At the feeder

Posted on 11 July 2009 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It has been a while since I have given you a feeder update.

First, an observation. 

The Goldfinches are eating EVERYTHING.  They are not in any way sticking to the thistle seed socks.  I checked around a little with birders and learned that they are in serious nesting mode.  Goldfinches apparently nest very late.

That said, the other types of birds all seem to be eating everyone else’s food as well.  Odd.

Any way… here are a few shots of what is going on these days.

Last year I had quite a few Indigo Buntings.  This year, I see them rarely.

I just caught this guy, out of focus, before he took off.

Girls day out.  The Grosbeaks have lunch.

This immature Red-bellied woodpecker is on the finch sock.  Not great.

A couple bachelors, I think.

Mmmmmm….

"tuppence a bag…"

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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7 Comments

  1. Tina in Ashburn says:
    11 July 2009 at 1:00 PM

    lotsa different birdies! nom nom nom…

  2. Gloria says:
    11 July 2009 at 1:55 PM

    I’m having the same problem. The finches are even taking nibbles out of the hulled peanuts in the acorn woodpecker feeder. I looked out at 6:30am today and there were towhees, finches of different varieties, lazuli buntings, grosbeaks, blue jays, etc., actually being quite aggressive with each other to get to the several feeders (thistle, no-mess mix, sunflower seed chips, black-oil sunflower seeds, hulled peanuts) I have. A huge Mahonia (Oregon grape) bush is being de-nuded of its purple berries, as well. Mr. Gray Squirrel was hogging the black-oil sunflower seed ground feeder. My birdseed budget is really strained these days.

  3. Chris says:
    11 July 2009 at 2:19 PM

    I love the last one of Mr.Oriole and his jellied beak! :)

  4. Lynne at Hasty Brook says:
    11 July 2009 at 4:26 PM

    I’ve seen juvenile Red-bellied Woodpeckers checking out thistle socks. I was told by an experienced birder that the young ones mistake the holes in the thistle socks for sap wells.

  5. A Random Friar says:
    11 July 2009 at 5:37 PM

    When laying eggs and other energy and nutrient-draining activities, birds will often expand their preferred diets (more protein and calcium). Adding some food with calcium, or even ground, cleaned eggshells, is good for them. Peanut butter is also good. You can just slather a little on a tree trunk, if you wish.

  6. supertradmom says:
    11 July 2009 at 8:41 PM

    Birds have always been my favorite animals. I am so happy that you feature them on your blog. Thanks for the beautiful tribute to God’s Creation.

  7. irishgirl says:
    13 July 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Love the birdie pics, as always, Father Z!

    But they sure are ‘little hogs’ at the feeders…..

    The ‘Bahlmer’ oriole picture at the end is hilarious…makes me think of what I used to hear as a kid: ‘AAAA-you’ve got milk on your lips!’

    It was a running gag at our house….

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