Last week's ice storm had barely cleared from the trees, when more storms came through the Northeast. The feeders have been active, so far with the usual winter feeder birds. I did not see the hawk which also fed at the feeders, but I saw the remaining Blue Jay feathers from the violent encounter. The doves which were so hard to find last weekend for the Christmas Count were around by the dozens.
Let's start with the Carolina Wren - still a regular at the feeders - a pair I think, since we occasionally see two at a time.
A Blue Jay exhibiting nuthatch behavior ...
We've seen as many as three female and one male Northern Cardinals at a time ...
Plenty of "snowbirds", plus a few Song, White-throated, and American Tree Sparrows ...
Many goldfinches, but no siskins, though the Christmas Count had a record number last week ...
And finally ... I put in the dvd "Watching Sparrows" - beautifully photographed, and a good preview to our upcoming trip to Arizona. It was also a hit with both cats, who watched with intensity. In fact, at one point I thought Scampi was going to jump into the TV screen.
Siskins are abundant. This flock is picking seeds from the protected porch.
We are pretty much hunkering down - going to the last night activities tonight will have to await a decision. Maybe if the roads are cleared some. One cat is curled near the wood stove. The other, Lady, has been watching cat television in the kitchen.
Sometimes she gets so excited with what she is watching, that she tries to interact. Note the water bottle behind her; that so we can spray her when she gets on the table, thereby conditioning her to stay off the table. She could care less!
Hope your New Year's birding is good as Lady's is today!
