Subject: No subject
Date: Feb 2 17:52:24 2004
From: jvbonham at msn.com - jvbonham at msn.com


I could use some help, again.

Today when I was watching my thistle feeder I saw a new bird. It perched several times on the one perch where I could only see it in silhouette.

It was about an inch longer than the Pine Siskins that found my feeder a few weeks ago. It was much slimmer, had finer features, and a tail that I couldn't see well, but appeared to be about the same length as the body.

Does anyone have any idea what birds other than Pine Siskins like thistle feeders?

I woke up a little later than usual this morning and opened the bedroom blinds rapidly, without checking to see if anyone was at the feeders that might be scared away. I was most surprised when I looked at my thistle feeder and saw a lone Pine Siskin perched on the inside perch, under shelter from the rain by the roof of the porch. The poor little guy was hunched up with its feather all fluffed out, looking out into the rain. It looked like one of the most pitiful sights, but while waiting out the rain, took bites of thistle every now and then. When the rain let up about 20 minutes later, it flew off from its sheltered spot.

My daughter and I both stood about two feet away and watched it, amazed that it tolerated us so well.

Also, it has been over a week since I have had to spend a day in bed, so my birdwatching is out of date. There were so many new birds, and I especially noticed that the flocks that are usually around have changed a lot to two birds together. I thought mating season started next month. ?