Updates from the yard

It's been so hot! Everyone has been stopping in for a drink ....



One of the many young Robins that were hanging out on the front garden and on the driveway:

Group shot of young Robins:

Our poor little Chipping Sparrow spending all it's time and energy feeding a Cowbird that it thinks is it's baby. We did not see any young Chipping Sparrows :(

A young Cardinal has been in the yard:


We discovered one of our regular squirrels in blind in one eye. We just thought he was a bit cheeky and not afraid of us. I was cleaning the bird bath and he didn't run away at all. I was able to get quite close to him and I realized his one eye is clouded and he didn't move/flinch when I waved my hand near him.

So Dave decided to see how close he could get to our newly nicknamed "One-eyed Jack". Armed with some peanuts, Dave was able to hand feed Jack.


We've had enormous flocks of blackbirds in and around the yard and the nearby trees. The Grackles love the new water feature we put in and are often drinking at it. It's been so hot and humid out!







A Downy was making lots of noise while drumming on the nesting box.


A young Robin in the yard:


I bought Dave this feeder for his birthday. We set it up and it's now frequented by Gold Finch. I think this is a quieter spot for them while all the blackbirds are taking over the front yard. This past weekend we had our highest number of Gold Finches in a long time- over 6! We've only seen a single pair throughout the summer. It's nice to have them back!