The imm. female Ruby-throated Hummingbird present most of December in Cape
Charles has not been seen at all in January, and the same is true of the
Dickcissel and the Baltimore Orioles. Presumably the very warm weather of the
past
week has led them to greener pastures; the hummer has probably moved on
southward. The Dickcissel may still be around, as I noticed that many local
feeders in Cape Charles have bands of House Sparrows (with which the Dickcissel
consorts). The Yellow-breasted Chat was present in the yard this afternoon at
1:43. The redpolls have not been seen since 30 December, but 20 or so
goldfinches continue to be seen in the yard, so maybe they'll attract some more
to the
yard. A Cooper's Hawk (imm. f.) has killed three White-throated Sparrows at
the feeder this year, which may also be keeping numbers down at the feeders.
The chat favors red grapes placed in clusters inside dense bushes, where the
local mockingbird will presumably leave it alone; the mockingbird drove the
orioles away from the nectar feeders, oranges, and other fruit. The chat also
took fresh pineapple when it was provided. It's like Peyton Place out
there.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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