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claireplymouth

Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #12

This thread is intended to give people a place to post photos and/or talk about birds, critters, wildlife, fish, whatever - topics you might not want to start a whole thread on, but are still garden-related. You can see the range of possible topics in the previous threads:

All of the threads in the "Birds and other mobile features in the garden" series prior to 2013 are now stored in the New England Garden Forum Gallery. See the top of the main page to switch between Discussions and Gallery. For 2012, see the links posted in Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2012 #7. These threads have been moved to the Gallery but there may be problems with some of the links. I've corrected those I can edit and I made an Index for threads from 2008 to 2011.

And for 2013:
INDEX: Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2013

2014 threads to date:
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #1
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #2
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #3
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #4
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #5
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #6
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #7
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #8
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #9
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #10
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2014 #11

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I'm going to change this suet feeder today, but the squirrel has been having a fine time this morning swinging on it.

Hey, squirrels are birds too.

Just a little more stretch...

You laughing at me?

Claire

Comments (79)

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Great detail on the feathers, Jane. The pic also shows the beady look of the skin around the eyes. I never thought of it before but almost all close-ups of various birds seem to show that same beady skin. I wonder if it has a special function (but I'm too lazy to search right now).

    Claire

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I just got an early Christmas present, a granite birdbath!

    It's out in the yard now but I'm wondering if it will need any protection over the winter. I've read that granite structures can be left out without damage - does anyone have any experience with something like this?

    It weighs 70 pounds dry so it's not moving very far, but I could cover it with something to keep it from filling up with ice (freeze-thaw, freeze-thaw is the likely scenario here).

    Claire

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That's a lovely gift! Personally, I'd want to stick a heater in it (pictures below), but if you can't for whatever reason, I would treat it the way I treat my stone Japanese font: turn it over in place and cover it with leaves. Just today, as I was cleaning up the last of yard winter duty before the unwanted Nor'easter, I thought about running an outdoor extension across the lawn to the font - maybe 85' - to enable a drinking source for larger birds. Didn't do it, but I thought about it. Font is already turned over. May still once the snow melts. That's a beauty, Claire, but I believe the freeze/thaw could, over time, crack it. Maybe not, but why take the chance. Lovely present.

    Found this fellow: "Bird bath care, Danny Lipford"

    Jane

    Here is a link that might be useful: Google Images

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks, Jane. Turning it over in place is certainly doable and I have no shortage of leaves to cover it. But then I can't look at it until the spring! All I'd see is a lump with a squirrel sitting on top of it.

    I don't want to run another extension cord for a second heater - that would interfere with the Christmas lights (I only have one double outlet on that side of the house). The first heated birdbath is very successful and better suited for little birds.

    Another cold spell coming tomorrow although the snow is forecast to stay farther north. I'll probably turn the granite birdbath over tomorrow (sigh).

    Claire

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Claire, if you change your mind and want to heat the granite bath, I just remembered that I have an outdoor power stake that I plugged into the outdoor GFI and it's been out there working well for maybe 6 years. Just an idea if you want use the new gift this winter.
    Jane

    Here is a link that might be useful: Outdoor power stake

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That looks like a very useful device, Jane. I'll keep it in mind but I already turned over the birdbath this morning in anticipation of rain turning to ice in a few days. I put the birdbath on top of some pavers to keep it from frozen mud (read that somewhere). I miss the fish already.

    Not a good picture but I've been seeing at least one red-winged blackbird off and on for a few weeks, and today there were two. I think they're juvenile males, short on good sense but able to find breakfast. I imagine they'll head south when they get around to it.

    Claire

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Usually the RWBs show up here in early spring with the starlings...or is it the crackles?...with other dark colored birds.

    There is a running theme outside today: Misery. White cement has landed and today is not a happy bird day.

    Mrs. Cardinal shaking it off

    One miserable jay

    Snow line meets the Junco's white line:

    I agree with the birds and could be very happy in a cabana in the Caribbean sipping a margarita. Age has tarnished that hot chocolate by the fire thing - especially because I'm the one who has to get rid of the white cement.
    Jane

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That poor jay is really miserable looking. No white cement here, just rain with winds picking up.

    A mourning dove perched in the winterberry for a long time not seeming to notice the rain. The winterberry leaves are finally dropping.

    Claire

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Snow here, and not a bird in sight all day. I suspect they will be happy to visit the feeders after the storm clears. Great bird pics both of you, but that is one sorry looking jay!

    Gorgeous bird bath Claire. I decided to start low-tech and ordered a rubber feed pan (since I was ordering stuff for DH from Amazon). I think I will want a heated bird bath soon, however. Still mulling over which one.

    Happy Thanksgiving,

    Susan

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The winterberry is beautiful again this year. With the dove, perfect.

    This morning, in the birch, Mr. and Mrs. House Finch
    Jane

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Happy Thanksgiving to everyone too!

    Pretty finch pic, Jane.

    I had a Thanksgiving turkey breakfast this morning:

    And I'm sure there will be leftover turkeys tomorrow.

    Claire

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    And lots of turkey leftovers today.

    Susan: When you put water in the rubber feed pan make sure there's at least a few inches free at the top. You'll need that flex of the rubber when you turn the thing over to stomp out the ice. If the pan is full it's much harder to get the ice cube out because the rubber can't move.

    I got my first rubber pan from the Bird Watcher's General Store on the Cape. They have heated birdbaths in their online catalog.

    Claire

    This post was edited by claire on Fri, Nov 28, 14 at 10:22

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    OMG!! What a dangerous store! But, the Cape in winter is particularly nice...

    Claire, are your turkeys aware that several times recently you've used the word 'leftover' and the word 'stuffed' in reference to their presence? Just sayin'...

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, Jane, I heard one turkey mutter "trust but verify" as it headed over to the compost pile to check for turkey body parts. It didn't find any.

    Claire

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Claire, that is one entertaining and amusing web site! Lots of good stuff too. Susan

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yesterday, outside my window, emotions ran high. There was a confrontation after I discovered the red plastic top on the bird feeder had been chewed. Squirrel baffle has been adjusted.

    Are you accusing me?

    And I noticed what seemed like hesitation from the Yellow-shafted Flicker. To me it looked like he was calculating or mustering the courage for the eventual jump onto the suet:

    Eyeing

    Positioning

    Praying

    Jane

    And, red specks around my mouth mean nothing!

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wonderful pictures as usual, Jane! That squirrel's "How could you even think I did it!" look is priceless.

    This morning a small flock of robins appeared and checked out the winterberries to see if they're ripe yet. Apparently not, because they soon left. I expect a scout or two to be checking every day now. The feasting usually starts in late December.

    There were two grackles here, too. It looks like a male and female pair, looking very suspicious. Grackles are good at looking suspicious with those yellow eyes.

    Claire

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That winterberry is enviable, Claire. Every year it appears to be abundant - gorgeous and huge as I recall. One robin showed up during my count this morning to check the aronia berries, but they never go until the end of January or February.

    During the count, Fluffy showed up and cleared the whole yard. I think he's an adult Cooper's, but we all know about my hawk ID track record. He flew into the birch, surveyed the feeding area, then flew to the ground to search under the quince and kousa tree. Maybe he was looking for anybody who may have fainted. Beats me, but he left still yearning for lunch. Not a high percentage of hawks make it to adulthood so I read somewhere.

    Jane

    This post was edited by corunum on Sat, Nov 29, 14 at 14:33

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Magnificent hawk shots, Jane! The second one looks like a kaleidoscope stopped in mid-twirl.

    I agree that it's an adult Cooper's with the flatter capped head.

    Claire

  • Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow! Another batch of excellent shots from all of you!

    Susan, I have the same heated birdbath as Jane and it is excellent. If you happen to have a deck near the house to attach it to,it's so convenient.

    We lost power the night before thanksgiving and our generator pull string snapped, so we vacated. Over a massive tree that blocked our road for a couple days. Funny how it almost seemed like the animals knew all was quiet?? We had come back to the house to grab a few things the following day and the pileated woodpecker was closer to the house than I've ever seen. The birds were going nuts in the yard in general. And then scampering along the back slope I saw a black squirrel? Nope......a fisher? Nope.......a mink! We didn't know that was what it was until later that night when we were doing some research on the NH fish and game website. My first thought had been a pine marten, but it didn't match. It was definitely a mink, which was a bit odd because we're not all that close to a water source. And did if grab my camera that WAS RIGHT NEXT TO ME?!?! Of course not! I'm such an amateur next to you guys!

  • pixie_lou
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I call him Hawkeye. Hes been hanging out in the maple tree, the clothesline, and the tomato trellis.

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    pixie, Hawkeye seems a most appropriate name. Young one, whether a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned.

    Yesterday, at a local pond, a 6 pack of Canada Geese:

    Jane

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    And, one headless Mallard. You either get lucky or you don't, lol. Try again another day. Did you know that geese stick their tongue out when honking? I didn't. Just saw it yesterday. Way off topic now...bye.

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    pixie_lou: Hawkeye's tail looks too short for an accipiter, so probably not a Cooper's or sharpie. Not much of a belly band so probably not a red-tail. I would guess juvenile red-shouldered hawk or maybe broad-winged. I'm not that good at hawk ID though.

    Jane: A little splicing of the mallard head on the right onto the body on the left just might make a whole duck. Or maybe not.

    I don't think I'd want to get close enough to a goose to see it sticking its tongue out. I once had one attack my bicycle wheel (I'd put the bike between me and the goose when it looked unfriendly).

    Claire

    This post was edited by claire on Tue, Dec 2, 14 at 11:01

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am running out of superlatives for the gorgeous photos posted. Jane, the flicker and particularly Fluffy are outstanding. That squirrel looks pretty well fed.

    Lots of bird activity with the feeders up. I was playing around with “sports mode” on the camera

    Bluebird landing

    Goldfinch trying to deny tufted titmouse

    Another disagreement

    Junco all puffed up (maybe a small hint of eyebrows Jane? Very small.)

    Red-bellied woodpecker and bluebird tolerating each other

    This guy broke up the party for a while, but I saw no casualties. Rough-legged hawk maybe, Claire? Couldn't see all of him/her.

    Susan

  • NHBabs z4b-5a NH
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Pixie Lou - I'm going to guess that your fierce-looking guest isn't a broadwing since mine have been gone for at least a month, headed to a warmer climate for the winter. They are only about 15" head to tail, give or take a couple of inches and are the smallest of the buteos. I don't see Coopers and Sharpies very often, so I can't really judge if it's one of those, but I am going to guess that it might be a red-tail since they are fairly common around here in the winter. They are head to tail 1 1/2 feet to just over 2 feet but are a similar shape to broadwings. If you can get a good shot of his/her tail or the whole bird in flight, you might get more of an ID.

    I love the range of birds that have shown up in this thread this month and there are some really gorgeous images.

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Susan: The sports mode seems to be capturing motion well. Those goldfinches are feisty! You don't expect the little guys to be like that - I guess it's a little like the terrier attitude.

    If a hawk goes after birds in your yard it's usually an accipiter - Cooper's and Sharp-shinned are the common terrorizers of bird feeders. Other hawks will eat birds occasionally (never refuse a snack) but are more likely to hunt mammals. The larger the hawk, the larger the prey.

    It's fiendishly difficult to ID juvenile hawks - they all look similar. Size is important as is the length of the tail. Sharpies are about the size of a blue jay; Cooper's more like a smallish crow.

    Claire

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Claire - Yes, I find the hawks SO hard to identify. This one was quite a bit bigger than cooper's or sharp, more the size of a red-tail or rough-legged. Was about 20 yds away from the feeders and looking the other way. Didn't seem to be after the birds, but they wisely disappeared while it was there.

    Susan


  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Susan: Another possibility would be a juvenile Northern Goshawk, a large accipiter. There was a post on the Bird Watching Forum last October with a good photo and expert discussion.

    I'm just throwing this into the ring - I have no idea what the hawk is.

    Claire

  • NHBabs z4b-5a NH
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My thought when I saw your hawk photo, Susan was redtail, though I really couldn't tell you why. I really like the sports mode photos; they do a good job capturing motion on the little birds.

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Susan, I have no idea about the hawk either, but after checking images online, I think Claire may be correct about the Goshawk.

    Have you been bitten by the 'birds-in-action' bug? I hope so! Wonderful shots and I really like your feeder.

    There was a Northern Mockingbird here this morning and I took about 20 shots of it and a robin together. Completely blew the transfer from the SD card to PC because I was listening to my favorite music. Total brain dysfunction, but he was here and I hope he returns. Only remember seeing them in the summer here.

    Jane

  • NHBabs z4b-5a NH
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This morning the crows were making a racket, so I knew there had to be something out in the field annoying them. It turned out to be a redtail who tolerated the crows berating her for just a few minutes before she took off, crows following along and yelling the whole way.

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks so much for input on the hawk! I really hope I have another photo op and can capture the whole magnificent bird.

    This cold icy morning, the robins came in and decided that the winterberries were ripe and ready. Here’s what it looked like when they arrived.


    The bluebirds had been sampling, but holding off. When the robins showed up it was a different story… competition.

    I call this one Rudolph the red-nosed bluebird. The blues had a much harder time choking them down, but they persevered. The robins pigged out.

    Here’s what the dwarf bush looked like in the afternoon. If you look really, really hard, you can see a handful of little red dots. Well, we still have the crabapples.....

    Susan

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    nhbabs: I enjoy watching the aerial acrobatics where the crows mob the redtail which soars around looking sort of unconcerned. After making its point (what me worry?) the redtail heads off to quieter territory.

    Susan: Winterberries? What winterberries? Robins are really good at devouring them. I didn't realize bluebirds ate them too.

    Claire

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    After seeing Plymouth and NH winterberries and birds, I'm wondering where I can try a winterberry bush again? Wonderful pictures. In Feb., when the Cedar Waxwings clean the aronia in under 3 hours, I'm so aware that if I hadn't been here to see it, another year will pass before that opportunity presents itself again. So glad Susan and Claire were home! The bluebirds here do go after the berries on a blue princess holly, but the bush is still small.

    Nice hawk, nhbabs. Today's digital zooms are great, but the pictures we all take certainly backs-up our desire to be surrounded by native landscape and beauty. I came home from Maine with a clerodendron...now for M&F winterberry... hmmm
    Jane

  • NHBabs z4b-5a NH
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Amazing eating to strip a shrub that size in just a few hours! I need to get a different male winterberry holly for my Winter Reds since though they bloom well, they don't develop more than a few berries. The timing isn't right with our local males.

    In a previous house we had a crab apple that we loved watching in the spring as the fruit thawed and the grouse and/or cedar waxwings would move in to gobble up the crabs.

    Our turkeys jogged through the field this morning at first light, the first time I've seen them in more than a month.

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The Turkey Regiment! They look like they're in formation. What a neat field.

    Well, I could hear Fluffy talking to himself this morning so I went outside. Now the good news is, 8 weeks after surgery, I finally get glasses next week! So perhaps decapitated ducks and scalped hawk pictures will stop. Of course, we all know the opposite of good news.

    Thanks to this thread, I am now on the prowl for Mr. and Mrs. Poppins, dwarf winterberry - link below. I can make room for a dwarf variety. Anybody have this variety?

    Jane

    Here is a link that might be useful: Homenursery - Ilex verticillata, Poppins

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Mine is the Red Sprite/Jim Dandy (male) combo. Not familiar with the Poppins. Looks great though!

    Susan

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks, Susan. It appears that either Red Sprite or Poppins will be wonderful.

    Needlessly, I had concern that the chokeberry outside my window was no longer prolific. What a rat.
    {{gwi:2129035}}

    {{gwi:2129036}}
    Jane

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jane: That picture really shows the squirrel using its paws like little hands. The dexterity is amazing.

    Claire

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jane, today your photo of Fluffy (the middle one) from 11/29 is the picture of the day on GardenWeb Facebook. I didn't know that site existed until last week.

    Susan

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Well, I'll be...thanks, Susan. GW is one of my 'Liked' pages, but seldom do I see it on Facebook. They used one of my robin with berry pictures earlier this year and one of nhbabs's landscape scenes. Today I got a deal on a SX50, so I sold my Sx40 (there is a 400mm difference in focal length) so we'll see what the future holds. It was kind of you to bring this to my attention, thanks again. :). Hope you don't get snowed in again this weekend.
    Jane

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I was also surprised to see that a couple of mine were on there in October. I didn't know there was any link to FB.

    Well, I love my SX50, but I was truly inspired to get my new camera by all of the gorgeous stuff on this site!

    Supposed to get mostly rain here, I think. Hope.

    S

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This thread keeps on giving! Claire, your turkeys of the Nov. 27th posting are on Facebook. That makes 4 of us on this thread frequently are also on Facebook, whether one belongs or not, apparently. Don't know if the link will work, but it's below.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Claire turkeys on FB

  • NHBabs z4b-5a NH
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I've been noticing that photos from folks from the New England forum crop up on GW's photo of the day on Facebook, at least a few times a month.

    If you want to have them pop up on your feed, make a comment or like a few and you'll see them more often.

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks, nhbabs, I will like and like. Just saw Susan's bluebirds.

  • homegrowninthe603
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes, I first heard about this site last week when someone on Bird Watching mentioned Claire's turkeys, and since she is not on FB I let her know which photo. Then I scrolled down and saw a familiar nhbabs one, and mine. I guess NE is well represented.

    Susan

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Not having been on the Bird Watching Forum, I'm behind the times about the Facebook discussion. Sorry for the repetition. I was anti FB for a long time, but I've learned a lot about birds, photography and foreign gardens since joining. I did not give info I didn't want to give, but am on and enjoy learning more about the world.

  • corunum z6 CT
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It's nearly lamp-lighting time, the doves are still here roosting (on field stone - how do they stand it?), and one chap came for sip. I wondered what he was thinking as he gazed back into his own eyes. I'll never know.
    Jane

  • claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
    Original Author
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Nice pic, Jane.

    Perhaps the dove was staring at the length of this thread and wondering when Claire would get around to starting a new one.

    It will be up in a few minutes.

    Claire