Just came back from the club and logged on to BYC. So far I have removed/killed 5 ticks crawling up the back of my neck. :barnie White Bird does not appear to have taken a mate and nested. She did not nest last year. Perhaps she is past her prime? Might help explain her color change. The...
Was relaxing on the porch at the club when I heard an odd clucking sound. Turned my head and saw a hen turkey half way across the porch. She caught the movement, stopped and stared, and then turned and very slowly walked across the parking area. She likely has a nest somewhere close to the...
Another result of the dead/downed trees is the opening of the understory to more sunlight. Nature hates a vacuum so multiflora, wine berry and even some autumn olive are regrowing. The deer have been browsing on them all spring.
Because of all the dead trees (and resultant insects) from Hurricanes Sandy and Ida and the emerald ash borer, pileated woodpeckers have become quite common around here. I see them daily. Love their call.
We are in their resident/breeding range, and I have seen 3 or 4 in my entire life - I spend a lot of time outdoors and have seen a few birthdays. I've seen one painted bunting - spectacular!
Haven't seen the Phoebe on her nest in two days. Don't know if something killed her or if there is something wrong with the eggs. Last year the male got killed and she left her first nest. Another male appeared, and she raised two broods.
Jumped a flock of 4 woodcocks during a field trial at the club today. Hopefully they will breed there this year. White Bird put on an aerial performance over the grounds, and I was the only one who noticed her. No, I did not point her out to them.
Mowing lawn - chopped up a Wood frog yesterday and a garter snake today. I hate when that happens. It is relatively cool, and guess they are just too torpid to move and catch my attention so that I can move them. :(
As of late they are year round residents here. I can't remember when our last extended hard freeze took place. In addition to the always available worms there are berries from: winterberry, multiflora rose, silky dogwood, autumn olive and a couple of shrubs that I do not know the name.
Basset people were at the club this weekend, and I stayed away because they were aggravating the last time they used our grounds. Stopped in this afternoon to check on things and collect ground use fee. While they were there and I was gone, the Phoebes started and completed their nest on the...
Sure, just blame it on the old guy.
I keep an eye on the Phoebe's nests. Almost every year the cowbirds try to parasitize them.
A spike in a corner is all they need.