Feeding Wild Birds

[fuzzi]

I put up a fence around my feeders to help protect the wild birds from predators...


(that's Alice, a semi-feral who appreciates the cat food I provide)

 

[sourland]

When I got to the beagle club this morning, White Bird was hunting the lower fields. Once she saw me she went up high and put on an aerial display for my pleasure. Evicted deer mice from one bird box. Not only have the Woods frogs mated, but the tadpoles are hatching. How did I miss that - never heard them.

 

[R2elk]

First Junco showed up today. First meadowlark showed up yesterday and was singing early this morning.

 

[sourland]

No meadowlarks here. There were many in the hayfields where I grew up. I have always liked their song.

 

[Sequel]

My friend down the road found this in her chicken coop eating a small wild bird.

 

[Sequel]

He was very tired!

 

[sourland]

The phoebes have returned. Two days ago I saw a pair out in the field, and yesterday they were checking out the nest site on the clubhouse porch.

 

[fuzzi]

My friend down the road found this in her chicken coop eating a small wild bird.View attachment 3781940

Looks like a juvenile Sparrow hawk:

 

[sourland]

Went to the club and dodged raindrops for an hour or so. Saw the first woodcock of the season. Saw signs of their presence, but this is the first bird I have seen. They used to breed here, but haven't in several years. I miss seeing and hearing their mating dances.

 

[fuzzi]

Went to the club and dodged raindrops for an hour or so. Saw the first woodcock of the season. Saw signs of their presence, but this is the first bird I have seen. They used to breed here, but haven't in several years. I miss seeing and hearing their mating dances.

The only live woodcock I saw was briefly when I was leaving work one day. A landscaper was using a leaf blower and startled the woodcock. It flew into a window, and didn't survive.

The feathers were so beautiful and soft. I buried it.