Hi Tweeters,
We have quite a few woodpeckers coming to our suet feeder. Yesterday there
were 4 Hairy Woodpeckers and 3 Downey Woodpeckers vying for space. The
Hairys win out of course but the Downeys always get their turn. The feeder
sits under a cascara tree that all the birds use as a landing point. Three
Hairys waited their turn while one eats, then they take turns, but attack
each other in the process. Sometimes three zoom in at once and grab the
cascara branches, then hide under the branch to avoid attack. It is quite
funny to watch. We have an occasional flicker but they are much more timid.
A Red-breasted sapsucker was there yesterday but he does not come to the
feeder. The Hairys chase him away.

I have been feeding the Steller Jays peanuts and I think this may be a
mistake. Now there is a flock of about 6 of them, or more coming in at once
going for the suet as well. On Sunday, the juncos were scolding everywhere
in the yard and I was wondering if it was because of the jays? I have
stopped feeding them peanuts in the hope they will go elsewhere before the
nesting season. Or have I created a flock of monsters? They are so much
fun to feed though. One dominate bird will come up to my feet to get a
peanut and lately he stops with the peanut in his mouth and looks at me
before flying away. The other jays are afraid to get close as long as he is
around. We have yet to see a Scrub-Jay here.
Nancy Lander
Renton, WA.