In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Any Bird watchers here?

Discussion in 'Hobbies and Interests' started by metalcuttr, Nov 1, 2021.

  1. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    30,773
    Likes Received:
    185,999
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    I think mine might do the same here along with white throat sparrows (another ground feeder) below our suet cage. Cant see the ground below it as the suet is less that three feet away from our viewing point, buti do see them hop towards the house.
     
  2. bogieb

    bogieb

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    Messages:
    11,923
    Likes Received:
    72,206
    Location:
    New Hampshire
    My juncos are primarily ground feeders too. But I do have 1 or 2 that will go on the hanging platform feeder. I'm unsure if it is the fact it is a platform feeder, or if they are low bird in the pecking order so they improvise and get what they can with the rest around (or maybe they are the smart ones since there aren't many birds going to the hanging feeder). Even in past years when I've had a tube-type feeder, there have usually been 1 or 2 juncos that will tackle that while the rest hit the ground.
     
  3. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    Messages:
    13,534
    Likes Received:
    96,127
    Location:
    Southern Worcester county
    The juncos here are on both the suet and seed feeders, as well as on the ground.
     
  4. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Messages:
    1,814
    Likes Received:
    9,294
    Location:
    Michigan
    Out there again.

    Screenshot_20250222_162706_Gallery.jpg
     
    Knothead, MikeInMa, bogieb and 3 others like this.
  5. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    Messages:
    13,534
    Likes Received:
    96,127
    Location:
    Southern Worcester county
    The biggest bird I've seen so close to the house. It stuck around long enough for pictures IMG_20250227_132846.jpg

    IMG_20250227_132912.jpg

    A broad winged hawk, I believe
     
    bogieb, Knothead, metalcuttr and 3 others like this.
  6. JoeyD

    JoeyD

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    818
    Awesome! Another part of the food chain.
     
  7. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    Messages:
    13,534
    Likes Received:
    96,127
    Location:
    Southern Worcester county
    Two blues and a downy.

    IMG_20250307_115623.jpg
     
    Krackle_959, bogieb, JoeyD and 4 others like this.
  8. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Messages:
    1,814
    Likes Received:
    9,294
    Location:
    Michigan
    The boys are chasing/showing off for the girls, spring must be getting close.

    20250307_072652.jpg
     
    bogieb, JoeyD, Knothead and 3 others like this.
  9. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    Messages:
    13,534
    Likes Received:
    96,127
    Location:
    Southern Worcester county
    I think they are mooning the camera.
     
    bogieb, buZZsaw BRAD, JoeyD and 3 others like this.
  10. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    30,773
    Likes Received:
    185,999
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    The goldfinches still have their Winter plumage. Its amazing the transformation when they molt. Titmouse in flight to the left. IMG_6995.JPG
     
  11. Knothead

    Knothead

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2015
    Messages:
    1,927
    Likes Received:
    15,801
    Location:
    East Texas
    A pileated woodpecker and chicks, not my photo but these woodpeckers are abundant in my area of East Texas. The ivory billed woodpecker, similar looking, is thought to be extinct, most “sightings” are found to be pileated woodpeckers. Over the years I have replaced two power line poles due to these little guys carving out a hole for a nest to raise their young like you see below.

    upload_2025-3-21_21-38-40.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2025
  12. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    30,773
    Likes Received:
    185,999
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    I watched the show "extinct or alive" and one episode was on the ivory billed. IIRC he didn't find enough evidence that it's alive.

    We have pileated's here too. Heard one in the woods recently and was able to see it. Noisy birds.

    At a recent cut while I was taking a break, I heard a woodpecker tapping. Turns out it was a hairy pecking on a utility pole.
     
  13. bogieb

    bogieb

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    Messages:
    11,923
    Likes Received:
    72,206
    Location:
    New Hampshire
    Heard a woodpecker yesterday that was a ways away from my house (I estimate a block or two). Never saw it, so don't know for sure, but at the time I thought it was probably a pileated. I know there is a pair around as I see one every once in a while.

    Saw a male bluebird a couple of days ago in my backyard. Haven't seen any since Nov or Dec. Grabbed some mealworms from Agway yesterday and put a few out on the feeder and ground below. I had a bag from last year in the basement, but opened it and they had gone moldy (probably my fault - and I could just smell it, not actually see mold), so decided it was best not to use those.

    About a week ago I saw my first redwing blackbird - actually heard it first. I usually get a lone one or two first, then a flock visits for a day or two. Sure enough, Thursday a flock was covering the trees out back. Unfortunately the flocks aren't as big since they filled in the swamp next door and built the house.

    My pair of cardinals is still around. Would see them intermittently thru the winter, and see or hear them (or at least the male) nearly every day now.

    I don't provide constant feed for the birds as I try to minimize bear visits. Also, if I keep feeders full, the squirrels multiply like rabbits and I try to keep the population in my yard down to 1-3 (not counting the red squirrel that lives in the barn foundation in a house catty-corner of my property). When there are 5 or more, that is way too many and I'm not paying to feed them. So, I just have a platform feeder on a pole about 60' from the house, plus I throw some seed on the ground for ground feeders. I only put some out there every 2 or 3 days.
     
  14. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    Messages:
    13,534
    Likes Received:
    96,127
    Location:
    Southern Worcester county
    The summer canaries(gold finch) are turning color.

    IMG_20250331_113838.jpg
     
  15. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    30,773
    Likes Received:
    185,999
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    WOW! last time I saw one here it was 1/4 molted. Been a few days.
     
    metalcuttr, MikeInMa and bogieb like this.
  16. bogieb

    bogieb

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    Messages:
    11,923
    Likes Received:
    72,206
    Location:
    New Hampshire
    Had trees full of them and a bunch in the yard where I throw seed out on Sunday. Unfortunately, it is about 60' from the house, so my zoomed and cropped picture doesn't really show much. I also scared off a bunch when I went back in the house to get my phone. They were very bright and noisy. I can see 5 males in the picture and there were several females too.

    goldfinches 3-30-25.jpg
     
  17. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    30,773
    Likes Received:
    185,999
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    Maybe half molted. The other is a female. IMG_7092.JPG IMG_7094.JPG
     
    Jeffrey Svoboda and MikeInMa like this.