The Townsend's Warblers found on our "bird bread" cage on
January 16 have been paying regular visits to it ever since. We
suspect they may be taking advantage of one of the fiber "roost
nests" that our daughter gave us for Christmas. The warblers
calmly wait in line as the flock of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, a
few Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed
Juncos, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Song Sparrow,
Bewick's Wren and an occasional female Pileated Woodpecker take
their turn. We do not usually see the Downy Woodpecker here in
the winter, and the Spotted Towhees, Varied Thrushes, Fox
Sparrows and California Quail prefer to ground-feed for cracked
corn and black sunflower seed. Of course, the Sharp-shinned Hawk
can put in an appearance any time, scattering birds every which
way, or causing them to freeze motionless at the suet cage. The
hawk does catch a few birds, but usually goes away with empty
talons. Our many Mallards, a few Wood Ducks and the Mandarin pair
are regulars at the feeding area by the pond out our kitchen
window. They go through about 10 pounds of cracked corn each day.
We never tire of seeing and observing the avian melodrama.

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