Project Feeder Watch

This year we are participating in Project Feeder Watch. This is a great program run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It helps them track and monitor bird populations across the USA and Canada. We've done it before, but haven't in quite a few years. I thought it would be a fun way for the children to learn some of our local birds and well, I just love any excuse to watch the birds.

We've had a good variety of birds with 15 species so far, including the little Goldfinches. I have been very happy with the activity at the feeders.

We offer a wide variety of feeder types and feed, including black oil sunflower seed, peanuts, Nyjer seed, suet and a few combinations. We also provide water all winter with a heated bird bath.

The Cardinals are always so beautiful against the snow.

Blue Jays are regular visitors and are a bit bullyish on the feeders, but they are so funny and colorful.

We have three species of woodpeckers that visit the feeders most days, including this little Downy Woodpecker.

Here is a list of all the feeds/feeders and birds we've observed so far this winter season.

Feeders:
Tubes
Hoppers
Platform
Suet cage
Peanut ring
Nyjer tube
peanut butter/suet dough log
Heated bird bath

Food types:
Black oil sunflower
Finch mix
Suet cakes and dough
Whole peanuts
Fruit & nut mix
Peanut butter

Species of birds:
Black-capped Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
Tufted Titmouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Tree Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker
White-throated Sparrow
House Sparrow

Tree Swallows

The tree swallows are back. They are so beautiful with their iridescent blue/green color and their cute chortle song.

Of course, that also means plenty of squabbling over the bird houses, but we have plenty of houses around the yard and the swallows and bluebirds will sort it out and settle into good housekeeping.

Now if I could just get rid of the House Sparrows.

Unconventional Housing

As many people do, I love wild birds. We have many birdfeeders that we keep filled all year. In the summer, we put out Hummingbird feeders. We have many nest boxes of different types around the yard.

It never ceases to amaze me where some birds will build their nests. We've had birds build nests in the tongue of our boat trailer, in our garden shed and in the eaves of the house.

This summer we have three interesting locations.

This nest is a Phoebe nest. The shelf is up under our side porch. Brian put the shelf there because several years ago, as a Robin build a nest on the outside light. We patiently waited for those birds to fledge, not daring to use the light. Wouldn't that be terrible to catch the nest on fire? After they fledged, Brian put up the shelf. Each summer either a Robin or the Phoebe will make a nest on this shelf. The funniest thing is this is the main door we use to come and go out of our house. Now, think about how many times this door gets opened in any given day when you have a house full of children. The poor momma bird flies off every time the door is opened and then promptly flies back. There are five baby birds in there now and momma and papa bird are very busy coming and going keeping them fed.

This nest is a Robin's nest. It is on the back of our basketball hoop. No basketball playing for awhile guys. There are still babies in this nest as each time the children go by the momma puts up a ruckus.

This nest is on our bat house. This nest has been used for several years by the Robins. The brood has already fledged this year. It will be interesting to see if they have a second brood. The bat box is on the south facing side of the garage and it gets quite hot in the middle of summer. Probably a very good location for early spring to catch the warmth of the sun, but maybe not so good later in the summer.

Baby Tree Swallow

The baby Tree Swallows fledged this week.

Here is one of the little guys checking out the big wide world. They would take turns peaking out of the box, waiting for mom and dad to come back with a treat. The next day they took to the wing and were gone.

I'm not sure if it is too late for the Mr. and Mrs. to raise another brood or not. We shall see.

House Wren

There are a lot of birds that will nest in unusual places, but I think the House Wren tops them all for nesting in the strangest place.

This pair of Wrens decided that the square metal tubing on the front of our boat trailer was a dandy spot to build a nest. I sat there watching them come and go over and over as they fed their brood down under the winch. We could not see the little ones, so they must be down there quite a way, but you sure can hear them when momma and daddy come each time with a tasty morsel.

Good thing we aren't planning on going boating anytime soon.