Archives

HELPING CHIMNEY SWIFT NESTING SUCCESS

May31

       The vast majority of the chimney swifts that nest in Georgia build their nests in masonry chimneys. If chimney swifts nest in your chimney, you can enhance their nesting success by simply having your chimney cleaned annually.  This should be done before the birds return to the Peach State in March.

       The reason for this, if creosote builds up on the interior of your chimney, the buildup creates a fire hazard. It also reduces the odds that a tiny chimney swift nest, attached to a chimney’s creosote-laden wall, will break loose before nesting is completed. When this happens, the nest containing eggs or flightless young tumble down.

 

 

BACKYARD SECRET – HOW MANY BIRDS VISIT OUR FEEDERS?

May24

                   If you have ever wondered how many species of birds visit our feeders, here are some figures you might find interesting.

       Across the country, some 350 species of birds feed at our feeders.  Ninety of these species are either regular or casual diners. The remaining 260 species are rare visitors.

       Here in the Peach State, those of us that feed birds in our yards can attract as many as 25-35 species to our bird cafes.

       How many species of birds do you feed in your backyard?

BACKYARD SECRET – CHIPMUNKS CAN RUN FASTER THAN GRAY SQUIRRELS AND HUMANS

May21

       I guess it is just human nature to wonder what is the largest, smallest, oldest, or most beautiful. With that in mind, when you see an eastern chipmunk scurry across you yard, have you ever wondered if you could out run it?  I know that I have.

       Remarkably, the eastern chipmunk can run at speeds of up to 21 miles per hour.  This might not seem like a lot until it can you realize that they can out pace most of us. 

       The average running speed for humans it 15-20 miles per hour.  In my case, it would be difficult for me to run 15 miles per hour, however, the best sprinters can race down a track at 23-25 miles per hour. 

       In comparison, the gray squirrel can keep pace with the tiny eastern chipmunk running at upwards of 20 miles per hour.

 

BACKYARD SECRET – GRAY SQUIRRELS EAT BONES

May17

       One the wonderful things about wildlife watching is every day when you walk outside you have a chance of spotting an animal you have never seen before, or observing wildlife engaged in a behavior you have never witnessed.  A few days ago, my daughter, Angela, saw a gray squirrel do something that she had never seen.

       As far was my daughter is concerned, she sees squirrels in her backyard far too often.  While she doesn’t have anything against the agile tree inhabitants, her major complaint is they eat more than their share of the seeds and suet she offers her bird neighbors. Then on top of that, they destroy her feeders.  That being said, they engage in some fascinating behaviors.  A few days ago, she witnessed a gray squirrel do something she had never seen before.

       As she idly watched a squirrel scampering down the top of the 6-foot wood fence that stands along the backside of her yard, she noticed it was carrying a bone about four inches long and about the width of a nickel.  It looked to be one of the bones left by her dog.

       When she told me about the experience, I told her that she was probably correct since gray squirrels do eat bones. While gray squirrels devour a variety bones, they are particularly fond of those that are sun-bleached.

       Gray squirrels dine bones for a couple of reasons.  First of all, the bones help wear down their front teeth. This is necessary because these teeth continually grow throughout their lives.  If the squirrels do not gnaw on hard bones the teeth will continue to grow and eventually curl and prevent the animals from eating.

The second reason is bones are an excellent source of much-needed calcium and phosphorus.

       If you happen to see gray squirrels carrying or eating bones in your yard, you will know why they are engaged in this bizarre behavior. 

Isn’t it amazing what you can see taking place just outside your backdoor?

DO BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS LAY THEIR EGGS IN MOURNING DOVE NESTS?

May7

       Brown-headed cowbirds never build a nest, however, they lay their eggs in the nests of more than 220 species of birds. One of these species is the mourning dove.

       It seems cowbirds rarely lay their eggs in dove nests. When a female cowbird lays her eggs in a dove nest it proves to be a poor decision.  The doves typically damage or refuse to accept the cowbird eggs. If an egg is happens to be incubated, a cowbird hatchling cannot survive on the diet of crop milk mourning doves feed their young.

KEEPING CATS INDOORS HELPS SAVE BIRDS

May3

         It is estimated that 100 million free-ranging and feral cats patrol backyards and wildlands across the county. These feline predators are responsible for the deaths of 1.3 to 4 billion birds annually.  A single cat is capable of catching 48 birds per year.

       The problem of free-ranging cats capturing wild birds is just acute in all states.  In Georgia, more than 24 percent of our households share their homes with at least one of these furry friends. By keeping our cats indoors, we will literally save the lives of millions of birds. Meanwhile we will extend the length of our cats will be beloved members of our households. One study found that free-ranging cats typically live only two to five years.  In comparison, those felines that live indoors live 17 years or more.

       With that in mind, if you share your life with a cat and love birds too, consider not letting your cat(s) roam free.

BACKYARD SECRET – IT IS TIME TO PREPARE FOR ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS

Apr29

        Now is a great time to be on the lookout for rose-breasted grosbeaks migrating home for the nesting season.  During the past several days, I have received reports of rose-breasted grosbeaks visiting backyards scattered across the state.  If you want to stand the best chance of seeing the handsome birds in your backyard, here are a few suggestions.

       To begin with, fill your feeders with their favorite seeds.  I have always provided the migrants with black oil sunflower seeds. They are also fond of safflower seeds and raw peanuts.  While I have never served up either seed to northbound migrants, my daughter fills her feeders with both sunflower and safflower seeds.  This year, the birds visiting her yard have shown a preference for safflower seeds. On the other hand, I have not seen a grosbeak in my yards this spring.

       You can also enhance your chances of attracting the birds by offering seeds on platform and tray feeders; they will also use large hopper feeders.

       The location of your feeders can also affect whether or not the birds dine at your backyard diner.  While they will visit feeders in any number of locations, they seem to prefer feeders placed near large deciduous trees and thick shrubs.

       Finally, offer the migrants plenty of clean water.

       I hope you will hosting rose-breasted grosbeaks in your yard very soon.

AN EASY WAY TO PROVIDE BIRDS WITH NESTING MATERIAL

Apr20

 

       Some backyard birds incorporate hair in their nests.  In fact, my wife and daughter watched a tufted titmouse pluck hair from one of our sleeping bird dogs.   This is a form of kleptotrichy.

       If you want to do something to help your feathered neighbors other than provide them with food, water and cover, try offering them nesting material.  

       Recently my wife and I packed hair my wife trimmed from out little housedog into a wire suet feeder.  They next day after we hung the wire feeder up in your backyard, the hair began disappearing.  Since we have not caught any bird in the act of plucking hair from the feeder, we have are not sure what birds are using it.  Perhaps it is a tufted titmouse, who knows?

       If you do try offering your backyard birds hair trimmed from your family dog, make sure that it is free of flea and tick control chemicals and shampoos.

 

 

 

LOOK FOR THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD’S COURTSHIP FLIGHT

Apr16

        After the female ruby-throated hummingbirds have arrived in your backyard, be on the lookout for the male’s courtship flight.  When trying to attract the attention of a female a male will repeatedly fly in a large 180-degree arc.  If you have excellent hearing, you will be able to hear the male make a buzzing sound when it reaches the lowest point in the arc.

BACKYARD SECRET – FEMALE RUBYTHROATS ARE NOW IN GEORGIA

Apr8

         My wife and I live in Monroe County just north of the Fall Line.  Each year we anxiously await the arrival of hummingbirds that have spent the winter south of the border.  This year the first male was seen in Monroe County March 7, however, most folks did not see one until March 16-19.

       Female rubythroats are always seen days after the males arrive.  This past week the first females were reported here.  My wife and I, however, have not seen one yet.

      With that in mind, both males and females are obviously flying about the southern half of the state. Chances are, if you live north of Monroe County, there is a good chance you have already seen a male ruby-throated hummingbird at your feeder, although those of you that live in the northern portion of the state may not have seen a hummingbird yet. 

       If you have already seed a male, be on the lookout for your first female hummer.  Since I have no knowledge of the arrival dates for those of you that live in North Georgia, I would appreciate it if you let me know what the arrival dates of both males and females in your neck of the woods.