A couple of cold fronts have moved through mid-TN since our last blog a couple of weeks ago pushing most of the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks out of the area. A few are still being seen at feeders locally, as are Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Sightings of Red-breasted nuthatches have slowed a bit while sightings of Purple Finch and Pine Siskin are on the rise. Remember, we do not have Purple Finch here year round like we do the House Finch. They are a fall through winter visitor and numbers can be sparse to significant from year to year.
Purple finch on left. House finch on right.
Pine Siskins are often missed by the casual observer as they tend to mix in with Goldfinches at feeders. Noteworthy field marks on the Pine Siskin include yellow wing bars, and yellow at the base of the rump and considerable streaking on the breast and belly.
Other winter visitors like White-throated sparrow, Junco, and Yellow-bellied sapsucker are present around feeding stations. This week in my yard I’ve had several sightings of Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Eastern Bluebirds have re-discovered my suet feeder, as they seem to every fall and winter.
Remember to keep an eye on suet feeders for chance sightings of some of the atypical feeder birds. Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped, and Orange-crowned warbler, and of course Bluebirds are some of the birds to potentially see at a suet feeder.
On the subject of Bluebirds it is a good time to clean out nest boxes. The old nest debris can be wet and moldy making it a breeding ground for troublesome insects. Sometimes Bluebirds will use nest boxes to roost during wintery conditions. Several birds may squeeze in together to escape frigid temps or a wintery mix of precipitation. Bluebirds don’t require any kind of bedding for roosting but if you want to put some wood shavings or pine straw in the box that’s fine. And if you have a nest box that hasn’t had any action for a couple of seasons go ahead and change the location of the box now. During the winter months Bluebirds will actively check out potential nest sites. Give them time to locate the new site.
That’s all the news for this week. Keep your binoculars close and be ready to use them. If you don’t have binoculars come to the shop and let us help you choose some.