...Sure sign of winter!

Like yesterday's redpoll, the White-throated sparrow (zonotrichia albicollis) breeds north of New Jersey (although not as far north as the redpolls) so we only see these birds in the winter. Unlike the Redpoll, this is one of our most common winter sparrows, along with the eastern variant of the Dark-eyed Junco. They forage mainly on the ground, and are frequently found under feeders and in the undergrowth of the forest, scratching around for seeds. And, as far as I can see, no one has blipped one yet in the BlipBigYear Challenge so I thought I'd give you one today. It is a sure sign of fall.winter, when the White-throats and juncos show up again in our area...

For those of you who love red, I also got a rather nice shot of one of the male cardinals, looking very red indeed. The feeders are still very busy and getting busier as a harder crust forms on the snow cover, making foraging more and more difficult for the birds. I'm putting dried corn in the woods for the squirrels and doves and putting lots of extra seeds out for all the little birds. Today, there were FIVE redpolls at the thistle feeder most of the day - thrilling!

Thank you for sending yesterday's Common Redpoll to the Spotlight! I seem to be in a big bird groove right now, so hopefully you won't tire of the feathered things. :)

I'm really enjoying all the entries in the BlipBigYear Challenge - so many amazing birds from all over the world, and so many fabulous photos. If you haven't checked it out, please do - you won't be disappointed!

Happy Friday and IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!