Peanut Returns!

Yesterday morning’s trip to refill the feeders revealed a pleasant surprise: a Red-breasted Nuthatch had returned! There was only the one sighting but I’m hopeful his extended family won’t be far behind.  The last few weeks have seen a heavy invasion (infestation) of Starlings who steal ALL the premium specialty blends which makes me wonder if this is why my sweet little birds pulled out so early?  To combat the problem, I drove into Menard’s and purchased a Stokes’ cage feeder   that is very wide thus prohibiting larger birds from reaching in and raiding.  Peanut was the first bird in when the new feeder went up so I’m certain it met with his approval.  I will continue to monitor the situation.  

Farewell, Sweet Friends

Where have the Red-breasted Nuthatches gone? On Monday, March 10^th, the entire flock pulled out. ??? This is a very, very strange occurrence as I have carefully tracked these wonderful little avians since 2009.  Each successive year their spring migration pattern has gotten later and later—a  fact I attributed to the plentifulness of their favorite food stuff—peanuts—here at Bon Bon Pond.  For the past two years, their northerly fly-out date was mid-May.  Why would they leave two months early?  I can’t say for certain, but I can wholeheartedly declare their presence is sorely  missed.  The Red-breasted Nuthatches are my favorite bird.  Their warmth, humor and engaging personalities bring me much joy, and when they are gone, leave a void in my heart.  Yet another loss in the winter of my discontent.

MIA--my beloved friends

Fall Migration Report

The Dark-eyed Juncos have returned to Bon Bon Pond! These lovely little gray cold weather residents flew in late last month, marking a much earlier debut than previous years.  More surprisingly, usually migratory male Red-winged Blackbirds are still here with me enjoying both sunflower seeds and suet.  For central Minnesota,  these birds are supposed to switch over to an insect diet in late summer then clear out later in the season. My other winter birds arrived in mid-summer:  the Red-breasted Nuthatch on July 11^th and the Pine Siskins a couple weeks later.  What in the world is going on here? 

Recently I viewed an excellent PBS documentary about hummingbirds (a portion of which I posted earlier—just click on the “Ruby throated Hummingbird” label below) which speculated that the migration patterns of these awe-inspiring avians had actually altered in response to human intervention.  Hummingbirds have begun to winter on the U.S. gulf coast since so many people are putting out nectar.  This revelation is not news to me.  On a much smaller scale, and in only four short years,  I have personally witnessed the dramatic effect that plentiful, nutritious and dependable food sources, plus year-round fresh water, will have on our feathered friends.  Both the scientific study of the hummers and my anecdotal evidence are exciting for birders as it proves that each of us, in our own backyard, can make a difference.

Peanut, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, a traditional winter bird of central Minnesota, now spends all but eight weeks per year (nesting in northern MN) at Bon Bon Pond.

Peanut Love

My sweetheart, my special friend, my totem animal, my Peanut, always makes it a point to visit with me when I’m outside.  Yesterday, while snapping a shot of the burning bush, he popped into the picture just to say “hi”  and brighten my day.

I’m so happy to report a bumper “Peanut crop” this year (all the Red-breasted Nuthatches are “Peanut” to me as each one has the same sweet, friendly, outgoing, fun-loving and exuberant personality).  Bon Bon Pond is now home to several thriving families which spend all but eight weeks per year here.