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Post by gardendmpls on Dec 4, 2021 18:37:01 GMT -5
Today spied a large hawk in a neighbors tree. Probably eying the chickens. Didn't let the little cat out as was worried he is too inexperienced to avoid becoming hawk food (do they eat cats?). Hawk flew off right after I got my binoculars on him, so couldn't ID for sure. Redtails do migrate through here and that's what he appeared to be.
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Post by gb98 on Dec 4, 2021 18:46:11 GMT -5
gardendmpls,oh yes, a hawk can take out a cat. Be careful.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Dec 4, 2021 20:43:34 GMT -5
About a week ago I came home from working the morning route and there was a red tailed hawk feeding from a rabbit it caught between my house and my neighbor. I came in my house to get a better look at the catcher and did not know til then that it was a rabbit. He caught me peeking through the curtain and he just continue having breakfast.
He left leaving about 1/2 a carcass and I wasn't sure if he would come back to feed later. I left it alone until I came back from the afternoon shift and double bagged it and took to the dump the next day. It was a cold day so the rest of the body froze which I was grateful for.
Juncos and a cardinal at the feeders today.
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Post by gb98 on Dec 22, 2021 9:41:14 GMT -5
This morning I saw a robin in the backyard. Shouldn't they have migrated south by at least a month ago? This is so wrong.
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 22, 2021 11:14:28 GMT -5
A robin visited our garden pond yesterday, as well, gb98, I was amazed to see it. Agreed- this isn't right.
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Post by binnylou on Dec 24, 2021 23:48:19 GMT -5
I was treated to seeing a bald eagle this morning. I was browning chicken, watching out the south window. I saw a bald eagle rise up out of Neighbor Dave’s wooded pasture and bank to the left. I was hoping for a return visit, but if he returned, I missed him.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Dec 25, 2021 14:37:52 GMT -5
binnylou , I think those sightings must be one of the pleasures of living in a more rural and wooded area. I've seen groups of wild turkeys near one of the recreational areas, but also on a more rural road on the way to the preferred hospital. They were wandering around grounds next to a fire station. But, oddly enough, I've seen a few hawks in my area, sometimes from my backyard, and this is a heavily developed city-type area. I've also seen an increase in the number of what I think might be hawks, or vultures, or some bird of prey. They fly, often in groups of 2 or more, over the freeway area, back and forth, around and around over the freeway. I never saw this before the flood of 2014, when a freeway maintenance center hadn't been maintained and heavy rain backed up into the neighborhood. I read that little critters hawks like became more visibly abundant, the hawks responded, and never left. One day I drove out of the subdivision and saw what I'm sure was a vulture. That was unsettling.
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Post by binnylou on Dec 25, 2021 18:27:36 GMT -5
No reason to be bothered by vultures. In previous years, there’s been a group of 5 or 6 that roosted in the timber across the road. In late afternoon, I’d see them soar, riding the thermals before settling in for the night.
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Post by gb98 on Dec 25, 2021 19:32:48 GMT -5
I often see turkey vultures around here. They are either hovering overhead or perched in one of the tall white pines around here. Nothing to be concerned about.
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Post by gardendmpls on Dec 25, 2021 22:09:29 GMT -5
I follow George the Vulture on Instagram and he is a character, funny and interesting and uglycute. Not unsettling at all.
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Post by breezygardener on Dec 29, 2021 16:35:42 GMT -5
I've often felt that vultures - both Turkey & Black - should be Virginia's "State Bird". You can't go a day, or even an hour, around here without seeing one or more of them. Groups of them frequently roost on our property at night, & it's creepy if you startle them & they all take off at once.
Today has been wrought with large flocks of Robins. In the trees, in the fields, & making a big racket. I don't know if they're coming, going, or just one of the resident flocks that are here year-round.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Dec 29, 2021 18:38:11 GMT -5
I heard a blue jay squawking at something yesterday. Perhaps the neighbor's feline yard inspector was in the back yard again.
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Post by Mumsey on Jan 3, 2022 5:29:53 GMT -5
Flocks of sparrows and juncos, a few cardinals and blue jays. The vultures left a few weeks ago. But they will be back come Spring, graceful creatures in flight. But where they hang out is a mess of bird poo and hacked up "fur balls" on the ground. Gross. I've counted 30 of them at times. When they come back they must bring the new kids.
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Post by gb98 on Jan 3, 2022 15:14:21 GMT -5
I don't know who is taking them, but I often trap mice in my basement, then throw the bodies outside. They are gone within a few hours.
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Post by Mumsey on Jan 4, 2022 5:15:23 GMT -5
gb98, Are there cats wandering your neighborhood? They are great for critter control. We have several that people down the block feed. I often see them near our house intently watching the birds at the feeder.
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