The peanut cups continue to be a big hit. I have to refill them every other day, and I’ve watched just about every bird species in my yard snatch a peanut from them with the exception of Mourning Doves and finches.
I’ve witnessed some funny antics. There is a hole just above one of the cups. It’s on top of the pole and it’s only about an inch deep because there is a little metal mechanism inside used to attach an additional pole. The chickadees started caching some of their peanuts in that pole. I didn’t notice at first, but I couldn’t figure out why I kept seeing White-breasted Nuthatches land on a nearby perch and pull peanuts out of the top of the pole. I certainly wasn’t putting peanuts in there. Where did they come from? Then one day I watched a chickadee fly to the top of the pole repeatedly and drop a peanut inside each time. I wonder if he knows who is stealing them?
A Hairy Woodpecker has also discovered the peanut cup. Woodpeckers are more clingers than perchers, so it took many attempts before he figured out how to land just right and balance. Now he returns regularly and sits for minutes at a time. It’s much easier than pecking and pulling peanuts from a hanging feeder.
Recently I looked out the window to see 5 chickadees, 2 Downy Woodpeckers and a Hairy Woodpecker all waiting in line patiently for a chance to perch on the cup. Meanwhile there are 4 hanging peanut feeders nearby with no customers. Who knew a cup full of peanuts could be so popular?