White-breasted Nuthatch Hiding a Seed

The Stokes Field Guide to Birds says this about the Nuthatch. "Nuthatches are best known for their habit of storing food in bark crevices and their ability to move head first down trees enabling them to find food that "right-side up" birds like Woodpeckers might miss." That's exactly what we caught him doing in these pictures.

Downy Woodpecker hiding a seed

Taking a cue from the nuthatch, this downy woodpecker is hiding a seed. Come to think of it, storing your savings in a hole in a tree may be safer than Bank of America.

Hawk by Cyn from Flanders, NJ

 

I think this is a Sharpshined Hawk.

He has been hanging around my backyard now for a couple of weeks. My feeders have been so full of many different kinds of birds. I know he is waiting for breakfast. :)

My husband happened to be at the window & got this great shot of him.

Thanks,
Cyn
Flanders

Pine Siskin sharing the feeder with some finches

 

 

 

 

Recently Mike has been talking about a smaller goldfinch at the nyjer feeder, and there has been a lot of traffic at this feeder. We received a newsletter from Colleen at Wild Bird Country yesterday talking about the pine siskins that are in the area. So, upon closer inspection, it looks like we've had pine siskins join the usual gang. In the top photo the pine siskin is sharing with a goldfinch. The bottom photo shows his tail feathers with a house finch.

Sandhill Cranes: Photo by Greg

 

Group of Sandhill Cranes caught in flight. Seen 1/25/09 in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, New Jersey.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

 

 

We haven't seen a yellow-rumped warbler since the fall. We're thrilled that he appeared today.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

 

 

A stunning red head warms up a cold day.

Brown Creeper

Here's a photo of a brown creeper, also a fun little bird.

Carolina Wren Singing - a fun little bird

Chris went out early this morning to fill up the nyjer feeder for the goldfinches (they've been eating an abundance this winter), and on her way back in she recognized the beautiful song of the Carolina Wren. Today one of its songs sounded like "We Need you, We Need you, We Need you," so she hung around outside for a while to enjoy the music. It stayed around long enough for her to go in for the camera to try and catch it while singing. Success and enjoyment - what a way to start the day!

Northern Cardinal

 

This female cardinal is cleaning up under the feeder.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker from Mike in Morris County, NJ

 

Skating on Lake Nelson

 

With the lake completely frozen over for a week, the geese and ducks have left Lake Nelson. We hear the kingfisher occasionally and think he's feeding in the unfrozen stream past the dam. The creature in this photo seems to like the ice and occasionally comes to the house for treats of hot chocolate.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

 

 

A male sapsucker came by today and sampled the sap from a few trees tapping holes in each.

Northern Cardinal in the Snow

Mourning Dove

 

The Mourning Dove is the most common bird in the great backyard bird count. We don't photograph them that often because they are so common. They don't usually come on our railing as they prefer to feed on the ground under the feeders.

Ice Geese

 

 

Here's another picture of a snow goose resting on the ice for Marian. For a few days, the geese would find a small unfrozen area to swim in, but the lake is now completely frozen over.

The geese, or at least the photographers, are thinking about warmer climates.

Tufted Titmouse from Cindy, Flanders NJ

Click image to see full scene


I was taking pictures of the birds in the feeders. I saw this one and I liked how the seed is in his beak.

Thank you for this site. I came upon it trying to figure out some of the birds that come to my feeders. Very helpful.
Cindy
Flanders, NJ

Song Sparrow trying to look thin

Here are two pictures of a song sparrow who feeds on the ground under our feeders.

Winter Birds in New Jersey: Junco, Titmouse, and Blue Jay

 

 

 

Snow Goose on Lake Nelson

 

We had a bit of a surprise this morning. At first glance, we assumed this was just a seagull. Mike noticed, however, that is was paddling along more like the geese than bobbing like a seagull, so he got the binoculars out and declared "we have something new here." This is our first sighting of a Snow Goose here amongst the Canada Geese. We wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Squirrel with a winter coat on

Although we have a squirel proof bird feeder, Chris has grown to accept the squirrels and she even likes one that we call Skippy. He is much better behaved than his cohorts: Fatty, Jif, Scarback, Freaky Tail, Split Ear, Brown Nose and Ugly Face. Here, Skippy is posing with his winter coat on top of the birdhouse.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

We are glad to see another of our winter bird friends back. The yellow-bellied sapsucker made an appearance about a week ago and we finally got some pictures of her. Hopefully, we will see a male sapsucker this year too.

Droll Yankee Flipper Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

 

We go to great lengths to keep squirrels away from the bird food. While there are bird feeders with cages that keep squirrels away, they interfere with bird watching and bird photography. We try other things, such as feeders on long wires or buy squirrel proof bird feeders.

The Droll Yankee Flipper squirrel-proof bird feeder has a motor that spins the bar when a squirrel gets on it. We have found it to be very effective and occasionally entertaining. The squirrels are dazed but not harmed by the spin. This squirrel set a record by hanging on for about 30 seconds before getting tossed.

More Winter Birds: Junco, Goldfinch & Cardinal

Female Northern Cardinal

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

The dark-eyed junco is a common winter visitor. This black and white bird mostly feeds on the ground. The cardinals stay year round but they come to our feeders much more often in the winter when food is scarce elsewhere. The American Goldfinch, the state bird of New Jersey, also stays year round, but its yellow color is more vivid in the summer.

Winter Birds at the Bird Bath

White-breasted Nuthatch

Northern Mockingbird

Here's are photos of some winter birds having a drink at our new heated bird bath.

Tufted Titmouse with a peanut

 

 

We put out some peanuts for the squirrels. A Tufted Titmouse flew away with one, which is only fair since the squirrels steal the bird food we leave out.