Originally posted – October 20, 2020
The number of birds visiting the feeders has slowed, but still a nice variety of birds visiting the feeders and garden.
- Goldfinch and Pine Siskins- a good many of these have been feeding on the seeding flowerheads
- House finch
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Black-headed Chickadee
- Blue Jays – the blue jays have become a more regular sight
- Cardinals
- Downy Woodpecker
- Mourning doves – we seen to have about a half dozen at any point in time
- Crows (same 4 that visit the yard daily)
- Coopers hawk that flies through on too regular of a basis
- House sparrows
The first freeze came this past week with the temperature getting down to 28 degree F, leaving the grass with an icy glaze at morning light. With the warm weather now, this time of year had been traditionally called Indian Summer, but this term is falling out of fashion. This term was applied to the warm weather that comes after the first freeze. In the Slavic language, the term ‘babje leto’, or grandmother’s summer, is used. I like that. Others have used the phrase ‘second summer’. Not interesting.
Most all flowers have faded with the New England asters are the last blooms still visible in this part of the yard.
In the upper yard, there are some annual sunflowers still in bloom
On a final note, the Fall mulching is finally complete.
Pennsylvania Native Garden Journey 