Window Tapping

Today is a cool off and on rainy day. I am sitting at my computer room window watching the birds come to the same feeder I was watching outside the other day.

Now this feeder is a duel feeder. The feeder holds sunflower seeds but we rigged up a suet feeder to it. Both hang from a wire that is hung from the roof rain spouts. About 3 feet from the window.

I get a good view of the birds. Today I have an unusual amount of pest birds. They are House Sparrows and House Finches. I am sitting here with a back scratcher banging on the window to scare them away. They are an awful nuisance. There is an over abundance of these type of birds and they ruin the natural plant and animal ecosystem. They also can empty a feeder of seed in a day. Two days at the most. They are right up there with how I feel about Fox Squirrels.

That is why I am sitting here like a fool banging on the window with a back scratcher.

House Sparrow Male

House Finch Male

 But I do have some exciting news. Today there was a Red Breasted Nut Hatch  at the suet feeder. I never have seen one at the feeder. Either they are new to my feeders or I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and missed them. These little birds are so cute. The Red Breasted is smaller then it's cousin the White Breasted by 1 1/2 inches. The only thing is the White Breasted is more aggessive then the little Red Breasted and chases it away when it feeds. 

Red Breasted Nuthatch

The only problem with chasing off the unwanted birds you scare away the pretty ones too. Now none are at the feeder. It is pretty tricky scaring away birds you don't want at the feeder....Birds attract other birds. Good and bad ones. The House Finch is pretty smart. It sat watching in the Lilac Bush. It saw some birds were eating. No loud noises when they ate so it wouldn't leave. It hung around in the bush. Sneak a seed and fly back to the bush limb, sneak a seed and back and forth it would go. No reason to get riled up up. 

If you stop and think about it animals are very smart and resourceful. They are so fascinating to observe.  And if you really pay attention you also learn something from them. Like how to out smart them. One way is hanging up squirrel buffers on feeder polls or banging on windows.

This is the type of buffer I have. Some squirrels are VERY smart and can jump over these and even know how to climb a metal pole. I have even sprayed oil on the pole so they couldn't get a grip.

The Juncos have arrived. I have been gone for two days so I don't know exactly when they arrived. But I just now saw a male fly into the Lilac Bush. When these birds arrive you know winter is around the corner. They arrive late Fall and leave early Spring right at the time the Robins appear.

Male Junco

I see the Male Black Squirrel is busy foraging in our side yard. It is rare I see two together but on occasion I have.

Also at the feeder has been male and female Cardinals, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Titmice, Fox Sparrows, and some others.

This is a Fox Sparrow

A cute little bird. They are timid and usually feed when they are alone at the feeder.

I usually see Hairy Woodpeckers and a few Downy's. Today a female Downy is coming quite a bit to the suet feeder. They are the smallest woodpecker in my area.

Female Downy Woodpecker

The Grebe's are diving. I see them swimming all about. But other then that I haven't seen much life on the water. But then again, I am inside. You have to get down by the water to see everything.

The wind has picked up and blowing the Lilac Bush all around. No birds right now so it's a good time to close.

Lilac Bushes

 UPDATE:
Just saw a female Downy Woodpecker and a Male Downy Woodpecker fly to the feeder at the same time. The male scolded her for having the nerve to go to the feeder when he was heading that way. She waited in the Lilac Bush. Then he went the Lilac Bush and she went to the feeder where he again chased her back to the bush. Not a husband I would want







I am so excited. I just saw a Yellow-Rumped Warbler at my feeder. This is so exciting. Another bird I have not seen at my feeder before. Maybe I am not as observant as I think I am?

Stay tuned!