pine siskin

Early winter birding notes & Wood Thrush gifts ideas

Feeders beginning to get busy again

There’s no doubt bird feeding stations have been slow compared to past Novembers and early Decembers but a reason for this is likely the abundance of natural food sources available this fall, and mild temperatures. We’ve only had a couple of brief cold snaps. As of yet, we’ve had no reported sightings of Purple Finch or Pine Siskin but Goldfinches have begun visiting feeders again in their drab winter plumage. Other winter migrants like White-throated Sparrow, Junco, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker are being seen, and if you live where there is a presence of pine and cedar trees you may be seeing Red-breasted Nuthatch.   

Holiday Shopping

Keep The Wood Thrush Shop in mind for holiday shopping. We are well stocked and have experienced only a few problems getting merchandise. Our everyday inventory of Bluebird houses, hummingbird feeders, squirrel proof, suet, finch, and seed feeders is in good supply and always make great gifts.  And here are a few other things you may or may not know we have:          

Windchimes, Birdbaths and fountains, whimsical metal statuary-including skunks, armadillo’s and giraffes, playing cards and puzzles, books and binoculars, bird pins and zipper pulls, Amazon Lights anti-Mosquito Incense, T-shirts, gift certificates, thermometers and rain gauges, socks, and coffee mugs.

The Wood Thrush Shop will be open Friday Dec. 24th until 3 pm. and we continue to offer curbside service.

Northern Saw-whet Owl Banded at Warner Park

For only the 3rd time a Saw-whet owl was captured, banded, and released by staff at Warner Park. The Saw-whet Owl is the least familiar and least known of owls in TN. The likely reason for its elusiveness is because of its diminutive stature and very minimal vocalizations. Like most owls they are mostly nocturnal and stay concealed in heavy vegetation during daylight hours. So, all factors considered these owls are very hard to find. They tend to favor areas with evergreen.

The Saw-whet is only about 8” in length, no larger than a Cardinal and has a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes. The Northern Saw-whet is a formidable hunter, however, favoring mice as its prey. Where mice and other small mammals are concerned this fierce, silent owl is anything but cute. One of the most common owls in forests across northern North America (and across the U.S. in winter), saw-whets are highly nocturnal and seldom seen. Their high-pitched too-too-too call is the best indicator that one is nearby. Visit Cornell Labs allaboutbirds.org to learn more.

Wood Thrush Notes

Fall Birdhouse and Feeder Maintenance

It’s a great time to be outside now that the weather is cooling.  Mosquitos and no-see-ums are retreating.  There are several things you can do now to prepare your birdhouses for next spring and get your feeders up to snuff to attract birds this fall and winter.

Birdhouse Maintenance

  • Clean out old nests from nestboxes.  It is our opinion this is a must.  Leaving the old nest in the box will not deter a Bluebird or Chickadee from using the box next spring, they would build a new nest on top of the old, however, the old nest debris can create an environment attractive to ants and other insects that can and will actually consume newly hatched babies, and the adults are powerless to stop it. 

  • Move birdhouses that have been unproductive for a few years to a new location. Try to determine why this box has not been appealing to a bird, or why there have been multiple failed attempts. Perhaps the nestbox is uncomfortably close to birdfeeders. While some of you have had success with a birdhouse close to feeders we think this location will not typically yield good results year after year. Birds do not normally choose a nest location close to a lot of bird traffic. How far away should you place a nestbox? It’s impossible to be exact but I would suggest about 100’, or out of sight of the feeders if closer. Maybe the nestbox is too exposed to prevailing weather allowing lots of moisture to enter the box. Now is a great time to make some adjustments.

  • If you have experienced predation by raccoons or snakes now would be a good time to add a baffle to a pole mount birdhouse. If you have a birdhouse on a tree trunk and had predation issues it is a good time to pole mount and baffle the nestbox. Do not wait too long to make these changes. Time has a way of getting away and you really don’t want to make these changes when a bird has already built a nest and laid eggs next spring.

Feeder Maintenance

Clean up feeders and get ready for feeder activity to pick up significantly in November.  Warm soapy water and a feeder brush usually do an adequate job but for tougher jobs, a mild bleach solution may be necessary. 

It is recommended feeders be cleaned regularly.  Depending on conditions some feeders may need attention monthly.  The seed ports on tube feeders require regular attention but are quite simple to address.  Clorox wipes are a great way to disinfect the ports and perches.  It only takes a minute per feeder.  If any of your tube feeders have significant cracks or holes we may be able to provide you with a new replacement tube.  The tubes on brands like Droll Yankees and Aspects are covered under warranty and we make an effort to keep them in stock.  Bring your feeder in and we’ll see if we can repair it. 

Winters here are typically wet which presents challenges in bird feeding. Wet weather tends to cause seed to clump clogging seed flow and making a mess. Before you know it you have seed that is molding. A weather dome or hanging squirrel baffle provides excellent protection from rain and snow, particularly on feeders containing shelled sunflower, shelled blends and peanuts, and finch feeders.

Winter Birds to Be Looking For

Look for the arrivals of winter residents like Junco, White-throated and White-crowned sparrows, Purple finch, Pine siskin, Red-breasted nuthatch, and Yellow-bellied sapsucker.  And don’t forget to offer suet.  During cold, wet conditions birds such as Bluebirds, Kinglets, Brown Creeper, and Yellow-rumped warbler may visit a suet feeder often. 

Dark-eyed Junco.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Birds may find a water source even more appealing during winter months. Keep your birdbath free of ice with a submersible de-icer. They require an outlet and are thermostatically controlled. As always we have a couple of choices of heated baths in stock, too.

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Wood Thrush Notes January 8th

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Winter Hummingbirds

Recently a customer within a mile of the store reported a hummingbird visiting his feeder that he inadvertently left out. The bird was seen checking out the feeder so fresh nectar was then made. We passed the report on to local hummingbird banders who promptly investigated and discovered the bird to be a HY (hatching year) male Rufous hummingbird, a bird whose range is typically in the Northwest U.S. Not long after another HY male Rufous was identified just a couple of miles down Hwy 100 closer to Warner Parks. Rufous hummingbirds are hardier than Ruby-throated hummingbirds and are able to survive Nashville winter conditions. It’s been known for many years there are small numbers of a few different hummingbird species that for some unknown reason migrate from Western parts of the U.S. to the Southeast. Now this does not mean you should go mix up some nectar and put a feeder out. Chances are you won’t see a wintering hummingbird but as the saying goes “you never know”. Other hummingbirds recorded in past years include Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Allen’s, and Calliope.

HY Rufous Hummingbird. Photographed by Eli.

Adult male Rufous

Be Aware of Potentially Sick Pine Siskins

Adult Pine Siskin

On an unhappy note it has come to our attention many around the mid-state are seeing evidence of sick Pine siskins. Pine siskins as we pointed out last month are a winter visitor at feeders that tend to mix in with Goldfinch’s. A few customers recently reported siskins behaving oddly and discovered some dead ones, too. I found two dead siskins just yesterday morning in my yard and I have noticed some siskins exhibiting erratic behavior in the form of lethargy, flying clumsily, and a general unawareness. The cause is not avian conjunctivitis which is easy to detect. The eyes would be visibly affected, becoming crusty, and eventually closing leaving the bird helpless.

Most likely the cause is a type of Salmonella that Pine siskins are extremely susceptible to according to several articles I’ve read on the subject. Apparently, Salmonella as a disease in wild birds is relatively rare but outbreaks do occur from time to time and then we see the evidence at our feeders. It is not because of the feeders as it happens in nature, too. Many birds with mild infections can carry the disease without showing symptoms and simply pass it out in their feces. But the bacteria remain alive. When a susceptible individual of an easily infected species like the Pine siskin picks up the bacteria it proliferates quickly in the bird’s gut and is passed along to others through the feces. Pine siskins are extremely social, as are Goldfinch’s, allowing easy transmission of the disease.

We feel it is our responsibility to give you this information so you may take a course of action you are comfortable with. It is transmittable to humans so I would suggest handling finch feeders or dead birds with caution. Use gloves when handling finch feeders, or any feeders siskins have been present, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

What You Can Do

  • Takedown your finch feeders, or feeders you have seen a significant siskin presence, for a period of two weeks, giving them a thorough cleaning with a mild bleach solution, and by doing so likely cause sick Pine siskins to move along.

  • Continue to feed after giving your feeders a thorough cleaning but monitor for evidence of sick Pine siskins and Goldfinch’s.  Clorox wipes are a very good tool for cleaning feeders allowing one to effectively wipe down feed ports and perches quickly and easily.

  • Clean feeders more frequently. It is always a good and advisable thing to do for your wild bird visitors. Feeding wild birds is extremely enjoyable but there is a responsibility on your part to offer a clean and healthy environment.

Because Pine Siskins are very social they can be numerous at feeders making them the most susceptible. There is nothing wrong with feeding them just be aware of the issue. The disease is apparently just as frequent in wild areas as it is at feeders. We just happen to see the evidence first hand.

Wood Thrush Notes December 10, 2020

There’s no doubt bird feeding activity has picked up significantly over the last month. Many of you are seeing lots of Pine siskins at your feeders. They do not seem to be very discriminating gravitating to finch feeders with nyjer and sunflower chips, or any feeder with black oil sunflower, and even going to the ground to feed on millet. I don’t ever hear of Pine siskins feeding on safflower so it could be that the shell is too hard to crack open for their very small bills. If you have Pine siskins now you will likely have them visiting the rest of the winter.

The past few weeks we have encountered several customers who were surprised to find Bluebirds stay here for the winter. Yes, the Eastern Bluebird is a year-round resident. In fact, it is likely the winter population of Bluebirds increases in the Southeast during winter months as many leave more northern areas for more plentiful food sources here like insects and fruit. And we are often asked, “Should I feed them”? That is entirely up to you and the Bluebirds. I am fortunate to see Bluebirds visiting my suet feeder regularly in colder weather.

The same strategies to feeding Bluebirds in the spring and summer apply in the winter. Presenting food for Bluebirds, whether it is live or dried mealworms, suet nuggets, fresh fruit, or a dried fruit like raisins, timing is important to success. Live mealworms continue to be the preferred choice; however, dried mealworms can be just as appealing when it’s cold.

Just putting out food will not usually attract Bluebirds. However, if Bluebirds are already visiting your yard to take advantage of a birdbath, or continue to check out a nest box, presenting the food when and where they are present is the most effective path to success. Presenting the food initially where Bluebirds are most likely to see it rather than where you want to feed them is recommended. After a few successful feedings, you may be able to incrementally move the feeder to the spot you prefer.

Male and female Eastern Bluebird

Male and female Eastern Bluebird

State Record Bird Sighting!

A recent bird sighting by a friend and customer of the TWTS turned out to be a state record! A Cassin’s Kingbird was seen and photographed on Dec. 7th by Mary Glynn Williamson at Bells Bend Park in Davidson Co. This was a first ever sighting of this bird in the state. You won’t find this bird in your Eastern-Central U.S. field guide because its normal range is west of Texas down into Central America. As always if you’re going for a walk be sure to bring your binoculars. You never know what birdwatching opportunity may suddenly appear. Way to go Mary Glynn!

Wood Thrush Notes

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.

Pine Siskin

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.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Dark-eyed Junco

Golden-crowned Kinglet

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.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Brown Creeper

Orange-crowned Warbler

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.


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