We are experiencing a little reprieve from the sub-zero temperatures of last week. The activity at our feeders is still going fairly strong. We have had an occasional visit from our resident hawk, but the birds eventually get used to his presence and return. I have heard the Cardinals singing, and the males seem intent on chasing each other around the yard. I noticed on a few of our goldfinches a bit of bright yellow showing up in the head area-that means spring is on its way. Today a group of Blue Jays showed up-oops, I didn't have any in-shell peanuts out for them. I will do that tomorrow for sure! I am anticipating the Red-Winged Blackbirds arrival. The earliest I have personally ever seen them was Valentine's day several years ago. They are truly harbingers of spring!! We have decided we need to get a Nyjer feeder that has a reserve at the top-I am filling the ones we have right now every day. They fight over the feeding ports too much on the ones we are using now. We have one attached to our kitchen window with a suction cup hanger and we see them up very close. We had a visit from a Downy, a Hairy, a Flicker, and a Red-Bellied woodpecker 2 days ago. One right after the other. What a treat!!!