Aw, Nuts

As the weather cools, many backyard birders make the mistake of removing feeders and foods too soon, before all the birds have migrated or retreated to better shelter for the winter. I was guilty of this myself, having put away the whole peanuts that are the favorite food of the western scrub-jays that visit my yard. On Wednesday, I just happened to notice a jay in the yard, and I scrambled to put out a generous supply of nuts. Not generous enough, apparently, since they were all gone in minutes (and I know at least four were cached in the yard and garden), but at least I was able to offer a bit of a treat.

What birds are still dining in your backyard this early in the winter season? Share your experiences in the comments!

Photo © Melissa Mayntz