I just now checked at eBird, and realize the RB Grosbeak is pretty early. I
had an unmistakeable sighting and ID on it. Perched beside a Chipping Sparrow
on the feeder (outdoors) exactly 20 feet from me (indoors). Strong chest
streaking, huge "gross" beak, strong white supraloral, crown stripe, and cheek
stripe. Hoping it will return and I'll try to get a photo.
Steve
On Apr 3, 2015, at 4:28 PM, Stephen Johnson wrote:
Monitoring our yard feeders, a couple of interesting things have turned up
this week.
This afternoon, a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak spent awhile at the seed
feeder.
All week, we've had a Hermit Thrush hanging out for a few minutes every day
under an upside-down suet feeder. (Oriented that way to suppress the
Starlings). The Thrush flutters up to feed from beneath the suet cage
without attempting to "perch" under it, then returns to the ground below.
Chipping Sparrows have also shown up here, in the past few days.
Thanks to whoever it was here, who suggested the inverted suet feeders. This
idea is working well for us. The Starlings still come and feed on the suet,
but very little each day.
The same suet cake is lasting for several days, where it used to only last
for an hour or two before the Starlings demolished it. We have had Bluebirds
and Woodpeckers using the upside-down suet, as well as the Thrush. And of
course several species take advantage of the crumbs on the ground underneath.
Steve Johnson
Fairfax, Virginia
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