I tried to take pictures that would show the horde of yellow-rumped
warblers I am feeding this winter but without much luck. Tree shots were
too small field or focus on branches where the birds weren't. But did get
pictures of them feeding
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447803
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447802
And more in the snow
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447797
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447798
And just a snow or more a sleet shot
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447800
There are 3 levels of food with a cloth lid on the upper cage
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447801
The middle shelf
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447795
And bottom which is squirrel proof. When it got really cold the squirrels
learned that peppered bark butter will not kill you and now eat it without
a nose quiver
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447794
This is what the tree branches were like. The elm put out new leaves and
seeds prior to the freeze. They died but later buds are opening
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447763
And waiting on the rail shows more of the flock
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447759
Good looks at individual birds
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447762
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447764
My hope has been that the yellow-rumps will attract strays but so far no
luck this year or prior years. They actually pushed off the ruby-crowned
kinglet and moved the wilson's warbler elsewhere. Never had an audubon's
type but one bird may have had a little blood. Heard an odd chip call on 2
days but saw no one in the bay tree and it could have been an aberrant pine
warbler call.
The second day of the cold there was a big influx of house finches which
gave hope to seeing a purple finch for the first time since 1984 but no
luck there. All the finches were red phase birds
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447755
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447756
Prior to harvey, I had a good percentage of orange birds but have not had
any since.
Cedar waxwings did fly in to see what the warblers were up to
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447751
https://pbase.com/joseph_kennedy_36/image/171447752
Finally 2 birds came down to the bark butter after making it to the rail a
couple of times and then ate a bit. Came back again but left when the flock
left and have not been back.
The cooper's hawk adult has been around and will be up soaring claiming
territory soon. Two red-tailed hawks are on territory, One is the bird with
almost no belly band of past years. A second bird is like a very light
red-phase bird without much band. Only red-tail I have seen with that
color. It is very shy. But it may pair with the local bird and be up
soaring soon.
Chickadees and titmice in full song along with the wrens and cardinals.
Pine siskins have started singing but a generalized trill and I have not
found any mimicked calls yet. If they stay until may that will come. Still
only a couple of goldfinches. And white-throated sparrows scavenge down the
hill for dropped food. Not sure why they do not arrive in the fall but wait
a few months to enjoy my feeders.
--
Joseph C. Kennedy
on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
