The Birds in my Garden

Well, as most of you know. . .I love birds. Since returning to Illinois, I have not had the opportunity to attract birds. Our trees are small, and frankly, I was too busy. . .anyway. The past summer and over the winter we made a concerted effort to be bird friendly. So, what I have spotted so far. . .

hummingbird. . .not hummer season yet, but I have several feeders now and plans for hummer friendly plantings. Recent hummer sitings in southern Illinois. Won't be too long now.
sparrows. . .tons and tons, none too exciting there
gold finches. . .a lot of finches, I just saw a bright yellow male today on the thistle feeder
red finches and house finches. . . again lots o' finch
junco. . .they seem to have taken off since weather is warmer, but I have a few stragglers still
downy woodpecker. . .male and female. I call them Joe and Joey. . . they like the suet and our dead tree
ladder back woodpecker. . .just one and out of his range. . .but I double checked the book. I call him Woody even though he is not pileated. Just think Cubs pitching.
cardinal. . .for the first time I actually have a cardinal hanging around. He looks like a juvenile. I named him Louis - LOL, I crack myself up (which is good because I am sure no one else thinks I am funny)
cedar waxwing. . .had a bunch of these in the ash tree in the front yard. They are so cool. . .will need to set out the right seed to draw them in again.
purple martins . . .they love to eat all the bugs we churn up as we mow the lawn. We are going to put up the house Dad gave us for them!
robin . . .everyone has robins, but my robin returns and builds a nest in the exact spot under the deck every year. She must be very fertile or another takes over the nest because we always have two hatches. One in spring and one in early summer. I call her Robin. . .LOL

still no sign of any grosbeaks or orioles. Will work on that!