Backyard bird watching

[FishermanTim]

I love those impromptu up-close and personal sightings that we get from time to time.
I had taken my younger brother down to Nickerson State Park a few years after our father's death and wanted to show him why we enjoyd heading there year after year for a weekend fishing trip.

We were fishing one of the smaller ponds in the park when I heard the trill of a resident osprey and had recently dispatched a sunfish (they are way too numerous in this pond) and had tossed it out as food for the local birds. As the bird caught sight of the floating sunfish, it made its diving approach. I told my brother to keep his eye on the floating fish, at which point the osprey swooped down, picked the fish off the water and flew back to its roost.....all within 15 feet of our jonboat.

I then turned to my brother and said "You won't see that in the city!"

Now when I kayak on the local rivers and ponds, all just outside the route 128 belt, I see that stuff with increased regularity.

Man, you can't beat the great outdoors!

[Saltheart]

Flock of Wild Turkeys visited this morning. They just meandered through the back yard after coming out of the woods. I had a tough time getting pictures but here's what I got.

[Saltheart]

More

[FishermanTim]

Salty, I'd say "toss them some birdseed if you have any handy", but this time of year the males are in the "collecting hens" mode which makes them VERY aggressive towards other jakes/toms and any unfortunate person that tries to get too close.

They have spurs for a reason, and they know very well how to use them!

Now if this were spring, I would be more apt to feed them for a photo op. Actually, I have in the past. We have a family of turkeys that visit our cul-de-sac frequently during the year. Some of the adults were chicks from prior years that know our area as a "potential" feeding stop.
(I don't feed them all the time, so that they won't become to comfortable around people.)

I was able to get within 4-5 feet from the mother while the chicks hid behind her. When I withdrew they would come out and feed.
The funniest part was that the mother knew what I was doing from 50 feet away when I tossed sunflower seed on the lawn and she and the chicks made a b-line for them at full sprint.

But of course this was spring/summer and not during the fall.
You NEVER get involved with any animal when they are in the rut. It never end well. (unless you are legally hunting them, then all bets are off!)

[Saltheart]

I only got about 6 in the group picture but there were about 15 total. I wasn't going out there for a picture in that gang of brutes!

I tried to open the slider just a few inches so I could get some pictures not through the window glass but at that slight noise they bolted to the other side of the lawn , flocked up and headed back into the woods. Fun thing though. There were some just 2 feet the other side of the glass but on those pics the reflection back from the window was all I got.

[Raven]

Tim is Right
when i lived next to the state land
i could step outside and toss bird seed
and the flock of Turkeys would run towards me
to eat....like a flock of chickens

[Raven]

noticing what Dave JPI was seeing down south
in the land of milk and honey

not to many TIT mice this year ....sad to see

[justplugit]

Plenty of Tit Mice here Rav, it's the lack of stripers.
I'm putting myself on suicide watch.

[Raven]

time to go fishin! time to go ...

[Raven]

BLUEBIRD TIME
this is the time of year to prepare for them!!!
and their arrival.... you probably think i'm nuts
but Nope when we get our first blowing snow storm
they show up out of NO where.....
they see the feeding birds and come investigate

if you have beef suet ready and waiting in your fridge
you can slice it like carving a turkey then cut it into cubes
they can swallow.... down the hatch... they go
and then they're hooked hook line and sinker
one pair will attract several other Pairs....

block suet cakes kinda suck unless its above 40 degrees
as they harden into cement
but the while whole solid chunk beef suet that you buy
at the meat markets (when they have it) is what they really want

[justplugit]

Yes Rav, that will work.


Anyone find a good price on grey striped sunflower seeds this year?

[Raven]

Originally Posted by justplugit

Yes Rav, that will work.


Anyone find a good price on grey striped sunflower seeds this year?

good price? ....dunno bout that...but the only place I've seen the gray or striped seeds has been at either wild bird-food places
or at feed stores. I think the price was $49.00 for 50 pounds.

I also stopped by at Loews and picked up a second Bluebird offering....that being freeze dried meal worms.
the Carolina wrens enjoy those too. found the Beef suet @ stop and shop meat section

[Raven]

just picked up my third 50 lb bag of black oil sunflower seed
and filled all the feeders up... each one holds 5 pounds volume
and set out a bunch of suet in various baskets mounted on the
posts ,,,and BIG RED (woodpecker) was out there Fueling up....
screwed a 24" section of old cedar gutter on the wooden structure
kind of like a football goal post in size but without the tall uprights
and placed some half cakes in it thinking bluebirds will show tomorrow

[gone fishin]

Banner year for migrating birds - there are 7 reported snow owls on Plum Island - Parker River Reserve. One has taken residence fairly close to the PI Turnpike. They are trapping them at logan and trying to relocate them to the reserve. The one I was watching stands about 3 feet tall and is majestic. The rangers on the reserve are asking that people do not try and approach the birds. ( Cannot blame them, there is an army of birders with million dollar scopes looking for position).

[Raven]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Banner year for migrating birds - there are 7 reported snow owls on Plum Island - Parker River Reserve. One has taken residence fairly close to the PI Turnpike. They are trapping them at logan and trying to relocate them to the reserve. The one I was watching stands about 3 feet tall and is majestic. The rangers on the reserve are asking that people do not try and approach the birds. ( Cannot blame them, there is an army of birders with million dollar scopes looking for position).

i'd love to have one down in my neck of the woods
and that would be a hoot.

[basswipe]

Here's the best pic of the Sharpie.

[ProfessorM]

A shame they were shooting them in NY airports but I guess the outrage got them to trap them. Never seen one in the wild. Must be cool

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/ny...orts.html?_r=0

[basswipe]

Found a great way to keep the squirrels off the feeders,crack open a pumpkin and put it under the feeder.They can't resist pumpkin for some reason,its long lasting but still temporary.Been looking at the Droll Yankee Flipper but spending a $100+ on a feeder ain't in the budget right now.

Finally got some pics of the Sharpie that's been coming by.Will post some when I transfer them from the camera.

[Raven]

yellow on the beak is a good feature to look for

[Raven]

this is cool

eagle steels the camera

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/vi...ralia.hln.html

[Raven]

birds need suet to survive these temperatures
and not the store bought square cakes that cost $1.00
-1.49 each

I'm talking the cut off of a cow type found in your meat market
it sells for a dollar something...some people make bread pudding with it
but that stuff doesn't FREEZE hard as a BRICK
it stays soft even at single digit temperatures
IF your meat market doesn't carry it ask about it (see butcher)
called simply beef SUET.......
Stop and Shop usually has it for sale
then you thin slice it like you do a turkey
then cut it opposite way for real small pieces

[goosefish]

Birds are starting to put the feed on, the coming of the storm

[Raven]

friggan zero degree's makes the suet like oak....

[goosefish]

You got to be a committed woodpecker to hammer away on it

[basswipe]

Been a crazy day at the feeders.Put out an extra cheap-o feeder but the squirrels had a field day with that thing.

[Raven]

i know what you mean
first year i was inundated with -em
there was at least 30, most had mange
and many had no tails or had hairless tails
looking more like a possum

[Raven]

nice to see a herd...i put a bunch of apples out for them

[basswipe]

Since I started this thread and am asking for a self imposed ban I would also ask you JohnR to please remove this thread also.

Let someone else who still is enthused about this site start another backyard birdwatching thread.

[ProfessorM]

Did I miss something?

[Raven]

apparently...as did i... P