Winter is coming.

[MN Shutterbug]

I refilled my hummer feeder last evening and a female showed up and drank to her heart's content. I haven't seen 1 yet today and I fear they may have headed south. I got an email from my cousin from north of Appleton and she saw her first Junco of the season. A half hour later a Junco appears on my bird bath. Juncos is this area are a sure sign of winter.

Miss Hummer just showed up.

[Jim Almquist]

Here I have been waiting for the Juncos and still have none around the feeder. You are right that when they show up winter is not far behind

[MN Shutterbug]

I would have thought Juncos were common year round up there. I haven't seen another one since. But, even after this morning cold snap, my hummingbird showed up again. She's a tough old broad. Grackles have also reappeared. This is the first time since I've lived here, (third year), that I've had any grackles in my yard this time of the year. I also had a new record for Blue Jays this morning with a tally of 6 in my back yard.

[eyeguy 54]

the hummers usually hang around here till a week or so after the first good frost. no junos here yet but won't be long. lots of sparrows going theu. swamp sparrow maybe?

[flipper]

Last year I had them up till the first week of October, I had one at the feeder this morning, It will be interesting to see how late they stay this year.

[MN Shutterbug]

Flipper, where ya from?

This is the first year that I've had any stick around, so it's a whole new experience for me.

[Jim Almquist]

I had to say it

First Junco was hanging around the deck this afternoon.

[flipper]

I am in Waseca County.

[kg2]

I had a junco yesterday in Mankato. I haven't seen a hummer since Sunday. Last year I saw them last on 9/26. (year ago from today)

[MN Shutterbug]

Last year I saw them last on 9/26. (year ago from today)

Interesting. Monday was the last day I saw one. But then, I wasn't around much yesterday.

[flipper]

I saw a single hummer yesterday afternoon.

[flipper]

Now I think they are all gone.

[MN Shutterbug]

She's back. I just looked out the window and there was a female hummer. Oddly though, she sampled the flowers on my Honeysuckle vine but completely ignored the sugar water. Might not be the same one that I'd had around here for quite awhile. Anyway, I'd better keep the feeder from getting dry. With this warm weather coming, she may bring back her friends and stick around for awhile.

[Dotch]

Kewl! Keeping my fingers crossed that they reappear for a day or two. Last one I saw was on the 21st. Still lots of 4 o'clocks and salvia blooming yet, even a morning glory or two and some impatiens I see. With the warm temps, I just might want to water some of the stuff upon hearing your news.

[flipper]

Had one at the feeder last night and again this morning.

[MN Shutterbug]

I no longer have a feeder out, but I just spotted a hummer at my Honeysuckle vine.

[katoguy]

Wow. I am surprised just seeing a goldfinch now. Lots of juncos and bluejays.

[eyeguy 54]

The goldies stay all winter, they just loose the color. Lots here today as usuall. Had a lot of purple finches going thru today. few males and lots of females. Fox sparrows, tan fazed whitethroats and lottsa juncos starting to shoe up. Had 2 piliated on a tree together yesturday and just missed the pic. D'oh.

[MN Shutterbug]

Wow. I am surprised just seeing a goldfinch now. Lots of juncos and bluejays.

I was pretty surprised too when I saw her. I even had Grackles in my yard a couple days ago. Other than that, same as you plus a few House Finches, a couple White-crowned Sparrows, Chickadees and my Red-breasted Nuthatch returned.

Yowee, my back yard just turned black with an invasion of Grackles. This is the 1st fall in the 3rd year I've been here that I've had any Grackles at all in my yard.

[katoguy]

I have been seeing a few grackles and a few RWBBs, too. Lots of robins, mourning doves, starlings, HOSPs, chickadees, downys, house finches, and juncos. I had a flicker and a few white thoats the other day.

I looked back through my last couple winter's daily birding journal. I know that some goldies over-winter this far north, but I have only seen two goldies during the past two winter seasons. They do not lose all of their color, but they do turn more drab. Even if I couldn't see them I would be able to identify their recognizable song and flight! For whatever reason, they stay away from my yard during the winter.

[eyeguy 54]

Have you got oil sunflowers in a feeder? They eat mine all winter. Saw one grackle yesturday.

[Jim Almquist]

Yesterday I had 3 female Pine Grosbeaks and today we also have Pine Siskins at the feeder. Sorry for the lousy shot but it was shot at a high ISO because of the low light.

[eyeguy 54]

the feeders have been getting hit hard. :>)

[The J-Man!]

They sure have! Darn squirrel leaped on to one of my feeders knocking it to the ground and broke it. They usually don't bother the feeders that much, but this Fall they have been a constant nuisance.

[Jim Almquist]

Makes me wonder what kind of winter we are going to have this year. Just had a small flock of Redpolls come in. Went to the store and now I have a couple of Goldfinch's sitting in the feeder.