A lethargic fog leans on Gabriola today. Perhaps reflective of how many people are resting and digesting in a post celebratory haze.
The birds, however, are very active. Dozens of chickadees and nuthatches are swooping and bobbing in to share the feeder. We have been greeted today by all five regularly visiting woodpeckers – the brilliantly red headed Red-breasted Sapsucker, quietly domineering Northern Flicker, oh so perky and punky Pileated, the curious Hairy and the diminutive Downy.
We use both suet and seed blocks, and the apple tree by the pond still has some fruit clinging to the boughs so there is enough for all the tree climbers. The junkos and towhees prowl beneath the feed posts and trees for stray nuggets and seeds dropped in haste.
The seed block immediately outside of the kitchen window gives us closeup views of the bravest of our friends. Although so small, the chickadees are the most frequent visiters here. They often peer in at us, or keep one eye alert for any sudden movement. The Downies also remain quite calm although we are less than a metre from them. The nuthatches merely move to the other side of the block and pretend we aren't there. Out of sight, out of mind.
The birds, however, are very active. Dozens of chickadees and nuthatches are swooping and bobbing in to share the feeder. We have been greeted today by all five regularly visiting woodpeckers – the brilliantly red headed Red-breasted Sapsucker, quietly domineering Northern Flicker, oh so perky and punky Pileated, the curious Hairy and the diminutive Downy.
We use both suet and seed blocks, and the apple tree by the pond still has some fruit clinging to the boughs so there is enough for all the tree climbers. The junkos and towhees prowl beneath the feed posts and trees for stray nuggets and seeds dropped in haste.
The seed block immediately outside of the kitchen window gives us closeup views of the bravest of our friends. Although so small, the chickadees are the most frequent visiters here. They often peer in at us, or keep one eye alert for any sudden movement. The Downies also remain quite calm although we are less than a metre from them. The nuthatches merely move to the other side of the block and pretend we aren't there. Out of sight, out of mind.
Tomorrow I will try to add a photo of the birds myself, but in the mean time here is one of a chickadee from wildbirds unlimited.
