On Saturday (3/1/14) I saw a robin in my backyard. It was drinking out of the water garden kept open with a heater. It was brightly colored indicating it was most likely a male. During this severe winter weather the heater kept the ice from forming even when the temperature dropped below zero. Just about every time I look at the site there is at least one bird taking drink. One day I watched two White- throated Sparrows taking a bath with the temperature well below freezing.
On Sunday I observed a chipmunk running around on the snow. I couldn't figure out what it was doing---I guess it woke up from a long sleep and was surprised to find all this snow. It struck me that it was really making itself a target for any hungry owl, hawk or coyote that might be in the area.
Today(Monday) we had 6 deer in our backyard. They show up to eat the corn and sunflower seed I have scattered around.
This winter I have been participating in Project Feeder Watch. My most recent list included---
Black-Capped Chickadees (2), Tufted Titmice (2), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Juncos (8), Downy Woodpecker (2), one Bluejay, 5 Cardinals, a huge flock of White-throated Sparrows (36), four Crows, one Hairy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove (4), Carolina Wren (1), Brown Creeper (1), Red Bellied Woodpecker (2), a male Rufous-sided Towhee without a tail, a Pileated Woodpecker, a Song Sparrow, a Fox Sparrow and a Robin.
Here it is March 3, 2014 and tomorrow night it is to drop to -2 degrees---What a winter! We have had more snow this winter than the last 5 winters combined.
There is a warm day coming. Let us hope we don't have to wait until July to see it.
