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Work has been ongoing for several years, cleaning up our local river from PCB's. The wildlife is returning. This is right near our home. I could easily walk there, but we took the S last night. I had a treat with lots of wildlife. Osprey, Blue Heron, juvenile Blue Heron, Egrets and more. There wasn't much daylight left, so the pics aren't great but here's a couple.
Osprey with his dinner Three of a kind Great Blue Heron
Our little seed catchers under the feeders are working well. I even have some of the birds eating the seed from them. They (seed catchers) took a bit of a beating yesterday from the wind, as one of them is positioned differently than the other. Also, a cat managed to nab one of my birds. I'm not crying too much as it was a sparrow, but darn, I wish that cat would stay away.
The hummingbirds are still consuming a ton of feed, but I only spotted one yesterday, vs the three at a time I had been seeing previously. They won't be with us much longer.
I believe our rodent issue is solved. Rick might have nailed it with the BB gun. We did see some fur fly. A few days later one trap was missing. Guessing one of the rodents got caught and walked off, or crawled off with it. It may not be the most humane way, but can't tolerate rodents in the yard. The trap was positioned under the shed, so doubtful it harmed anyone's pet. Rick re-baited the remaining traps, and no takers. Since there is now little seed on the ground, I'm hoping we've seen the last of the rodents.
I've developed a real affinity for BlueJays and put out raw peanuts (in the shell) for them every morning. They're usually out and about well before the squirrels arrive and I watch the jays dive in for their treats. They start squawking for the peanuts just after sunup. I have huge hickory trees all around my house and am accustomed to having hickory nuts drop so I'm cautious not to get hit (ouch). This morning I put out extra peanuts since nasty weather is coming and I'm not sure the jays will be out in the morning. I was out watching them feed this morning and a peanut shell dropped on my head. They're swooping in and nabbing the peanuts, flying up in the hickory trees and it is now raining peanut shells.
I've developed a real affinity for BlueJays and put out raw peanuts (in the shell) for them every morning. They're usually out and about well before the squirrels arrive and I watch the jays dive in for their treats. They start squawking for the peanuts just after sunup. I have huge hickory trees all around my house and am accustomed to having hickory nuts drop so I'm cautious not to get hit (ouch). This morning I put out extra peanuts since nasty weather is coming and I'm not sure the jays will be out in the morning. I was out watching them feed this morning and a peanut shell dropped on my head. They're swooping in and nabbing the peanuts, flying up in the hickory trees and it is now raining peanut shells.
Try playing toss with them..... they will catch on quickly...
Just throw one out into the yard when you see them.... its fun to watch....
^^ They really are fun birds to watch, LTD2k. Occasionally I place a few peanuts on the edge of the patio and watch them swoop in for them (if they can beat the squirrels). I've also enjoyed watching them nab the peanuts from under the squirrels noses. They are quite vocal if I don't get the peanuts out early enough.
TBH I'm almost dreading the goldfinch migration here. Feeders will be emptied twice a day. They seem to eat more than any bird I've ever seen other than starlings and grackles. Their antics are cute though, so I'll suck it up and go out and refill feeders multiple times a day.
TBH I'm almost dreading the goldfinch migration here. Feeders will be emptied twice a day. They seem to eat more than any bird I've ever seen other than starlings and grackles. Their antics are cute though, so I'll suck it up and go out and refill feeders multiple times a day.
I'm frequently re-filling the thistle bags. I had given up on the thistle as they seemed to prefer seeds. However, I removed the seed feeder closest to house due to the rodents that had showed up, and went back to some thistle. I just bought a second bag, I've never had so much gold finch activity. I may have to mortgage the house or apply for food stamps for these free loaders!
09-02-2017, 07:50 AM
