An American Robin feasting

The American Robin is a familiar bird in the winter time in northeast Ohio. People have called asking what to feed them. The robin's diet normally consists of fruit, seeds and insects. In the wintertime they feast on a variety of fruits such as crabapples. You can place fresh fruit (apples) cut up, soaked dried fruit like raisins on a low platform. If a robin is super hungry they may eat suet, grapes and peanuts. The best way of helping out robins and other fruit eating birds is to plant landscape to support them such as crabapples, holly, winterberry, etc. Thank you to Mary Ann from Blackbrook Audubon for this picture.

Lake and Geauga Christmas Bird Count

On December 20th Blackbrook Audubon participated in the Audubon Christmas bird count. We covered areas in Lake and Geauga county. With over 25 participants we were able to visit many parks and trails. Becky and I visited Big Creek, Whitlam woods and Girdled road north. That day the black-capped chickadees were out in force. We counted 53 but I am sure there were many more that we missed.

Yellow-throated Warbler

This unlikely visitor was spotted in Chagrin Falls, Ohio last week on December 16th. Looks like suet is on the menu for today. Thanks to Sally Isacco who provided us with this photo.

When are they filling up the feeder?

If you have not already started to feed the birds this winter, this is a good time to start. A variety of birds can be attracted to feeders with oil sunflower seeds and suet. Many birds supplement their diet in the winter at home feeders. If you are able to set your feeders with a view from a window, you can have hours of enjoyment watching them come and go. Don't worry, this Black-capped Chickadee was enjoying sunflower seeds shortly after the picture was taken.

The start of a Chimney Swift tower

The Holden Arboretum was contacted by a boy scout who wished to install a Chimney Swift tower as an Eagle Scout project. After reviewing several areas with the conservation department, a location behind Foster's pond was selected. Last weekend the tower began to take shape. This is just the start. When the tower is completed it will be 12 feet tall.

The Chimney Swift must have deep shafts in which to raise families and roost at night. Much like the Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts rely almost entirely on man-made structures for nest sites . The Chimney Swift can eat nearly one third of their weight in mosquitoes and other annoying insects daily. Further updates and information on Chimney swifts to follow.

Bufflehead duck at Corning Lake

In the late fall it is not unusual to spot a pair or more of Bufflehead ducks at Corning Lake at The Holden Arboretum as they migrate through to their winter grounds. You can see the male above is quite a colorful speciman.

The Bufflehead ducks are the smallest diving ducks in North America. Tree cavity nesters most exclusively made by Northern Flickers and occasionally Pileated Woodpeckers near ponds and streams. They will often stay with the same mate for several year.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on nest

Hidden in a pine tree, neatly build between pine cones sits a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on her nest at The Holden Arboretum. In her mouth is a piece of lichen that she is adding to her nest held tightly together by spider webs.