Highlight this PFW Count: White-Breasted Nuthatch

The little fellow hasn't shown up much at all for the past few weeks, PFW count or regular days. So I was thrilled to see him/her today coming back time and time again to the BOSS and Suet feeders. Must be stashing for potentially harsh weather conditions to come.

No pictures this weekend, but I did have a fairly decent count with 15 species and 80 individuals. Still no House Sparrows taking over (unbelievable that they aren't here) but a flock of the Darling Snarling Starlings has been hanging around and eating up the Suet. There were about 6 Starlings in the feeder area throughtout the day, but then I looked out at the front yard and there must have been a hundred grazing in the yard. At one point there were about 40 in the feeder area. Thank goodness they didn't stick around!

Mourning Dove	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Northern Flicker	1
Carolina Chickadee	2
Tufted Titmouse	3
White-breasted Nuthatch	1
Carolina Wren	2
European Starling	40
Song Sparrow	1
White-throated Sparrow	6
Dark-eyed Junco	6
Northern Cardinal	1
House Finch	5 (0 with eye disease)
American Goldfinch	9 (0 with eye disease)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	1
Total Species / Individuals	15 / 80

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Project FeederWatch - First Count of 2010

I wasn't able to count last weekend as I had a houseful of visitors in to celebrate the New Year. Wishing everyone the best for 2010!

A little bit of snow fell on St Louis Thursday and temperatures were frigid through the weekend. Guess that brought the birds to the feeders as I had 17 species and 61 individuals. The most active were the White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncoes and American Goldfinches. The chickadees and titmice only came around sporadically, but at least they showed up to be counted and, more importantly, filled up on the seed and suet to help them get through the cold nights.

White-throated Sparrow checking out the patio furniture

Getting a little nervous. A couple of times throughout the weekend a small flock of Starlings ascended upon the yard and feeders. Hopefully they won't become regulars. They are so annoying and terrible pigs!

Starlings invading the platform feeder

Count for the weekend:

Mourning Dove	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	1
Northern Flicker	1
Blue Jay	1
Carolina Chickadee	2
Tufted Titmouse	3
Carolina Wren	2
Northern Mockingbird	1
European Starling	10
Song Sparrow	2
White-throated Sparrow	10
Dark-eyed Junco	8
Northern Cardinal	2
House Finch	4 (0 with eye disease)
American Goldfinch	10 (0 with eye disease)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	2
Total Species / Individuals	17 / 61

Blue Jay

American Goldfinches fighting for position on the thistle sock

The Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Flicker were my favorite birds this weekend. Since I moved here, I know that they are around, but it wasn't until this weekend that they spent any time at all at the feeders.

Northern Flicker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

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