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Post by gardendmpls on Jan 19, 2024 16:29:31 GMT -5
esterday there were doves, pileated woodpecker- a really big one in top of tree chattering away, juncos, bluejays, sparrows. I miss having the bird feeders set up. Took them down to avoid diseases and parasites spreading to chickens. Do leave a lot of dead flowers out so they can get the seeds. Maybe I could set up out front, although it might get stolen. City living. Sigh.
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Post by breezygardener on Jan 19, 2024 17:19:01 GMT -5
Just had a lovely male Cardinal hit one of our windows. Luckily Mr. Breezy heard/saw him & went out & brought the poor thing inside. As we normally do in these circumstances, put him in a cardboard box in our darkened bathroom & gave him time to warm up & recuperate. After 20 minutes of fingers crossed hoping he'd recover before dark, he started jumping around enough to make the box "walk", so we brought him outside & he took right off. Usually that's all they need. Even if they're just stunned, left outside in this weather they can easily freeze to death before they have time to shake off the stun.
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Post by breezygardener on Jan 21, 2024 14:58:47 GMT -5
We've had an Eastern phoebe hanging around these last couple of days. Being almost 100% flying-insect eaters, I always wonder why the heck some of them choose to remain here year-round, because while we primarily have fairly mild winters, we can also have our fair share of doozies. I remember one winter - during a blizzard, as a matter of fact - a phoebe was literally flattened up against the outside bottom of one of our upstairs bedroom windows for hours, where there was a tiny crack at the bottom. I can only guess that it was getting some warmth there.
Anyway, today's phoebe was sitting on the deck railing beating the bejesus out of something. It didn't look like a seed (which they WILL eat if there's absolutely nothing else available), but I'm guessing that it may have come across a stinkbug, since I've seen wrens going over our exterior windowsills & ferreting them out from winter hiding places. I'll have to start putting out more mealworms & see if I can entice it.
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Post by datgirl on Jan 24, 2024 12:01:42 GMT -5
There are 3 female Cardinal's in the Mock Orange bush outside the kitchen window. So far I've only seen 2 males. Let the competition begin.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 6, 2024 22:00:36 GMT -5
This guy ran by, today. It's the first time I've seen a roadrunner on our property!
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Post by binnylou on Feb 21, 2024 11:38:59 GMT -5
I think the vultures are back. Only saw one, but if so, they’ve returned a month early.
Stay tuned…it might have been an eagle, but soared like a vulture.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 21, 2024 12:33:57 GMT -5
We had close to 20 robins at the pond this morning, taking a winter bath and having a drink. Hard to get a photo, since they scatter as soon as I approach the window.
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Post by binnylou on Feb 21, 2024 12:42:44 GMT -5
Do robins overwinter in your area, desertwoman? We’ve had robins and bluebirds visit the water bowl all through the winter.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 21, 2024 14:05:17 GMT -5
Yes, they do overwinter here. They are our most reliable bird visitors all year. binnylou , We have this pond right outside our dining area window so we are entertained throughout breakfast.
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Post by ahntjudy on Feb 29, 2024 11:03:39 GMT -5
Mourning doves again nesting atop the A/C.
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Post by Latitude33 on Mar 8, 2024 16:37:40 GMT -5
At the new digs earlier this week I had quail, roadrunner, mourning dove, cactus wren, cardinal and an unobserved owl. Will work on my photography skills once we're settled in.
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Post by breezygardener on Mar 8, 2024 16:54:13 GMT -5
I think the vultures are back. Only saw one, but if so, they’ve returned a month early. Both Black & Turkey vultures are year-round residents here. In fact, I've always wondered why they're not Virginia's State Bird. Unless it's raining or snowing heavily, a day doesn't go by without them circling over our place or roosting in our trees. Rather like some bizarre Charles Addams cartoon. Once, after a heavy snow/ice storm, a large Turkey vulture landed on our deck railing & started eating the suet I had put out. Scared our cockatoo half to death.
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Post by breezygardener on Mar 8, 2024 16:55:51 GMT -5
Mourning doves again nesting atop the A/C. Wow - this early? This week we just began hearing our Mourning doves start their courting cooing. They won't be nesting around here until next month or the month after.
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Post by Mumsey on Apr 15, 2024 6:23:42 GMT -5
Every evening around 6:30 the pileated woodpecker visits the suet, followed by the Downey.
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Post by binnylou on Apr 15, 2024 8:52:57 GMT -5
Feed that Pileated really well, Mumsey. Keep him at your house. I’ve seen one here, very briefly. Then he moved on, thankfully. They are huge and awesome to see…just not on my house.
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