BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chopper" data-source="post: 1820959" data-attributes="member: 84924">Ok...been awhile.  I haven't obviously been posting, but that doesn't mean I haven't been watching.  It just means that nothing has really changed.  The regulars come and go.  Sometimes I see them daily, sometimes they skip a couple days.  But, I don't go too long without seeing the usual suspects.The Grackles have only sort of taken over.  I stopped putting seed in the platform feeder and that really cuts down on them.  They still come around, but they don't like the tube feeder with it's tray....it's still a little too small.  They try, but they can't get much food before they just get uncomfortable and leave, which is fine by me.  I can really tell when they've been around, though, because they are pretty big eaters.I haven't seen a dove at my feeder but the once.  There just isn't enough seed built up underneath for them to want to stop over.  The squirrels and a chipmunk keep the area pretty clean.However, the other day, I did notice a new species....for me.  I looked out and under the bushes by the feeder, scratching through the mulch, was a pair of White-Crowned Sparrows.  They were really neat to watch and stuck around for at least 5 to 10 minutes...enough to get a pic from far away.  I have to really crop it down, so the IQ isn't the best, but I have a pic of them for my "files."  Files....lol.  I should have said....obsession.  And, I've seen them again since.  I'm sure they are migrating through, but it was neat to see.  Hopefully, I will see some this winter with my Juncos.  So, that's 19 species now.  If you care to see them, there are a couple recent pics in my photostream....linked below.As for any backyard projects for my feeder station, I haven't had the time to start.  I still need to get the pile of rubble (formerly called my shed) removed, get the new shed assembled, and then, maybe I can start landscaping again.  But, I am just too busy this time of year.  And, this weekend is reserved for last weekend's Mother's Day plantings.  I will definitely show those off with a pic or two.  We smother the front of our house with Impatiens, the back gets the leftovers under my Burning Bushes (which are in a bed with my Hostas).  We, then, put Marigolds in with the Spirea bushes (now blooming btw).  This flash of color really brings in the Hummingbirds.  So, that will allow me to fill up my Hummer feeder and keep them coming in.  Afterwards, I plan to find a way to get some Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, and Sunflowers along my back fence in my wildflower garden areas.  That will bring in the insects, which will bring in the seed-eaters like Finches, and some scratchers....hopefully, something new to see.....like a Brown Thrasher.  I have yet to see one of those in MY backyard.  I used to see them all the time at Gramma's, and I have seen them on hikes, but never in my backyard.  The pity is, I have the perfect environment for them.Till next time...</blockquote>

Verification