MA - Pileated Woodpecker 10/25

The last couple of days have seen some very cool birds in our yard in Gill. Yesterday (Oct 25th) I stepped out to look at a group of Pine Siskins (and including a nice male Purple Finch) that had come down to stream to drink and bathe. As I watched, I could hear the hollow thudding of an excavating Pileated Woodpecker and found the bird working a maple across the stream - Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were also in the yard at the same time.   Also notable, some 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers foraging and fly-catching, and nice looks at a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the willows. Towards dusk, huge numbers of American Robins (300+) departed from the meadow presumably heading off to roost, and a Hermit Thrush was foraging at the edge of the stream. 

Finally, having had the nyjer seed feeders up for almost a week, the first American Goldfinches appeared to use them in late afternoon.