BLuebirds homeshopping

A pair of Eastern bluebirds were checking the birdhouse in my back yard this morning, after the house wrens left it this summer after two broods. The warm wet air ahead of today's cold front must have convinced them it was time to find a nest already.

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Front brings bird boom

This is amusing. I've had a house finch who's dominated the birdfeeder outside my office window for the week, then comes today's peculiar weather front and the birds arrive, starving and fussing over who's going first. Carolina wren and chickadee, titmouse, downy woodpecker (a first at this feeder), brown thrasher (another first), white-breasted and brown-headed nuthatches... and the first kinglet I've seen in a while, in a nearby maple.

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hawks bluebirds warblers finches

Busy morning - two red-tailed hawks and a Cooper's were about, as well as scads of bluebirds hovering around a hole in a snag. Couldn't see any bugs coming out, and none went in... squirrel-sized hole, it was. Mixed warbler flocks with worm-eatings for sure. Lots of purple finches grazing while bluebirds perched on the headstones.

house finches too

House finches at the feeder, along with carolina chickadees, carolina wren, white breasted nuthatch and brown headed nuthatch

Purple finch, Swainson's thrush

Yesterday had 3 Swainson's thrushes at the birdbath. Purple finches are cleaning out the feeder today.