Since the deep cold a few weeks ago, I've been reliably filling the bird feeding station at Tuten Park with great results. A student group covered pine cones in lard and bird seed. They hung some of the cones around the park and took some home. I keep a hopper feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds and a thistle sock filled with nyger seed. Occasionally, I throw 2 or 3 cups of standard wild bird seed on the ground around the feeding station. Since I noticed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet eating the lard on the nearest pinecone, I started smearing "Bird Bark" around the feeding station as well.

David Booth's Bird Bark

Within days, American Goldfinches discovered the feeders. Mourning Doves weren't far behind. I even saw my first of the season Pine Warbler today and an Eastern Phoebe ate some Bird Bark! So far my list of observed bird bark eaters is three (Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet), but I bet the Pine Warblers will be seen eating it shortly. Birds seen at the other feeders include American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, and Carolina Chickadee. Naturally, other birds come in closer when a group of birds are feeding such as American Robins and Carolina Wrens.

Hopefully, as I consistently feed the birds here, I'll start to record greater diversity. In the past I've seen White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos under the feeders.

Posted on January 24, 2018 09:51 PM by ilouque