Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is sunny and cooler.

I haven't fed the birds yet but they are all over! :D I've seen a large mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a flock of at least four goldfinches, several starlings, a male cardinal, a tufted titmouse, and a male downy woodpecker. The goldfinches have been eating from the old thistle sock, new thistle feeder, and new finch seed feeder. The downy woodpecker, sparrows, and starlings have been eating from the suet cake. The woodpecker has also been at the corncob and hopper feeder.

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I fed the birds.

I put out water for the birds and watered a few plants.

I started planting a bag of 50 Blue Grape Hyacinth Super Sak around the wagonwheel garden. It already has yellow daffodils there, and I like how those combine with the grape hyacinths.

When I went outside, I saw a large bird launch out of a tree. I'm not sure what kind it was. I saw a brown creeper ratcheting up a tree. I've heard woodpeckers drumming in several different places, which contributes to my impression that we have at least 3-4 of them presently. I saw a fox squirrel leaping around the trees. :D

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I planted more blue grape hyacinths around the wagonwheel garden.

I've seen two fox squirrels squabbling over the hopper feeder. I've seen a flock of at least 5-6 goldfinches all over the forest garden -- the old thistle sock, the new thistle feeder, the metal birdbath, the hopper feeder, the hanging sunflower heads, even the ground. :D A dark-eyed junco showed up at one point. I've heard a bluejay but haven't seen it.

Somewhat to the south of us, across the road, a harvested cornfield is shimmering in the sun. Glittering, gleaming, twinkling, an every-moving play of light on distant cornstalks. It's bascially a giant grass, so it can be glossy like grass is, and when ripe it's a pale shade of gold. The ground looks like one of those holiday sweaters that is dark brown or black with gold glitter or thread worked into it, so it catches the light when you move. The fragments of cornstalk catch the breeze and flutter, dancing with the sunlight. Very pretty.

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I planted more blue grape hyacinths around the wagonwheel garden.

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I finished planting blue grape grape hyacinths around the wagonwheel garden, but I still have a whole handful left. Most of those are little offshoots that broke off from the larger bulbs. These are species bulbs for naturalizing, so they're very prone to reproducing that way. :D But now I have to figure out what to do with the extras. Maybe I'll plant them along the front of the daffodil bed, that'd be pretty.

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I put out more birdseed to keep up with demand.

EDIT 11/1/24 -- I harvested most of the remaining sunflower heads in the septic garden. I tucked a few of the biggest into the garden, hoping they'll respawn in spring. I strung others and hung them in the forest garden for the birds to enjoy. :D

As it is sunset and I'm tired, I am done for the night.