Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

Just in case you don't know, the European Starling is an invasive species in the United States. They were brought and released in New York City's Central Park in 1890. They adapt easily and soon spread across the United States. The Starlings are also very aggressive as you will see from the tale I am about to tell you. Leftovers tonight! I was standing at the kitchen window, washing out a bowl that was emptied, when lot's of motion caught my eye. Standing on tiptoe, I looked down to the back yard and saw numerous starlings and one lone male Red-bellied Woodpecker.  The woodpecker was on the small suet cage, attempting to eat some. The starlings, being the greedy birds that they are, were attempting to get the woodpecker off of the suet. I know some of you will say, "they have to eat too!" The problem is they ate all day long and finished off three of the small squares of suet I stuffed into one of the large block suet cages.  When I looked around noon, there was s...

 I was blaming the squirrels and I stand corrected on this one. I am 99.9% sure it was a raccoon and I will tell you why. Yesterday, I was checking a feeder I had put out for the squirrels. It's a Sweet Corn Log!  I put one log in the feeder and noticed in the morning the log was gone and so was the feeder. I went to check and the lid was still on the shepherds hook.  I had a basket of sunflower seed, a large cage that held the double suet holder to keep out squirrels and large birds, a small suet holder and the new feeder with the corn log. I believe I put all the feed out on Thursday.  Didn't think to look until Saturday to see if anything had been eating on the log. Much to my surprise, the corn log feeder was missing. Only the top remained hanging. I went down and found the feeder laying in the grass! I decided to go out to Tractor Supply and see if they had any of the corn logs.  They did so bought 2 packages, which equaled 4 logs.  I purchased a new f...

Playing Favoritism By Mary J Williams I looked out on the deck The birdfeeders were packed Sparrows and Grackles Starlings I didn’t lack I saw a little Downy Trying to get to the food So, on the deck I stepped Those other birds would start a feud When the Grackles and Starlings Saw me step on the deck They and the sparrows Flew off by heck The Downy went to the suet He started pounding away Getting his share of the food On this, a rainy wet day When the Grackles flew in I would raise my hand They took one look at me And they didn’t land The sparrows and Starlings too They all came flying in But I would raise my arm Off they went, as I did grin! The Downy ignored my movements He just kept on eating Realizing I was playing favorites His breakfast he was completing But, in came the one single Starling Ignoring me standing there Off flew the little Downy I scared that Starling off too, I didn’t care So, I’m playing favorites Those other birds have had plenty They eat 80% of the suet and se...

 I was just going to get a cup of coffee, when I looked out the kitchen window and saw the Pileated Woodpecker.  I immediately ran to the back room and grabbed my camera.  I attempted to take a picture from the dining room window and then decided I wasn't getting a good shot so went to the kitchen window. Was hoping the Pileated wouldn't fly when he saw me in the window. That's when I saw the second one up on the lattice roof.  I watched and snapped a few pictures of the male and realized it was a Juvenile Pileated. The other was the adult male!  He would pound away on the suet and then he went to the Juvenile on the deck railing at the time, and fed him. After feeding, he went back to the suet.  I was hoping for a good shot of him feeding the youngster.  I got a couple of shots of the two of them on the railing of the deck. I tried a shot of him feeding the youngster but it was blurred and the view wasn't good as both were bent down behind a stake. I ...