Here in Maine, winter has had a grip since late fall with snow, bitter cold and wind. Migratory birds have long gone on their trek to warmer climes. During the snowstorm last Saturday, I noticed a very puffed up bird feeding on a distant suet feeder. I thought for sure it was a warbler, but with a driving snow it was hard to positively ID even through binoculars.
Fast forward to today. Upon returning home after picking up this semester’s books in South Portland ($511.00 for books, unbelievable!), I noticed a puffed up bird on the feeders just outside our picture window. I grabbed my camera and went into our bedroom, lowered the upper part of the window, and took the photos below of a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I use the bedroom window as a sort of a blind when birds are at the feeders closest to our house.
Even now, as I write this post, the little fella is feeding at the wreath feeder in a lightly falling snow, puffed up to protect itself from the biting cold. The Warbler seems to prefer the peanut butter and seed pine cones. Once he has his fill, he flies into the Christmas tree that I put outside for the birds.
Enjoy these photo of our wayward Yellow-Rumped Warbler and a few photos of a Dark-eyed Junco. Clicking a thumbnail will open a larger sized view in a shadowbox.
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- Dark-eyed Junco
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- Dark-eyed Junco
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- Dark-eyed Junco
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- Yellow-rumped Warbler
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- Yellow-rumped Warbler
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- Yellow-rumped Warbler
Happy birding!
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Excellent John! LOVE the warbler and the Junco! And It looks like the warber liked the feeder wreath…that warms my heart
Great pics!
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MaineBirder Reply:
January 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thank you Kerri! I have two wreath feeders now. When one needs more peanut butter suet, I load the other and hang it up. Then I have one always on standby.
So just out of curiosity, and because I don't know, where should this yellow rumped warbler be right about now? Down south?
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Hi Sharon!
The Yellow-rumped Warbler does winter in the U.S., mainly from Maryland and points south and west.
Wow these are gorgeous shots, congrats. I love them all…. You did a great job!
Nice story and shots John. As us birders know, feeding regularly and variedly in our gardens brings all sorts of surprises and is vital in keeping the little guys going through these tough weather times.
Great looking photos of the junco and warbler. I've seen that warbler before but in the spring here.
Can you tell me more about your wreath feeders? Looks interesting. The warbler certainly thought so. Great pics!! I so enjoyed this post. ~karen
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MaineBirder Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Thank you for your comments Karen!
I bought my 18" grapevine wreath at Michael's, the Arts & Crafts Store. If you do not have this store, most craft stores sell the wreath. Also you will need craft wire. I can't remember the guage, but it is green in color.
I also bought some ponderosa pine – pine cones off a dealer on eBay. I like these cones because of their size. I got 60 of them for $10 including shipping.
I basically wired pine cones onto the wreath and covered each cone with a homemade chunky peanutbutter/bird seed suet mixture. I then wired the wreath to my feeding station.
I made 2 wreath/pine cone setups. When 1 needs replenished with the mixture mentioned above, I add the mixure to the spare and take down the other. Then rotate as needed.
You may add millet sprays, cherries or other fruit to the wreath. Use your imagination!
John
nice sightings! and fab photos as always John.
Yikes about the price of books…our nephew buys his online for a discount..can u do that?
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Half.com is an eBay company where i buy lots of used books. They also deal in text books which my college student daughter has taken advantage of, both buying and selling her used texts online. The price of texts makes me almost wish I was writing them, or at least the editor! Great warbler shots. Don't you just love the little DE juncos? So sweet indeed! Nice shots
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