Odds and ends

The fate of the backyard Tree Swallow brood is unknown. Three days ago the parents were relentlessly feeding the noisy chicks, one of which appeared in the doorway, looking like it was close to fledging. The next day, there were no swallows to be seen or heard. I suspect that fledglings might have dropped from the nest on to the well worn path of the local feral cat.

Weekend feeder update

The backyard feeder is doing a good business these days. Finch numbers vary from day-to-day. Here's what I noticed this morning:

Red-bellied Woodpecker (female - see photo)
Hairy Woodpecker - 3
Downy Woodpecker - 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Blue Jay - 12 +
Black-capped Chickadee - 12 +
American Tree Sparrow - 5
American Goldfinch - 6
Pine Grosbeak - 3

Pine Siskins were here on and off through the week, as were a few Common Redpolls.

A new yard bird for the year was Ruffed Grouse that landed in the cedar outside the bedroom window.

Near Gannon's Narrows today, I came across a flock of 30 Cedar Waxwings and an overflying dark phased Rough-legged Hawk.