FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Unusual Congregation

["Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

VA Birders,
Yesterday (5/2/05) was a day for unusual species to show up at my feeders here 
on Compton Mt. The BALTIMORE ORIOLE was back at the orange halves, and with him 
was a male ORCHARD ORIOLE. The YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continues to come to 
the suet feeder, and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH came in, but it had to put up with 
the territorial CAROLINA CHICKADEES, who are nesting nearby. A female 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was feeding on the sunflower seeds, as were 4 PINE 
SISKINS.
A BROWN THRASHER was using his head like a hammer to break sunflower seeds, and 
a pair of EASTERN TOWHEES were feeding along side him, trying to get their 
share. The resident pair of RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS came in from time to time 
to try to sneak some suet away from the vigilant sapsucker. Four DOWNYS were 
chasing each other in between feeding times. Three CHIPPING SPARROWS fed with 
the siskins and goldfinches without conflict.

The blackbirds were also part of the mix when a male RED-WING and 2 females 
made a food stop. A small flock of 5 COMMON GRACKLES were under the feeders for 
awhile, and a single male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD flew in and fed near them. Seven 
BLUE JAYS flew in and made the CARDINALS and MOURNING DOVES stand back while 
they ate. Here are links to oriole photos for those who would like to have a 
look. The male Baltimore is especially bright.


http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/BIMG/BalOriole/BalOrioleP.htm

http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/BIMG/OrchOriole/OrchOrioleP.htm

Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
Buchanan County VA

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