peanut log

A gift! This log, with carefully drilled holes to hold nuts and positioned at the edge of our woods, is a new treat for the birds.

woodpecker tree

Even though this tree lost branches in the past, its remains still stand as an attraction for the four varieties of Woodpeckers that live in our woods.

dogwood

The Cardinal Dogwoods have been a vibrant show all winter against the white snow. With warmer weather the bark will turn golden and green leaves will appear.

sprouts for lunch

The elm trees are acknowledging Springtime with burgeoning leaf buds. The finches regard the buds as delectable sprouts. No need to nibble on stale boxelder seeds when such fresh fare becomes plentiful.

Boxelder breakfast

The grey squirrels nibble on the seed pods hanging in the Boxelder tree. When he leans out to where the branch is too thin to support his weight, the squirrel becomes a gymnast to reach breakfast.

Woodpeckers on suet

As the days get longer, some of the birds that were gregarious cooperative participants in the local "guild" of birds all winter are showing up at the feeders in pairs. Unlike in the very cold weather when they had to help each other find food and keep warm, now they are beginning to define territories.
The Downy woodpecker pair (above) and the larger Hairy woodpecker (below) will probably select their nest sites in the next three or four weeks. Meanwhile, they appreciate the suet feeders.