On New Year’s Day, I was up early to see which bird would be the first to put in an appearance at my place in 2021.
First, I hung my sunflower seed feeder and my suet block as enticements, and then I peeped out every few minutes. I was hoping for something a little unusual, not exactly a resplendent quetzal, but maybe at least something different from my usual regulars of chickadees and titmice.
Alas, it was not to be. First came the titmouse, or to be more exact, a blackcrested titmouse. And seconds later, a Carolina chickadee showed up.
Both of these are neat little birds. I am told the chickadee’s call sounds like “chickadee-dee-dee,” but I have never heard it. Likewise, I have never heard the song of the titmouse, “peter-peter-peter.”
Anyway, I was a tad disappointed to get 2021 off to such a mundane start. But then I happened to look down at my backyard birdbath. Good grief, there was an American robin taking a deep drink.
Quite dapper with his orange breast and white eye-ring, this particular robin was plump and handsome. It was a treat to see him since I usually only see robins in large flocks, if at all. I got out my binoculars and enjoyed a long look before he finally flew away.
So my new year was off to a wonderful start after all. If a robin can show up at my birdbath, there’s no telling what else is in store.
Welcome 2021 – glad you finally got here!
