A Small Pleasure

Since I've taken all my feeders down, the birds have been a little scarce in my yard. Just before I left for work yesterday, a Northern Shrike flew into my yard. It hung around for less than 30 seconds, but was my biggest thrill of the day. I've only seen a shrike in my yard one other time and I've been watching for at least five years. The squirrels may be winning at the moment, but they haven't got me beat.
The squirrels seem to be having a good old time in my garage. They knocked a hummingbird feeder down from the rafters and broke it. Squirrels turn into mean little creatures when you mess with their food supply. Keeping squirrels away from the feeders is something that needs to be considered when you first start feeding birds, not after they been coming to them for five years.

Squirrels 1 - Me 0

I'm losing this battle with the squirrels. I had to take all my feeders down and bring the feed in from the garage and store it in the basement. I've gotten a new feeder pole system from Wild Birds Unlimited. I also got a racoon baffle for it. I'm hoping that when I get it set up, away from trees and structures, it will take care of my problem.

Under Siege, an Ally, and Infiltrators

I'm under attack. The squirrels are not happy creatures since their easy food supplies have been moved. I'm not so sure the kitchen window was the best place for the feeders though. It's definately harder for the squirrels to get to the feeders, but they're jumping from the patio, hanging from the roof, and climbing the electrical conduit. Fortunately, none of these attempts have been successful.

 

 

There are a few determined ones that have figured out that if they jump to the hose faucet first, then they can jump to the sunflower feeder. I'm amazed at how well the feeder hooks, which are attached to the windows by suction cups, hold with squirrels jumping on the feeders. Usually, I only have the tray feeder and the two plastic feeders in the window. Up until now, the squirrels have never bothered the feeders, but the feeders sure have brought the birds up close. I've gotten Blue Jays, Chickadees, Goldfinch, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks, Hairy Woodpeckers, Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, and others, right up to the window. My favorite was seeing a Pileated Woodpecker at the tray feeder. The tray feeder makes it great for taking some nice close-up photos. I'll post some of mine in the near future. I usually keep peanuts in the shell and sunflower chips in the  window feeders. I get all my birdwatching and birdfeeding equipment at Wild Birds Unlimited. I don't think you can find better quality, value, or guarantee anywhere else.

I've gianed an ally, if half-hearted, in my battle with the squirrels. My wife, Chris, gets a kick out of rapping on the window frame or opening the garge door to scare the critters off. She's let me know, though, in no uncertain terms, this needs to end.

They've also infiltrated my garage and are trying to access the food stored there. They have chewed on some of the plastic containers, but the plastic cat litter pails seem to be holding up well. If those don't survive, I'll move up to metal trash cans.

I think the squirrels and I are pretty even right now, but they're gaining. It is definately time to move on to Phase II.

Hawk Ridge Raptors

The reason for this blog is so I can share some of my birding, nature, and other adventures here and around Duluth, MN. A friend asked if I would post some of my Hawk Ridge photos. Since I'm such a big fan of Hawk Ridge, raptors, and showing my pics, I couldn't say no.

This immature Bald Eagle was banded and released October, 2009. After the banders banded and recorded some statistical info, Hawk Ridge volunteers brought the bird up to the overlook to be adopted and released. Visitors to the ridge are given the opportunity to adopt the birds, which includes a photo with you and your bird, a certificate of adoption, updates on future sightings of your bird, and best of all, you get to release the bird.

Here's Debbie, Naturalist and Education Director at the ridge, getting ready to do a informational presentation on the eagle before the adoption and release. The cylinder that the bird is transported in, from the banders station to the overlook, is to keep the bird calm and keep it from injuring itself or the person tranporting it. Notice the talons on this bird.

Here's Debbie and Julie, Naturalist and Volunteer Coordinator at the ridge, showing the massive wingspan of this beautiful bird.

Andrew, official counter and observer, adopted this bird. Andrew has adopted more birds than any person I know of. Some have even called him the "Poster Boy of Adoption" at Hawk Ridge. Adopting birds supports the data collecting of the banding station and the educational events of the overlook.

 

One last look as the eagle flys off. If you get a chance, check out Hawk Ridge next fall. I gaurantee you won't regret it. If you live in the Duluth area you might want to check out volunteering. Not only do you get to see the birds, and learn about the birds, but you get the opportunity to handle the birds.

Andrew has a nice web sight of photos he's taken at Hawk Ridge, here's the link : http://www.birderguy.com

Battle Lines Drawn

I've taken all the feeders down from trees. It was time to give them all a good cleaning anyway. Half of them I put away for a while. The rest I've hung in more unfriendly squirrel spots. Some are hanging from the garage eaves and the rest are hanging from the kitchen window by suction cups. I think I'm making some headway. It is a little scary seeing a dozen or so European Starlings flying at the kitchen window all at the same time though. Time for Phase II.

A Culprit

One of the original raiders.

The War of the Gray Squirrels

I'm at war with the Gray Squirrels in my yard. They were great when they totaled five or six. Now that they're eight to twelve, most anytime, they're not so fun. There's very little time for the birds to be at the feeders and very little food left when they do get there. Plan : Cut off their food supply. More updates to come.