Ostdrossel™

I replaced the broken orange heated bath with a new one today, and look who visited first... The Bluebirds came back! And it looks like it was at least three. They raised a brood here in spring but I have not seen a lot of them this year. This makes me so happy.

Today, bird royalty visited - a couple of Purple Finches! I only ever see these guys during migration times, and usually only for one or two days. This video starts with a female House Finch who is then joined by the Purples. If you look closely, you will notice differences between the species. Especially the male has some features that clearly distinguish him from his House Finch counterpart (dots instead of stripes on chest and belly, red on the wings, a pronounced darker bar on the face and a very active crest). I hope they stick around, I want photos too!

A little compilation of visitors at the bath this week. I cannot recommend heated bird baths enough for the cold season, they are a source of lots of joy.

It's always a good morning with bathing birds. This bath I mounted above the ground (about 8 ft up), and I am always surprised how much it gets visited. This was the CY95 again, but I may put a streaming cam there if activity picks up. (Flicker, Grackle, Chickadee, Robin, Blue Jay, Chipmunk)

The Robin fall bathing championships have started, and there is a lot of competition at even the smallest waterhole. I love watching them, they are so competitive!

And a nice surprise today was seeing this Whitebreasted Nuthatch on one of the photos from the CY65 trailcam (these cams have the option to take photos along with the video, which is very practical for an overview on what's captured). It was not on video, too quick, but made me very happy because I haven't seen one in months.

The most elusive and undecided hummingbird visited today. Little man just could not decide to dine anywhere! (These are three different cams, the Birdsy, the CY65 trailcam by Ceyomur and the Birdfy Hum.) I hope he returns tomorrow and actually sits down.

I love this simple setup with the trailcam. The hook is on the pole that also holds the jelly feeder. Lots of birds are checking it out, using the hook for a first look. As you can see, there are also tons of baby birds around! (Species: Baltimore Orioles (one baby), American Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Redwinged Blackbird, Rosebreasted Grosbeak (baby), Redbellied Woodpecker (baby), Blue Jay (baby), House Finch (youngster), Blackcapped Chickadees (baby on the left), Redbellied Woodpecker, Rosebreasted Grosbeak, Mourning Dove, American Robin (baby), Baltimore Oriole (baby))

Some Oriole babies made it to the actual feeders but some also just follow the parents and sit nearby. I added the CY95 trailcam to the pole where the jelly feeder is because that is a bit of a blind spot for me but a spot where I know birds sit and wait to get fed. I love the sounds of the babies, and their goofiness.

Some photos from the CY95 trailcam. I love that I am a bit more free with where to place it than with my other setups. Quality-wise I think the photos work pretty good for online things (video feels a tad better), I am not sure how well they would print. It is a lot of fun to experiment a bit again, I am constantly thinking about where to put it next! (Baby Oriole, Chipmunk, baby Cardinal & Blue Jay).

This young opossum has been coming to the yard recently, and I just love watching it. I called it Elfriede, which is a German name equivalent to maybe Ethel. And yes, I am assuming it is a she. I just love her little feet and the tail and the fuzzy coat. She is very careful and alert, but she comes every night. I hope she stays.