Stump Feeders Are a Bird Buffet

The remaining stump of the maple has an upper and lower feeding level. Just over a half pound of seed is left every morning. By the end of the day only the millet is left but when it was very cold even the millet was eaten. The seed that gets thrown off the stump falls on the ground or snow below where the ground feeders like the juncos clean it up. ANDREW MESSINGER

The original maple stump about a yard in diameter with the fallen trunk to the left. The blue jays on the stump take to the air the second the crow heads their way. ANDREW MESSINGER

European starlings displace the blue jays as they examine what’s left from breakfast. The starlings are never first on the stump but always show up to clean up what’s left. ANDREW MESSINGER

When the crows show up all the other birds step aside but are only feet away to descend the moment the crows take flight. ANDREW MESSINGER

A red-bellied woodpecker takes a break from feeding on ash borer grubs and joins the blue jays at the stump to check out the offerings. ANDREW MESSINGER

The small juncos are primarily ground feeders but in this case they are gleaning what’s left on the stump as well as what’s fallen to the snow (ground) below. They are usually the last birds of the day to visit and clean up. ANDREW MESSINGER

A dozen blue jays on top of the maple stump feeding on the days assortment of seeds, nuts and dried fruit. At times twice as many jays crowd the stump. ANDREW MESSINGER

A black squirrel hunts for unshelled peanuts on the left while jays and starlings feed on and around the stump. ANDREW MESSINGER

Even the local band of pigeons drop in from time to time. Scavengers, they will eat most of what the other birds have left behind. ANDREW MESSINGER

A blue jay waits impatiently a few feet from the stump while a grey squirrel sifts through the day's seed offerings for instant and longer-range gratification. ANDREW MESSINGER