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Post by binnylou on May 2, 2022 19:46:16 GMT -5
We had a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak stop at the suet feeder this morning. He didn’t stay long…there may be too much competition from Jays, Cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches.
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Post by binnylou on May 3, 2022 13:13:39 GMT -5
We had the pleasure of a visit from the owl this morning. He/she was perched on a very visible branch, just a few feet from our deck. And then there were two. A pair, I assume.
And, the wren is back. No doubt about it. I thought I heard it a couple of days ago, but with strong windy conditions, I couldn’t be sure. They apparently have a working calendar…May 1st, right on schedule.
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Post by binnylou on May 6, 2022 9:07:47 GMT -5
Mrs. Bluebird has been really busy this morning. My hay rack planters on the deck still have the old saggy liners and last year’s soil/wood chip mulch. I have replacement liners and the petunias waiting to spiff up the landscape..just haven’t done the job yet. Mrs. Bluebird has been taking advantage of the supply of building materials for her nest…diving deep to get the best and leaving with a beakload.
Mr. Pheasant was out for his morning stroll. He’s a handsome fella. A few days ago, I saw him and what I thought was three hens. Two of the hens were just a bit smaller than the other, so they might be this year’s younguns. Hubby says they are currently out on the walking path.
And, the Red Bellied Woodpecker would like a new suet cake. The suet is down to about one third of the original size and that doesn’t fit his feeding position. The cardinals, chickadees, and nuthatches will feed from an upside down position, but not this RBW.
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Post by madamezil on May 6, 2022 10:03:12 GMT -5
The SPCA in our area has advised everyone to take down their feeders and bird baths due to a rather virulent out break of avian flu. Say it is transmitted by wild birds. Some backyard flocks and small producers are affected, not so much the large operations yet.
We don't do feeders except for hummingbirds(which I haven't seen any of in months), but have emptied the bird bath. There have been very few birds in the yard lately, only the crows who I believe can survive a nuclear warhead.
There have been a few robins, chickadees, kinglets and the odd song sparrow. That's about it. Maybe if it ever stops raining here, the birds will return.
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Post by emmsmommy on May 8, 2022 0:04:44 GMT -5
Occasionally we see a bluebird but not very often. This afternoon I looked out the window and saw two males resting on the dried up tomato vine in one of the large pots. By the time I had hubby to look, there were three! There's also a large dandelion in that pot (you know me and my weed friends) and they were snacking on the seed heads. So I definitely won't be pulling those spent blooms off just yet.
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Post by gardendmpls on May 8, 2022 1:27:58 GMT -5
Say it is transmitted by wild birds. I was under the impression that it was mostly waterbirds, like ducks, swans and geese and rarely the types we see in backyards. After reading the NY state Department of Health article below, I would say that your SPCA is reacting without checking if their information is accurate. This is the information site: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/avian/questions_and_answers/The following is from that site: "Should we stop feeding birds and not have bird feeders? There is no need to change your normal practices for feeding wild backyard birds. Waterfowl, such as swans, ducks, and geese, are the type of birds that are most likely to be infected with avian influenza. Although wild backyard birds and pigeons are unlikely to get infected with avian influenza, it is always best to minimize contact with fecal material. Always use gloves when handling ill or dead birds or handling/cleaning up bird droppings, and wash your hands with soap and water immediately afterward."
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Post by gianna on May 8, 2022 13:02:05 GMT -5
That article was written in '16 and might not pertain to the current HPAI outbreak. It was my understanding (perhaps outdated) all migratory birds could be problematic, not only water birds. And possibly all wild birds once it's in an area. A decade or more ago, when the concerning H5N1 was spreading from Asia into Africa and Europe, it could be traced along the migratory routes of birds. That particular virus did not make it into the US at that time. This current virus is however H5N1 of some sort, so who knows. I'd suggest trying to find some current information on it.
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Post by gardendmpls on May 8, 2022 19:14:04 GMT -5
I'd suggest trying to find some current information on it. This is a good current (4/20/22) article from Cornell addressing the question. They consulted with Dr. Julianna Lenoch, who directs the USDA APHIS National Wildlife Disease Program: www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/My research shows that Canada is more reactive about this. The concern seems to center around feeders near domestic poultry. Quote below: "Environment and Climate Change Canada still states on their website that bird feeders are safe, but adds that they should be “removed from areas that are open to poultry and other domestic animals”. They also added that you should not feed wild birds by hand, as this could encourage them to congregate in one region, increasing the probability of transmission." The Canadian SPCA is the one urging removal of all feeders as: "Bird feeders facilitate the spread of the disease by encouraging unnatural congregations of birds and attracting other wildlife including predators and rodents," the warning from the SPCA said.
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Post by gianna on May 9, 2022 21:46:25 GMT -5
The little quail this year are cuter than usual. They are in the back garden a lot, and actually have been interfering with working there. I don't want to disturb them. I'm not sure if there are one or two groups. This morning after weeding near the compost pile, I went out to water it 30 min later, and 4 of them, plus mom, with dad watching, were going over the ground I had just weeded. Then later, a male was sort of camped out between the little pond, and the onion patch. He was hanging out in that area for longer than usual, but I couldn't see anything. Then I caught sight of movement. Turns out the little ones, a different group? were walking down the corner vegetation (mint and hyacinth) at the end of the pond to the water. There were at least 10 babies in this group. As they climbed back out of the pond, they headed into the onion patch and disappeared. A bit later I saw them in a different pathway, the babies, mom, a couple sentinel males, and a larger teen-aged chick. The babies were small enough to easily walk through the 1 inch aviary wire (bunny fencing) around the peppers. They were also in the cabbage patch, and a little distance away, under the tomato plant from last year. What a fun day of watching them. They are lucky the cats never go outside.
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 10, 2022 16:01:06 GMT -5
The three phoebe siblings have emerged, trying their wings out and preening their down off. ...and pooping on the porch. That's okay though, those birds eat lots of bothersome insects.
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Post by binnylou on May 12, 2022 8:05:05 GMT -5
This morning I cleaned and filled the hummingbird feeder, and when returning it to the hook on the deck rail, I had the feeder on a tray so that I wouldn’t dribble the syrup across the kitchen floor. Little bird couldn’t wait…he met me half way and enjoyed a drink while I held the tray.
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Post by gardendmpls on May 12, 2022 11:19:29 GMT -5
enjoyed a drink while I held the tray. That must have been enchanting,
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Post by binnylou on May 12, 2022 12:16:00 GMT -5
It would have made a great photo. He only took one sip. The syrup was refrigerator cold and he may have been shocked by the temp.
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Post by madamezil on May 12, 2022 13:15:43 GMT -5
Saw my first hummer today! Ignored the feeders but was feasting on the Bleeding Hearts.
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Post by gb98 on May 13, 2022 6:14:17 GMT -5
This morning I cleaned and filled the hummingbird feeder, and when returning it to the hook on the deck rail, I had the feeder on a tray so that I wouldn’t dribble the syrup across the kitchen floor. Little bird couldn’t wait…he met me half way and enjoyed a drink while I held the tray. Wow! Hummingbirds don't show up around here until June. If you want to attract more hummingbirds, plant scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma). They love these!
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