Warmer

Today was warmer and cloudier than the last two.  But the orioles and the pine warblers, not to mention the goldfinches, were little flecks of sunshine.  The mockingbird was still bullying all the others.  Fortunately it can eat only so much if it hopes to fly.  A Carolina wren stayed only a moment.  A white breasted nuthatch wasn't in quite such a hurry.  Bluebirds didn't rush but my focus was poor.   The yellow rumped warbler had to wait for a chance at the suet. Then a downy woodpecker claimed it.  

There were definitely two different white throated sparrows and the new one looks much healthier.  A blue jay was more than usually cooperative.  The wren, or another, came back for a drink. A squirrel was already eating dogwood buds.  Then the cat decided to lurk under the jelly dish till I yelled at it.  The birds were so plentiful and I spent so much time birdwatching over the long weekend, I decided to put it all in eBird. 

Cormorants and buffleheads were fishing.  Then at least ten hooded mergansers joined them.  Then a half dozen more female buffleheads arrived.  A couple of mallards seemed to want to join the fun.  While there was a lot of diving, they also seemed to be skimming something from the surface.  

Five crows gathered on the dock bench and called in unison.