The Purple Martin Palace is Open for Business

Today, I hoisted the new Purple Martin Palace up over the boathouse on the dock. This is my first attempt to become a Purple Martin “parent.” The luxurious digs include six, two compartment condos and two hanging gourds which will be added next weekend. (I forgot to buy the hooks for the gourds.) Now, all we have to do is wait for the Martins to find the house. They are just making their way north into Texas. Cross something. We’d love to add Purple Martins to our menagerie.

First Time Bird: Orange-Crowned Warbler

Granny Nick and I spotted this bird a month or so ago and couldn’t decide if it was a Tennessee or an Orange-Crowned Warbler. I took this photo and sent it in to Birder’s World magazine and they confirmed it is a juvenile Orange-Crowned male. He’s still around and eats all the suet.

January 2009 Bird Report

The front yard is bustling with American Goldfinches (70ish), Pine Siskins (20-ish), chickadees, Pine Warblers, one Orange-Crowned Warbler (really cool), Tufted Titmice, Juncos, White-Throated Sparrows, Carolina Wrens (singing like crazy), one lonely female Red-Winged Blackbird, and lots of other visitors. Three bluebirds stop by from time to time and an Eastern Phoebe is around the mealworm feeder each day. Mr. Mallard (left), and his family of five, are now daily visitors. Could it be because Uncle Nancy has put a feeder on the dock?

The Leaning Tower of Peanuts Video Debuts on Youtube

Yesterday was a big day here at the Noodlin' Inn. Buzzy, our resident Pine Warbler, made his video debut on Youtube. Uncle Nancy filmed the ubiquitous peanut-eatin' bird and uploaded her first nature movie to the world. Enjoy and remember to watch to the very end.

LuLu Gets a Boyfriend

Yesterday, we were visited by Jack. He's a long tall stud who lives over the hills to the south. I know this because I called his parents to tell them Jack was at our house. They are out of town and said Jack is used to "wandering around on his own." Of course, that adventurous spirit is just what Lulu loves in a male dog. The picture shows how Lulu really knows how to reel in a man. Jack spent the day with us and then disappeared. But he’s back again today so congratulate Lulu on her new beau.