Jan./Feb. Birding Journal observations

January and February can be a slow time at bird feeders it seems but I managed to record a few significant sightings. The first goldfinch did not arrive until February 1, which was a good bit later than their 1/10/2009 arrival - the goldfinches have not left yet, which also differs from their 2009 departure date of 2/26. Unusually cold weather saw many nights dip into the 20's during January and February. Birds sighted include red-bellied woodpecker, white-throated sparrow, tufted titmouse, chipping sparrow, pileated woodpecker, blue jay, yellow-bellied sapsucker, bluebird, cardinal, chipping sparrow, dove, brown-headed cowbird, tufted titmouse, mockingbird, carolina chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, pileated woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, and cedar waxwings.

To view the Nov.-Dec. '09 birding blog entry click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Flocks of cedar waxwings are known as the harbingers of spring; mother nature knows that attrition via premature death is always a constant for cedar waxwings; a chipping sparrow was momentarily confined in this bird feeder that it had infiltrated