Feeder visitors

We’ve had a number of these siskins frequenting our sunflower and nyjer feeders. They look like streaky goldfinches.

They’re willing and able to carve out some space among the goldfinches.

I glanced out and saw what looked like a goldfinch on steroids, and it turned out to be an evening grosbeak — three of them, actually, apparently passing through. We are used to rose-breasted grosbeaks in the summer here, but it was a treat to see these cousins.

Other transients include the white-throated sparrows that scratch around below the feeders, ground-feeding.

They’re seldom still, and our windows aren’t the cleanest. I love these plump sparrows, though.

We’ve had red-breasted nuthatches come through too — gorgeous little birds that I never saw before this year. And we have our usual crowd of cardinals, chickadees and titmice, house finches and goldfinches. Mourning doves and bluejays try to get their share too, making a big mess for the ground feeders to clean up.

Then there are the least welcome visitors.