We are already more than a month into the new year. It is February and red-winged blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds will be arriving in the next few weeks.
We have had a red-winged blackbird visit our feeders a few times this winter, the last time was just a few days ago. Single cowbirds and grackles have visited area feeders this winter, but the main population of blackbirds is on its way.
This winter has been a cold one, and our share of snow seems to be lining up for February.
There has been a lack of winter finches at the feeder. The ample food supply in northern New England and Canada has negated the need for birds of the north to migrate south to our area for food. That could change a bit later this month as more cold temperatures and snow may push more birds south in search of food.
A few pine siskins are starting to show up with goldfinches. Three siskins visited a feeder in Topsfield this past week and more are being seen and heard around our area. We have a couple of purple finches show up at our feeders off and on this winter but I haven’t heard of many other northern birds around. A few crossbills were on Plum Island back in December but none since. No evening grosbeaks, pine grosbeaks or redpolls this year. Still, we keep our feeders filled for the birds that are here.
We do have lots of juncos this year. Keeping millet out for them keeps them happy. They are joined by a few tree sparrows, song sparrows, white-throated sparrows and an occasional house sparrow.
We have a northern flicker that has joined the woodpecker brigade at our suet feeders this winter.
It is sometimes challenging to keep suet in our suet logs and cages with constant visits from our all our downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers. Now, this larger flicker adds to the suet consumption, though with fewer visits than the regulars.
The finch feeders also empty quickly with up to 20 or more goldfinches visiting on some days. The house finches sometimes go on those feeders, but they seem to prefer the tubes and trays with sunflowers or our premium cardinal-finch mix.
The tray feeders also keep the blue jays, titmice, nuthatches, and chickadees coming back and, of course, the cardinals. We have at least four pairs of cardinals on most days. Both the jays and the cardinals will come up to the deck when Margo put peanuts along the railing. We enjoy the close-up views.
We also keep the mealworm feeders on the deck. The Carolina wrens have their own little cage feeder that only they go into. They also hide, and keep warm, under the heated bird bath on the deck.
The bluebirds also enjoy the mealworms in their own dome covered tray feeder, or just mealworms piled on the deck. They also enjoy drinking from the bird bath.
A few unusual birds continue to show up at other people’s feeders. The western tanager continues to visit a feeder in Merrimac. We had two separate reports, with photos, of a Baltimore oriole visiting feeders in the north end of Newburyport. An orange-crowned warbler still visits feeders in Lynn and pine warblers have been visiting some feeders this winter.
We have been asked about avian influenza and bird feeders. Transmission to songbirds and other likely feeder visitors has been extremely low, less than 3% of all cases. According to Cornel, there is very low risk of an outbreak among songbirds and there is no official recommendation to take down feeders unless you also keep domestic poultry.
It is recommended that you keep your feeders clean and wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. As the weather improves, regularly disinfect them with a 10% bleach solution. I would go one step further and suggest wearing disposable gloves when handling feeders.
Bird feeders are good for birds. The availability of seed at feeders helps reduce the stress and the energy expended in finding food for many of these birds, and it may mean the difference in surviving our cold, and now snowy winter.
Steve Grinley is the owner of Bird Watcher’s Supply and Gift in the Port Plaza, Newburyport. Email him at Birdwsg@comcast.net. On the web: www.birdwatcherssupplyandgifts.com.