Backyard bird watching

[Sweetwater]

Two years ago, we had an artificial wreath on the front door that became the nesting site for a house finch and her brood. The wife, "kids," and I watched the eggs and hatchlings through the window until my neighbor's dog (a german shorthaired) decided to eat the babies.

Well, the next year, the house finch came back and laid another clutch. Since the dog was no longer around (RIP Maddy) we thought we were safe only to come home one day to find that the neighbors' (same ones) cat was going after the hatchlings.

This year we are not putting the wreath up.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

Two years ago, we had an artificial wreath on the front door that became the nesting site for a house finch and her brood. The wife, "kids," and I watched the eggs and hatchlings through the window until my neighbor's dog (a german shorthaired) decided to eat the babies.

Well, the next year, the house finch came back and laid another clutch. Since the dog was no longer around (RIP Maddy) we thought we were safe only to come home one day to find that the neighbors' (same ones) cat was going after the hatchlings.

This year we are not putting the wreath up.

On man. I'd hate to have neighbors like that. Next thing you know, the police are going to be sent to your house because their daughter's boyfriend set off your home alarm system.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by 2na

50 lbs of black sunflower at $28 at Ocean State now; wasn't it $25 just a few weeks ago and $20 around the 1st of the year?
.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
yeah the price jumped (jacked UP ) again so BJ's became the better deal AGAIN
because the mixed seed is a total rip off

so i bought a forty pound bag at BJ's and it turned out to be a moldy batch and so i had to GO BACK AND return it....

Been trying to grow my own Russian mammoth sF's but the dammed field mice are digging them up...bastids .....set the metal trap for em with half a suet cake in it... he'll be in there in the MORNING.... I HOPE/

[Raven]

[FishermanTim]

Anybody still keeping tabs on the Decorah IA, eagle's nest?
The three eggs hatched last month and all three chicks are now about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the adults.
They're starting to test their wings (no flying until the feathers grow in).

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by FishermanTim

Anybody still keeping tabs on the Decorah IA, eagle's nest?
The three eggs hatched last month and all three chicks are now about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the adults.
They're starting to test their wings (no flying until the feathers grow in).

I check in periodically. Want to watch them eat: on their own yet (not catching, but tearing) or still beak fed from adults?

[Raven]

INDIGO Bunting @ the feeder

lots of towhees

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Raven

INDIGO Bunting @ the feeder

Oh man Rav, only seen a few in my lifetime. One of my all time favorites
along with scarlet taninger, cedar wax wing ,rosebreasted grossbeak and
bluebird.

[Raven]

Been enjoying the pair of Rose breasted Grossbeaks that are steady visitor's but haven't been enjoying the chattering and noisey red squirrels that are dropping feeders and being a nuisance in general.

[PRBuzz]

My feeders except for the thistle, gold finches, are all put away for the summer. To much city to get neat birds like Raven!

[Raven]

then feed the hummingbirds

[justplugit]

OK I'm stumped, what white bird about the size of a pigeon can
fly 60-65 MPH flying down the highway drafting trucks and cars
weaving in and out of traffic flying between 5-20 ft high for a minimum
of 3 miles then turn and fly west with the traffic as the highway divided????
If my wife and I didn't see it with our own eyes today I would never believe it.

[Raven]

thats a toughy ....but a pergrin falcon comes to mind...
based on the speed ...but scientists have determined that highways do indeed have signifgant usage as land marks used by many species to navigate with.... owls work the highways and some of the smaller ones are white colored and are incredible fliers
. there had to be some kind of pattern to the flying like dipping
~~~~ ------u----- .........'`` and that is a big clue.

[Sweetwater]

Originally Posted by justplugit

OK I'm stumped, what white bird about the size of a pigeon can
fly 60-65 MPH flying down the highway drafting trucks and cars
weaving in and out of traffic flying between 5-20 ft high for a minimum
of 3 miles then turn and fly west with the traffic as the highway divided????
If my wife and I didn't see it with our own eyes today I would never believe it.

Maybe a white dove? Some people have white doves released at weddings and such. They can fly 50-60 mph. The "home" like homing pigeons.

[justplugit]

Rav,it was dipping and flying between cars like a riceburner
cutting in and out of traffic but not the shape of an owl.

SW, you may be right about the dove as it was white and
pigeon shape. Didn't know they could fly that fast.

He looked like he was having fun.
Nature is an amazing thing!

[PRBuzz]

I can add a new species to the list that which have visited my yard. Easy to track since all the native birds are not sure what to make of this thing! Anyone know specifically what kind of parrot? I have already called animal control in case someone reports one missing.

[Raven]

i think it's a lorokeet (sp)

it may be wild
or it maybe an escape`....

often times they escape the cage and wind up in the kitchen
or the entry way to the house....

you come home unaware that the bird is loose
as the door opens "frightened"
out they fly "free as a bird"
Happened to me................

[JohnnyD]

There have been no fewer than 20-25 sparrows on the feeder right outside my window every morning for hours and then throughout the day. So many of them, no other birds show up any more... damn things.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

There have been no fewer than 20-25 sparrows on the feeder right outside my window every morning for hours and then throughout the day. So many of them, no other birds show up any more... damn things.

http://www.sparrowtraps.net/?gclid=COmg_92szKoCFcnc4AodWVZw1g

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Raven

http://www.sparrowtraps.net/?gclid=COmg_92szKoCFcnc4AodWVZw1g

Alright now that looks pretty damn cool. Not sure if it's worth the $55 to me though.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Alright now that looks pretty damn cool. Not sure if it's worth the $55 to me though.

if ya have some materials you could make one

[Raven]

it has allot to do with the plants on your property
and whats adjacent to you....

we have crown sparrows ,fox sparrows, chipping ect

but no english ,suits me fine because they are always rioting

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Raven

http://www.sparrowtraps.net/?gclid=COmg_92szKoCFcnc4AodWVZw1g

I hate killing anything anymore. How far do you need to take them
so they won't come back?

[Raven]

China

[justplugit]

LOL Rav,thats what i figured.

Those English Sparrows would find someway to get backfor the noontime fights in the forsythia bushes.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

There have been no fewer than 20-25 sparrows on the feeder right outside my window every morning for hours and then throughout the day. So many of them, no other birds show up any more... damn things.

Same here! The parents are teaching all the young ones how to raid feeders rather than really have to search for wild food sources. They empty my thistle tube feeder in 2 days and fight off the gold finches, chikadees, etc.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Same here! The parents are teaching all the young ones how to raid feeders rather than really have to search for wild food sources. They empty my thistle tube feeder in 2 days and fight off the gold finches, chikadees, etc.

I used to have a pair of goldfinches that were here all through winter and still coming back in the spring. Since this madness with the finches started, I haven't seen them back since and don't get any chickadees either.

Pretty much down to a couple titmice and nuthatches.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

don't get any chickadees either.

Pretty much down to a couple titmice and nuthatches.

i was looking out the window..........

then it hit me.... J-D

are you feeding your birds straight
black oil sunflower seed?

because that could make a HUGE difference.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Raven

i was looking out the window..........

then it hit me.... J-D

are you feeding your birds straight
black oil sunflower seed?

because that could make a HUGE difference.

I've been testing different seeds, one time at a time - black oil sunflower, hulled sunflower, safflower, crushed peanuts - and some mixtures of the above with dried fruit and other goodies in it. Same result with most of them. Also, nothing I use has millet or cracked corn which I heard is like a magnet for HOSP.

The little bastards also plow through my suet, so I stopped putting that out.

[Raven]

yeah............. them and the starlings
go ravenous on that sh1t like piranha