Changes

What a difference a day makes.  While still a bit on the windy side, the strong winds of yesterday's cold front are gone, the sun is out, and if you could get out of the wind, not a bad day outside.

There was almost a palpable feel today that spring is almost here.  Trees are beginning to bud out and there is an excitement in the birds behavior.  A Golden-crowned Kinglet was doing some serious hunting on a Pine Tree.  I am not sure what it was finding but explored each tip in depth.

A group of Pine Siskins came in and swarmed on this tree eating seeds.  They have hit it several times so I am surprised anything was left there to eat.











The transformation to their breeding colors changes almost on a daily basis.  The aggressiveness of the Yellow-rumped Warblers seems to increase as their colors become bolder.  The differences between the Auduboni and Myrtle sub-species is unmistakable with the Myrtle sub-species becoming very handsome now.  I have more in the yard now than I have had all year and guess from the large numbers they are beginning to mass for their northern migration.

While I have had a large number, more Red-breasted Nuthatches have also flocked in and their colors are also changing.  When they first arrived, the red of their breast was very pale but is now becoming a rich rust color.  I will still be curious to see if they depart and if so, will they ever return.  I have enjoyed them immensely over the winter months.







The blue of the male Bluebirds is becoming an electric blue and their rust colored chest is deepening.  The pairs have been steadily scoping out the next boxes and nest building should begin soon.

Terrific Tuesday Birds

Despite overcast skies, the birds have been very active at the house today.  I spent the morning out blowing leaves and after I finished, sat on the deck for a bit just watching all the activity.  Lots of woodpeckers, sapsuckers and a pair of flickers flying from tree to tree.

The birds appreciated the leaves being cleared away from their watering hole and rewarded me with close up visits with lots of drinking, bathing and general splashing about.

I am really enjoying the addition of the Red-Breasted Nuthatches to the bird community this year.  They are a lively addition and are always moving about.  One thing I have noticed though is that the normally present White-Breasted Nuthatches are far and few between.  Maybe they are just hunting higher in the trees but they normally are a steady visitor and the suet feeder.

A rather large group of Golden Crowned Kinglets came in around noon.  A flurry of activity and high pitched chirps really stirred things up.  They seemed a bit skiddish about coming to the watering rock but after the first brave bird, took turns flying in and out.










The little Ruby-Crowned Kinglet did not have a fear issue.  It came so close to me at one point the camera would not even focus.















A pair of Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers spent most of the morning chasing each other from tree to tree.  Must be mate selection time.















Phoebe was close by steadily annoucing her presence and darting after any insect she saw flying about.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch and Pine Siskin

Over the last several days, I kept seeing what appeared to be a very small nuthatches coming to the suet feeder.  As quickly as I would try to get a good look, they would fly away.  They were quite a bit smaller than the White-Breasted Nuthatches that are a common sight and displayed the characteristics of grabbing a seed or bit of suet and quickly flying away like Brown-Headed Nuthatches.

I finally realized what I was seeing was Red-Breasted Nuthatches.  It has been many years since I have had one in the yard.  After a little research, I see there is an irruption of these birds this year.  Another sign that it is probably going to be a bad winter further north.

Early this morning I also encounted a large group of Pine Siskins.  Same thing on an irruption with reports of sightings everywhere.