Claysmom, perhaps your son would be interested in making his property a Certified Wildlife Habitat? This is easier than most people might think. You just need to provide food, shelter and water for various types of animals. You can Google it and read all about the requirements online, and even print out an application for the official certification. Nicki's city yard is certified, so even those without rural property can qualify. I encourage everyone who is interested to check it out. (If I can managed to stay on the computer long enough, I'll see if I can find the link, but I'm having some unanticipated difficulties from my foot surgery, and won't be here very long.) Glad you guys enjoyed seeing this old post pop up again. I do love these birds, and am happy it was of interest to you. Marcia

Great pics. Esp. the first one, that woodpecker is looking tough. I think it was on this forum someone once said woodpeckers are like "wanna rumble?" & I always think that when they intimidate other birds....The only time I've seen a woody scared is when there must have been a hawk in the tree-he stayed stock still right on the suet block for almost 30 minutes. The flicker gave lots of angles for viewing, and I like the one w/2 different woodpeckers. Cardinal & nuthatch round it out nicely, we're only missing a chickadee, where was he? jk Thanks for posting.

How lucky!!! They don't usually use nest boxes just natural cavities so you really don't want to disturb them. The eggs hatch 12 to 14 days after incubation starts. If you watch closely you can usually tell b/c the parents will be shuttling food to the babies once they hatch. Then it is another 24 to 27 days until they fledge. Not long at all!!! Save them please!! Thanks to the starlings not many of them ever hatch. Cathy

There isn't any waste with the sunflower seed heads. I especially like that. Two weeks can pass w/o the need to change them. Tom, good point. I'll keep that in mind. I don't think I'd of thought that. I grew 500 sunflowers this year and I'm bumping that up to 2000 at least for next year. Having a lot of land surely helps. Best Regards, Dax