One of the first things we did when we moved to the farm was to clear and fence the fields for sheep. These pastures have attracted killdeers, turkeys, flickers, bluebirds and tree swallows, to name a few, and are great hunting grounds for hawks. On the garden side of the property we established an area for growing vegetables and planted trees, shrubs, and perennials. We selected trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat as well as their aesthetics throughout the year. Now, almost 30 years later, our property attracts a wide variety of birds, thanks in large part to our planting efforts.

Recently our Korean Mountain Ash (Sorbus alnifolia) has been attracting flocks of Cedar Waxwings. These birds are easy to identify, with their silky gray feathers, noticeable crest, and bright yellow end to their tails. Along with the waxwings have been flocks of American Robins that are also attracted to the fruit of the Kousa Dogwoods. We planted half a dozen of these dogwoods which started as "whips" from the Harvard Conservation Trust Tree-for-All. The robins also enjoy the fruit of a crabapple that naturalized in our lower pasture, as well as the fruits of a number of natives such as arrowwood, blueberry, amelanchier, juniper, gray dogwood, and even poison ivy, which we left in the pastures for their value in providing wildlife habitat.

This is the time of year that the bluebirds come back en masse. In the past I have had up to 23 arrive, although to date I have only seen six to eight congregating in the maple by the feeder. In summer bluebirds prefer insects, but as the year progresses they will partake of berries. I feed the bluebirds a suet dough mixture that they flock to. If anyone would like to try this mixture, feel free to contact me for the recipe.

Juncos are back from their summer breeding grounds in the north. One morning recently I heard the welcoming song—"Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody"—of the returning White-throated Sparrows.

A friend contacted me, and several other birders, about an all-white bird feeding with her juncos. My first thought was Snow Bunting, but they are not all white at this time of year. After viewing a photo of the bird, the consensus was that it was a Leucistic Junco. Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals and humans. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. A few weeks earlier another local birder called me about a "white hawk" she had seen in her yard. A white Red-tailed Hawk has since been reported in Lancaster—probably the same bird.

The real surprise one morning was an Evening Grosbeak at our feeder and the birdbath. This is the first time we have seen an Evening Grosbeak on the farm, although 30 years ago when we lived on Bolton Road they were a common occurrence.

We have heard reports of Pine Siskins from two sources in different parts of town, so keep an eye out for these little striped finches. Usually if there are Pine Siskins around, there is a good chance to see Common Redpolls with them.

David Durrant lives with his wife, Pamela, on East Bare Hill Road at Micheldever Farm, where they watch birds—their own peacocks, chickens, and wild visitors.