Tag Archives: birds

Danger returns!

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We squirrels will have to be very alert in our neighborhood, because a new neighbor has moved in.

This barred owl might be the same one who checked out the tall white pines last spring. Tree trimming nearby seemed to scare him–or her–off, but today this owl was back in the same trees. A murder of crows spotted him (Yes, that’s a word for a group of crows, and they sounded like murder, too!) Blue jays joined the crows in calling out at the owl, then we squirrels ran around the branches to see if it was all doing any good. The owl flew from the pine, to a maple. More cawing drove him over the houses to the tallest tree in the neighborhood, a metasequoia.

We couldn’t follow, of course, so we don’t know if the owl left or the crows gave up.

Even though it is dangerous for us, the owl has a right to live here, too. And frankly, we need him. We small mammals have already been feeling the squeeze with more chipmunks, mice and even rats living in our neighborhoods. Now if we could train the owls to only feed on those rats that aren’t native.

One of Nature’s Mysteries to Solve

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Hey there!

Recognize these fledglings?

Hint: They are fledging now!

If you know, give us a guess in the comments and we’ll check back later to confirm who they are.

~~~

We had guesses today–and a correct one! These three are Eastern Bluebirds.

Like other members of the thrush family–bluebirds, thrushes and American Robin, among others–the young are speckled to camouflage them when they are first out and about. The blue feather are kind of a giveaway to us, but other predators would be confused by the flash color while the gray will blend with the first floor while the fledglings perfect their flight.

Clutches of Eastern Bluebirds are leaving their nesting cavities about now, at 30 days old. This might be the first or second set of young, depending on how long winter dragged on and how soon the parent birds were able to secure a suitable nesting site. The young from the first hatching often stick around and help feed the second brood, so later in the summer the families look really big!

It’s fun, because then you can witness their blue feather filling in.

Ah, nature!

Bluebirds live on a diet of insects during the summer. If you want to attract bluebirds, put out mealworms!

Invasion!

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Hickory and I are a little distressed at the competition for food from the birds this fall.

“That is putting mildly, Nutmeg.” Hickory flicked his tail. “Now we know you humans may not be intentionally feeding us squirrels, but really, these flocks of pine siskins are getting out of hand!”

Dozens of pine siskins have descended on our neighborhood. We are seeing them in the trees–even eating seeds from non-native trees like this Chinese Elm. We had no idea a native bird would feed on its seeds.

The seeds are plentiful, as you can see around this goldfinch. The house finches have joined them, too and even a few Eastern Bluebirds and downy woodpeckers.

“I really don’t mind them eating those seeds,” Hickory chittered. “It got to me when they started hanging out at our…ahem, I mean the bird feeders.”

It’s true, no one else can get a nose into the seed, especially on a rainy day. They have even noticed the drinking fountains you humans have provided for us.

We squirrels are watching and gathering more acorns, since it seems the siskins are here to stay for the winter. We realize this is the smart thing to do, since times are lean for humans and squirrels alike. With the feeder being emptied so quickly, we wonder if you humans will be able to keep supplying it at this rate? We wanted to let you know that while we appreciate the treat, we squirrels will be fine–

“Don’t tell them that!” Hickory chitters at me.

But I have to. Bird feeding is a volunteer activity. Sure, it helps us and the birds, but if humans are finding some birds are more demanding than usual, they should not be afraid to let the seed run out. This is the time of year that all wildlife stake out many sources of food, so if one runs short, there is another we can move on to.

But on the flip side of that, please leave your garden messier this year. We and the birds will find insects under leaves and stray seeds in those dead flower heads. Thank you!

Thirsty Thursday

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Folks,

Ol’ Wally is a bit behind on sharing wildlife coming and going to our local ponds. A few weeks ago, we squirrels spotted this Solitary Sandpiper feeding in the mud of a local pond, and then learned that these migrants are now gone from our area.

We decided to share anyway, since they will be migrating back in late July. So maybe we are posting early?

A handsome bird, right? As the name implies, he was the only one we saw there. Most birds migrate in flocks, but Solitary Sandpipers make their way alone, north to their summer breeding grounds in Canada. You humans may see them in marshes along the coast, but don’t be surprise if they stop by inland ponds and streams. All those freshwater areas have the bugs they need to fuel them on their long trips to and from the coasts of Mexico.

They love water-dwelling insect larvae like dragonfly nymphs, but aren’t too picky, eating worms, crayfish, beetles and even small frogs. We suspect that many tadpoles disappear down their throats.

With global warming, the breeding grounds of the Solitary Sandpiper are moving ever-northward, making their migratory journey even longer.

E is for Eggs!

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Eggs are a thing in spring, for sure!

 

We squirrels do like to, er, look for them. You humans probably don’t like to hear that, but then you put up those boxes which makes it very difficult for us to get into those nests!

These days…not a problem! We are #StayHome, except to go out for our acorns.

Are you staying home? We’d hate to see you humans go extinct! You are our favorite source of entertainment, so stay safe!