Ostdrossel

It feels like once they find feeders, they will use them frequently. I see them on all my feeders here. They also LOVE dried mealworms.

Redwinged Blackbirds and Grackles can look mega elegant and awe-inspiring. But then also be complete goofballs 😆Ah, I am so happy they are back. I hope the clouds vanish at some point and we get some sun here in Michigan. #birds

Haha!

There are still plenty of Juncos around, I usually see them up until April. I loved how proudly this one presented itself. Then there's the most interesting Cardi man in the yard, with a really unique patchy look (he's with a Goldfinch), and then a Woodpecker takes a snacky shower. #birds

Yes, it is just a spot, but apparently another bird had been named Redheaded Woodpecker first (also a gorgeous beauty but rarely visiting here).

The caption pretty much describes the bird

This male Redbellied Woodpecker is one of the locals and one of my favorites. I recognize him because of his unusual "eyebrows", the pale sections by the eyes. Usually, the head is all red there. In the first photo, you can also nicely see the name-giving red belly. #birds

Sialis.org - Information on bluebirds and other birdhouse birds Sialis.org provides information and resources on bluebirds and other cavity nesters & birdhouse birds | Eastern, mountain & western bluebirds

There is a ton of good info out there, and sialis.org is a treasure trove of all things related.

Now with spring approaching, it is also a good time to maintain nesting boxes. They should protect the birds from the elements and from potential predators that could climb up and reach in. Here is a video from 2023, when a Chickadee family raised their babies in one of my boxes.

A Redwinged BB showing some epaulet

A Chickie coming close, trying to hypnotise

A Starling about to explode into a dark rainbow

A Starling bro selfie

It is still cold but it feels like spring hormones are waking up. And everybody is starting to show off a bit... The bird way.

All four pics show animated Starlings, some with an open beak

I have no suet out, reduced the peanut butter offerings and have no mealworms in open feeders but these rascals return to raid everything in search for soft things relentlessly if they ever found something edible somewhere. They certainly take fun pictures but I am never sad to not see them 😬😄🐦🪶

It was 13 degrees Celsius outside today! I had the windows open and it was very hard to not start fooling about in the garden. But in two days, we are going below zero again. Another Grackle has shown up too, and this guy is a returner, I can tell by the white dot on his neck. Have a good weekend!

Eastern Bluebirds have a very special spot in my heart. I saw them raise their babies in my yard, and I just fell in love with them. They do not hang around that much anymore but I keep hoping they will return. Here is a Dad feeding his baby, from a lovely night in June a couple of years ago. #birds

I keep seeing Aurora Borealis alerts, but the Michigan perma cloud has prevented me from seeing any. I put the camera out last night because the forecast showed no snow or rain, and while there were no dancing lights, there was a lot going on and the stars were pretty as always #timelapse #nature

Dangit!

This is the work of the fabulous Karl (@kmars.tats), who helped me figure out the design and patiently listened to me ramble for hours while he got to work. He is with @thistleandthorn.ink. It has to heal but I love it so much already ❤ Look at that pouty baby 🥺

I've wanted to do this for a very long time, and yesterday it was finally time. The old ink is gone and made room for something that is much more me, with a baby Bluebird, a Swallowtail and caterpillar, Nasturtium, Hellebore, Hibiscus, Columbine and Serviceberry. #nature #birds #tattoo

A chickadeedeedee

I think migration is beginning, and I will probably take feeders in for a bit to "cleanse the plate". I like doing that every so often, it helps with birds like Starlings and House Sparrows, and now is a good time. Chickadees will stick around and forage in the garden.

That sounds like a fabulous way to start the day!

Oh I remember that, I felt very honored to be included ♥️ It is a gorgeous book!

It felt like 5 pm all day today and we seem to live in a semi-permanent fog cloud currently. There is not a lot of bird activity, but I did take another timelapse of the Black Swallowtail chrysalis, and look how much it wiggled! Dreaming of spring and sunshine and flowers, just like me... #bugs

Thank you. They are one of my favorites. One year, I had so many photos I made two Grackle calendars 😆

♥️

Oh, how fun!

all photos show a RWBB at the feeder

Another FOY of this week - the beautiful Red-winged Blackbird. Their calls are also a harbinger of spring for me. The weather is also wild today, we had a thunderstorm earlier. I am sure winter will return again but it is really nice to see some different #birds again. #foy #signsofspring

Thank you!

All photos show a beautiful Grackle boo <3

Look who's back 😍 It is maybe a little early but the yard is also melting into a mud pit, and it overall feels rather springy. Spring is my favorite season, I love and live for the whole feeling of Vorfreude ("pre-joy" aka anticipation) 💚 #birds

(The code OSTDROSSEL gets you 20 % off in their Amazon store. Don't bash me for Amazon, I am not saying No to a free feeder and live rural.)

I got to try out a new feeder, and it looks like the birds like it as much as me 🙂 I call it the "cathedral", it's from Kingsyard. It's easy to assemble, clean and fill, looks fancy, and #birds like MoDos who like to hog a feeder have a harder time. There were even two Purple Finches!

Nesting season is still months away but that does not hold some back to check out available spots. I love seeing the Chickadees coming over because I hope they will nest in one of the boxes again this year. I built both boxes out of 6 inch diameter PVC pipe in the style of the Gilbertson box.

Nice! And yes, you will. I hope it all goes well!