It's raining little birdies in my front yard. This is what happens when you put out a bird feeder or three.
They gather in the trees surrounding the yard and then from every angle, swoop down on my window and my deck. When I go outside I am chattered at by imperious chickadees, who are mad at me for infringing on "their" territories. One feeder is nailed to a post on the deck, one feeder is hanging right next to the front door, and one feeder is half a violin case (of course!) that is in front of my livingroom window. All are filled with sunflower seed. Well, sunflower seed and round, puffy little birds.
There are red polls, many many red polls. They look like sparrows with tiny little red berets cocked jauntily on their heads.
The chickadees sometimes mix with the red polls, but often wait, sitting in neat rows on my flag poles, until they can all go in together. The red polls are very bossy and try to chase everyone away. Funny behavior for the smallest birds at the feeder!
Whiskey jacks, also known as gray jays, or camp robbers, lurk in the trees. When they make their move, everyone else whooshes off.
So far I haven't seen the return of the grosbeaks or crossbills, but I'm sure they'll show up when they hit town again. And the robins will be back one of these days, too.
When you start feeding birds, especially in a cold climate, it's best to be sure that the feeders remain full all winter. I left a feeder at my old place, and Mark told me that he has to buy 50 lbs of sunflower a week now!
