Feeder Watching

On this Valentine’s Day while my wife is out relieving the everyday stresses of work with a massage, I’m having a wonderful time doing some feeder watching this weekend. As much as I love to get out into the field and do some serious birding, sometimes it can be athrill when you just sit there after filling all your feeders and seeing what appeaars in your yard.
February can be a pretty lean month as food supplies dwindle and birds become bolder around feeders. House Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows fight over seed scattered on the ground, while Starlings hang out under the suet feeder waiting for scraps that are dropped.
Surprises like a Red-winged Blackbird ( where were you in January) Common Grackle, and a American Crow are always a welcome sight. Woodpeckers are always fun as they try to muscle their way to the suet.
With feeding in both my front and back yard there is always some action close by. Keeping the feeders filled is always a challenge when you work. If you forget just one day the feeders could be emptied and no birds around to watch. Granted I’m never thrilled with the Starlings taking over the feeders, but there is usually enough for all the others.
As Spring slowly approaches the feeders will be removed as the birds start to find food on their own, but as long as the bitter cold sticks around I’ll be out every couple of days filling them up.
Notable birds
American Crow
Common Grackle
Eastern Towhee
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
House Finch
American Gold Finch
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated SpRrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Mourning Dove