Our old friend the northern flicker came by for lunch on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.
Note to self: Stock up on bird seed for the next time we get one of these nasty spells of ice, snow and freezing cold.
At our house we’re down to one unopened cake of suet, and the one in the feeder is getting smaller as we speak. It’s going to be gone by Monday, I would guess.
Chances are the woodpeckers, spotted towhees and western bluebirds around here would probably survive a few days of freezing cold without our help. But the way they are crowding the suet cage on this cold Sunday afternoon, it looks like they welcome that it’s there.
Conclusion: On the next trip to town, don’t forget more seed and suet.
When’s the next trip? As soon as the road is not as icy slick as it is now, or Benton County sends a sanding truck our way. (hh)
Puffed up against subfreezing cold, our feathered friends check out what’s on the table.
Busy time at the feeder on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. The temperature was 26 degrees.
A downy woodpecker takes its turn.
You could try making your own suet cakes with what you have on hand at home. I used to do this. Look up recipes online and use the plastic forms from the store-bought cakes for your homemade ones. There are vegetarian versions (with Crisco) and omnivore version (with lard).
Yep, filled feeders yesterday. Almost gone. Have to crunch out back tomorrow for a re-stocking
Many puffed up robins in our yard eating the holly berries. The suet feeders were covered by birds. I’ve been keeping the hummingbird feeder thawed. Threw a suet brick out in the yard for the birds that can’t get to the hanging feeders and tossed out some frozen blueberries for the robins. Ice covering everything of course. Haven’t attempted my usual daily walk or even tried to make it to the garbage can. Had knee surgery last year to repair some torn ligaments and don’t want to risk it. Does look like we will be back above freezing by Wednesday. Also, so far, no power outage at our place so that is something to be grateful for. I’m getting in a lot of reading. Thank you for continuing to post content.
Hasso. I have plenty of suet, thank you. Since we have “climate change,” I know we can have unusual storms….the scientific articles tell us that..,..so I keep stocked up.
But, of course if you have your head somewhere (I won’t type that out), you will think buying one cake of suet at a time is ok!! Not so. It is colder today many places in the lower 48 than it is in Fairbanks, Alaska. Things are not just changing; they have changed.
Ditto to Patricia’s letter, and lots of grateful birds and squirrels at my place today. The house next door has a lot of apples on the ground and some kind soul dumped seed all over them. 50 -100 birds there every time I look.
On a side note, saw all the varieties mentioned and one solitary dove. There was a cottonwood taken down for the subdivision going on around me. When it was still standing, 30 doves crowding my feeders and ground space.
Great bird photos, Hasso! Thank you for taking care of the birds, esp. in this freeze.
I especially enjoy the Flickers! Miss Eich – great idea to throw the suet out the door – I can’t get to my feeders either – too chancey – I did throw seed out on the patio and shall throw suet in the morning – Thanx to all those caring for our bird population!
Neglected to say thank you, Hasso, for the great pictures.
I also have been giving more seed than usual. The birds have trouble pecking through the ice and are so, so hungry. Glad I have a goodly supply from Cool’s, but will want to replenish Wednesday (if indeed it’s 25o warmer as promised).
We don’t have such a nice variety of bird species here in my neighborhood as you do Hasso. Enjoyed the pictures.
I have been putting out 4 cups of food a day. I don’t put it all out at once to keep the ice off. I went to the store a few hours before the ice arrived . Still have enough for several days.
Thank you Hasso for the great bird pics!
We have enjoyed feeding our flying friends. We have suet and hummingbird feeders that we bring in at night so it does not freeze. I have a warmer on order. The birds swarm when I throw out cut up suet cakes on the grass. We and our cats enjoy watching them them as they have a meal.
Republican birds don’t expect a free hand out!