Backyard Birds- April 2020

A few random shots of my common backyard birds in April:

Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Chipping Sparrow and Carolina Chickadee.

Wren Couple Returns

I had the pleasure of watching a pair of Carolina Wrens prepare their nest in one of the birdhouses yesterday. They raised a brood in the same birdhouse about this time last year. There's a brand new birdhouse in our back yard but they chose the old one. I call it a bird "townhouse", and they chose the most dilapidated house. I figure maybe it's because the cracks on the side allow for more ventilation. I don't know. We are all creatures of habit, aren't we? I watched them for about an hour or so, flying back and forth, gathering sticks and leaves to cushion and protect their forthcoming eggs. They worked as a team. Sometimes Dad wren would take a break and perch on top during which time he'd sing. It's incredible to hear such a loud song coming from this tiny bird.

The last photo is NOT a Carolina Wren.  It's a Chipping Sparrow that decided to check out the activity going on at the bird townhouse.  He didn't seem all that impressed so he didn't hang around for long.  

Crazy About Suet!

Birds love suet!  I try to keep the crunchy peanut buttery treat on hand for my back yard friends.  I always use the same basic mix but vary on the extra ingredients like raisins, cranberries, seeds, nuts, etc.  I've tried the store bought stuff, but it usually ends up in the trash because my bird friends won't eat it.  However, they love this homemade recipe.

The basic ingredients for this suet recipe are:

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup lard

2 cups yellow corn meal

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

Put it all together:  

Melt peanut butter and lard together.

Add dry ingredients and stir well.

Add extra ingredients on hand like 

bird seed, sunflower chips, raisins or dried cranberries, peanuts, etc.  

After mixing everything together, let it set for a few minutes. Spoon the mixture out and roll it into 1 to 2 inch balls or spread it into a sheet pan then cut it into squares.  I have also spooned the mixture into miniature muffin pans.  The shape of the mixture doesn't matter to the birds- they love it either way! Extra mixture may be stored in the freezer until ready to use.  

There are many variations on suet recipes so feel free to experiment.  I've tried others but this combination of ingredients has been the most popular with my back yard friends.  

Thank you for dropping in and I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

Backyard Goldfinches

Good morning everyone!  I had been watching the news about the winter blizzard that crippled parts of the mid-Atlantic- what a mess it left.  I feel for any of you who may be having to cope with that.  I can't imagine having to literally dig out from 2 feet of snow.  We didn't even get a few flakes here. Our weather is crazy- in the mid to upper 60's for a day or two, then dropping to the 30's and 40's, back and forth, from cold to warm.  That means we maintain a mixed wardrobe in our closets because our weather can change considerably fast.  

One of the few things I like about winter is the return of migrating birds, such as the American Goldfinch.  A large number of them are taking advantage of the feeders filled with a variety of seeds. They favor nyger and sunflower seeds, but will eat the finch food as well.  Chipping Sparrows and Pine Siskins have also returned for the winter.  My back yard has become a popular hang out for these groups.  Unfortunately, a local hawk has discovered that as well.  I spotted him (or her) swooping down and trying to snatch one of the little birds yesterday.  I know the hawk has to eat too, but I wish it would go elsewhere.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.  Try to stay warm!  

Gibberish

After four days of labor intensive work in my new flower garden, this old gal is whooped.  Pooped. Tuckered out.  Dog-tired.  I've had to convince myself several times over that the end results will be worth the effort.  I'll post photos when the garden is completed.  

I thought I'd share a few shots of my back yard friends with you.  These photos have been taken during the last 3 to 4 months, as you can tell with the bare trees.  I hope you've had a wonderful week and may you be blessed with a great weekend.  I'll be back at it tomorrow, planting more beautiful blooms to enjoy.  I plan to rest on Sunday.  

Blue Jays are so pretty, aren't they?  This one is enjoying some seeds on the ground.

An American Robin grabbed a berry and quickly went on his way.

Seems this Northern Cardinal is enjoying the evening sun while perched on the feeder.

A small Chipping Sparrow decided to invade the Cardinal's serene moment.

A female Purple Finch spotted me then flew away, but not before I got the shot!  :)

It's not easy photographing this little Chickadee- most often he is too fast for me!

Tails up!

"Okay, who goosed me from behind?"

Oh yes, at least I can report that I'm done with preparing the soil bed for the flowers ^5!  That was a major task.  I'll explain more about that later.  Thank you for stopping by!

Backyard Chippers

Chipping Sparrows are the second most common birds in my back yard these days...

but I don't mind.  I enjoy their company and love their "trilling" calls.

Sometimes, it sounds as if there's a couple hundred of them in the trees around me. During early morning hours, they're everywhere- in the trees, the feeders and on the ground below the feeders. They compete with Pink Siskins (now the MOST common bird in my back yard) and often the siskins outnumber them at the feeders. The siskins are also little meanies and are willing to fight to maintain their feeder spot.  More about them later....

I hope your week has started off well.  After working the past two nights, I'm going to catch up on some zzzzzzzzzzzz's today.  Have a great day and thanks a bunch for dropping in :)