Chipmunk has Joined the Gang

How Did He Do That?

The bird feeder is six - seven feet off the ground and I've seen squirrels jump onto it from nearby fence rails and trees, and I've seen gangs of jays and other birds drop by and gobble up seed like nobody's business. But I've never seen a chipmunk in my bird feeder until yesterday.

Enterprising, athletic guy, I say!

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Photos GH

Bird Watching - A Gang of Jays?

Three, Then Five... Six?

I seldom see three Blue Jays at the feeder. Less often than that do I see five or six hanging out together at the feeder and nearby spruce trees. But today I did.

I felt they were in a gang, bold and brash, getting ready to rob a bank!

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Photo GH

Bird Watching - The Line Up

Increased Traffic

Due in part to warmer temperatures, there is higher traffic at my backyard feeder. A pair of jays here, a pair of cardinals there, a gang of sparrows everywhere. And they like the seed mix I toss in most afternoons before my own supper.

Birds are aggressive toward one another but most seem to find a time when they can sit and crack a few shells or gulp down a millet seed... or three.

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Photos GH

My Morning Smile - On Guard Duty

Up to its Neck

My pet rooster guards a bird feeder in case a greedy squirrel wants to hop aboard and fill up on sunflower seeds. Snow is getting pretty deep but 'Sentinel' remains on high alert.

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Bird Watching - Big Jay

One Eye on the Seeds

This Blue Jay is a cautious fellow. It keeps one eye on the seed and the other on me at all times.

["What r you lookin' at?"]

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Photos GH

Bird Watching - Female Cardinal

Busy Place This Morning

The sparrows dominate the small feeder but Mrs. C. holds her ground. Mr. C. is nearby but won't visit until the action has died down.

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Bird Watching Blue Jays

Seeing Double

This morning, after I chased away two squirrels from the feeder and backyard, I was amply rewarded.

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Photos GH

Bird Watching Blue Jays

Always on the Lookout

I sit at a computer near a back window and catch glimpses of many birds streaking to the feeder each day. When I see or hear something, I look up from my work. Sometimes a single Blue Jay pops by for breakfast.

The Blue Jay takes a seed in its bill, then raises its head to look around. Always watchful. Shortly after I am spotted the bird disappears. Another Nervous Nellie.

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Photos GH

Bird Watching - Close Ups

Weary Sparrow

Yesterday I noticed a sparrow that seemed so weary it would not fly off until I was almost right beside it. Sure, sunflower seeds are top-notch but this guy just wouldn't budge. Maybe its weariness or stiffness was related to the cold temperatures.

This morning the sparrows are back in droves.

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Photos GH

Bird Watching - Voles?

Hardy Critters

Not much bird seed goes to waste because what the sparrows kick out of the feeder - under the watchful eye of my metal rooster - lands on the snow below, and squirrels and other critters can make an honest living out of such 'leftovers'.

Last year I uncovered numerous tunnels through ice and snow near the feeder. I suspect the sparrows are feeding mice, moles or voles with their castoffs!

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Photos GH

Bird Watching - Drat!

Slow on the Draw

By the time I had my camera ready a lively pair of Blue Jays were gone.

Then sparrows descended upon the feeder like a band of marauding teens.

Lock the fridge!

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Photo GH

Zoom w a View

I Stand On Guard

Go get 'em, Boy! I say.

This metal sentinel keeps squirrels off the bird feeder at very low pay.

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Photo GH

Bird Watching

Tough Weather, Tough Birds

A Mourning Dove and my metal sentinel both have their backs turned on me in this photo. I noticed the dove didn't fly away as I cleared snow from the back deck. I serve up a pretty popular seed mix and, I reckon, the big eater didn't want to miss out.

The little and medium eaters are all very watchful but stick around long enough for pictures... and second helpings.

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Photos GH

Bird Watching

Patience

Sparrows often out-number juncos at the feeder and the sparrows - literally - come out on top. But juncos know how to enjoy leftovers and bind their time.

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Photos GH

Bird Watching

Dig Deep

I filled the feeder with fresh seed mix yesterday so I know the blue jay will find something if it prepared to dig a bit.

["Whoops. Dropped a sunflower seed"]

"I found something. Dig in, everybody!" says Mr. Blue Jay.

Regular viewers will have noticed that The Sentinel  (metal rooster) is missing from the feeder's roof. A nasty squirrel had a go at the feeder yesterday - by leaping from a tree branch - and knocked The Sentinel into a drift.

Job #42 today: Find The Sentinel. Return it to its rightful place.

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Photos GH

The Workshop - Cedar Feeder

Big Blue

Two cedar feeders are now finished, both the same design, one blue and one green. This is a new design for me with the roof angled at fifteen degrees instead of 22.5 or 30. The modest slope makes the feeder look like it's spreading its wings.

In this case, bigger may be better.

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Photos GH

The Workshop - Blue Cedar Feeder

One Blue One

Over the next few days I will finish off painting two cedar bird feeders, both made from Joe Flagler's old dock boards. One blue feeder. One green one. Slow and steady wins the race.

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Photo GH

The Workshop - Cedar Feeders 5

Assembly Line

Before Christmas I finished two nicely painted bird feeders of similar size to these in my workshop. I will describe the project as follows: Lovely rescued cedar, solid construction, easy pace.

I am now repeating the process for two more - an aromatic project to be sure - before going onto a project that breaks all the rules!

More to follow shortly about 'squirrel houses'! WTheck!

(Has Gord gone over to the dark side?)

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Photos GH

The Workshop - Cedar Feeders 4

Ready for Delivery

Lotsa paint and perches. Lotsa room for feathered friends. Now, two more on the go.

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Photos GH

The Workshop - Cedar Feeders 3

First Coats

 ["Roof slats, 24" x 20" total coverage and set at 15 degrees. Looks wide!"]

One red, one light green. Due by the weekend. Easy kap-easy.

["Seed tray gets 3 - 4 inches of coverage on each side"]

["Red cedar deck should stay dry in anything less than a typhoon!"]

Unless I've goofed up.

Could happen.

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH