This year we've had an influx of birds. I think the reason is that we have a number of shrubs that are maturing and starting to produce more and more fruit. We don't have a feeder filled at all, just filling up the bird bath. I counted 7 robins yesterday and there's at least one pair of catbirds, and an oriole stopped by the other day. All of them are hanging around the vegetable garden and bird bath. I was watching them with the binoculars this morning and the catbird pair was hopping in and out of the patch of Cilantro, pecking away at what I imagine are insects. Same pair was having a good time all around the cabbage plants. I don't have any seedlings per se to damage, and I'd be surprised if they were doing more than just looking for insects. My only concern is the droppings that are showing up on the foliage of some of the plants.

I don't see as many of them as I used to, what with the industries trying to build out on the farmland, but still see a few each year. For a bird who seems to prefer the wood's edge, they have a particular penchant for getting into dwellings. I have rescued more than one before the house cats got to them. God only know how they get in. They're beautiful, graceful birds.

We have 2 pairs of brown thrashers in our yard this year. I love them. They have the most hilarious song, it is like they are going through a big list of song clips from other birds, rapid-fire, one after another. Some mornings and evenings they just don't shut up. :D I think they are good birds..they eat lots of bugs. Haven't had any swoop at us yet and I'm sure we walk fairly close to their nest at times!

Thrashers are a rare treat in some places. My area used to be lousy with them, but now I only see them rarely. They like human structures, I would find them in my old house, nesting in chimneys, etc. Nice bird.