TSC $1 per block when you buy a box of 10 $1.25/block at OSJL. Close to a buck each when buying a box of 8
Like buZZsaw BRAD I buy the 40lb bags of black oil sunflower seeds and either the peanut or woodpecker suet by the box. Usually at Lowe's. All of the feed stores around here are well out of the suburban areas and the Urban Pet stores are way too expensive. The birds show a decided preference for the nut, fruit or woodpecker suet!
Wrens are common around here and we get an occasional one at the feeder. Small solitary birds that can be noisy little things.
We have Carolina Wrens. They are noisy as you mention. They come to both the black oil tube feeder and suet block. Lots of winter Juncos around these days.
With the wren keeping close watch. My holy grail bird here. Its color really pops in the Winter. Is their plummage bluer in the Winter based on your observations Mike?
Never paid much attention to any seasonal blueness. The feeders were colorful today with bluebirds, cardinals, and red belly woodpeckers about.
We have been amazed this year that “our” little bluebird family stayed for the winter. This is Wisconsin after all. But we provide food, water (even in winter) and shelter so I guess they measured risk versus reward of migrating and said, “We’ll stay.” The adult male and female were from a 2022-2023 brood, also raised here, we THINK, just based on their familiar behavior. In the photo, you have (I think) dad and son. Hope the others that were also raised here migrated successfully and will be back next year. Edit: photo added (if this works now…)
https://youtube.com/shorts/NnW6O4P91h8?si=0SQL_NRU4nLc2jyJ Having some tech troubles here. Used to know how to do this. Alas. Edit: pics added. We had two bluebird broods in 2023-2024 and two in 2022-2023. We keep an eye on them with a Blink camera. We have lost a couple/few; one egg to a house wren and one or two(?) to nest predation from a red-bellied woodpecker. On the whole they’ve done well and we do think it’s the same “family” that comes back. The adult male in 2022-2023 used to actively tap our windows when there were no more mealworms in the feeder! It was cute at first but wore thin quick. Of interest, he ALSO repeatedly got our attention when there was a disturbance or danger in the nest. House sparrows/house wrens on numerous occasions and once, ants. So interesting. Anyways “Dad” this year was much more pugnacious with nest defense and way less needy - which was a welcome change. Hope the pics upload after adding all this!
Ive only seen a bluebird 2-3 times in my life. Would love to have them as regulars but our wooded area isn't their ideal environment. They like open fields based on what I've read.
Feeder cams are fun. A little squabble, and mama bluebird. By God, house sparrows, starlings, and house wrens (when they return) are just the level WORST for bluebird nerds like us. Ps there we were, fretting about what our “poor little bluebirds would do in WI; it’s so cold.” As usual, they knew better, I think. I don’t know HOW they do it, but it would appear they hedged their bets that conditions would be better here than wherever they would have flown off to for the winter. God’s creation never ceases to amaze.
Possibly a mourning dove or a white winged dove. I am located on the northeastern most range for white winged doves and see them mostly in the warmer months. Below is a stock photo of the white winged dove for reference.
Ive seen doves fluffed up like that in the bitter cold here. Somewhere I have a pick of one all puffed up.
Incase yall ever wondered about the meaning of seeing cardinals. Was taken from this article. Seeing A Cardinal Meaning: Spiritual Symbolism And Significance - Christian Website
