[Diana in Wisconsin]

What? No Kale? I've got Kale ready to eat in my garden. This list is a travesty! ;)

[Hot Tabasco]

I have a new dilemma. I think I mentioned previously about the startling decline and disappearance of gold finches to my feeders over the past several years. I've only seen one on my finch feeder this spring.

Today, I just realized that I haven't seen or heard any of my chickadees, which were around thru this winter, since I think early spring.

I haven't heard any of their cute "twee-hee's" in the morning which used to be a regular welcome sound.

Last summer I noticed a number of brown headed cowbirds coming to my feeders for the first time as well as the usual red wing blackbirds.

This summer, the number of the cowbirds and blackbirds has increased tremendously.

I'm wondering if the permanent presence of the red wing blackbirds and now the influx of the cowbirds are responsible for the ultimate disappearance of my chickadees and the goldfinches...........

And for the record, I am shooting the cowbirds with my pellet rifle every chance I get and I can't believe how many I have shot over the past month and a half.

Any suggestions on how I can get my chickadees back would be appreciated.