The tube feeder is hanging in the gingko tree out front. I sat on the front porch steps for a few minutes yesterday and observed the birds.
Black-capped Chickadee inspects the seed mix.
Chickadees.
Finding a good one.
Scruffy little American Goldfinch.
Two goldfinches.
Goldfinch with sunflower seed.
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
You know you want a Yellow Bird too.
It’s a drink! A Caribbean cocktail for sipping on the back deck or patio while watching pretty birds.
The Common Yellowthroat is a pretty bird to watch. Or listen to… witchety, witchety. But only in summer.
You can watch Goldfinches all year round, around here.
My recipe for a batch of Yellow Birds to share. Mix in a pitcher and serve over ice.
Bonus bird: a (banded) Yellow Warbler spotted on the Isles of Shoals last May.
Rare sight: American Robin at a feeder. I thank the earth(worm)-covering white stuff.
Chance of light snow was in the forecast, then it started to snow and kept at it all day. The feeders were very busy. The ground is snow-covered again.
A male Goldfinch and female Purple Finch at the nyjer feeder.
It is meteorological Spring (March, April, May) though astronomical Spring is not until March 20. The weathermen say it was the warmest winter for at least the last 60 years in New Hampshire and many other places.
Weather.com: Record Warm Winter for Many in New England; Record Wet in South Florida and Seattle
American Goldfinch in snow.
Thistle seed (nyjer) is a favorite food for these little guys.
The seed of the African yellow daisy Guizotia abyssinica, Nyjer is known by many names. Originally called niger in reference to Nigeria and the plant’s origin, the name was trademarked as Nyjer ® in 1998 by the Wild Bird Feeding Industry to clarify pronunciation. Many backyard birders also call the seed thistle, but in fact Nyjer is not related to thistle plants or seeds.
It’s been cold and windy, and a little snowy. Not too snowy. But a nor’easter blizzard may be on its way for the weekend.
Female Northern Cardinal with a Downy Woodpecker beyond.
New Year’s Resolution: keep an eye on the birds.
Goldfinches, male cardinal and chickadee. The feeders are busy when it snows.
Sunny, dry, warm-but-not-hot weather. It doesn’t get any better than this in coastal northern New England.
This little goldfinch is the ambassador of our perfect day.
Female goldfinch in sunshine, 11 a.m. on a BEAUTIFUL day.
At the finch feeder…
American Goldfinches are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year, once in late winter and again in late summer. The brightening yellow of male goldfinches each spring is one welcome mark of approaching warm months.
Amy's Bird Blog 