Goldfinches

The American Goldfinches Spinus tristis males are wearing their bright summer feathers; gorgeous and playful among the trees.

young fledgling

This young bird was perched at the edge of the woods, curious about the thistle seed feeder but uncertain about fluttering away.  We think it is a fledgling Rose Breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus.

wild plum

Under a tangle of vines, brush, and poison ivy, I found a lovely little tree.  It is a wild plum Prunus americana with white flowers.

Columbine blooms in the woods

Wild columbines Aquiligia glow as they nod in the sunny openings among the trees in the wild woods.

Jack blooms in the woods

The Arisaema triphyllum plants are blooming in the woods. Also known as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bog Onion, and Wake Robin.

Bloodroot blooms in the woods

The Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis flowers are open all across the shady floor of the woods.

pussywillows

Pussywillows are pumping out their catkins ---  nice nesting material for the birds that are arriving for the season.

maple trees in bloom

The maple tree Acer rubrum "Northwood" is in bloom.
They are always spectacular, especially up close!

migrants

A new flock of sparrows showed up today, gathering up all the seeds on the ground in the woods and on the woods' edge.  A closer look at their yellow lores tells us they are White-Throated Sparrows Zonotrichia albicollis.

Robin in Springtime song

The Robins Turdus migratorius are busy gathering mud and grass for their nests, and singing during their work breaks.

treetop nests

As the snow melts and wind lifts away the clutter, we can see more clearly the nests at treetop level.   Maybe old empty ones, currently cozy ones, or soon to be used?

forsythia blooms

The forsythias are in full bloom this week.

bright epaulettes on blackbirds

The Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus sings from the cattails and snatches snacks from the seed tray.

nest site selection

Bird pairs in the wild woods sing to one another as they inspect possible nest locations. We provide nest boxes, nesting tubes, and shrubs for the birds; we also put out clusters of fiber and grasses to help cushion their nests.

Springtime

The birds are leaving the winter guild and finding mates again; this pair of House Finches Haemorhous mexicanus lunched together and sunned themselves on the tray feeder.

The sounds of Spring are louder each day -- woodpeckers drumming and excavating nest cavities, cardinals singing to one another, robins warning us away from their desired nesting spots, nuthatches barking for more peanuts, and chickadees chatting.

Jays

The jays usually get the peanuts before the nuthatches or squirrels.

running creek

Above freezing, finally, and the creek is running through the wild woods. The birds prefer bathing in it rather than the heated birdbath.

dusk visitor

An opossum Didelphis virginiana came out of the wild woods at dusk to savor the leftover peanuts scattered on the patio.

another big blizzard

In the midst of a blizzard, we noticed a House Finch with a bald spot on his back. He seems to have some wing feathers missing too, although he manages to go back and forth between the tray feeder and shrubs on the edge of the woods.

the winter guild

Although not as social as other birds, the Pileated Woodpeckers do come to the feeders to snatch pieces of suet, usually preferring to savor it on a nearby tree against rough bark to help hold it in place while they lick.

the winter guild

Yesterday six male cardinals took turns splashing in the heated water bowl. Today, two robins enjoyed a short bath. These are two of the six or eight we've been seeing at the edge of the woods.

the winter guild

The Bluejay hides among the branches until he feels confident of being big boy at the feeder. Then, he swoops down to savor the suet and show us his beautiful blue wing pattern.

the winter guild

Among the birds in the wild woods this winter is the Northern Flicker. This one spent quite a while today seeking insects under the tree bark. Since the sun was shining on his tree, he took a break with feathers fluffed up, then demonstrated how far his neck could reach around back . . .

the winter guild

A few Mourning Doves show up among the guild occasionally, especially if we put out cracked corn. These three sat together warming their feet in dim sunlight.

the winter guild

We've been counting birds for FeederWatch every week. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ The guild this winter in our wild woods includes black-capped chickadees like the one above. We offer black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, thistle seeds, unsalted peanuts, suet, cranberries, and small pieces of fruit.