I know exactly what you mean, Cathy. THis reminds me of a bittersweet moment I had several years ago. We had a redtailed hawk nesting across from the house. It was fascinating getting to watch the youngsters grow into young adults. Once I was poking around at the base of the tree and came across a freshly killed shorebird. It had puncture wounds but was not even partially eaten. I am assuming the adults brought it to the nest, but why it was never consumed will remain a mystery. I had absolutely no clue what it was, but after doing a bit of some reading I was guessing it to be a golden plover. I did the ziploc freezer bag thing and took it to a local Audubon member locally and he pretty well agreed on the id. These birds only come through on migration...you'd normally never see them. SO here was one lying dead under a hawk nest in a hickory tree in the middle of the woods. Maybe it was at the reclaimed mine lakes noth or west of us and got picked off by the redtail. Take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves I guess.

Offer a large variety of food mixes. I have tons of goldfinches and they like the thistle first, followed by sunflower. I also mix in finch mixes sold for caged finches. Fruit and nut mixes are liked by all, and plenty of suet for the woodpeckers, wrens, bluebirds, nuthatches, and brown creepers. Water is important as well as nearby cover. I have two ponds and 3 birdbaths (heated). You will get more bluebirds if you put out chopped raisons and grubs. You can buy seed mixes that have dried beetles in the mix. I also hang out slices of apples/pears/oranges, and hang clusters of grapes in the shrubs for the winter fruit eaters here. Bananas are also liked. The feeders I like best are open cages so the seed does not stay wet after rain, followed by tube feeders with big covers, and also use thistle socks which are standing room only. They dry out fairly well except sometimes at the bottom. You can also lay seed out along a fence if you have one, and throw some on the ground. You can make a simple platform feeder with a picture frame and a piece of screen. A large variety of food presented at different levels and feeder types will attrack a greater variety of birds. It helps too if you have woods nearby or a thickly planted wild area with berry type plants, and don't forget thick evergreens for cover. I feed year round so birds don't have to find the location. They know it well, as do various hawks that come for the smaller birds and squirrels. Just give it time and once they find it don't let more than a day or two go by where the feeders are empty or they will leave again. CT

Thanks Rachel - I am looking forward to their return, the jelly and fruit feeder is out. Also, I really enjoyed and as always was amazed by your April birds photos. Seeing your water bird pictures always reminds me that I can photograph birds at the Cape the next time I am there. (I never have done that, but you have to start somewhere!) Thanks again - Donna

Nice shots. Like a pig in mud, a dust bath makes birds happy. Thanks. tj