It's been awhile!

For quite some time the yard seemed rather boring and uneventful.  Nothing quite exciting enough to share.  As December came and turned very cold, I was expecting a lot to be going on, but was disappointed.  I haven't figured out a reason why it's been so different out there.   The goldfinch were here, though in smaller numbers. The dark eyed junco's were slow in coming, and when they did appear there were few for quite some time. The ducks were small in number for the weather getting colder. 

The strangest part was how skittish every critter was once they did show up. Sure they are like that at first but in no time at all they are used to me and don't fly off quickly.  The ducks usually are the quickest to adjust. Not this year.  Sister and i have talked about this quite a bit, but without conclusion. 
First thought would of course being hawks.  But until the other day I have not seen even ONE hawk. Highly unusual. During snow and extreme cold, it wasn't unheard of for me to look out my bedroom window and find myself staring at a hawk in the tree a few feet away.  And the crows?? Rare.  I miss them.  That might be one of the problems for the others.  The crows have always been the early warning system for them, cawing at first sight of a hawk.


We did have unusually warm weather in late November and the first of December, but that quickly changed.  We've had several snows but the southern states have gotten more then we have! (That isn't a complaint!) My friends to the east and north have gotten much more snow, we seem to be sitting in this spot that the traditional winter nor'easter are avoiding. (again not a complaint!)   You would think that would be a plus to the birds.

When the cold started, so started the mice invading my home in numbers too much to ignore.  While I felt guilty doing it, I set the traps, killing them. never to waste anything if I can help it, I'd place the little carcasses outside on a rock and eventually it would disappear.  One day I looked out just in time to see a crow pick one up and carry it off.  the next day the crow was out there looking around for another. Poor guy...seems word got out to the mice and I haven't tapped or killed one since.  I did have one live trap, but only caught one in it before they stopped coming around.  I suspect he passed on some horror stories to the others.  Since then the crows have been scarce. 

As the cold temps persisted the number of goldfinch and ducks increased.  A few titmice and black capped chickadees, though not as many as previous winters. One day I looked out and did a double take when I thought I saw a chipping sparrow, a summer bird.  A quick look at my bird book showed me it was an American Tree sparrow.  I don't think I'd ever noticed one here before this year. That was the only sighting.

The number of junco's have increased.  But they have been extremely shy and difficult to get a good photo. Even taking photos from inside the house still spooks a lot of the birds, and when some of the male mallards notice me, they waddle quickly away too.
There's two Carolina wrens that are regular to the seed bells, suet, and peanut butter feeder. A pair of white throated sparrow make irregular visits.
The downy woodpecker is here often, not quite as much as what I'd consider normal. I did see a hairy woodpecker once.  I'm never prepared for seeing one. I always first think, wow that Downy's big...then it's like duh...look at the beak and see it's more sharp...and there you have it, it's a hairy not a downy. Of course once that little reality sets in, he's gone and no chance at a photo.

Cardinal numbers are definitely lower this winter.  The most males I've seen at once is 3, and only one or two females.

While the pine siskins didn't come back, I have a large number of song sparrows with their pretty streaks and telltale dark spot in the middle of their chest.

My odd colored duck is gone.  He started out the winter here, but hasn't been back since December.  Not sure if he ended up on someones dinner table, or if he went looking elsewhere since his partner, white duck, never came back. I would have been surprised if she did since she's been here several years already.

The blue eyed mallard is here again. He's one of the biggest duck of the flock. I can't help but think ...ahhh  there's my big boy!  LOL  Anyhow, I have plenty of duck photos to share.  Now that the weather has gotten even colder here (-2F the other morning) the ducks become more entertaining. It's about survival now.  They are excited when I get home from work.  They were a bit confused (as I was) when the offshoot from the stream began to freeze over. That normally doesn't happen.  So they get stuck almost out of sight. But I call them and they come running, across the thin ice, often breaking through, until someone gets smart and decides to fly. Once one flies the rest will follow suit. 

The ducks have now taken to raiding all the bird seed.  Because the song sparrows prefer to stay low, I've been putting seed on the ground, and in the flower pots sitting around. They easily find all the hiding spots...and so have the ducks. Once they knew I was doing this, they inspect everything once they eat their morning cracked corn every day.  They've taken over the tables too. 

Speaking of bird seed, I've only been putting out black oil and striped sunflower seeds, cracked corn, seed bells, suet and peanut butter.  Not putting out the mixes has kept the starlings away and even the house sparrows visits are infrequent.

Recently while talking to sister on the phone one morning, I looked out at the stream, which was still only frozen around the edges at that point and was surprised to see a raccoon.  I was too dumbfounded to grab the camera, and a little concerned.  On the news that morning they had just talked about a rabid kitten they found only 2 streets away.  So we agree I should report this...just in case.  Amazingly this isn't easy to accomplish.  Called the township, they transferred me, then gave me a number, which lead me to another number...which lead me through a lot of prompts and options.
I watched the raccoon, as he went through the icy water, then wondered around a bit then climbed over the fence back across the stream into the salvage yard, out of sight.

 Anyhow I finally got a person on the phone that actually wanted to know what my call was about. Turns out he was ok. Once I described it's actions, the woman from the game commission explained that they do some times come out in the day like that, especially in very cold weather, looking for food.   He seemed to walk fine and with purpose.  If he walked like a drunk, and in circles, then there would be concern.  Poor thing was just hungry. Haven't seen him since.

Not long ago I looked out my kitchen window and saw a larger bird out there. At least compared to the sparrows, junco, goldfinch, titmouse and chickadees.  It was very curious, landing around the porch and looking up and down, left and right. Really scouting things out.  My first photos didn't come out, once in awhile my camera now refuses to focus.  It flew off but it came back the next day. 

Here's the mockingbird that has been visiting almost daily.  Seems it really loves peanut butter.

It's been snowing much of the day today. Most of the usual birds have made at least an appearance.   The goldfinch  seem to be the toughest of the bunch, regardless of weather or temp. They stay the longest, aren't as quick to fly off, and if they do fly off, they are the first to get back to the business of eating.   I'm just glad they like the black oil sunflower seeds as much as more expensive nyjer seed

The cardinals

Have you noticed the one thing missing?  The squirrels. One more thing I can't figure out.  There's two that obviously weren't here this summer because they freak out and run for their lives every time they see me, even if I'm offering peanuts. They don't stick around long enough to see them anyhow. They take off and not just up the tree but over the stream, or across my roof and gone among the trees. They make me wonder if I smell bad!  Plus they are not here every day.  Normally I would have to put a fresh ear of dry corn on their feeder every day.  Now one lasts several days! The ducks miss them, since they love to stand at the base of the tree while a squirrel eats, waiting for them to drop the part of the kernel they don't eat. After an absence of some length the momma squirrel has been coming back, but only sporadically.  I only know it is her because she's missing a chunk of fur on her tail, plus she doesn't run when I open the door to throw out some peanuts.  I think the other two squirrels being here does prevent her from visiting more often.

I've looked around close by and don't see more feeders then I normally would.  so I know it's not that they are getting better or more feed elsewhere.  It's not just the feed but the overall behavior too.  Bunch of nervous Nellie's they all are!  LOL

I think that's about it for now.  Oh I did have a blue heron stop by the other day. Coincidentally I saw it at the moment every creature was taking off because of a hawk flying by.  I'm sure the heron was disappointed at how frozen the stream was.  I didn't see what kind of hawk it was.  He perched on one of the poles from the airport, too far for me to see, though it looked a bit bedraggled, with a few feathers sticking out.  He didn't seem overly large either. I suspect a coopers hawk.  Hopefully I'll see him a little more often.

Right now it's snowing, and I leave for work in 2 hours...so that means little time for a nap, and to clean off the car again.  Soon I'll have to post some pics of the ducks and some video.

I'll leave one duck photo from last week, before everything totally froze over.

the naked duck

I've mentioned before about all the variations of the mallard ducks that come here.

Here is a typical male mallard.  Note his large brown "bib".

Note all the brown bibs.

 Of course the dark duck, has a white 'bib'

Another...brown chested mallard.

But take a look at this! He's naked without his brown bib!

Very noticeable isn't it!

this girls trying to see if there's anything on the table she could eat.

I wonder what she's telling him.

chasing the mole

It's rare to see a mole above ground.  But recently I saw this guy skittering across the yard and diving below some leaves.  I MUST see him, MUST get a photo. So the chase was on.  Poor thing was probably so traumatized.  But it was amazing. Amazing how fast they can tunnel underground.  At one point I had him trapped between my feet, but he just started digging under my shoe!  Impressive!  Did you know they SQUEAK when provoked? I didn't but I found out. It startled me...then sent me into a fit of laughter.  

I'm hoping this video will work.

Here is the one decent still photo I got of him above ground.  He was quick!

Here he is trying to burrow under my left foot.

We've been enjoying some mild weather recently. A little colder today but still tolerable as long as the sun keeps appearing.  Oddly enough what's missing is the birds.  I don't remember ever it being this quiet in the yard in November.  Maybe a new feeding spot opened up. Maybe the hawk is unnerving them, but it hasn't had that effect other years. I shouldn't complain, they can be costly to feed when they are at their full numbers.  But I do miss them.  The blue jays have been making their daily stop, making a racket if the peanuts aren't out yet.  But it's only once a day, if that, rather then hanging around.  I seem to be a stopover for now. 

I was looking out my kitchen window, that faces my hoarder of a neighbor.  The front of his place looks like a junk yard. So how is it that there's a wren over there, merrily hopping around all the debris and chaos when I have full feeders here for them :D  We just had some rain, so I'm sure there are plenty of bugs hidden among all the junk. The Carolina wren would find that enticing.

The number of ducks has been fluctuating greatly. I know that will change as it gets colder. Some days there's been more ducks then I can count. And they try to get me to feed them a second time. (yes once in awhile I succumb but not always!) Other days there's only a few here when I get home, with a few more arriving after me to make for a dozen or so ducks.

The other days wind and rain knocked most of the leaves off my tree the other day.  The wind has kept them all pushed onto my porch and against the house. It is starting to look a bit drab out there.

A few random photos.

I took the two tree photos leaving work the other morning.

Cardinal with a wind blown crest.

It really is fall isn't it!

It was only a matter of time.  The frost has come and it's killed off the annuals in short order.  Amazing how a plant can be surviving, even thriving one day, and by next morning it's wilted and withered.  It was fun to see what plants were hanging in there so long.

But now I know if I'm to plant moon flower vine, I have to do it much earlier in the season so I see more then two blooms. Poor thing worked hard, climbed the pole not once but twice, reached out to the surrounding plants, put out so many buds...only to be killed off before it reached it's potential.

The one tree in my yard is finally turning color and shedding it's leaves, though most others seem to be nearly finished.  Not sure why this one is late. Guess there'll be some cold weather raking going on! Being into energy conservation, maybe I'll just wait till the wind blows, as it invariably will, and pushes most of the leaves onto the corner of my patio. :)  With so much rock in my yard now, the colored leaves make it much more pleasant to look at. 

I am pleasantly surprised to see how pretty my gro-low variety of fragrant sumac is in the fall.  Next year I hope to plant more along the stream to help save whats left of the bank.  Though the plant is still very small, I can better envision how a few more will look. Sounding very hopeful for someone that doesn't know if she'll still be living here in a year, and who's overtime at work has been cut.  Love that my OT allows me to splurge on some plants!

Speaking of saving the bank, a young lady from the county conservation office did come and look at the problems here, and took some photos.  Unfortunately her office takes care of farm run-off, and building issues as it affects streams, creeks, etc and this is more of a water run off and drainage problem. (though I disagree a little since it there is more to it then that) However, she understands that it's a real problem here and will pass on the photos and info to someone that may be able to help.  Though she's not sure what can be done, since grant money has dried up.   

So talking about dying plants, bare trees, falling temps and eroding banks seems so sad doesn't it?  But it seems that mother nature doesn't take away without giving something back.

After a couple slow days at the feeders, today was much better and has brought some of our winter visitors back! As I think I mentioned in the last post, I hadn't seen any dark eyed junco's yet. That's changed and I saw one today.

But the best thing I saw was a white throated sparrow. Two of them actually.  Not great photos but I was taking it from inside the house. The striped crown really got my attention when I looked outside.

Right after I saw them the first time, I saw one dark eyed junco.  When ever I see a bird I'm not familiar with I like to look it up on the Cornell lab of ornithology's site, all about birds, and it came up with this interesting little tidbit.

"Although they look nothing alike and aren’t particularly closely related, the White-throated Sparrow and the Dark-eyed Junco occasionally mate and produce hybrids. The resulting offspring look like grayish, dully marked White-throated Sparrows with white outer tail feathers."

Who knew!  (OK I guess real bird experts know...but I didn't know and you probably didn't either!)

Another upside to the changing weather is that birds become more visible. As their natural food supply dwindles more birds to the feeders and not as skittish since eating becomes more important then flying off every time I so much as open the door.

An interesting list (I like lists!)

Pennsylvania’s Top Ten: Birds Most Commonly Observed at Feeder and

Percentage of Species feeders visited

Dark-eyed junco              97
Mourning dove                94
Tufted titmouse                93
Northern cardinal             91
Blue jay                            89
White-breasted nuthatch   89
Downy woodpecker         88
House finch                      88
American goldfinch          87
Black-capped chickadee   77

I've been putting out some peanut butter in a log feeder. The Carolina wren really seems to be enjoying this as well as the woodpecker and chickadee.  Seeing as peanut butter isn't cheap I should make this recipe to make it go further...and the winter birds do need their fat!

Recipe for Marvel Meal

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup vegetable shortening
4 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 handful of sunflower seeds
(optional)


So I've been seeing more of the Carolina wrens. They are one of my favorites. 

The titmouse seems to be much quicker getting the peanuts I throw out, rather then hanging back timidly and watching the blue jay get most of them.

I like these seed bell holders.  When I hang the bell openly the birds tend to peck near the top and before the bell is half gone it falls to the ground and you get a better view then those plastic mesh covers some bells come with.  They were reasonably priced ($6.95) for something that you can use over and over again.  Plus, even when the squirrel does manage to shimmy up over it, they can only get a bit at a time with their paws, instead of biting big chunks off.

 

Speaking of squirrels, they finally seem to be getting fat and fluffy in their winter coats.  This squirrel though doesn't seem to be one of my regulars, and I've not seen them for a couple days. Yea I know they all look alike, but this one freaks out and takes off when I'm around, even when I'm offering peanuts. And my usual ones will stop in their tracks and come running if I ask them if they want peanuts. Anyhow, I find this a bit unusual.

Maybe some of it is because the hawks have been a little more active lately. I haven't seen them as much as hear the birds and ducks in particular squawk and scatter all at once.

That and the crows have been around. I LIKE crows.  They are the early warning system for every other creature when it comes to a hawk.  Plus they are intelligent.  I recently watched a show on Nature, on PBS about crows.

They have the full episode available at

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/a-murder-of-crows/full-episode/5977/

Lately the goldfinches have been eating more sunflower seeds then the nyjer seed. Which is nice since they are less expensive!

Last but not least, a mourning dove.

have to get through a rant first...

We've had amazingly mild weather until recently. I didn't take full advantage of it though. I've been in a state of inertia after finding out that the park where I reside is up for sale.  I had plans to put a new place in here next year and was really looking forward to it. It was fun to look at all the possibilities available to me.  Now it's not feasible.  A nearby, larger park is for sale, or sold (can't get clear answers on that, heard it was sold for $2mil)  A few months ago it was on the news that residents got eviction notices and were to be out by mid-November, which is fast approaching. At that time they said the park was for sale and the owner felt it would sell better with all the homes removed.  Interestingly, the park owners actually owned a few of the homes and would sell and rent them to people...right up to the time they sent out the notices. I've heard rumors from two sources that say a bank and a restaurant are to be built on the site.

ANY how, my point is, it makes me nervous.  There's no way to know if this will remain a park or not.  There are limitations to what can be done with the property since it's in a flood zone and across from the airport.
But I see they are dumping a lot of dirt on a property across the road to put it out of the flood plain, to put in a car dealer lot. UGH! 

And all the building that goes on with the other park and the car lot across the street, will impact us either way because of drainage.

Some feel the odds of this remaining a park are better then 50%, and that it won't sell quickly because of the price. 

I understand that this is an investment, and it's all about the $$. But when I ask the landlord straight out about the property as far as placing a new home on it and he says to go for it...it just seems, wrong.  I know he doesn't have to tell us anything.  But to put people in such a position just seems mean.

On the other hand I'm suddenly glad that I am so indecisive and a procrastinator.

I'm not too worried about my home...it's old, paid for. Not really worth anything. If I was forced to move, I'd be OK, where as many of my neighbors will have greater difficulties. 

My issue is the yard :D  And the fact there's no where else I could move (that I could also afford) that would have a stream on the property as well as the feeling of privacy I have facing a wooded area. Add to it everything I've been doing to the yard. Trying to go more native, spending a lot on plants, etc. If this went to something more commercial, you know they'd cut everything down, right to my 3 paw paw trees!   That is the worst.  Losing the paw paws. And losing them after having attracted Zebra Swallowtails.

It's all very frustrating just not knowing what will happen.  I had the near future all figured out.   So in the meantime I do have work I'll have to get done on this old place, since buying new would be too risky.  It's old, drafty, etc.  My ex hubby even gave me some good advice on how to go about it.  It at least gives me some things to think about, keep my mind occupied.

Now for my yard.  As always I've had a lot of concern for all the erosion, and the issues contributing to it.  My ex-husband also gave me the name of a woman that works for the county conservation office. He had a bit of a run in with her over some property he's building on, when there was a question about wetlands there.  But at least it showed she was diligent in her job and may finally be the right person to talk to about the issues here.

I called the office this morning, and though she wasn't in, I was told that she would probably want to come up and assess the problem herself.  Very cool.  She's to call back this afternoon.

maybe I'll get motivated once again. 

I did have a nice weekend, complete with a nice fire in the pit with some friends from the firehouse.  Looks like more of the same this coming weekend, as work has informed me I will be off this weekend.  Bummed about the loss of OT, but....a yard party will be more fun.  Planning another one later in November.
Guess I better soon shop for some gloves!   There will be a snow party this winter too. LOL   Looks like I'll be making some chili for the one on the 20th, since it may be even chillier by then.   This Saturdays high is to be 44F.  Though now we might get some showers, instead of the sun they promised yesterday.

Despite last weeks mild sunny weather, the groundhogs seem to have already gone into hibernation! I haven't seen any of them for a week or better and the opening to the burrow under the shed is filled with fall leaves now!  I will miss Little Dude!! The chipmunk is still making daily rounds. Seems like another one has opted to winter here, and was digging a hole under the Cleveland pear tree.

While my guests were here Saturday we watched one confused chipmunk run across a downed tree branch, and back...numerous times. Here he comes...there he goes...here he comes! oops there he goes.  I think the sight of a group of people in the yard really threw him for a loop.  He eventually came over and used the weeds for protection till he got where he needed to go.

Apparently the chipmunk coffers are getting filled up, as he's closed off one hole that leads under the patio and opened up two more.

Here he is leaping out of the ground.

The ducks were a bit reticent about coming up to the yard, but hungry won out and they finally made it up to eat with everyone looking on. 

Speaking of the ducks, about 3 dozen had been a consistent number for them until Sunday morning when I counted no less then 50 of them.  A high number this early. I counted 21 females as they were scurrying about, pushing each other around to get the feed.   The ducks have seemed a little confused as we'd moved some rock around to lessen the impact on the bank. They don't seem to have settled what area of the yards here to nap during the day, and it's changing daily. I guess I interrupted their routine.

I'm still waiting for the dark eyed junco's and pine siskins to return. They are being spotted throughout the state the past few days. I'm hoping to get more nuthatches this year instead of the occasional visitor, along with more then one white throated sparrow.  I need to become more diligent in watching the birds this winter.

The cardinals are now in their full red color, while the goldfinch has toned down their colors for the winter.

I again got a look at a belted kingfisher! Too fleeting for a photo, since the camera was not in hand.  Each time I've seen it, it's been first thing in the morning when I get home.  He's noisy, but shy.  He's probably on his way to the southeast part of the state, or further south, for the winter.

There's been a red tail hawk hanging around here on the colder days. I've seen him a few times, but more often I hear the panic of the birds as it swoops down. As it gets colder I'll see him more I'm sure. The only shots I've gotten of him lately are distant, as he flies off if he sees me. I'm wondering if the red tail is the reason why I haven't seen the cooper's hawk lately, since he was becoming a regular visitor.

It always seems odd to me, when I see a mourning dove in a tree.  I'm used to seeing them on the ground to begin with, but their bulky shape and movement doesn't lend any grace to them landing and perching in a tree.

Some random recent duck photos

Seeing him reminds me that white duck hasn't returned yet.

gorgeous weekend

Despite it being windy the weekend turned out much nicer then expected.  Sunday saw a high of mostly sunny 72.  That's about 10 degrees normal for the average this time of year.  Expecting rain the next couple days, but temps staying in the 60's and sunshine for the upcoming weekend.  Hope that forecast sticks, plan on moving some rock on Saturday.

I spent quite a few hours in the yard this weekend.  Putting down mulch, pulling weeds/grass, hauling some rocks and removing a lot of the sand and silt covering the yard  plants that I hadn't cleaned up after the flash flood.  I hauled many buckets of that dirt, using it to fill in where some of the bank has eroded .  doing this I discovered much more erosion then I knew about.  My holly bush (seen in the photos) has its roots exposed on the stream side.

 What a mess eh?  The area above the liriope will be planted next year. (where you see all the dirt)I've not decided with what yet.  I haven't even decided if that butterfly bush will stay or go.  This one gets very large and ends up hanging over my patio and gives too much shade to some plants. I may try to move it, then plant one or two of the compact types of butterfly bush.  Though I'd have to consider how the two on the hill are doing.  I've not been pleased with the performance of my 'dark knight' variety. My white compact bush did better, holding it's shape very nicely.  But neither of them bloomed as well as I'd like.   I like the big original buddleia, but it blocks off most of this garden from view when you sit in the yard.  I had started another one in the lower yard, but it got covered with about 2 ft of rock when it flooded.  If I transplant this one, and it can get established, I don't think that would happen.  I have a couple new plants coming up from this

also,  in case transplanting this one doesn't work out so well.   

The only odd thing here is that I now have a phallic symbol sticking out through the middle of my yard.  Either that or the middle finger.  Take your pick.  But that will be resolved once further planning in commenced!

I can't get over how much I had to scrape off the top of the yard.  I hauled a lot of buckets of sand.  Granted it doesnt' hurt to have it there (at least I don't think) the yard already gets a sort of humped appearance from the bank erosion, or from the force of the water against it when it runs high.  I'm not sure but I've noticed that it's worse every year. Which then forces any excess rain water towards the patio, and often will wash mulch onto the porch.  Eventually my patio needs replaced, as it has a growing crack in it. I'm hoping when they do it, they can set it on top of the existing patio and make it higher, as it's own slab.

In the below photo that brown thing to the left, where the marigolds are?  That used to be a light cover over the counter in between my living room and kitchen.  I put in pendant lights, and hated to throw that monstrosity out. I put in some rectangular planters and put in some herbs.  I'm hoping it will make it through one more season.   It's been out here a few years already.  Not bad for some cheap piece of wood that was meant for indoors.

For the past week I've been watching an injured goldfinch.  I'm impressed over his will to survive.  He's had to adapt to the loss of his complete tail.  When I first noticed him, he spent a lot of time running around  on the ground scrounging for leftover seed from the feeder overhead, next to the house.  He would run from me rather then fly, but eventually he'd manage to fly to a low branch.  Now he's become stronger and more adapt in getting from tree to tree. Poor thing has to flap his wings so much harder and faster.  How no hawk has gotten him yet is impressive.  You don't realize some times how much these birds use their tails.

Today I watched him come to the sock feeder. Usually they'll land at the top and sort of shimmy down.  He tried it, but couldn't make that sideways step without a tail for balance. He tried a few times, then flew off. I felt bad for him, until I watched him circle around, come back in and land closer to the seed.  He was a step or two off, tried to shimmy down, failed, and flew off again, circled and came back landing precisely where he could eat.  I wonder how long he can survive like this?  He has to be using so much more energy to fly, which means he has to eat more.

As you can see in this photo his entire tail is gone, not just some feathers.

He actually looks better then the first few times I saw him. I think he has also caught on that if he is brave enough to come when I'm out, he has the feeder to himself.  The instinct to survive is very strong isn't it?

Random shot of a black capped chickadee.

Little wren at the feeder.  taken from inside the house though.

I know I showed this some time ago, but not everyone has seen what I reference before...but this is the feeding station.  At the base I have planted a Dutchman Pipevine.  Hopefully by the end of  next  summer it will have reached the top.

Little Dude is still making regular visits...