Ordered more suet cakes on line today. I am running low. Honestly I feel that the birds really don't need the suet cakes in the summer but come late fall and winter they can really use the extra energy from that reliable food supply. But I like to watch the birds come eat all year round so I put out the suet cakes all year round.

Rita, I only put out the suet cakes fall through late spring but I've read that some birds really like it during nesting time so I might join you in the full-time. I just put out the suet a few days ago and the Ladder-backed woodpecker is really going after it!

I have nesting birds often visit the feeder. But I think they all could do without it just fine in the warmer weather. I simply put it out because I like watching the birds come and eat.

All sorts of birds eat in the summer. My House Wrens, Chickadees when they are nesting, the Catbirds and Song sparrows. Of course the woodpeckers.

I put suet out all year; the Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers visit the suet feeders on a daily basis almost year round. This year I've also noticed the Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jays, Mockingbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles have all been devouring suet. We have a problem with heat here so I purchase only the no melt suet cakes and during winter I supplement with mixing up batches of peanut butter, oats, birdseed and raisins that I sometimes stuff into the suet feeders ... all the birds seem to love it.

Palm Warbler:

Your home made suet must be very popular with the birds. I have a recipe for home made suet also. Mine is based on cornmeal and vegetable oil. You can add peanut butter and seeds or fruit if one wants.

Yesterday I saw flock after flock of herons flying south and a hawk was at the far southwest corner of my yard late in the day today. Been working lots of extra hours at my part-time job for the same part-time pay so it really puts a kink in my garden and butterfly/bird watching time. I wonder what I missed today September & October are my favorite months in the yard too

What a pretty hawk Angele.

I thought so too Ann. It had the sun on its back and was very intently looking around. This spot is very close to the bird "area" in my yard. On my way outside to see what's new

What a beautiful hawk.

Wow, that's a great shot of that beautiful hawk Angele! It looks like a juvenile possibly Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk.

plantladylin said:Wow, that's a great shot of that beautiful hawk Angele! It looks like a juvenile possibly Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk.

but I couldn't positively ID it. I bet Margaret can.

Beautiful hawk, Angele! I saw this one morning, light wasn't good and pic was taken through a window, so it's not very clear. I'm thinking dove...Inca Dove or a juvenile of some other kind, maybe.

Oh that is a pretty Dove. We don't have doves that look like that here.

you have an Inca dove. I like them

I've never seen one of those Doves before. What pretty feathers all edged in the black!!! Very nice.

Thanks, Angele! It's unusual to see it here. The White-winged ones stay here a lot, but this one must have been just going through the area.

Birds are hiding, Hawk is flying.

Oh, oh. But they know to hide!

Goodie,my winter birds are here.Its hard to get pix but I will try.
Chickadees,Nurhatches red and white breasted,Titmouse,Downey woodpecker.