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.