We may not have much in the way of colorful flowers blooming these
cold days. . . . . . . but look how beautiful the garden birds are.
These I managed to catch through the dining room window yesterday. Many more
non-migratory birds are busy in the garden, eating from the feeders, and drinking
to keep their strength up for flight on these cold days. Early mornings we've been
boiling the tea kettle and using the water to melt the solid ice in the birdbath
and fountain. As soon as the steam dissipates they fly in, obviously thirsty in
this very dry - at the moment - climate.
European Starling, awaiting the ice to melt, dressed in dapper
black and white 'winter clothing'.
Can you believe this surprise yesterday! After melting the fountain water, a beautiful
male Eastern Bluebird flew in to quaff his thirst. He wouldn't turn around before
flying off so you just get to see his handsome back. He, like all our visiting birds,
looked very healthy - always a good sign they are finding enough nourishment.
Male Northern Cardinal - many in our garden, along with the brownish females.
They hang around in flocks of about twenty, coming to eat very early
morning, always the last to leave the feeders at dusk.
There are several different sparrows in the garden
now - I believe this is the Song Sparrow, all puffed
up and happy to find water, and casting a chubby shadow.
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Last but by no means least, the other visitor - one of at least a dozen living
in our garden! Grey squirrels are omnipresent, probably eating more birdseed
than all the birds combined. . . . . . but we put up with them because all creatures
need to be cared for, especially in winter.
"I'm not a bird, and I'm sometimes naughty, but I am very cute and I do get hungry".
Below is a list of the non-migratory songbirds birds currently feeding in our garden.
Although January, the garden is still quite lively and all we need now,
dare I say it, is a little snow as I love to view/photograph these birds
in freshly fallen snow!
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Eastern Towhee
European Starling
Carolina Wren
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
Yellow-rumped Warbler
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco
American Robin
American Crow
American Crow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Assorted Sparrows
Do you have many visiting birds at this time of year?
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Awww, that last photo of the little squirrel standing there looking so polite just melted my heart. That same heart that is often chasing them out of my birdfeeders :). Ha! You are so right they all need to be taken care of at this time of year especially.
ReplyDeleteI must say I am very impressed that you are even melting the ice off the bird bath. I am now considering doing the same thing, particularly if it might bring a bluebird calling. It is evident that the birds are most thankful judging by the lovely assortment to be seen outside your window.
A wonderful post, Mary. We've been keeping our feeders filled, but I haven't been taking the time to notice who is visiting. You have inspired me to open the blinds and pay closer attention.
Oh yes Kim, do look out your windows - with your beautiful garden you should have plenty of birds visiting your feeders!
DeleteThanks for stopping by today.
Mary -
Such beautiful birds Mary. We don't have most of them in Holland.Wish we did!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!
Madelief x
Hi Mary. Oh, this post is great. I loved seeing all the birds that visit your feeders. There are some real beauties but my favorite are the little chubby sparrows. Gosh, they're cute. Just as cute as the chickadee when they are all puffed up. I'm glad you don't mind the squirrels. I realize they are a bloody nuisance but they, too, are starving in the winter and need food. They just don't seem to have good manners. I have a sweet little red squirrel that lives in a tree right behind our feeders on our lot. He's pretty cute but naughty. If you drop on over you will see some that I fed yesterday. Have a wonderful weekend, Mary. Deb
ReplyDeleteYou captured some great shots! We have to wait until Dec to put our feeders out. That is when we are pretty sure the bears are hibernating. So our birds have not really discovered our feeder yet. We have had a few juncos and chickadees as well as some tufted tit mouse. No cardinals...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
Thank you for posting pics of those colourful birds. It has been a bit too cold and stormy for a lot of the birds to come to my feeders during the past couple of days. Expect to see some cardinals and blue jays today now the weather has settled down somewhat.
ReplyDeletePatricia
Ohhh I'm so jealous of your cardinals - we don't have those out here. I have photos of some that I took in WV last spring. And I'm glad that you figured out that the furry guy was not a birdie. He is cute though. We have black squirrels and grey squirrels - they are such silly things and we love to watch them skitter about.
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice variety of birds in your garden this winter. We have some of the same ones here as well. It seems more of them are not going south like they used to, like the cardinal and some robins. Enjoy your bird watching.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and colourful assortment of birds visit your garden. Gorgeous creatures, all of them, even the cheeky squirrel.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots Mary...especially the photo of your Eastern Bluebird and the puffy little shadow of the sparrow. All so pretty and uplifting on this somber Sunday morning. ox, Gina
ReplyDeleteWe have many birds visiting us right now in the garden, but I don't always know their names.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish we had those red cardinals, I just love the bright red in contrast to the drabness
of the season.