Hi all --

First, I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday despite the rain. We have been enjoying wathcing our feeders, which have been getting quite a few avian visitors today -- the two Red-breasted Nuthatches (which joined us on the day of the snow couple of weeks ago) are constantly back and forth, collecting sunflower seeds and then inserting them into crevices on the old locust in the front yard; the resident White-breasteds seem to resent their smaller cousins and chase them away when they arrive at the feeder at the same time. 

Occasionally a Cooper's Hawk swoops through, scattering the Mourning Doves, Juncoes, Cardinals, and various sparrows (Song, White-throated, House and once in a while a Chipping). I drove in yesterday and the Cooper's was on our back fence, walking (!) along the top rail and searching the ground (for ??) -- then hopping into the dogwood to watch me for a long minutes before flying off. Today he has made one or two passes at the feeders that we've seen, but caught nothing. 

A parade of Woodpeckers at the suet, mostly Downies (at least 4 or 5 individuals) and two Red-bellieds; our Hairies, which were a constant summer visitor, have seemingly deserted us now that it is colder. The Carolina Wrens also are enjoying the suet. Haven't seen a Winter Wren yet this year.

A large number of Goldfinches jockey for position on the thistle feeder -- several are cleverly staying out of the rain by perching under the dome over the sunflower feeder. Only two House Finches seem to be around, the numbers in our neighborhood have never recovered from the population crash of 3 years ago. But the Titmice and Chickadees are back in force; have had our eyes peeled for a Black-capped but so far, only Carolinas. 

Today -- a new bird at the feeders -- a Brown Creeper. 

And despite large numbers of Starlings in the neighborhood, gorging on Bradford pear fruit, none this year at the feeders, thank goodness! Still Robins around, but they give the feeders a miss, being more interested in our holly berries.

Well, have to get ready to go out now, so the feeders (and their visitors) are on their own!

Merry Christmas!

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD