we see are Pileated Woodpeckers, Ravens, Bald Eagles and Ruffed Grouse.
I have not seen any hawks or owls.

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