With the start of hunting season I am reluctant to go birding in the state forests. Instead, I have been spending more time simply enjoying the birds in my neighborhood. I have set aside time each morning to observe the birds here at home. Although I miss my time in the forests, I am gaining insight into the birds that live around me.

Recently, when there was just a hint of light on the eastern horizon, I set out into the cold dawn and waited for my feathered neighbors to awaken. The first bird sighted was a brilliant red male cardinal emerging from the rhododendron beneath my picture window. For years, I have had cardinals roosting in that shrub. Now, it is confirmed the tradition continues. They like this site for several practical reasons.

For starters, the rhododendron keeps its leaves and therefore helps shelter off heavy snowfalls. The roost is facing southeast, meaning the house acts as a wind break from the cold north side. It is also a few degrees warmer close to a house, as heat inevitably escapes from my home. Finally, few predators such as owls are likely to venture so close to a human dwelling.

It was no surprise to see the cardinal fly from the rhododendron directly to the feeder. Cardinals like to visit feeders early in the calm of the pre-dawn light. However, on that day the peace was soon broken when an aggressive blue jay landed screaming in bold defiance with its crest raised and beak open. The jay's cries gave all a sense of urgency - and the cardinal was gone for the day.

The blue jay was telling every living thing within ear-shot that he had arrived and the fresh offerings of seed and suet belonged to the jays. His social unit was quick to join him. I looked up and in the trees all around me were other jays cleverly planning their descent upon him as he fed alone, breast deep in seed.

After the jays had thrashed about and spilled seed everywhere for the squirrels to eat on the ground, other birds began to fly up to the feeder. The majority of them were tufted titmice, but I saw many woodpeckers, too. The first was a drab female downy woodpecker with some missing tail feathers, which never stayed long. A nervous individual, this bird flew in and always left quickly with one seed. Her close cousin, the larger hairy woodpecker, remained longer, nearly devouring the suet cake in one visit. Still larger was a bold red-bellied woodpecker that flashed vibrant colors.

By far the most interesting moment came when I discovered owl pellets beneath a large tree back in my woodlot. High above me, tight against the trunk of the tree, a barred owl was fast asleep and unconcerned. It was an exciting discovery that would not have occurred had I been out in the state forests and sanctuaries. Sometimes the best birding is close to home.

Robert Tougias is a Colchester birding author. He is available for presentations. You can email him your questions at rtougias@snet.net.