Our resident bluebirds pulled off a successful hatch a couple weeks ago. As usual, when the chicks fledged, they were immediately escorted by their parents to some tall trees behind out house – far away from blue jays, crows and squirrels that visit our yard. I never knew how many babies made it until this week. They are now reaching full size and there are four still alive and kicking. In all my … [Read more...]

In the past few weeks, I have had visits from white-throated sparrows, catbirds, and my first hummingbirds of the year. Those three species along with my past visitors total 32 types of birds I have seen either in my yard or flying over. We are blessed with a back yard filled with hedges and shrubs and lots of trees which provide good cover. I also provide water and a large variety of seeds and … [Read more...]

I had been filling a small tray with meal worms as my resident pair of bluebirds had several new mouths to feed. They knew the drill. When I approached the tray, it was meal worm time. Unfortunately, a robin also knew what I was up to and swooped down and quickly gobbled up all the worms. I ordered a Pearl Mini Feeder which arrived in two days. I have had domed feeders before with mixed … [Read more...]

I wondered when they would show up – my Catbirds, that is. Usually, about the time the snowbirds leave (and they did a week ago), the Catbirds arrive. I shouldn’t have worried. While I was sitting on the patio this week enjoying a cocktail, a catbird flew to a limb above me then flitted down to a chair not 6 feet away. This was obviously a returnee who remembered that I often distribute meal worms … [Read more...]

We have lots of mockingbirds in our neighborhood, but not usually in my yard – which is unusual since I have tons of other birds that visit. But more and more I am drawing mockingbirds to my feeders. As it tuns out, the friendly gray birds are quite fond of peanut logs and sunflower hearts. I have often written about a product named C & S Peanut Log, which I have been hanging instead of … [Read more...]

Bluebird babies are just starting to peck their way out of the shells and Mom and Dad Bluebird will soon be hard at work. Those who truly love bluebirds assist the parents with heaping bowls full of meal worms. The little wigglers (larvae of the black beetle) are full of protein and supplement the chicks’ diets. I have been buying meal worms for over 25 years and my best source is Fluker Farms. … [Read more...]

Yep. The “Snows” know all right. Snowbirds, that is, and they know when it’s time to pack their little bags and fly away for the summer. But so far, they haven’t felt the urge. My little flock of 9 snowbirds, Dark-eyed Juncos to be exact, are still picking up the millet seeds that I scatter especially for them. My snowbirds generally arrive in November, chased down from the north by cold … [Read more...]

I welcomed a couple unexpected guests to my back yard last week. A pair of beautiful, Pileated Woodpeckers. They swooped in to check on one of our 50-year-old maples, pecked here and there and sailed away. I expect they were shopping for a nesting site. About 20 years ago, I had a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that nested in one of my trees in an old hollowed out place for two straight years, … [Read more...]

Nesting time, that is. For the past few weeks, I’ve heard my backyard male bluebird warbling. By the way, I have backyard and front yard bluebirds. Even though they’ve been with their mates all year, the makes take nothing for granted and woo the females, lest a younger bird move in on their territory. Then yesterday, I saw the backyard male pulling up dead grass and flying to the birdhouse … [Read more...]