Birds around, and the gardening I’m doing

I thought it’d be nice to write about the birds and behaviour I’ve been noticing of late.

Our big Cedar Feeder, installed on a pole in the yard for a few years, fell over on a day that was compassed by many large gust of wind, and the day after as well, if I recall rightly. (It’s been a very windy March as well!)

The feeder rests on the deck now, until I figure out what to do with it, it needs some ajustment and repairs. So since my feeder is down-and-out, I decided to bring the birds in closer … I decided this on the “snow day” we had this year. The birds were out searching for food that day, so I sprinkled seed on the deck railings that were covered with snow. Some birdies came. The day the snow melted the seeds slowly sank to sit on the actual railing, very neatly. That day and the next, the birds really came to eat.

It’s been a treat to have the birds so close up. Mostly we’ve had Chipping Sparrows, House Finches, and Savannah Sparrows eating. An occassional visit by a Northern Cardinal or a Northern Cardinal Family is a bright event. They don’t seem to hang out long with this set-up though. That could partly be a result of this being straight “wild bird feed” and not the stuff I usually do– mix in a heavy portion of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. In the “old days” the Cardinals would come and eat in the feeder often.

The Eastern Bluebirds are around, as usual, but becoming twitterpated. Guarding their nestbox vigilantly oft times, but not building a nest as of yet. European Starlings bother them sometimes, and the Bluebirds valiantly defend their spot. Spring is a wonderul time to witness how courageous and bold Bluebirds are.

Eastern Pheobe’s are about as well. Both these and the Bluebirds do not ever come to the feeder. Starlings either (if they did, I’d chase them off, as I do Brownheaded Cowbirds.)

Off and on a Red-winged Blackbird will show up.

All in all we haven’t had a large variety of birds, but we have had many Chipping Sparrows, and seeing them up-close makes me appreciate them more. I can see differences in them at this short distance, see them going from winter to breeding phase, and also see the first winter birds, actually distinguishing them from the other Chipping Sparrows. 🙂

Oh, we’ve had some butterbutts too, the nickname for Yellow-rumped Warbler’s. They should be around more soon, as well as American Goldfinches (I did see one coming into breeding color last week, and one drab one, but not at my “feeder”).

This is the year of the Robin, I must announce. In our yard, and the yards around us, we see more American Robins this year than we ever have anywhere in Georgia. (we’ve been here since late 1996). Their bulbous bellies plod around the yard, they are here at morning twilight, 25, or more, easily in view at a time, but they are so busy running here and there and lobbily flying over there and back … there are a lot of them, and counting isn’t something one gets too serious over.

Bluejay’s are around across the street, but occasionally we’ll have one in the back yard for a few mintues. They are my second favorite bird, second to the Eastern Bluebird. Is it because they are both blue? Yes and no. It’s so much more than that. I do love blue though!

I’m hoping we’ll see some Blue Grosbeaks this year. Last year we saw one male, once. 🙁 Years previous have had regular visitors. Also Indigo Buntings, but I’ve not seen one since 2002 probably.

I did see a Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female) last year, and have a picture or so of her on my photo log. I have never seen a male of that bird in person though.

Well, Spring is springing up around here, so more birds will be coming through on their migrations soon. I look forward to the first Ruby-throat Hummingbirds (already have their feeders out and filled) of 2004.

Peonies and Hosta have spiky thick shoots coming out of the ground, still close to the ground, but definitely out. My Purple Coneflower plants in the herb garden are sending up leaves, and other plants are doing things too. Pussy Willow has STILL not bloomed though. One of these days.

We were at Home Depot this evening, just looking, and the herbs and veggies they have out are nice, inviting, and I hope to get several new herbs in my garden this year, and lots of tomatoes, and do some potatoes, and sweet potatoes as well. The green beans of course, and some kind of peas, perhaps. Baby delicate peas I can stand. Sugar Snap Peas in stir fry are good too. I’ve not grown them yet though. This Spring has lots of things going on in the garden, bird nest box, and in our home as well. 🙂