From Our Backyard, A Monthly Column Written by Charles

Downy Woodpecker eating Simply Suet

From Our Backyard

The last vestiges of snow have melted into the ground. Today’s forecast is a high in the early retirement ages. Winter is over but shiny days like this can be a temporary illusion. Ask the Wood Frogs that were loudly croaking in yesterday’s afternoon sun that awoke to an icy ceiling above them this morning.

The birds seem happier as they greet each sunrise with song. White-throated Sparrows and Cardinals are cheerily singing from every corner of the yard. Blue Jays sound the alarm that I just dumped peanuts in their tray. Soon there will be anywhere from 8 - 12 Jays scarfing up peanuts and flying off. White-breasted Nuthatches and Titmouse sneak in and snatch a nut or two then retreat to a safe place to eat. Woodpeckers are all day visitors to the three suet feeders I have out. During last week’s Great Backyard Bird Count, we had 4 Downy, 3 Red-bellied, 2 Hairy, 2 Northern Flickers, and 2 Pileated Woodpeckers on one of our counts. When mobs of Blackbirds landed at our feeders it was difficult for the smaller and shyer birds to get food from the feeders. I took to broadcasting seed into the wooded area just beyond our feeder stations. This allowed ground feeding birds like Cardinals, Sparrows, Juncos, and Doves to spread out and forage naturally instead of fighting for a space with hordes. Cages around feeders prevented larger birds from getting all the food, but allowed smaller species like Wrens and Bluebirds a place to eat. Goldfinches have been a rare bird for us this season, but the other day we had a male and female Purple Finch at our feeders. Murmuration of blackbirds flow in each morning from their nightly roosting grounds. Without a covering of snow, they are not raiding our feeders in vast numbers but tend to pass overhead. Occasionally a large flock will land in the treetops for a short spell. I love the sound of their noisy chattering and always wonder what they are talking about. If you notice the birds eating more now, it is because the nights are still cold and as the winter gets longer there is fewer natural foods to be found. Warmer temperatures and the appearance of insects will help the birds, but they will still rely on your feeders.


I will miss the snow. The crisscross of tracks provided insight to nocturnal travels of wildlife through our yard. The paw prints gave essence to unseen animals. My predawn walks with Sandy through the freshly fallen snow, under a starry sky, revealed to me what she sees with her snout year-round.

 

Charles Shattuck