It’s no surprise living in Wisconsin, in January, at temps of -2 below, I’d be in the house looking out the window for photo opportunities. We’ve had warmer weather longer into January. This morning, however, it is -5 below.
And the birds outside are hungrier than ever!
Mr. has been training our visiting birds to adore the bird feeders by keeping them full daily. They’ve been extra busy eating this week with the arrival of the storm that dropped off snow and cooler temps.
I’ve lost count of the number of confused Starlings that should’ve migrated South by now. They’re bird-feeder scoundrels. When they flock together they’re loud enough to scare off the birds we like to have around. That is until they scoot away from their predators both human and raptor. We’ve heard an owl in the dark and we heard a mass murder of crows that could’ve starred in The Birds movie. Both times, I was outside without a camera.
Here’s a photo of the Starlings in one of their yard invasion moments.
They show up at the bird feeders and attack the food source until one of us humans opens up the patio door and yells or claps our hands at them.
The louder we yell, the faster they retreat to land on the power lines across the field where they perch and wait for the all-clear, no-human here scene.
At those moments, the 30-40 small birds flit from tree to tree as if they’re dramatically appearing in a Flash & Dash movie in our front yard (is that even a thing?). They land and wait patiently to return to their favorite spots so they can keep eating. They’re not afraid of us. Or our two cats who watch them from their bird-watching window spots.
The window bird feeder was such a hit last year that it made a reappearance in 2024. It’s the little bird’s place to be to get the best pickings we guess. They fight over it often.
The smaller bird crowd is composed of Finches, Juncos, Pine Siskins, Chickadees, 8 Blue Jays, and a Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal.
This week, a family of 3 Mourning Doves appeared for food too.
Here’s a close-up of a few of the birds that can be quite dramatic as they vie for the bird feeder spots.
All of the finches like to hang out and trade spaces at the top viewing spot of the barren crabapple tree.
The Blue Jays move from tree to ground to the deck. There’s one that has been teasing me all week. Here’s an “I betcha you can’t get a shot of me little ol’ lady with a camera stalking me from the window” series for you to enjoy.
From the tree
Posing quickly on the deck railing
High tailing it off the deck railing
It didn’t notice that I moved to a different window and caught it devouring snow off of the deck furniture. What a drama queen/king. How does one tell the Blue Jay males/females apart?
And off it went, something grabbed its attention.
Just as I missed the shot, Mr. said, “Wow – look, there’s a raptor hunting along the side of the road!” The little birds and the Starlings quickly disappeared.
Mr. watched and I clicked away as it approached our yard and flew along the grassy berm. If you’ve never seen one in hunt mode, here’s a link.
Enjoy the rare show below of a Northern Harrier on the hunt. I clicked as fast as I could with the zoom lens set in manual mode that I had to adjust as I clicked. Thanks to my dear blogging buddy, Linda, she suggested a good title for the series of photos would be, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!”
It circled this area one more time.
Waved goodbye with a wing as it retracted its empty claws for faster flight in a new direction and then it was gone. The rare sighting was a highlight of the week.
The little birds returned while the scoundrel Starlings stayed clear for quite a while, they knew they were prey to the mighty Northern Harrier.
And there you have it, the bird-watching week that was as close-up and dramatic as it could be from the comfort of watching it through my kitchen window.
Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Prompt for #JusJoJan the 13th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “close up/close-up.” Use the verbal phrase “close up” and/or the noun/adjective “close-up” somewhere in your post, or write a post in the spirit of the phrase. Have fun! Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills: Jan 14 Through a Window and Patti for Lens-Artists #282 Dramatic
PS – If you think that raptor is a different bird, do tell. What are your favorite winter birds or in whatever season it is where you at, what bird do you enjoy seeing in your yard? What did you see this week that you didn’t have your camera ready to capture? What’s the temperature where you are today?
Great captures, Shelley. We toss out a no-waste variety of bird seed so everybody can eat off the ground. I snowblowed a large clear spot in the yard. We spread it out far enough that the little birds can get in there. Then again, we don’t often see them when it’s cold (and it’s hardly ever below zero here).
Thanks, Dan. We’ll have to look into that kind of seed for the summer time, during the winter if we get snow it would end up being buried and the little birds would sink in the snow. 🤔 We saw less birds at the feeder yesterday when the high was only -2. 🥶🧊
I enjoyed all your reflection photos in your post. They almost remind me of early spring like weather instead of early winter weather.
The no-waste is hard to use if you get a lot of snow. If we have the snow that crusts over such that the squirrels can walk on it, we put the feed on top. Otherwise, we work to keep a spot clear in the yard. When we used bird feeders, I had to shovel a path to them, so it’s not much more work (and the bunnies like to find grass).
Ah, that would be good feed for us in the warmer months then. The Starlings and the Blue Jays are great at kicking out seeds for the ground. The ground squirrels and the field mice enjoy that just as much as the birds that like to feed off of the snow. Thank you for sharing – It’s fun to hear from you what you do for your critters.
And I like knowing that you take care of yours. Especially in the kind of weather you’re dealing with.,
🥶🥰
I enjoyed reading this post, Shelley! It’s amazing how complex the pecking order seems to be in the bird world. What the Starlings do is exactly what the pigeons did in my backyard. I can’t have a seed feeder for the little birds which I love because of the flying rats. Hence, I have two hummingbird feeders. They are beautiful little birds! Sunny and 56 here today.
Thanks, John, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. There is definitely a pecking order with the birds. It’s fun to watch, it keeps us all entertained during the long winter.
I hope we can find a replacement hummingbird feeder this year. The adorable hummers did come to my flowers, but I think they missed our window feeder that constantly leaked and drew ants into the house.
Yay for sunny 56 weather – feel free to send it our way when you’re done with it! 🌞
I would send you some warmth if I could!
I know you would, thank you!
🤙🏻😌😌
This is the time of year for crows in out neck of the woods. They’ll get on the top branch of a tree and go through their caw-caw-caw business, then a bird a block away will join in, and soon it’s very loud here. Right now 55 degrees (12 C) here.
Yes, that’s exactly what our crow murder looked and sounded like. They sure had a lot to say that morning!
I’d love some 55 degree weather right about now, we’re at -8. 🥶🧊
I liked this post jam packed with birds Shelley. Your friend who gave you the window feeder never knew how much enjoyment you, Mister (and the cats) would get out of it. I am no fan of the Starlings that overtake the feeders. You have a nice collection of birds visiting your feeder – you got nice shots of them. I only see Sparrows at the feeders out back – a whoosh of Sparrows every time I go out in the yard. I like birds, but a gazillion Sparrows flying every which way in a scene like “The Birds”.
I don’t know how you can tell the difference between male and female Blue Jays, nor male and female Chickadees. I think for both I read that even experienced birders can’t tell unless they examine them. Happily the birds know. 🙂 I have never seen a Northern Harrier – that was some kind of swooping down in the video you gave us. You got a lot of photos – that’s a big bird with an impressive wingspan. I am glad you liked “the hurrier I go, the behinder I get” – it applies to harriers and humans. Missed shots – sigh. I missed the squirrel sitting in the bird feeder and I would have liked that shot and he’s not done it again. Then the Downy Woodpecker left the suet holder just as I opened the side door, so I didn’t lunge for the camera, only to go outside and it was sitting there again for the longest time. Came inside, got the camera and just took the shot thru the screen door as I figured I’d scare it – it was already giving me a side-eye.
I was watching “All Creatures Great & Small” when the weather alarm went off. Thought it was wind velocity and of course I worried due to the dead tree – it was the windchill … tonight it goes from -25 to -30 below. Michigan tries to be like Wisconsin!
Thanks, Linda, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and liked how I used your title for the Harrier photos. That’s funny, I was wondering about the Chickadees too – they’re like the Blue Jays with their bandit markings on their heads so it’s hard to tell them apart.
The critters do keep us entertained. Your park friends will be happy to see you when the horrible winter storm finally is past you! Stay warm and safe!!!
You were clever Shelley with this post. Well, crows and ravens too – how do you tell them apart, but they don’t have striking plumage like the Blue Jays and Chickadees. Yes, those critters put a smile on our faces. I hope it is sooner rather than later for my next visit!
We’ve seen both crows and ravens, when they’re in the yard their easier to tell apart.
Me too!
What are your favorite winter birds or in whatever season it is where you at, what bird do you enjoy seeing in your yard? This time of year it’s impossible to miss the cardinals out in the woods behind the house.
What did you see this week that you didn’t have your camera ready to capture? This is a trick question for me. I rarely have my camera ready so the real question would be: when was the last time you had your camera ready to snap a quick pic?!! 😁
What’s the temperature where you are today? 6ºF
Hi Ally, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ah, yes, the pop of bright red of the Cardinals is a pleasant surprise to see when there’s no snow, and when we get some snow.
LOL – that’s a great approach to capturing the photo you want to catch at just the right moment. I enjoy seeing the photos you share on IG so when you do grab your camera it’s a joy for us to see what grabbed your attention.
I’d say your temps top ours at the moment. We both can benefit from cuddly layers to feel cozy.
What a show outside your windows, Shelley! Great lens captures on these birds, especially the harrier (Hawk?)! U meant to tell you after reading a post of yours in the past I bought one of those window feeders. I put it up on our kitchen window, but no takers. I’ll try again.
All those birds feeding is dramatic indeed! The feeder fight! Lol! We see similar birds, dark eyed juncos, and finches. Add northern flickers and we have a winter trial that love to eat the black oil sunflower seeds off the ground.
Arizona is warm now as will San Diego be, but Spokane is cold with some impressive wind chill temps. And now I believe it is snowing. My neighbor is keeping an eye on the house and feeding the birds! Have a great week, Shelley, thanks for the bird show!
Hi Terri – thanks for stopping by on your way in between all of your travels. I’m smiling for you knowing you’re having fun adventures. Yes, the bird show was quite fun this past week. Now that it is below zero, not as many birds are out and about for long spurts, just quick ones.
When we first put up the feeder it took about 3 weeks for the birds to find it. I gave one to my brother for Christmas and it took about 10 days for his little birds to find it too. Give it a bit more time and you’ll have birds busy eating at yours too.
I’m envious of the warmer weather you’re experiencing on your trip. Soak it all up so you’re up for the chilly status upon returning to Spokane. That’s so nice of your neighbor, what a kind soul!
You’re welcome, thanks for hosting the challenge even while you’re traveling. See you again next weekend!
I didn’t want to take too many Sundays off for travel. The Jetpack app makes it easy to read and comment. I will try again with the feeder.
We appreciate your balancing act of keeping the prompts coming and while you discover more fun to share through your travels.
I hope the feeder eventually works for you.
Eurasian Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Hi, thank you for sharing the birds you see at this time of the year! I looked them all up and to me it looks like your birds are more colorful than ours. 🥰
Just common birds .
Same here.
thank goodness for windows so you can watch the whole thing unfold. A great story for today. The Harrier was a beauty and yes, they sure know how to “clear the room”. I admit to loving the blue jays.
I have been enjoying our local roadrunner as of late. They are usually quick to leave the premises when I come out of the house, but for some reason there is one that seems unafraid. It kind of checks in and goes on its way. And I will not feed it. They eat lizards and snakes, so if it finds any then hallelluia.
Thanks, Donna. It was a fun moment to see. The Blue Jays have multiplied so we’re enjoying how they keep the crowd of birds moving.
I’d love to see a roadrunner in person. Another reason to someday plan a trip to AZ!