Yesterday at the feeder we had a Carolina wren. At least one has been around
the neighborhood (South-of-Grand) all autumn, although sightings and hearings
(which are more frequent) have been intermittent.
As I write this, it appears that a male Purple Finch is at one feeder, a sight
that has been very scarce. There are some House Finches that come regularly,
but in this part of Des Moines, the House Finches seem to have displaced or
filled in for the Purples.
Also yesterday a large accipiter came to the yard and caught a small bird. It
was too large to be a Sharp-Shinned (est. length 20"), so I'd say it was one of
the Cooper's that nest somewhere in adjacent Water Works or nearby Ashworth
Park. Earlier in the day I heard a "thunk" on the window and looked up in time
to see a flash of accipter wings and tail on the deck door. Most likely it
caught whatever small bird made the "thunk."
Before the 25th the small birds fed as usual while a Red-Tail sat in a nearby
oak tree, keeping an eye out for slower birds or perhaps one of the squirrels.
Here, at least, the small birds clearly distinguish between the larger, slower
Red-Tails by only taking notice of them, and the faster and deadlier Cooper's
that produce an extended lull at all feeders.
Lee Searles
Des Moines
515-979-6457 (cell)
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