Irruptive and Interuptive

Some years Pine Siskins are not seen in western North Carolina. Other years (called heavy invasion years) they are here in great numbers. This is a heavy invasion year.

This post is actually about Carolina Chickadees, but the Pine Siskins play the role of the villains in my little drama.

We have several different types of birdhouses strategically placed throughout the woods. One of my favorites hangs near the house, between the upper deck and the lower screened porch. When we purchased it, I thought it might be appealing to the cavity nesters.



We hung the house and hoped someone would use it.

A pair of Carolina Chickadees checked it out and found it to their liking. The location was quiet and near food and water, so they started building a nest. They were such fun to watch as they carried bits of moss, dried leaves, pieces of mulch, and globs of dog hair (provided by our two Golden Retrievers) to decorate the nursery in their new home.

Enter the Pine Siskins. I mean, enter a huge flock of them. They stormed the trees and bird feeders in massive numbers. Their erratic and rude behavior was not fun to watch. They were everywhere, constantly bumping one another off the perches on the feeders. They gave no indication they might travel on.

The chickadees were clearly not happy. The neighborhood had really gone downhill since they moved in. So they decided to leave and find another spot.

After a week with no one entering or leaving the house, we took it down to see what was inside.

What a wonderful nest they had made. It looked so well constructed with a large mossy base.

A closer look shows the extensive use of golden hair for lining. What a soft bed it would make.

There were no eggs in the nest. The wise parents decided their paradise was no longer suitable for a family.

Upon advice from some experts, we took down all the seed and thistle feeders, leaving only suet for the woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, etc., and nectar for the hummingbirds. We haven’t seen any siskins for a week now, so we’ll put the feeders back in place tomorrow.

Still…I can’t help grieving for my lost chickadees. I had so looked forward to the fledglings coming to the feeders.

Never one to end on a sad note, I give you this picture of Ellie. She constantly carries two tennis balls around with her. She can carry three but prefers two. What a silly thing.

Ellie my dear, no matter what your pedigree, it's difficult to look regal with two tennis balls stuffed in your mouth.