The backyard feeders have been busy. But first, what has not been here - no blackbirds since early August. Red-wings, grackles, cowbirds, and starlings have moved from their breeding dispersal, gathering in flocks elsewhere.

In the backyard as of Saturday, September 1 - Evening Grosbeaks were feeding young - so were Song Sparrows. Pine Siskins have come down from their mountain breeding areas and have been regulars. A single White-throated Sparrow was also present, and Chipping Sparrows are still around, although I think I am now getting migrants rather than the resident breeders. Some neighbors have the Red-breasted Nuthatch as a regular year-round feeder bird. At my feeders, they show up during August and September, then periodically through the winter. Three were around all day yesterday. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are less common, but a young male is beginning to show his true colors. There have been so many young hummingbirds on the bee-balm, that the resident male has given up trying to defend his territory. I counted six at one time yesterday. Spotty without his breeding spots is still working the river. 

Plus there have been all of the usual suspects: hairy, downy, chickadee, titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, cardinal, purple finches, sizeable groups of jays, doves, a couple of pigeons, and the occasional Sharp-shinned Hawk (at least two, but as often as the jays carry on, probably more that I haven't seen).

I've posted some pictures at www.tailsofbirding.net

Chris Petrak
South Newfane, VT
Tails of Birding - www.tailsofbirding.net