I am pleased to report the appearance on Saturday of 2 ( and there may
be more) fledgling red crossbills at the feeder on the deck. After
watching the pair for a few months now and trying (in vain) to follow
them to their nest, the young birds themselves appeared! On the same
day, another male also showed up. At one point, we had the regular pair,
plus the new male at the same feeder, which was filled with black-oil
sunflower seeds (unhulled by the way). The new male had the red-brick
coloration mainly on the rump, rather than all over the head and body,
like the other male. They seem to be able to tolerate other species
feeding with them. THe only thing that frightens them away is a
chipmunk or red squirrel!
A fledgling appeared and was fed seeds (maybe regurgitated)by the
female. On the peak of our porch roof, the male was feeding another
young bird. You can't imagine how excited I was about this!! I even
made my daughter, who is visiting for the weekend, check out this sight,
since I told her this may be a once-in-a- lifetime ornithological
experience for her. Today we are socked in with fog and the rain
continues, but I am on the lookout, since these birds are regular
feeders and I'm sure will appear today. This is a great photo op for
someone. The cones on the red spruce are just at the point where they
like them (or so I have read), so I'm hoping they stay around here for
awhile.
If anyone knows of a crossbill expert, I would love to ask some
questions. Like- are these type 4?
Patti Reum
Bear Mountain Farm
Highland County, VA.
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