Migration Time at Shore Side Farm House

Autumn crept up on me this year. We took a trip to Florida in September, that seems to have disrupted my inner calendar. The hummingbirds left while I was out traveling...not all of them, but most of them. The seasonal birds vaporized into thin air, and there were no butterflies as would be expected at this time of the year.

pine siskins have moved in

Pine Siskins are loving the bird bath...so I have been keeping it filled

Shortly after our return from the south, birds started visiting out feeders again.   First it was one or two. I think the Red Breasted Nuthatch was the first pioneer to stake itself a claim to our feeders. The cardinals, Mourning Doves, Tufted Titmouse and Chickadees came in too.  I noticed a new visitor. I was not sure what it was, and in fact I suspected that it could be an American Goldfinch in winter dress. First there were two, then there were six, then there were twenty...well you get the picture. There are lots of them. After some internet searches, I have come to the conclusion that the little guys are Pine Siskins. Further research told me that their food sources in the northern forests are compromised this year, so they are traveling south in search of food sources and warmth. If my observations are typical, these birds travel in large clusters of traveling partners. There is never just one at the feeder...one lands on the feeder and others follow flying in  second by second until all the feeders are covered with Pine Siskins. You can see them in the photos above and below. They seem to prefer Nyjer and Sunflower seeds.

Twelve or more Pine Siskins bathing at one time is not unusal. It is often like commuters hopping on and off a train.

The Cardinals have been frequent to the feeder and yesterday I had a full grown Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker. He was interesting because he landed on a Sunflower seed feeder and just sat there. He had no idea how to use the  feeder. He looked and looked and sat for a minute or two and then moved on. Not the prettiest bird, but still great to it. I love that you can never tell what kind of bird could show up next here.