Backyard Bird Watchers

#677
#677
Got our first frost yesterday and installed the heaters on the hummingbird feeders and put the water heater in the fountain. Hummers are quite happy and hungry. I've got about 6-8 that stick around through the winter so it's critical that I keep the feeders from freezing for the next week or two.
 
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#678
#678
Have several feeders up. Problem: Mockingbird is guarding them and is attacking those who try to feed. Any suggestions to move him on?
 
#679
#679
The common finches are messy eaters at my feeder, spilling sunflower seeds as they select the ones they care to eat. Whole seeds and bits of meal fall onto the disc that thwarts the squirrels. These have been consumed by cardinals and Carolina wrens until this morning. A trio of bluebirds have been bullying the regulars. They’ve eaten all of the fallen bits of meal and can’t quite figure out how to get more from the seeds in the feeder. If they would allow the finches access, these would provide more meal bits.
 
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#680
#680
An immature red shouldered hawk has been hanging around. I think it might be a fledgling of the pair that nested in my area last year. It is unafraid of me and stayed in the branches of one of my dogwoods until I approached within ten feet.
 
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#681
#681
A group of four crows are harassing a flock of blackbirds attempting to feed in my yard. It seems as if they’re doing this for fun. 🤔
 
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#682
#682
Saw the same immature red shouldered hawk perched on a fence line a few miles north of my property while riding my bicycle last Sunday afternoon. It’s definitely hanging around this winter. I suspect it is hunting squirrels and songbirds.

If it is the fledgling of the pair that nested nearby last year, its papa was an ace chipmunk hunter, culling the population of my yard while it was in the nest. No worries, all three of the nearby chipmunk clans have survivors that are breeding.
 
#684
#684
What if anything would you guys do if you had a heron hanging around with a broken wing? Very sad to watch but it’s been around for a few weeks now and I’m surprised the coyotes haven’t gotten it yet
 
#685
#685
walkenvol said:
What if anything would you guys do if you had a heron hanging around with a broken wing? Very sad to watch but it’s been around for a few weeks now and I’m surprised the coyotes haven’t gotten it yet
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If you don't want nature to take it's course then call a local wildlife rehabilitation center and tell them what going on. They may send someone over to retrieve the heron. Which kind is it?
 
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#687
#687
walkenvol said:
Great blue - they’re abundant around me
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The conservation status of Great Blue Herons is listed as least concern. Still, I would follow @Rishvol suggestion and contact a nearby wildlife rehab facility. Given that these birds are a challenge to capture safely, they might send out people to retrieve it.
 
#688
#688
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#693
#693
Pair of red-shouldered hawks chatting each other up this morning. Very persistent.

The last couple of mornings, the birds have been so active around the house. In 2 minutes of listening this morning, the Cornell app picked up 11 different species. It’s such a relaxing way to start the day, just sitting and listening.
 
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#694
#694
franklinpence said:
Pair of red-shouldered hawks chatting each other up this morning. Very persistent.

The last couple of mornings, the birds have been so active around the house. In 2 minutes of listening this morning, the Cornell app picked up 11 different species. It’s such a relaxing way to start the day, just sitting and listening.
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Maybe they’ll nest nearby. Tis the month to pair up for mating.
 
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#695
#695
Big female red shouldered hawk has been calling from the trees around my yard the past two mornings. She might be 1/2 of the pair that nested nearby last year.
 
#697
#697
Heard the Cranes flying overhead Wednesday afternoon, but they were obscured by clouds. Heard them again today and watched them fly over. Cranes are headed north!
 
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#698
#698
Saw the same a few weeks ago at my office. Went outside to enjoy the sun and there were three or four waves that went over in about a 10-15 minute stretch.
 
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#699
#699
I take my students out once a week for a biodiversity survey. They hate European Starlings because we always end up with about 60-70 by the end of the hour
 
#700
#700
Rishvol said:
I take my students out once a week for a biodiversity survey. They hate European Starlings because we always end up with about 60-70 by the end of the hour
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Well, they’re an invasive species that muscles out native cavity nesters. I’m not fond of them, either. The story is that an Englishman brought them to North America because his French mistress missed their caterwauling. 🙄
 
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