A lazy Sunday here at the Aerie.

The rotten weatherman goofed—again—and the rains that were expected later in the day arrived before dawn. It’s wet, chilly and just plain raw outside. I had hoped to retrieve some of the firewood I cut yesterday and left in the yard, but now it’s too wet and the yard too muddy so I’ll wait a few days.

The birds continue to raise a ruckus demanding their seed supply be refilled so I’ll be going out on the deck again as soon as there’s a break in the showers. Some 99% of the birds out there right now are goldfinches and I have to say they are really starting to look ratty. They’re molting into their spring plumage and that means shedding the drab olive green for a bright yellow and black outfit for the males. The females are not as gaudy in the summer as they retain their plain olive coloration as protection for nest sitting.

If I sit and concentrate upon the comings and goings at the feeders I could probably note a dozen different species but it is the goldfinches who dominate. It’s funny, but as the state bird of New Jersey I don’t recall seeing very many there in the 57 years of my residence. I have seen quite a few in the farm fields near the Adirondack Bolt Hole but the flock that has adopted the Aerie’s feeders is really amazing. There has to be between 75 and 100 birds hanging out in the trees waiting their turn at the feeders.

Sometimes, it reminds me of The Birds, and I’m not talking music.