In Charlotte, where we also feed the birds all year, our winter birds are
Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, American Goldfinch, American Tree
Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Blue
Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove and this year we have a Dark-eyed
Junco as well, a first for us.

On Saturday, as I was putting out a new suet cake, a flock of 10 +/-
Common Redpolls descended upon the feeder tree.  I was thrilled!  We
hadn't seen any yet this year.  Though they only stayed a short while, I
took the time to sit on the porch steps nearby and watch.  The feeders are
close enough to the porch to make it possible to hear the whir of wings
and the constant twittering between the Redpolls.  Our usual birds were
there as well.  I've noticed this year that they are becoming much more
tolerant of feeding together than they have been and even stay around now
when the gray squirrels come to feast.  Has anyone else noticed this?

Holly F. Hungerford
Vt. Public Television
88 Ethan Allen Ave.
Colchester, VT  05446
(802) 655-8049
[log in to unmask]