Subject: [Tweeters] Here in Eastern Lewis County...
Date: Jun 12 13:28:18 2012
From: drsybert at northtown.org - drsybert at northtown.org


Recently, I inherited a large number of feeders of various kinds and in
excellent condition except they needed cleaning, which I have finished
doing at last. This weekend, we hung three hummingbird feeders in front
of the sun porch (completely glassed in and used as a dining room), and
we were rewarded by the appearance of an Anna male yesterday?with its
luminescent redhead and a body glowing golden in the sunlight?so lovely.
He circled the house and paused for 10-15 seconds beside the window
where I sat reading?the only window where he paused at all. And I
couldn't help but wonder, who is watching who here?

There were several near-to-the-ground feeders too that I placed in the
bare area in front of the brush pile where I usually just scatter white
millet on the ground. The ground-eaters seemed uninterested in them,
but the deer came from far-and-wide to indulge?so those have gone back
into storage.

Another change we were able to make was to increase the number of suet
feeders from one to four. For the past month, I?ve had to refill that
?one? daily, so the extras were welcome although I am still refilling
frequently, but they have brought the Flickers into view more often,
too, which is a major perk in itself! One of the feeders is inside a
little cage, and no suet disappeared from it for days, so I thought the
grid must be too small for any of the local birds. However, this
weekend, I moved it to a double-hooked hanger?just to balance a small
platform sunflower seed feeder on the other hook--and soon the
chickadees (black caps and chestnut backs) were entering it to help
themselves?and to set there for a few seconds instead of flitting away
quickly as they do at the other feeders. Later I saw a female American
Goldfinch sitting on the cage, but she didn?t attempt to enter it while
I was watching although I think she was small enough.

Aside: earlier I reported on the list that the American Goldfinch pairs
here were spending more time at the sunflower seed feeders than the four
thistle feeders. Some of them are near the other feeders, but two of
them are completely isolated from them. That unusual preference
continues although I do see the Goldfinch at the thistles once in
awhile. (All four pair have arrived, too, which cheered me up.)

In other news, the four Spotted Towhee juveniles have left the nest to
join their parents on the ground?although they were still calling to be
fed until yesterday when I did see them pecking amongst the seed.
Also visiting the feeders now are 30-40 Band Tailed Pigeons on any given
day; I am not overjoyed about seeing them there and confess to opening
the house door whenever I see them (or the family of chipmunks)?just
because they eat SO MUCH!! After they leave, refills to the sunflower
seed platforms are invariably necessary!

Also visiting the feeders in large numbers regularly are Black-headed and
Evening Grosbeaks, Steller Jays, Mourning Doves, Juncos, Purple Finch,
and Song and Fox Sparrows. Strangely enough, the Nuthatches that were
daily visitors have not been seen since the new feeders were hung
(although the old feeders are still there also). Also seen daily and
frequently here on my five acres although not visiting the feeders are
Red-tailed Hawks, Cedar Waxwings, Robins, Varied Thrush, Yellow and
Wilson?s Warblers and Common Yellowthroat. We have found Robin and
Yellowthroat nests, but not the others although the hawks have nested at
the far back of the property in previous years.

So that?s what?s happening here in Cinebar in Lewis County?for the
information of whoever is keeping track of which birds are seen there.