Yellowheaded Blackbirds, Male and Female—
Originally uploaded by Trpster*

A new king of the bird feeder has been crowned! For the last 7 years the bird feeder at our B & B has had a definite hierarchy. The male Red Winged Black Birds have ruled the house with the sparrow and finches eating the seed thrown out to the peasants below. This last week we had our first Yellow-headed Blackbird and our Red Wings have resigned their throne and joined the peasants at the foot of the feeder.

The male Yellow-headed Blackbird has taken residence in the our poplar trees and love the daily supply of birdseed from our feeder. With the loud and exceedingly harsh call, they appear to be annoucing  their kingdom and enjoy flying from one tree to the next surveying the land.

I love this time of year as we watch our migratory birds return to their summer grounds. The gardens are a symphony  of bird calls with  the variety of birds chiming in to announce their return. The Garden room by far has the best perch to watch and listen to them all, recline on the fainting couch in this room as you gaze out the large picture window into the gardens.

With my husband Tom’s help we were able to guide it out the window
where it quickly found its proper bed in one of our poplar trees.

Since purchasing the Gibson Mansion bed and breakfast I have been trying to attract different types of birds into the yard by planting shrubs, flowers, and trees that they are looking for. It has been fun to watch a yard that had no bird life to a place that the sounds of many different chirping calls can be heard.

I must say though when I was trying to attract them to our home I never expected them to actually check into our Bed and Breakfast!