We're getting a fine misty rain this morning. Supposed to be some severe thunderstorms tonight. We've had more rain already this year than we had in total in the past two years. It is a La Nina year for us, so that usually means more Pacific West rain coming in from Mexico and Gulf rains from Texas with cooler summer temps. I am so READY! Of course, that also means more bad storms. Can't win for losing, I swear. Looking out my window now, there are dozens of colorful birds at the feeder I hung in the weeping willow tree. I just took one of my sling plant hangers and set a large metal farm pan in it for the seeds. It is deep and has a good lip around the top, so accommodates a lot of birds at once. It works much better than those expensive but cheaply made plastic things you buy, and a heck of a lot sturdier. II also hung a Finch sock out there and it is covered with Golden Finches - their colors are changing from their winter drab to the vivid yellow. Each day they have more and more yellow feathers. Birds at the feeder or running up and down the tree are: Golden Finches, Purple(Scarlet) Finches, Flickers, Red-headed Woodpecker, Redwing Blackbirds, Cardinals, Eastern Blue Jays, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadees, Snow Buntings, Black and White Warblers (Nuthatch), & Downy Woodpeckers. There is quite a lot of activity out there and fighting. I so enjoy watching the circus! Yesterday there were Robins darting about in the back garden, pulling up worms and paying no heed to me while I was watering. One Robin came right over to me to get a drink. She wasn't a bit afraid of me. I laid the hose down by the Wisteria tree and she hopped right over and took a good long drink. So cute! This morning, the Weeping Willow popped out with tiny green leaves. So pretty and welcome to see. I better go out and put out more seeds before the Chickadees tear up the Finch socks. Thank you all for the lovely comments. Nice to have all my hard work appreciated. Hope you have a good day. And thank you all for dropping by! Please drop by again. ~Annie

Thanks everyone. I just used an old sharp viewcam VL-Z3 on a tripod only a foot away. The finches excepted it quickly. I have to set it an forget it but the tapes are inexpensive. There was so much activity I didn't have to edit much.

I'm all for reducing HOSP populations, especially beginning by not offering food they eat; but as far as I can see, they do not kill cup nesters. Offering food in feeders, killing them, and offering more sparrow food, is not really efficient population control. If you have nest boxes, supervise them so HOSP don't use them. If you can't supervise the boxes, remove them.

I am still fairly new to bird watching, but the warblers are going through their fall migration to South America, so it wouldn't be common as something you might see every day. I am not sure of the rarity of this type of Warbler. One of the more experienced birders on the site might be able to help you in that regard. I am just happy I was able to identify it for you!