Subject: [Tweeters] Pesky Pileated
Date: Oct 6 23:11:06 2006
From: vickibiltz at comcast.net - vickibiltz at comcast.net


Hi,
Twice this past week I have spooked the male Pileated trying to eat sunflower chips at the feeders hanging from my windows. Tuesday morning, I heard a clanging and opened the front office blinds, and spooked him. He was apparently trying to use the drift-wood next to the feeder, to get to it. It is squirrel proof, which can make it hard for them to reach their head through the bars. Today I spooked him off of the kitchen feeder. He let out a huge squawk, and flew into the neighbors trees. He has been having a hey-day on my suet feeders, having discovered the suet in a round green basket hanging in my cherry tree.
Last Sunday afternoon was a treat for me however, when he let me within about 25 feet of him. I was trying to fill the log suet feeder, and he was content to sit on the ground eating the crumbs that lay beneath it. I finally scooted him into the trees and did my chore, since I was getting tired of his poking around.
The Evening Grosbeaks continue to fly by on occasion, but have not stopped to feed yet. It doesn't appear there are very many in this flock.
I do hear occasional Crossbills, but they too, are not as often as in years past.
The yard has been a beehive of activity with all the smaller birds, and the woodpeckers coming and going, not much on Sapsuckers these days. Still am holding off on spraying the Aphid tree, it is really starting to suffer, so I may spray insecticidal soap on it when it starts to bud this coming spring. However, it attracts as many birds as the feeders, and bird baths. BTY, when a Pileated takes a bath, you need to refill the bath, they use it all.
Going to Israel again, from the 1st to the 16th. This time Mark and I will be able to go to Jericho, and Hebron with someone who lives there. The guy who lives in a settlement north of Jericho, said there are tons of Eagles, and so I am studying up. Didn't get to do much birding last time. (two years ago). At least this time I do have a book on birds of the middle east, to take with me.
--
Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake Wa
vickibiltz at comcast.net