Yesterday, Jane noticed some interesting behavior in a Hermit Thrush. We
have a double shepherd's hook with a suet cage hung off of one of the
hooks. A Hermit Thrush would land on the lid at the base of the hook
then flutter underneath of the suet while pecking at it. It would then
land back on the lid to eat the morsel. The birds were devouring seed so
shortly afterward we went out to top off feeders and moved the suet cage
to the base of the hook securing it with a twist tie. The Hermit Thrush
could then eat from the base without expending energy and was at the
suet for most of the day. The woodpeckers weren't too pleased with the
new location but managed to figure it out anyway. A pair of Carolina
Wrens was taking advantage of the new orientation though they manage to
fly up and cling to the cage in its normal location.

Southern Maryland seemed to get mainly sleet and freezing rain which
occasionally turned to snow in the late afternoon before finally ending.
On my drive to work today in southern Anne Arundel, it became obvious
that it was mainly a snow event the further north you went.

Tyler Bell

California, MD