I worked at home today.  Although we had Pine Siskins only one day in the fall or winter of 2008, there have been a small number at our feeder daily since January 1, 2009.  It is the longest I have seen them stick around.  Normally if we get siskins (we're on the western shore of MD's coastal plain) it's only one or two that feed here but they don't stay more than a couple days.  For two weeks now we've have had one or two daily, and today we had 8 at one point.  I think 5 or 6 new ones came in today.  Usually the one or two I see are here only briefly (10-20 minutes, and usually early in morning.  But today they have been at the feeders constantly since 7:30 am, eating thistle and sunflower chips, and are aggressively feeding!

Other winter feeders noted today include the a Purple Finch (on black oil sunflower seeds - whole), about 20-22 Am. Goldfinch (on thistle and sunflower chips),  a Brown Creeper (here daily, on suet), about 35 of the usual sparrows (Song, Junco and White-throated), plus a R-s Towhee and a Fox (feeding on our deck, on sunflower chips and thistle dropped from hanging feeders).  Plus the usual other feathered winter friends, and a mixed burly gang of 125 Red-winged Blackbird and BH Cowbirds.

Almost all the feeder stations (12 total) got cleaned out today.

The Patuxent River (at Jug Bay) seems very quiet today with little activity from waterfowl or gulls.  I think the birds know the weather is changing (dropping temps) and perhaps they are feeding more (like the passerines).

Cheers!
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD