birdwatching

Another Level I Snow Emergency in the Hocking Hills

Mary
Pinewood cabin at Marsh Hollow

The Hocking county sheriff just announced a Level I snow emergency. There are only  few inches of snow, but township roads like ours are very hilly, curvy and only slowly plowed or sanded. We are lucky to be so close to a well-maintained county road and state highway.

New snow is so beautiful. I think it adds more romance to a weekend in the Hocking Hills. It’s usually very quiet and peaceful. While I was out getting the hot tub ready for this weekend’s guests, I listened to softly played classical music on our outdoor speakers. It didn’t bother the birds at the birdfeeder at all.

Birds are extra active when snow covers the ground. They also love the corn we put out for the deer. That usually draws in the bluejays – bold, noisy critters! In the photo on the left, a male cardinal is sitting on the feeder tray. Mrs. Cardinal is not in the shot, but she’s just off to the left. On the right side of the suet cake, a male red-bellied woodpecker is ready for his snack. On the left of the suet, a tufted titmouse has his/her rear end pointed at the camera.

I took this picture through the cabin living room window. I wish I had taken my Canon Rebel with me instead of the little pocket camera. Some of our guests have taken amazing pictures of wildlife they’ve seen at the cabin. I just don’t have the skills yet.

Mary at Marsh Hollow

Birds at our birdfeeder

Mary

Lately, the birdfeeder at our home has been dominated by what I thought were starlings. After peering at them through binoculars, I finally figured out that they are not starlings at all, but are blackbirds & common grackles. This morning when I looked out, there were easily 50 of these and absolutely none of our regulars. I realize they all need to eat, but how ’bout some sharing? This is the first year we’ve had a blackbird/grackle “problem” at our feeder.

I went out and starting clapping loudly. They all flew off and within minutes the regular crew was back! Cardinals, blue jays, tufted titmice, dark-eyed juncoes, white breasted nuthatches, sparrows and nary a blackbird. I wonder how long this will last?

Mary at Marsh Hollow.

Feeder Birds in the Hocking Hills, February 5-10, 2007

Mary

Last week, our very kind and patient guests reported the following birds at our Marsh Hollow feeder (sunflower seeds in a hopper and a suet cake):

  • American crow
  • Black-capped chickadee
  • Blue jay
  • Brown creeper
  • Carolina wren (my favorite, next to roseate spoonbills who live in Florida)
  • Downey woodpecker
  • Hairy woodpecker
  • Northern cardinal
  • Red-bellied woodpecker
  • Ruby-crowned kinglet
  • Tufted titmouse
  • White-breasted nuthatch

And an unidentified hawk, possibly a Marsh hawk (that would be appropriate, wouldn’t it?).

The most unusual creature reported at that feeder, but only in summer, was a flying squirrel.

The feeder area at the Marsh Hollow “homestead” is crowded with gold finches and dark-eyed juncoes, and mourning doves. No kinglets or creepers, but all of the others. Our feeder menu is a little more extensive and includes thistle seed, safflower seeds, and shelled corn.