Got in a message from a guy who is a famous "Nature Guy" in the Southeast. For years he leads weekly hikes all over Georgia and the Carolinas.
http://hikingsouth.com/
If you are ever in the area, you are welcome to join in. It is free and fascinating. Tony is the real deal and you will learn a lot.
Well, I put out my first sample of YC Peanut butter cake. Within 30 minutes I have had visits from Black-capped Chickadees, Downey Woodpeckers, House finch, and a Cardinal. I think I will put more cornmeal in the next batch since it is a little oily.
I bought a 4 lb jar of PNB at Walmart for $4.68. It looks like it will make quite a bit of fake suet. It will end up being cheaper than the store bought suet and they seem to like it better. People learn stuff on Yard Crap! Thanks!
This little fella just keeps coming back for more peanut butter recipe! Can you ID it? I thought immature gold finch or pine warbler. He is very small.
Tony could have used his book, but why not have fun with me? Nature conversatio0n is always more fun with more than one. Thanks Tony.
This is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet .
In our area this time of year also is the Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Here he is 5 foot away - hard for my lens to focus that close.
At some angles a spot of color on the crown of the head can be seen. I have some photos of the ruby and golden with it showing, even both in one photo , but too lazy to look them up right now.
The only other bird we have as small is the Brown-headed Nut Hatch who also loves this suet mix.
At my house most of it is eaten by the Red-bellied Woodpecker. They only come to my bedroom window, not here on the porch. After eggs hatch they will carry it off in chunks, and soon will bring the fledglings by to teach them to eat it. This has been going on for 15 years. My cats go wild at the window as the RBW always calls out a challenge as he arrives.
On the porch, the Downy eats all year.
About the only common feeder birds who never eat it are the Dove, Gold Finch, and Purple Finch. The House Finch does.