Yesterday, the first Calliope Hummingbird appeared at the feeder. Today, at least 2 more have come in. 1 adult female & a couple of juveniles are hitting the feeder regularly. The Black-chinneds are still present but haven’t seen a Rufous since Fri. And no Broad-taileds as of yet.
Also, watched a Cedar Waxwing family up in the cottonwoods, yest. At least 3 juveniles being fed by a couple of adults.
Odd… they won’t come directly into our backyard but hang around the perimeter. They are thick along the canal banks behind us, and north of us on Shalerock Road. I just hung a DIY thistle feeder thinking I might be able to entice them closer, and the garden is full of all different sorts of sunflowers so we shall see. They do seem to love the lead plant and locusts along the canal. I see them in small flocks at unpredictable times now, throughout the year, and they certainly brighten up those last cheerless days of winter.
I’m in the North End of Boise and I have the same thing happening. Only here they hang out in the top of our maple and beg from up there. Right now most of them have gotten around to feeding on their own, but some still beg. And my wife has Rudbeckia all over the yard, which is just now starting to bloom. The LEGO’s are already hanging out in the plants, and all winter they feed on the seeds. What’s amazing is when they land on a slender stem and it barely bends. Right now they also have to deal with a very aggressive male Black-chinned that seems to think he owns the yard. Sitting out on the deck for dinner has produced some really close fly-bys. Tom McCabe, Boise
I have been observing Lesser Goldfinches in my backyard year round for several years now. I have 3 thistle socks and they come every day. They have successfully reared many fledglings that come to the feeders and beg from their parents!
