Another Downy Woodpecker

Another downy woodpecker actually visited the feeder. There are not many different kinds of birds at the feeder these days. The most prevalent and constant are the black-capped chickadees. Even though there was quite a bit of snow last night they have cleared enough snow away from the feeder to get at the seeds.

Downy Woodpecker at Feeder

Another photo of a Downy this time right on top of the feeder picking up a sunflower seed. Usually the downy woodpeckers remain on the spruce trees whereas nuthatches visit the feeder quite regularly.

Downy Woodpecker actually visits feeder.

I was surprised to look out at the feeder this morning to see a downy woodpecker perched on top of the feeder with a sunflower seed in its beak. It did not stay long but flew off to a nearby spruce tree. The woodpeckers usually stay in the spruce trees pecking away at the bark but I guess they do not mind the occasional change of diet especially in the winter when few bugs are probably found.

Several ravens seen on trip to city

We saw several individual ravens and also two together on the way to Brandon to shop. The only other birds we saw were two flocks of snow buntings and in the city a flock of pigeons. At the bird feeder we have chickadees, nuthatches, pine siskins, and house sparrows. The other day there was also a downy woodpecker.

Unphotogenic Downy Woodpecker.

This is actually a downy woodpecker on his way up the feeder post to the feeder. I don't think the photo will win any prizes. This is the first downy I have seen in some time. Nuthatches are quite common but the downy is only an occasional visitor so I do not get many chances to photograph it.

A downy woodpecker again

Not many species are visiting these days but yesterday I saw another downy woodpecker in the spruce trees. There are also a few house sparrows but most common are the black-capped chickadees.

Faithful chickadees

Chickadees are among the most faithful visitors these days. There are no new species although there a downy woodpecker has appeared from time to time. The juncos seem to be all gone. It is even a while since I have seen a red breasted nuthatch. Of course there are plenty of house sparrows at the moment. They tend to come in rather large flock of several dozen at a time.

Another downy woodpecker

Yesterday another downy woodpecker visited. It actually landed on the feeder but I was unable to act quickly enough to get a photo. This photo is borrowed from the internet! There are not many different kinds of birds at the feeder these days. The most numerous visitors are the common house sparrows but there are also quite a few black capped chickadees and the odd pine siskin and also red breasted nuthatches but that is all!

Downy Woodpecker visits

For two days in a row a downy woodpecker has been visiting. The woodpecker visited the feeder at least once. Usually they stay in the spruce trees hunting for insects under the bark.

There are still many large flocks of geese migrating south. On a trip to Brandon on Wednesday we saw at least half a dozen very large flocks. There was also one large flock of blackbirds. I thought they were long gone. In one field there were gulls spread out all over the field.

At the feeder there are still plenty of juncos. Chickadees are common again and nuthatches also visit regularly.

Downy woodpecker back

Yesterday a downy woodpecker visited the feeder a number of times. Actually, it possibly might be a hairy as it seemed to me a bit larger than the last downy I saw some time ago.
There were also a few more redpolls yesterday as well as the usual red-breasted nuthatches and plenty of chickadees. There are some house sparrows but no large flocks. We saw another flock of snow buntings on our travels on Xmas day.

Signs of winter coming.

The weather is getting quite cool with temperatures dipping below freezing during the overnight period. We have had quite strong winds and also a few brief flurries. There are still geese about but many have already flown south.

The feeder is busy but the variety of birds seems not to be increasing. The house sparrow dominates more than ever. However, there are still quite a few red-breasted nuthatches, and the faithful chickadees (photo) that are here all year long. I have not seen any juncos the last few days. It seems a bit early for them all to have passed through. I did see another downy woodpecker yesterday.

Another Downy Woodpecker

At the feeder yesterday, a downy woodpeck appeared. They are not that common. I have not seen any northern flickers lately. They are around all winter but only visit the yard occasionally. I have never seen one at the feeder as they are rather large.
The usual house sparrows are busy dumping out seed. There are still plenty of juncos but they do not usually eat from the seeder. They hop around the yard or pick up seeds from under the feeder.
Red-breasted nuthatches are rather common. I saw three at one time at the feeder, most unusual. Purple finches appear from time to time. Chickadees are constant visitors and there is the odd purple finch. Pine siskins are still common visitors.

Geese are still flying south every day so far. Once the weather turns colder they will soon all be gone. We are enjoying almost Indian summer weather these days although the wind is often cold.

Gradual warming trend.

It was a few degrees above freezing today with little wind. I was able to walk around the village without feeling cold. There is still not much water running in the ditches as the melt has been very slow and gradual.

I had to fill the feeder again today as the red polls and juncos are eating constantly and in large numbers. I still have not seen a house sparrow for several days now. There are the usual chickadees and one downy woodpecker still. No crows have visited the yard yet. The local crows must have bad eyesight because they have not taken away the chicken bones I put out.

Voracious red polls

I had to fill the feeder again this morning and this evening it is almost half empty. There are just oodles and oodles of red polls plus quite a few juncos eating constantly. The downy woodpecker is still around as are a few chickadees.

No crow has visited today even though I have put out some chicken bones later today. They will probably find them if a stray cat does not get there first!

Still waiting for Spring

The feeder is very busy. I will have to fill it again tomorrow. The redpolls are most numerous followed by the juncos. However, there are still chickadees darting back and forth the odd time. I include a photo (but not of mine). The downy woodpecker was around today. No house sparrows have appeared for days on end.
I saw several crows while walking about the village and heard geese honking.

Slowly warming up!

I had to fill the feeder again yesterday and today it is already one third gone. The weather is a bit nicer. I sat in the sun at a neighbour's and it was reasonably warm. Of course I had a parka on!

The usual birds are at the feeder. The juncos are still here. They probably will not stay too much longer. As soon as the snow disappears they drift further northward. There are still plenty of red polls. I have never seen red polls in the numbers that are around this year. In fact some years I haven't seen any at the feeder.

The downy woodpecker is still around the yard in the spruce trees and there are a few chickdees as well. There are plenty of crows around town. I walked over to the lagoons but there were no birds in the small patch of open water.

Knocked out cold!

The feeder is so busy that red polls often bump against the window that is close by. Usually they fly away immediately but sometimes they are stunned for some time. That was the case today. A redpoll hit the window so hard it actually left a bit of a feather where it hit. I thought it was dead on the ground but a while later it was disappeared. I expect it flew off but I suppose it is possible a cat got it.

There were no new birds today. However, the downy woodpecker was around several times so I put a photo of one in today's blog. The weather is still cold but not unpleasant as there is not too much wind and lots of sunshine. The snow is slowly melting away but there is no water in the ditches by the highway it is that slow. As well as red-polls there are still lots of juncos and the odd chickadee.

Sunshine but cold!

This ia another photo of a redpoll at the feeder. This was taken some time ago. Today there are oodles of redpolls at the feeder. There are so many that there is not room for them all and there are minor conflicts. There are still a few juncos that also come to the feeder but most are content to feed on the ground. The downy is still around and of course a few chickadees. Even a crow visited the yard to see if we had left any goodies out.

More cold weather!

The usual juncos and redpolls are active at the feeder. I have to fill the feeder every second day now. Usually the seeds will last four or five days at least. Even with the crowds at the feeder I have not seen a single house sparrow today. However the usual chickadees appeared and a downy woodpecker.

The juncos actually managed to eat most of the bacon grease I put out for the crows! They even picked some of the chicken bones.

Back to the deep freeze!

The feeder is quite busy again but all are regulars. Red polls are the most numerous but there are still quite a few juncos, mostly on the ground. As well as a few chickadees, a downy woodpecker is visiting today.

There is no sign of spring weather. It is windy and far below freezing. At least there is no snow but lots of sunshine.