Things at Your Bird Feeders are a-Changin’

Not more than a week ago, our bird feeders were almost abandoned. We’d see doves (4 or so), chickadees (4 or so), 1-2 cardinals at dawn and dusk, and little else.

Temps were still moderate, the ground and trees were unencumbered by snow such that birds and other wildlife were harvesting their needs directly from nature. There wasn’t a whole lot of need to visit our bird feeders except for a quick ‘n easy snack on the way to their next destination.

In response, our feeder set-ups were correspondingly minimal - only about 1/3 of the feeders were in use, and those, only 1/3 to 1/2 filled. A good strategy - we don’t want to waste food in feeders if the birds aren’t coming!

Our first Project FeederWatch count of the season documented the reality of things - albeit only over a short period of time, we saw a total of 11 individual birds of 5 different species. Pretty low for a property boasting all the food, water, and shelter that birds and other wildlife thrive in.

A handful of chickadees and titmice, a hairy, cardinal, and a couple jays. That’s it. MIA were downies and even the doves. No nuthatches, no finches. Sad.

But just one day later, with the outdoor “thermostat” down add a little snow cover, as they sing, “times, they are a-changin’.”

Just 24 hours after our first count, we’ve had 28 individuals birds in the yard of 12 different species! The surprises were a single Red-winged Blackbird (very late for us, we haven’t seen one in months) and two Fox Sparrows doing their scratch-back motion to uncover food just below the snow and leaf debris.

Juncos (five), jays and chickadees, a pair of cardinals, as well as a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a couple goldfinches. Much better!

So now is the time to start looking for this gradual increase in birds at your feeders and in the area surrounding them (the Fox Sparrows were foraging under shrubs). SLOWLY add more food to your existing feeders, proportionate to the bird activity and SLOWLY add additional feeders back to your set up.

We’ve been anxious for the birds to return. The yard has been somewhat sad of late, and we were missing the movement and color and antics of our beautiful birds. We joyously welcome them back to our yard!

 

 

Comments

[Boni]

I have had 15+ feeders out year round for years. I live in southern coastal NC and always have a large variety of birds. A first this year is Baltimore Orioles. At least 3 for over 4 weeks now. At first they were eating from the seed feeders then one moved to the hummingbird feeders. Right away I ordered a Oriole feeder and now they visit it exclusively. Today, for the first time 2 fed at the same time. My friends were in doubt if I actually saw a Baltimore Oriole until I took pictures. Now they are jealous. I get many more breeds of birds than them. However I offer 9 different types of food.

[Catherine]

I have birds all season long but I just noticed the huge flock of red-winged blackbird going from feeder to feeder with that beautiful bird pattern

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Ellen, A WBU customer in Galway reported a flock of blackbirds today too - mine looked young so maybe they’re a batch of 1st year birds late in their migration.
And our junco numbers grew all day long - from 2 in the a.m. to 17 in the afternoon. So happy!

[Ellen]

We had a lone Red-Winged Blackbird at our feeders last week - definitely later than usual. And the juncos finally arrived, telling me that winter is here (even if the calendar says fall!).