MA - Red-nuts - 02/25

A pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches have been wintering in our yard. This is our third winter in Gill, but the first time that we've had Red-breasted Nuthatches stay throughout the winter. Doubtless these birds, and the birds still present in the woodlands around Gill, are related to the major Red-breasted Nuthatch incursion that we experienced last fall. It's a treat having them around. Lately, this pair seems to have developed a taste for nyjer seed where they 'wrestle' for dominance over the feeders with the many Black-capped Chickadees.

 

 Red-breasted Nuthatches - male (upper two images) and female (lower). Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. Panasonic Lumix FZ7. Pair present virtually daily with regular visits to the nyjer seed feeders. The background gives the impression of being rather frigid but in fact, despite the fresh snow, it was a pleasant spring-like morning with lots of bird song in the surroundings including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird and House Finch to mention a few.

 



Wild Turkeys - Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA. February 20th, 2013. Panasonic Lumix FZ7. Up to 35 turkeys have been visiting our yard over the last week or so. They've virtually cleaned up the remnants of seed below the feeders leaving the sparrows and juncos with very little at all.