Spooktacular

Well It's Halloween today and this if this past week is any indicator I may be down to just house sparrows and juncos now. It's been a depressing wet week here...people are ready to rip your face off for even the tiniest indiscretion.

Even I'm not looking forward to the snow arriving...the tease we had at Thanksgiving did nothing but make me realize the snow can hold off for a while. However the forecast this week makes me think that the snow is definitely on the horizon...soon we shall be knee deep...so I guess I better get a move on and finish my covered feeding station. I haven't even started it yet, but maybe tomorrow. I usually finish putting up all of the lights etc for Christmas so I'm not freezing my butt off but with a forecast for rain/snow maybe I'll stay in.

I haven't seen a bluejay for about 3 days now and the peanuts are still in the feeder...although I did have a ginormous raccoon here earlier this week. Dirty bugger! I knew all those branches weren't breaking on their own! Ah well such as life I guess! We shall see if any other birds show up!

The Bald Eagle has returned!!!!!!

While having coffee this morning I noticed that there was a Bald eagle cruising the field behind our house! I can't believe that I ID'd it from the wing span and gliding pattern....I'm quite pleased with myself (i was also watching tv at the time).

I've wondered if they would return this year. Last fall we had a pair that hung around for about a week...it was so cool, you'd see them glide over the house searching for dinner. I love those birds!

I'm keeping my eyes open!!

The leaves have fallen...

Well the leaves have fallen this past weekend without any major colour shift and the bluejays, woodpeckers and juncos are all still here and pecking.

I can't believe the weather this year...I think we should be awarded medals if the snow really does arrive this weekend as they are predicting. The forecast for the week is rain, rain and more rain so I guess it shall be a wet week in birdville.

As I sat yesterday doing a puzzle with my mom I realized that the birds have become bolder. The bluejays ventured to the platform feeder just outside the door (enabling a great view) the peanuts are going down quick and it looks like I shall have to buy more yet again!

The magpies also showed up and tried to eat the suet out of the woodpecker suet plug feeder...hilarious to see...they couldn't manage to get anything at all. Thank god. I can't have them scaring off the downys too!! Those poor little birds wouldn't have a chance against those bullies!!

I know I'm being greedy but I really keep thinking that I'm going to get a grosbeak in my yard soon...sad I can't just aim for chickadees and nuthatches...rose breasted grosbeaks please! Ah well if you don't aim high you're just settling for what come your way right?

Whatever...this winter feels like it's going to be a killer...I hope to god I'm wrong.

Gathering Geese

The honk of the goose has become an all too familiar sound these days as we watch the sun's time get shorter and shorter and the temperature falls. Snow feels like it's just around the corner...any day now. I can't believe that October is almost done!

The picture above the the lake in the center of our development at noon...by dusk there's about 5000 geese that pile in for the night. The poop is everywhere...the playground is useless now. The field behind my house usually has about 300 of them during the day...the mint ground across the road usually has thousands and thousands at any given time.

The vast number of the geese are an impressive sight...especially when they all take off...

The Starlings arrive to play

It's funny how as soon as I mention or think that the bird fun is done for the year nature has to prove me wrong. It started last night during dinner when the Hairy woodpecker arrived to scarf the suet. Entertaining and good to see. I hate how sporadic they are and with all of the work I have to do I don't get to see them when they're here most of the time.

Then this morning as I sat having morning coffee the flock of starlings that have been buzzing my yard for the last week decided to stop in and play. They hung out in the amur maple and took turns chasing each other through the yard. All in all it was entertaining as they glided and flew through the yard at top speed, avoiding the bushes, frames and fences that dot our small yard.

I love how speckled they are...I know they're a member of the dreaded blackbird family but I don't care. They're different and cute...such sharp pointy beaks!

Downy sighted

Well what a snooze fest around here. The only thing to report is that a downy woodpecker showed up late yesterday to eat some suet. Sheesh. I guess this is just preparing me for winter...and the lack of bird activity. Not fair!

I'm thinking of building a covered feeding platform for the winter...It could look really nice and prepare me for building the birdhouse I want to build. I have as of yet been unable to find plans that meet my specifications for the birdhouse...everythings just soo tacky and HUGE.

Borrrrrring

Wow, talk about a boring couple of days! I think that fall migration may be officially done with as I haven't seen much in terms of a new and interesting bird my way as of late.

The starlings have been stalking my yard...they sit on the wire and preen and clean, but have never ventured closer than the back fence.

The sparrow flock is down to just house sparrows again...that's probably the way it will stay until spring.

Thank goodness my birdbath is heated...woke up to major frost this morning again.

The bluejays are still hiding pnuts.

The woodpeckers have not been see on our side of the development...how unfair I see them on walks with my dog but they're not where they would be most beloved :(

Well it's been an amazing bird year...now the challenge is to draw the chickadees & nuthatches to my yard for the winter.

Crap is it cold out these days.