July 11, 2008
Common crackles we're seen this week feeding peanuts to their young after soaking them in water at the birdbath. (Soaking the peanuts, that is, not the offspring.) The young birds just sit squealing with their mouths open, waiting for food to be dropped in. Blue jays are also raising their young, who can be heard screeching just about anytime when they're not being fed. Bluebirds and wrens have also been seen bringing food to their bird houses to feed their young.Backyard tip of the week: Watch for your local backyard birds this time of year to catch them showing their offspring where and how to eat, or even putting food in their mouths for them. A rare sight, try to share it with your friends and family, you're sure to love it.
Backyard sightings for last week: Including northern cardinals, American robins, northern flickers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, bluebirds and catbirds. Chipping sparrows and white-crowned sparrows, Carolina wrens, house wrens, eastern goldfinches and house finches. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches and a ruby-throated hummingbird. The tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees, blue-jays, American crows, we're now up to four grey squirrels, a red squirrel, a mostly white skunk, some bunnies, and a doe. Also, European starlings, common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, mourning doves, chipmunks, butterflies, and a yard filled with fireflies!
Cool sighting of the week: On Wednesday, while working in the shop I heard a commotion just outside the open door, so I looked out to see what was happening. As I turned the corner I saw a very large hawk in the midst of an attack as it was taking a blue jay to the ground. When it noticed me, the hawk became startled and flew away, leaving his prey behind. The fledgling blue jay sat motionless on the ground with wings outstretched, seemingly incapacitated. This all took place in a matter of seconds. As I realized what had just happened, I wished that I hadn't interfered with the hawk's routine and wondered how badly the blue jay was hurt. What chance might it have to survive? I kept checking on it from the window hoping that the bird would show some sign of life. When I looked back a few minutes later, it was standing up and looking around. No longer able to contain my curiosity, I took a chance and walked toward the blue jay and it flew away into the bushes. It was very cool!
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