Backyard bird watching

[ProfessorM]

was funny today as I had 100's of birds around all day. I went outside to stack some wood and it was around 4 or so and when I finished I looked around and there was not a bird anywhere. Dead calm wind and you could hear a pin drop and not a bird anywhere in the area. They must know what is coming for lows tonite and they are all getting to their sleeping, roosting, areas early. They will be back very early tomorrow morning for sure .

[Raven]

i bought extra suet for them
and its going faster than seed

even the squirrels think a trip
to the feeder is worth the risk
in confronting my DINGO

i smile every time
i see them smash into the chain link fence
unable to squeeze thru fast enough

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Next time I visit TTC might pick one up, any recommendations?

Farm Innovators products are top notch.I use their low wattage deicer as my pond(s) is not overly large.They have several bird bath models also.

Farm Innovators

Agway sells a lot of pond/bird stuff but they're kinda pricey.I tend to buy my more expensive items like pumps/heaters online to save a few bucks.

Aquarium Supplies, Pet Supplies and Pond Supplies by That Fish Place - That Pet Place

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

was funny today as I had 100's of birds around all day. I went outside to stack some wood and it was around 4 or so and when I finished I looked around and there was not a bird anywhere. Dead calm wind and you could hear a pin drop and not a bird anywhere in the area. They must know what is coming for lows tonite and they are all getting to their sleeping, roosting, areas early. They will be back very early tomorrow morning for sure .

I had to refill the feeders this morning.They cleaned them out yesterday and its looking like they'll do it again today.

[ProfessorM]

the squirrels are taking their chances here too. Suet is going fast too. I had a beautiful common flicker yesterday on a suet chunk up close to window as he could not see me thru the curtain. Great colors but very shy. I had 1 degree here at 7:30 this morning. Just got in from church and it is nice out now with no wind and 100% sunshine. Nice day.

[justplugit]

Som ona B, I had three pair of cardinals at the feeder this year with
one male being the brightest crimson red I've ever seem. I was thinking the
other day he has to be in danger of the hawk as bright as he was and
seemed extra wary at the feeder.

Went out this morning to shovel and right on the walk there was nothing
left but bright red feathers and a quarter size batch of blood. Figured it
must have been the hawk but I could see all these large cat prints in the
snow over by the feeder. I've also been loosing lots of large suet chunks
and wonder if the Fischer Cat is back. Have to check the suet tonight
and see if it's missing in the morning.

1000's of English Sparrows and he has to get a Cardinal.

[PRBuzz]

Where have all my titties gone?

Used to have about dozen come daily to the feeder but in the last 2-3 weeks haven't seen a one.

[albin35]

I saw birds in Falmouth on Saturday. Woking the shoreline they were eating bait and so were the seals. I need to fo fishing.

Sorry i get distracted easily.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Where have all my titties gone?

Used to have about dozen come daily to the feeder but in the last 2-3 weeks haven't seen a one.

they're gone until the babe of the week thread comes back

[Raven]

They're at my House Phil
i must have a dozen of -em

Cardinals are Unique in that they often are the
first one to stop at the feeder in the morning
and they kinda just crouch there alone and eat
then they are they last bird in the evening b4 darkness sets in too
The only thing you can do Dave is Bring the suet in at NIGHT


i have lost some chunks but typically it's a starling feeding frenzy
after seeing that Video of the foxes doing it on the guys snow covered roof anythings Possible

[ProfessorM]

I'm loaded too with them and Juncos up the wazoo. Lots of nuthatches too. Big hawk around here too but he is here all year long. No killings yet by the hawk but my cat has taken a few Juncos but they seem bored with the birds at this point. They like the mice and chipmunks better.

On a weather note last nite at work on Cape we had a fog bank roll in for about an hour around 9:30. Strange. out of no where. after it moved on the temp dropped about 10 degree's and my car was covered in a sheet of ice. Eerie feeling.

[Raven]

of the Carolina wrens.... (thumbs up) they like the set up i guess

just grabbed 50 pounds of black sunflower @ job lot
but they raised the price to 25 bucks... every friggan day its somethin,
2 or 3 dollars more than the last time....

[ProfessorM]

still got just the one but did see him this morning. Wish i could find the pictures I have of them living under my back porch the last few winters. I'll have to look again.

[Raven]

i was all happy when the WREN moved into
the Carved (on a lathe)Cedar
bird house last spring only to get kicked out by a friggan chipmunk

WAR on them is coming !

[Raven]

i coulda sworn i just saw a catbird at my feeder eating some fresh suet
i just bought.... that's mind Boggling and a very- very GOOD sign

[Raven]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Where have all my titties gone?

Used to have about dozen come daily to the feeder but in the last 2-3 weeks haven't seen a one.

just wanted to add this little tip for ya...

TIT mice Love spanish peanuts.... and will be loyal attendees if you add some to the Viddles.. ) i always buy the nutty suet or the berry suet
you can make a LOG with drilled out holes next to perches to paste in a peanut butter and saflower seed mix or spanish peanuts and they'll never leave

[justplugit]

Rav, the suet was on the ground this morning, not missing like
before. I think it must be those squirrel contorinists that must manuver it
upside down to fall out. Extra wire will fix that problem.
Yup the cardinals are first in the AM and last in the PM.

P. I had a night like that fishing in early December but opposite results.
Temp was in the 30's all afternoon then a sea fog rolled in at dark and the temp went up to I would guess 50's.
Fish turned on when the fog lifted and was one of my best nights ever.
Go figga.

[Raven]

i wonder if that was a reversal in Barometric pressure

[justplugit]

I don't know Rav, but I'd like to see a repeat of it.

[Raven]

fergot.... i opened the birdfeeder station window about 4 inches
for some much needed fresh air.... havin the friggan flu......
i'm havin mucho trouble just breathing... see

well, i go outside to tackle the driveway and i come back in
until round#2 and theres a wren who cannot find his way back out
sitting on the ALOE Vera Cactus

so i opened the winda all the way
and shooshed him back out.....

[Raven]

they come over to my bird feeder set up
and twice i flung open the window
and YELL get out HERE! LOL
off they run.... bummin out bigtime

twice i sicked the DINGO on them
but opening the back door(s) they hear us coming

so this time i fling open the window
And STAR the wonder dog (a take off of UNDER DOG)
flies out the damn window
in Hot pursuit of them Varmits
i was never so proud as NOW

this Seed\suet is for Birds
and they are NOT birds

[PRBuzz]

My tube feeders are now so low to the newly elevated ground, the squirrels don't even have to reach for the seed. They have even learned how to pop the top of the tube feeder and help themselves from the top avoiding the squirrel guard.

My trouble is I am not home during the week to keep them honest....

[Raven]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

My tube feeders are now so low to the newly elevated ground, the squirrels don't even have to reach for the seed. They have even learned how to pop the top of the tube feeder and help themselves from the top avoiding the squirrel guard.

My trouble is I am not home during the week to keep them honest....

Well i hear ya loud and clear
i have a tube feeder hanging on the lathe house frame
out next to the glass green house
and every time i go back there
i find it on the ground empty
i'll be purchasing a sherridan hopefully this year

[JohnnyD]

Used to do the same as you Raven, open the window and they'd scram for a few hours. Then....

This past Friday I came home from week long business trip to one of my feeders ripped down and practically chewed in half, a thistle bag with a chew hole in the bottom (the thistle? really?) and my suet bag with some chew holes in it.

I tried to be nice. Now I'm changing tactics and this from a friend:


We'll see how they feel about lead coming towards them at the speed of sound.

[Raven]

leave them somewhere (always the same spot) and a fox will get in the habit of making his rounds..they circle in a ten mile loop most evenings.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Raven

leave them somewhere (always the same spot) and a fox will get in the habit of making his rounds..they circle in a ten mile loop most evenings.

This is my hope. We're completely infested with the tree rats.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

This is my hope. We're completely infested with the tree rats.

speaking of Rats i have something large living between floors and i hear them fussing and fighting and scurrying around up there big time

i have no idea what kind of animal it is but i hear something being dragged or swishing around like cut wire....and it worries me to no end.

I never see any evidence like droppings or tracks and the large coon cat lives up there (upstairs)....so they are not in his territory...

i suspect squirrels but for the life of me i cannot figure out where the entry hole is.... it's a complete mystery.

but my point is once they multiply and use every available tree hole they start looking for ways to get in your house out of desperation.

Once a litter of squirrel pups grows up in your house you are screwed
because then thats what they want from then on. Indoor livin.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by Raven

Once a litter of squirrel pups grows up in your house you are screwed
because then thats what they want from then on. Indoor livin.

Send them to Martha Stewart!

[Raven]

hahahahaah she can make Squirrel Pies roflmao

[JohnnyD]

My girlfriend's brother found an interesting way to take care of unwanted pests in attics and the walls... go away for a weekend and drop 4 bugbombs in the area.

His kids are definitely going to be born with 3 arms.