I am working at home today, so I was able to see when a tiny bird took a
drink from the birdbath this afternoon. It cooperatively sat still long
enough for me to focus the binoculars, and I was happy to confirm it as a
Red-breasted Nuthatch, my first of the year and the first of the season that
I could confirm-I thought I saw one a couple of months ago, but it didn't
sit still that time. I've also had Purple Finch off and on all winter,
especially when we had all the snow on the ground.

 

I've also had a Cooper's Hawk for the past month. It has had at least one
successful hunting venture here. As we always do, we put the Christmas tree
on its side near the feeder to act as a windbreak and give the sparrows
extra shelter. 

 

By the way, I splurged on a suet cake with bugs in it-I usually give them
plain suet with no fillers-but so far only the Downies have shown any
interest in it. The Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers prefer the plain
stuff.

 

Pat Valdata

Elkton, MD