Our recent week of snow, ice, more snow and finally rain presented most
unusual viewing out the window. Hundreds of Juncos, House Finches, Spotted
Towhees, Song Sparrows, Varied Thrushes, and Pine Siskins swarmed over the
bird seed and cracked corn sprinkled over the patio away from the snow.
Every perch was occupied on the sunflower seed and sunflower chip feeders.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches took turns at the
suet basket (We always have Chestnut-backed Chickadees, who used 2 of our
nest boxes last spring.) Black-capped Chickadees are not as plentiful but
they came around regularly. Seeds and corn put on the snow next to a big
Western Red Cedar also attracted the birds.

Appearing as big black dots on the white snow, California Quail sprinted
single file from the rose hedge across the snow-covered lawn to the safety
of the salal beneath the cedar tree where they found the seeds and corn.

Probably the most unusual display of desperation was performed by two
Northern Flickers (red-shafted). First the male flicker came down to the
round suet cage and hung beneath the feeder while deftly stabbing out
chunks of suet with seeds. Then the female flicker followed his example
and got her share of suet. We have never had them at the suet before or
since. Guess they really were hungry. Several Varied Thrushes tried to
emulate the flickers but they almost turned somersaults in the air as they
jabbed from the top of the cage, never really being very successful. Guess
we need a different suet supply for the thrushes. We must have had a
couple dozen Varied Thrushes around our house at the height of the stormy
week. Steller's Jays made flying stabs at the suet as they never succeed
at hanging onto the suet basket.

Our "three musketeers" (male and female Mandarins plus male Wood duck)
are now regulars at the cracked corn by our Upper Pond where Mallards kept
the end of the pond open as they performed ice-breaking duty across the
ice and slush.

We did not see the Bobwhites during the storm. They must have holed up
some place but they have reappeared; one female and two males. And yes, we
saw one Fox Sparrow during the storm. We have never seen more than one at
a time; strange. Even though we were snowed in for a few days, we always
had great birding right out our window.

Erin

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>