Thanks mbuckmaster, I've been reading those threads. I don't agree with putting out more feeders - if I do the immediate reaction is more birds can make it to more feeders without being being beaten up by dominant birds - then more dominant birds do find it - and I have too many responsibilities! I'm beginning to become concerned someone is gonna get poked walking by and sue us for attractive nuisance, and I have all the activity any thirty folks could watch. Capacity of dishes is too small, and we have a 45 degree slope front yard so expect spillage to reduce the amount of nectar which actually arrives at the hanger. Until Hummzinger makes something LARGE, I'm not buying. After I hung up the 2/1 h20/sugar in butterfly feeder yesterday, bees slowly moved to that, they were also encouraged by being caught for apitherapy. They went into feeder but didn't drown. Some of the hummers began using the butterfly feeder despite the presence of bees - apparently the increase in sugar was sufficiently attractive to merit the facing the danger they would not stand at the gravity 4/1 feeder. We'll see what happens today. I'm not sure if high-octane nectar in hot weather is so great for birds, I'll be watching for casualties when I water the garden this morning (no the bees weren't looking for moisture either, argh!)

Sounds like you definately had a hawk visit, and by the way you described it I would guess a Coopers or a Sharpshinned hawk. You will learn the more you watch birds that there are different levels of threats. In my yard/area a cat is barely a concern. I think this is because there are so many different feeding areas here and so many pairs of bird eyes watching them. Basically my birds reaction to a cat is to move higher up in the tree if they are in the same area as the cat. Everyone else goes on feeding as usual I've also noticed that the birds have different reactions to different hawks. Harriors get no reaction. They fly the fields in search of mice and rabbits and the birds never react when they are in the area. A redtailed hawk will get them a bit more nervous if they actually come into the yard and perch in a tree. They stay in the area, stop eating, head for a tree or stay in the one they happen to be in, they are aware of the hawk but not very worried about being lunch. Kestrels (also known as sparrow hawks) are in the area often too. Most often the birds have no concern about them either. They seem to Know if the kestrel is hunting them or just after mice or grasshoppers. Coopers and Sharpies are deadly though. Mega repect from my birds. Like you described in your situation, everything goes silent and birds instantly dive for the deep cover. A yard full of birds can "disappear" in the blink of an eye. One thing that I have learned is to NOT go outside if I am aware that a cooper or sharpshinned hawk is there. I've had birds flush from trees because they saw me and the hawk will take advantage and pick that opportunity to attack.

They were probably "anting"-birds place ants in their feathers so toxins sprayed by the angry ants can kill their feather mites

Lovely pictures, Steve - the cardinal looks like he's in no hurry to eat that dried up lump of fruit. Jane, it's about the same temperature here but at least not much wind. The jays gobbled up all of the peanuts and then stared in the window trying to convince me that I'd forgotten to feed them (there's birdseed and suet all over the place out there, just no more peanuts). Stomping the ice out of the rubber birdbaths was challenging this morning - solid, almost unbreakable lumps that forced me to throw them on the ground and jump on them but I got it out (the heated birdbath is fine). And rain on Tuesday? suzabanana: The concept of "my garden" is metaphysical - it can include any beach nearby or even far off if you want it to. That's a very handsome seal in your garden. Claire