Today I saw (birds) 2016

[EllenW]

I have been putting out peanuts for the Blue Jays. They are really fun to watch. They always let me know when they are around with their distinctive sounds

[turttle]

I have a fledgling red shouldered hawk in my back woods, who sits in the tree and calls for mom, or for something, for a about half an hour at a time. When I am on my laptop I will post photos.

Very cool fledgling bluejays. They are very cute.

My neighbor saw a bluejay carrying something, and then dropping it, it turned out to be a baby bat. I didn't know they hunted bats, though I know they will rob birds nests.

[Rebek56]

We were at Pearson Metropark near Toledo today and saw several great egrets--love them!

[linrose]

I think I saw an Indigo Bunting at the feeder today. It was sparrow sized with a blue cast to dark grey feathers.

[havalotta]

Ooooo I would love to see one of those!

[linrose]

They came, they saw, they gobbled. The Cedar Waxwings that is. When they come it is undeniable, they strip every berried tree and bush of every fruit. A couple of days ago I put out a water dish because of the drought and I was concerned about the birds, yes even the squirrels, not having enough and then today dozens of waxwings descended on this one little water dish to drink and bathe after consuming I believe every dogwood berry on the property along with all the other berry bushes and trees we have. They truly are beautiful birds and I love seeing them.

[EllenW]

That must have been fun to see linrose. I haven't seen any here in years

[katjh]

Originally Posted by EllenW

I have been putting out peanuts for the Blue Jays. They are really fun to watch. They always let me know when they are around with their distinctive sounds

I love the jays! I put peanuts out for them, too. They always announce their arrival. Unfortunately, the cooper's hawk knows when they are here, too. I find feathers in the back yard often during the winter .

[NEWisc]

I put out my bird feeders a few days ago and many of the winter visitors are back. It always amazes me how quickly they find the sunflower seed and suet. So far the chickadees, goldfinches, purple finches, nuthatches, blue jays, and downy woodpeckers have been at the feeders. And from the large chunk out of the suet it looks like the pileated woodpecker stopped by too.

The chickadees are always the first to arrive. Always within an hour or two, and sometimes within a matter of minutes. There are at least a dozen of them feeding by the first afternoon. The excited activity of the chickadees must attract the attention of the other birds.

I often wonder how the chickadees find the feeders so quickly. The feeders are there year round, but they are empty from mid-spring to late fall. They don't visit the feeders when they are empty, but arrive very quickly after they are filled. I don't think that scent plays much of a role, and it would take an attentive eye to notice when they have been filled the first time.

And it's not like there are birds constantly flying around the area such that you would expect them to find the food in short order. Are they spying on us humans 24/7 from secret hidden locations?? I wonder ...

[EllenW]

The chickadees and red breasted nuthatches come right up to me when I'm filling my feeders. They are so tame.

You are lucky to have pileated woodpeckers visiting NEWisc