Feeding Wild Birds

[sourland]

This is the time of year when turkey hens around here start grouping together with their poults. I generally see 3-5 hens with perhaps a half dozen vari sized poults. Today on the way out the beagle club lane there were 3 hens with at least 18 poults. I wonder if the high survival number is a result of the readily available protein source that the cicadas provided.

 

[R2elk]

This is the time of year when turkey hens around here start grouping together with their poults. I generally see 3-5 hens with perhaps a half dozen vari sized poults. Today on the way out the beagle club lane there were 3 hens with at least 18 poults. I wonder if the high survival number is a result of the readily available protein source that the cicadas provided.

The lack of excessive moisture is also helpful. Too wet of a spring means lower survival rates for poults.

 

[sourland]

The lack of excessiver moisture is also helpful. Too wet of a spring means lower survival rates for poults.

A proven factor for sure, but we have had a very wet spring. I'm wondering if the West Nile virus has once again impacted the Red Tail and GHO populations. I am not seeing Red Tails hunting the club, and GHO sign is sporadic.

 

[sourland]

Busy day at the beagle club. Site inspection by the group that has preserved our grounds. What a sweetie this girl is. Also it's the annual butterfly count. Yep, folks come in and count butterflies. When I left them they were at 11 species and many, many individuals.

 

[R2elk]

I can't remember which thread we were discussing short tail coons.

This is only the second one I have seen. It was an old boar.

 

[sourland]

I can't remember which thread we were discussing short tail coons.

Neither can I. I'm old - what's your excuse?

 

[R2elk]

Neither can I. I'm old - what's your excuse?

Same. Evidence of short tail added to previous post.

 

[sourland]

I can't remember which thread we were discussing short tail coons.
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This is only the second one I have seen. It was an old boar.

All that I have seen have been old and large boars.

 

[R2elk]

All that I have seen have been old and large boars.

I didn't weigh him but he felt like 40 to 50 lbs.

 

[sourland]

The cornfield along the right of way to the club has been harvested. This afternoon I counted 48 wild turkeys foraging, and I know that I undercounted. Wild bird population is down at home and at the club far lower than even last year.