I know it seems I have abandoned this place, but not so.
Summer back yard bird watching is what it is.
That means 5% as to numbers to watch, and mostly the same birds. I like "MY" birds, even name this or that one. Birds are creatures of habit like us all. An individual bird will tend to land on the same branch and do the same things while his peer does different. I am not going to post that I worry when a bird goes missing as that would be weird even for me.
Back here in the woods, birds are about. The woods are full of food birds prefer as opposed to my crap. Actually (don't tell anyone this), I once put out a stand of spoiled fruit to attract flies hoping to attract birds (like Flycatchers) to eat the flies.
I don't have fewer types of birds at my feeder in Summer, but many less birds.
Always off the porch here are Cardinals, Titmice, Wrens, Finches, and Chickadees jumping about to entertain me. Posting more fun photos of them (which I will) has not motivated me lately.
Foods they are into right now are chopped peanuts, suet, and of course Sunflower. A fun note is millet is normally a slow sale in Summer. Normally a few Buntings prefer it and others only "pick" at it. This Summer a few of the Cardinals are into it. I have never seen Cardinals into millet to this extent before.
My Humming bird population has picked up as is the norm.
Early on I use several 8oz feeders to attract them. Over breeding season they go through maybe a quart a week. Humming Birds don't live and breed on sugar water, but on protein derived from insects.
When breeding ends, the locals and others gather at my feeders to fatten up for their impossible journey ahead. Imagine, a tiny bird just a couple months old will soon be required to fly across the Gulf of Mexico to South America.
Right now I am going through about ten pounds of sugar a week. It pisses me off when I see an empty or sour feeder at any ones yard. It takes almost no time or $ to help these guys out a little.
Keep those cards and letters coming in.
Here is an old photo of one of my smart Tree Frogs. He figured out insects also come to the HBs feeders.