Saturday, March 07, 2009
Woodcock afternoon
photo from maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
A lovely warm afternoon, I walked the dogs east along the pond at a leisurely pace. As we advanced into the little vernal puddle in front of the house a woodcock flew up and away northeast into the scrub beyond the vegetable garden. I think I might have seen one thereabouts once before. It was probably getting worms in the thawed ground around the puddly place.
There have been robins around for more than a week, snacking on any left over crab apples and the like. Mine crab trees are long ago depleted. I think I cannot grow too many of those to feed the birds. Also a red-winged blackbird came to the feeder the other day during the snow. Must have been Monday. I keep looking for the winter wren in his spot over by the bridge into the woods across the pond. Perhaps he has a cozy spot for a few months in deep winter, although I must have seen him in late December.
I never did see a red-breasted nuthatch this winter. Sad to say. But knowing one nested here last spring gives me courage that they’re here somewhere. More suet feeders.
The song sparrow and carolina wren have been regular visitors to the feeders this winter. Otherwise nobody too exotic. Not many purple or house finches. Although plenty of goldfinches have been regular.
Should see some diving ducks pretty soon-