Even in the midst of winter, there are birding discoveries to be made. I hope you’ll make a habit of a weekly stop at Feederwatch. Maybe even consider getting involved yourself. It’s not too late.
So how do you get involved? If you have a bird feeder that you keep filled all winter–and a little time to watch it, you’re set to go. Just visit feederwatch.org. The cost for your registration and materials is $18.00 this year. Feederwatch offers a great chance for all of us to be scientists in our own backyard. The info we report, often sighting the same birds each week, when added to all the other observerations across the country, really does help ornithologists keep track of what’s happening with the birds.
Bird Club members, Paula and Ned, have been feeder watch reporters in the past and we’re looking forward to their reports again this year, but if you’d like to share your sightings, please do so. From time to time, I’ll even report on what’s happening at my own backyard feeders. Pictures are also welcome.
Welcome to the Franklin Bird Club 
FEEDERWATCH–Week 19: Within the first 3 hours of my 2 Feederwatch days I already had 24 species–I just added to the numbers of each species during the remainder of the time. My best sightings were of Chipping Sparrows who challenged my Field Sparrows at the tube feeder. This was the first time that I had Chipping Sparrows spend several days feeding here. I also had a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the Hemlock tree and the surrounding area. The other species were the usual: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Bluebirds who are now making their home in my Bluebird house, Hermit Thrush, Am.Robins, Brown Thrashers, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C.Grackles, Purple Finches, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches Sadly this is my final Feederwatch report even though there is one more week for this project. My house is sold and I will be heading down the road to my new home in Venice, Fl. But I will so miss ALL my birds that come to my feeders–many of them I will not have in Florida. My only consolation is that the new owner of our home seems to be interested in feeding birds as well!! I can only hope that she will enjoy them as much as I have. And thanks to all of you for all that you do for our feathered friends.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 19: I had a record number of species visiting this week, 23. Only 2 more weeks left in this years Feederwatch program. Here is the list of birds that visited: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Robins, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Northern Flicker, Starling, Cowbird, Grackles, Crows, and Purple Finch.
FEEDERWATCH–Week 18: My 2 Feederwatch days–Mar.20 & 21–were very busy with all kinds of bird activity and I had 24 species in my feeder area. New to this season’s count were a Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen earlier this year but not in my feeder area to be counted…until this week! The other species were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, C.Wrens, E.Bluebird (Looking over our Bluebird house), Hermit Thrush, Am.Robins, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C. Grackles (they were “raining” down from the sky), House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Lots of activity=a call to you to keep your eyes outside and let us know what you are seeing!!!
FEEDERWATCH–Week 17–With a low temp of 27, highs in the 40’s and a wintry mix one afternoon we no longer had the Springlike weather of the past weeks–but it didn’t deter the birds and I had 20 species on my 2 feederwatch days. There were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Hermit Thrush (he’s been around every day this week), Am.Robins, Brown Thrasher, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows ( I now have 4 that love the hanging tube feeder), Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Am.Goldfinches. NOT on my count days I had a return of the Purple Finch as well an Accipiter fly over the feeding area scaring all the birds away–I didn’t get to identify which one & I don’t think he caught a bird!? But keep your eyes outside–there’s lots happening!!!
Feederwatch Week 17: Lots of birds were in my watch area including 57 Robins, and 12 Grackles and 12 European Starlings. Two birds that I saw for the first time this season were Cowbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. The rest of the 22 birds I saw are: House Finch,Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Crows, and Purple Finch.
FEEDERWATCH–Week 16: My 2 Feederwatch days were on the gloomy and drizzly side but the birds didn’t let me down–and I had 22 species. I had 2 surprises–a Yellow-rumped Warbler and also a Sharp-shinned Hawk that landed right in the middle of my feeder area. The other birds were: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Hermit Thrush, Am.Robins, Brown Thrasher, Eur.Starling, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, lots of White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, too many C.Grackles, and Am Goldfinches. Can’t keep the feeders filled these days!!!!!!
Feederwatch Week 16: Two new species arrived in my watch area this week. Had a flock of Cedar Waxwings and Grackles. The waxwings stayed in the top of one of my trees while the Grackles swarmed the feeder, even scaring away the squirrel. The rest of the 19 species I spotted are: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Robins, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker,Crows, and Purple Finch.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 15: The feeders were extra busy this week and I had 22 species identified at my buffet or in the bushes/trees on the perimeter. There were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Brown Thrasher, Eur.Starlings, Cedar Waxwings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles (large numbers everywhere), House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. After about 8 days here the Fox Sparrows seem to have left but I was surprised to see a Red-breasted Nuthatch (my first ever on our property)–however it wasn’t in the feeder area to count for feederwatch. Just keep an eye outside–there are many surprises to find!!!
FEEDERWATCH–Week 14: My 2 days were very busy but Monday the 20th was the busiest–I had 20 species. My favorite to report has been the Fox Sparrows which have been here all week and one day I had 3 of them! They’re so beautiful! The others were the usuals: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am. Robins, Cedar Waxwings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, C.Grackles, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. I even had one that “got away”–a warbler was around the trees/bushes, but from where I was looking out, I could not ID it which was disappointing. Thanks to Suzanne and Ned for sharing their sightings–please add YOURS too!
Feederwatch Week 14: I haven’t seen anything spectacular, however, it is always nice to see the regulars. The 18 bird species I saw this week: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Robins, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Crows. There will be no report next week since I will be in Florida.
Welcome home, Paula, and thanks to Ned for keeping us up to date on his feeder stations.
Well, after 4 years of doing Feederwatch, we have a “record setting” (for this location) count. Throughout the season, we can count on the Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, Goldfinch, Crows, Dark-eyed Juncos, White Breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, and Mourning Doves. Then, we have the not-as-often visits from the Northern Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, and Eastern Towees.
But during Feederwatch (2/12 & 2/13), we set a record of 19 species–the highest ever! Thanks to the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Pileated Woodpecker, the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (a more frequent visitor this year), Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Brown Thrasher (who is still hanging around), and 3 Finches (yet to be identified as Purple or House.) I’ll post again–when we get to 20.–Suzanne
FEEDERWATCH–Week 13: Well I’m back and the birds were happy to have their All-You-Can-Eat Buffet refilled. I had 18 species visiting: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Cedar Waxwings(this has been a great year for Waxwings–I never had so many flocks), E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. The seasons are changing and “new” birds are appearing. Since this Feederwatch I have had 2 Fox Sparrows, the Hermit Thrush, and the Grackles are increasing as they do here every Spring. Keep a look outside!!!
Feederwatch Week 13: This was the first time in a while that I have seen Robins and Carolina wrens. A Northern Flicker also came for a visit. The rest of the 18 species I saw this week were: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Song Sparrow,Downy Woodpecker, American Crow and Purple Finch.
Feederwatch Week12: The Goldfinch were everywhere during my count days. They brought all their friends and family to feed crowding out all the other birds. At one point I counted 15 at the feeders. In total I counted 15 species. The rest of them are: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Song sparrow, Starlings, American Crows, and Purple Finch.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 11: We started on Jan. 30 with snow on the ground which melted quickly during the day–and the birds kept emptying my feeders! I had 17 species visit on Mon./Tues. with my newest visitor being a Common Grackle. The Grackles will soon be overwhelming my feeders by the end of Feb. or at least early March. The other hungry feeders were the usual Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crow, C. Chicadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches and Am.Goldfinches. NEXT WEEK I will be away and will not be submitting a count–but this could be a good time for a report from YOU!!!!!
Feederwatch Week 11: My Feedwatch days started off quite interesting. A red-shouldered hawk landed in the sweetgum tree and a group of 15 Blue Jays were sitting in the top of the sweetgum. I’m sure the Jay’s were keeping an eye on the hawk. The hawk was watching a squirrel running around on the branches and at times only a couple feet from the hawk. The rest of the 15 birds I spotted were: House Finch, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker, European Starlings, and Purple Finch.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 11: Again it was another week of Springlike weather for watching the feeders and I had 16 species which I observed which were the following: Mourning Doves, Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, one Red-winged female Blackbird, Purple Finches, and lots of Am.Goldfinches. On my 2 days I was really challenged this week by a lack of time to look out–probably why I never saw the Red-bellied Wdp. or the House Finches who are ALWAYS in and out of the feeder area.
Feederwatch week 10: It is feeling more like Spring around here rather than winter. I didn’t see any Junco’s or Towhee’s this week, I guess with the warm weather they didn’t need feeder food. the birds I did see are: House Finch,Blue Jay’s, Carolina chickadee, white-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Robin, Mourning Doves, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Crows, and Purple Finch.
Feederwatch Week 10: Springlike weather has been upon us and the birds have been vocalizing and eating–I had 15 species come to visit this week on Jan.16/17. They were all the “old” faithfuls: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Some other species have come but they seem to forget that Monday and Tuesday are the days to be counted–I have had Bluebirds nearby and today the Pileated Woodpecker was right in the feeder area as well!!! Let us all know what you are seeing at your feeders.
Feederwatch week 9: Quite a difference a week makes. Last week was cold and snowy and this week was quite mild with highs in the 60’s. I didn’t see anything spectacular, just the normal group of birds. They are as follows, House finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chicadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Robins, Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and American Crows.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 9: It really was great observing the birds feeding this week, crowding together both on and under the feeders due to the SNOW on the ground. I had 17 species that enjoyed my winter buffet: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C. Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, lots of White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finches, and Am. Goldfinches. I think the Robins and Juncos had decided to stay at Ned’s house, and the Purple Finches didn’t come for the count but came today–both a male and female feeding together.
Feederwatch week 8: On my two days the weather started out cold and ended very snowy. I had 6″ at the house and the birds sure were happy to have feeders to go to. Even the birds that normally feed on the ground, like Dark-eyed Juncos were at the feeders, all 10 of them. There are one small patch of grass under a large cedar tree that was snow free and I counted 27 Robins. The other birds I spotted were House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Mourning Doves, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker.
FEEDERWATCH WEEK 8: The New Year began well with a total of 20 species for my 2 Feederwatch days (Jan. 2&3). Monday was slow but by Tuesday it was a feeding frenzy. New to my count were Red-winged Blackbirds, a flock of Robins, and my first male Purple Finch (I only had females before). My other visitors were: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, Brown Thrasher, a large flock of Cedar Waxwings decorating the trees, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. As I am writing this we are having our first snowfall and the birds have again been in high gear at the feeders. Let us all know what YOU are seeing around your home!
Feederwatch Week 7: Dec. 26 & 27 were both very mild but also mostly overcast and drizzly. The feeders were busy at times and I had 14 species–no new surprises! My very faithful visitors were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, C.Chickadees, C. Wrens, White-breasted Nuthatches, E.Towhees, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR and lots of great birding in 2017!
Feederwatch Week 6: My 2 days of watching (Dec.19/20) were beautiful, almost Spring-like days and I had 18 species visit my feeding area. My best surprises were a N. Mockingbird and then a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the trees on the perimeter of my area. In addition I had the usual Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, E.Towhees, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N. Cardinals, a Purple Finch, House Finches, and many Am.Goldfinches. Hope your Holidays are filled with many blessings–and let us know who’s coming to your feeders.
Feederwatch week 5: I finally saw a bunch of robins in the yard during my count days. The other birds I saw were House finch, Blue Jays, Carolina chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied woodpecker, Goldfinch, mourning doves, Eastern towhees, Carolina Wren, Chipping sparrow, and crows.
Feederwatch–Week 5: On my 2 days, Dec. 12 & 13, we had a liitle of everything–rain/clouds/sunshine–and the birds were constantly eating. With the Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14, I didn’t have much time to look out but I still saw 15 species which were the following: lots of Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, C.Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Right after the Feederwatch and Christmas Bird Count the Purple Finches returned–too late to be counted for the CBC–but hopefully they’ll stay around for awhile.
Feederwatch week 4: The smoke is gone, it rained and now it is very cold. The lowest temperature during my 2 days was 19. The 13 species I saw were House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, and Crows.
Feederwatch Weeks 1-4: I’m just going to start by summarizing my first 4 weeks. This is my 9th year of Project Feederwatch and through those years I have had 43 species visit my feeder area in the Town of Franklin. So far this year I have had 20 species in spite of the smoke from the wildfires and now a couple of days of rain. The following have been counted in the last month: Mourning Doves(lots), Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Juncos, Purple Finches, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Thanks, Ned, for sharing your sightings! And lets hear from others what you are seeing as well!
Feederwatch week 3: This was a slow week spotting only 11 species. House finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, northern Cardinal, Goldfinch, morning Doves, Carolina Wren, Chipping sparrow, and American Crows.
Feederwatch week 2: This week besides the regular visitors, I spotted 2 Pileated woodpeckers in a tree in the yard. It is very rare that I see them in the yard. Of course it was very smokey that day due to the numerous wildfires in the area. Maybe they found a safe area away from the fires. The other 16 species I spotted are: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, goldfinch, Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Morning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and American Crows
Feederwatch week 1: This is the start of my 4th year participating in Feederwatch. It’s an interesting way to learn the names of birds in your yard while helping scientists keep track of the birds.
This week I observed the following birds: house Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Robin, Morning Dove, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren.