Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is sunny and cold.  Yesterday we planted our new hollies. 

I  haven't fed the birds yet.  I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a tufted titmouse, and a fox squirrel.  I heard a woodpecker drumming but didn't see it.

I checked to make sure there was enough dirt around the newly planted hollies, which there was.  Then I poured a gallon of water around them.

I took pictures of the hollies in their new home along the south edge of the Midwinter Grove.

EDIT 12/21/24 -- I fed the birds.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 12/21/24 -- I went out to spread compost around the hollies, but found the bag frozen into a solid block.  :/  Drat.  So I'll have to wait and see if we get a warmer day to thaw it out enough to spread.

Instead, I grabbed my hand clippers and cut more brush around the Midwinter Grove.  I discovered that an old red-stemmed dogwood has seeded a new one amongst the rocks, very pretty!  :D  Theoretically it could be one I planted, but the position makes me think it's a volunteer seedling.

I've seen several house finches.

EDIT 12/21/24 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

My partner Doug pointed out that I could just haul the bag of compost into the foyer to thaw, so I did that.   A frozen slab of compost is much harder to wrangle than a soft bag, but I managed.

I saw a starling and a northern flicker drinking from the ground bowl!  :D 3q3q3q!!!  We've had flickers here in the past but not recently.  I hope it sticks around.  This is a great habitat for woodpeckers, hence the downies.
EDIT 12/21/24 -- I did more brush cutting around the Midwinter Grove.

As the sun is setting, I am done for the night.