My "Old Faithful" Birds

I start my Project FeederWatch counting today under less-than-ideal circumstances: bird activity at my feeders has been slo-ow! 

There's still an abundance of natural food sources out there that birds are feasting on - seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, bugs and insects.  The temperatures have not been consistently cold enough to kill off insects and we don't have any snow cover to hide fallen seeds and nuts off the trees and shrubs.  There's still berries on bittersweet and barberries, though the mountain ash berries were cleared off earlier in the fall. 

Blue Jay

I see birds around, but they're more likely foraging in the trees or on the ground than on my feeders.  They've been active at the birdbaths too. 

Nevertheless, I do have a list of birds I'm confident I'll be able to include in my two-day FeederWatch count.  They are my "old faithful birds" - birds that are just about guaranteed to make a quick stop at a feeder sometime during the day, no matter how SLOW feeder activity has been.

Black-capped Chickadees enjoying WBU Stackables

Here's my six Old Faithful birds who never let me down:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Mourning Dove
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco eating Bark Butter® on
our new Double Decker Feeder

I love my old faithful birds; I really do count on them to be there, day-in and day-out, to add color and life to my yard.  They may not be here in large numbers, but at least one WILL show up.

I bet you have "old faithfuls" too.  Let us know who the old faithful birds are in YOUR yard!

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Barbara, that's quite a list of faithful birds. You're lucky...I'm sure you know that!
Rohrerbot, I'm glad you got subscribed. Thank you!
Carol, another great old faithful list! Thanks for sharing.

[Carol]

I have those that you listed as well as Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch, Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, Carolina Wren, and an occasional Red-bellied Woodpecker...

[Rohrerbot]

I have finally figured out how to add you to my reader:) I love your blog and finally I'll be able to get the updates:)

[Barbara]

Thanks for asking Nancy - my old faithfuls up here in the "wilds" of Central Ontario include black-capped chickadees, white-crowned and House sparrows, American Tree sparrows, Blue Jays, dark eyed juncos, white breasted nuthatches, hairy, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, gold- house- and purple finches, white-throated sparrows sometimes, mourning doves always, and the odd Cooper's Hawk as well as a sharp-shinned who patrols regularly. I'm so blessed with all these visitors. I'm sure there are some I've forgotten to mention.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Ellen, usually Red-breasted Nuthatches are usuals but this summer/fall has been different. The White-breasteds are occasional.
Thanks for sharing your list!

[J Crous]

Via email:
On Sunday 6 November I started to count the different species in my garder. In just 30 minutes 9 different species came for their mornnig treat. Roodepoort Gauteng South Africa.

[Ellen]

No nuthatches, Nancy?

The "old faithful" in my yard would have to include Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, and Mourning Dove.

As I looked outside to make sure I didn't forget anyone, I spotted a Red-breasted Nuthatch. They don't show up regularly, so I was happy to see one!