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BACKYARD SECRET – WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE MONARCHS IN GEORGIA DURING THEIR FALL MIGRATION?

Oct15

  

     

 

        The best time to catch a glimpse of fall migrating monarch butterflies is during the months of September and October.    Records, however, suggest the greatest number of these butterflies pass through the state in mid-October.       

       With that in mind, if you want to see these large orange and black butterflies, spend some time outside during the next few days.

       Good luck!

 

WHERE ARE THE FEEDER BIRDS?

Oct12

       Every year when early October rolls around, people tell me that the number and variety of birds visiting their feeders and birdbaths has dropped off significantly.  That always leads to question, “Where are they?”  Depending on where you live, and whether not the habitat near your home has changed, and other factors, the reasons for a decline can vary from yard to yard.  That being the case, I attribute the drop-in activity around most bird feeders to three things. 

       Many of the common migratory birds that inhabit our will shortly reach their winter homes.  That alone can make a big dent in your backyard bird population.  While many of these birds do not often visit seed feeders, they do frequently bathe and drink at birdbaths.

       In late summer and early fall, the abundance of seeds produced by native plants is greater than it is at any other time of the year.  As such they birds have an abundance of places where they can feed this provides them with lots of spots where they can dine elsewhere.

       Another reason your backyard bird population is low is that for folks in most parts of Georgia, southbound migrants have not yet reached the Peach State. This is the case for white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, blackbirds, and others.

       Another thing to consider is some of our permanent residents, such as the chipping sparrows have yet to form winter flocks. Consequently, if your yard is not in a chipping sparrow breeding territory, chances are you will have to wait awhile to see them in your yard.

       The bottom line is be patient, if your feeding area is safe, feeders are stocked with variety of foods, and clean water is close by, I promise they will come; just be patient.

BACKYARD SECRET: MOTHS VISIT HUMMIMNGBIRD FEEDERS

Oct1

       Until a few nights ago I had never seen a moth visit a hummingbird feeder at night. Although I have spotted a few butterflies such as cloudless sulphurs and even a monarch briefly dining a hummingbird feeder but I have never spotted a moth engaged in this activity; here is what I saw.

       A few nights ago, I took our family dog out.  Just beyond our deck four hummingbirds hang from Shepard’s hooks.  As I stood on the deck waiting to come back, a large fuzzy moth flew in and visited one of the feeders.  It hovered above two of the feeding portals on one of the feeders; it remained there for several seconds. Since the moth visited the portal on the back side of the feeder, I did not actually see the moth extend its long proboscis into the feeder.

       Supposedly, the moths that are most often reported visiting feeders are various sphinx moths.  After watching these large moths feeding at late-blooming flowers it easy to see why they are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds.

       This surprising experience has left me wondering why I have never seen moths feeding at hummingbird feeders before. Perhaps it is because I rarely watch the feeders at night.  This may be the reason why other folks also rarely see this fascinating behavior.

       If you have been lucky enough to spot moths visiting your hummingbird feeders, please let me know.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ATTRACT HERMIT THRUSHES TO YOUR YARD IN WINTER

Sep25

       One of the most difficult birds to attract to Georgia bird feeders during the winter is the hermit thrush.  I have been trying to do so for years.  In comparison, I have a good friend that hosts this handsome thrush most winters.  Let’s explore some of the reasons why hermit thrushes avoid most of our yards.

       Limited information suggests that hermit thrushes wintering in residential areas inhabit yards that have an abundance of vegetation and are adjacent to wooded areas.  Berries are the hermit thrush’s primary winter food, consequently yards and nearby woodlands that have trees and shrubs that bear fruits and berries that persist in the winter, are more likely to be used by hermit thrushes than those without them.

       Some the best sources of the thrush’s winter food include cedars, junipers, pokeberry, native hollies, hackberries, grapes, and mistletoe.   While fruits and berries are the hermit thrush’s favorite foods, they will eat insects found in leaf litter.  Consequently, leave dried leaves beneath your trees and shrubs.     

Blog follower, Ron Lee attracts Hermit Thrush

       Hermit thrushes will feed at elevated feeders. However, they prefer to eat food found on the ground.  The birds will dine on dried fruits, mixed seeds, suet, and bird puddings.

      Ron Lee has attracted more hermit thrushes than anybody I know. He is convinced that his success attracting these secretive birds is his wife Jennie’s cornbread. The birds love it so much they will appear out of nowhere whenever he goes outside to feed them.  Some hermit thrushes like it so much, they will feed at his feed while he is scattering food.

     Hermit thrushes will often visit bird baths and avoid food.

    Hermit thrushes will join roaming flock’s kinglets, chickadees, and other birds.  With that in mind, closely study any of these flocks that pass through your yard.

    With a little good fortune, perhaps a hermit thrush will find its way to your backyard this winter.

DO NOT TAKE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS DOWN

Aug20

       When I began working with hummingbirds more than 40 years ago, it was a common practice for Georgians to take down their hummingbird feeders in September; this was done because many folks subscribed to the popular belief that, if you left your feeders up past August, you would entice the birds not to migrate.  We now know that hummingbirds migrate due to declining day length and not the availability of food.  As the days become shorter, ruby-throated hummingbirds begin storing fat the fuel needed to complete their long migration.  When it is time for them to leave, abundance of nectar-bearing flowers and hummingbird feeders stocked with sugar water cannot keep them from making this epic trip.

       If you keep your feeders up, you will help provide late migrants with a much-needed source of food.  In addition, it gives you the chance of having your feeders visited by a western hummingbird.  The hummer you are most likely to see in Georgia from November through February is the rufous.

      

TAKE PART IN THE GREAT SOUTHEAST POLLINATOR CENSUS

Aug6

        In 2019, the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Service launched The Great Southeast Pollinator Census.  Since that time, the census has been adopted in the states of North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina.

       This year marks the seventh anniversary of this citizen science-based wildlife service.  During the past six years, the number of participants has grown from more than 4,000 participants in the inaugural count to more than 18,000 in 2025.

       The scientists that are spearheading this initiative have three goals.  One goal is to enhance public awareness of the wide variety of pollinators that live in this part of the world.  The second goal is the encourage the public to maintain and create pollinator habitats.  In addition, the efforts of thousands of volunteers will help develop a database that can be used to identify and monitor pollinator populations.

    The 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census will be staged August 22-23.

       Volunteers are asked to identify and count the number of pollinators they see visiting a pollen-bearing plant of their choice during a 15-minute period.

       Census takers separate the insects they see into eight categories (carpenter bees, bumblebees, honeybees, small bees, wasps, flies, butterflies/moths, and other insects.

       Fortunately, you do not have to be an expert entomologist to perform this task.  The reason for this the count coordinators provide each participant a full color guide that makes separating the insects into the proper categories easy.

       If you think you would like to join the Georgia Count Team, go online to the Great Southeast Pollinator website.  There you will find all you need to know about the survey as well as survey forms and the insect identification guide.

       Check it out.  It is a great way to serve as a citizen scientist.

WHAT CRITTERS EAT SUET AT NIGHT?

Aug3

        If you feed suet to the birds that visit your backyard feeders, there is a chance when you make your morning check of your feeders, you will find that your suet was eaten by some critter during the night. If this occurs, you will undoubtedly scratch your head trying to come up with the name of the nighttime raider.

       You know the culprit is not a songbird or even a crow since these birds are not active at night.  In rare cases, the nocturnal raider may be a barred owl.  Yes, there have been a handful of reports of barred owls visiting suet feeders. Apparently, the chance of this occurring is greater if rodents are visiting your feeding area to dine on seed scattered on the ground.

       More than likely, however, the phantom visitor was either an opossum or raccoon.  Both of these mammals are active at night. If it is one of these two animals, they will often leave clues that you can use to solve this mystery.  Look for droppings, tracks or even their scat.

       Fortunately, raccoons and opossums have never staged a nighttime raid on my suet feeders.  If one does, I will not be a happy camper.  On the other hand, if I go outside one night and see a barred owl dining on suet, I will not mind a bit. In fact, it would be event that I would fondly remember for the rest of my life.

OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH

Jun23

           If there was ever a contest to crown Georgia’s most beautiful cockroach, I am certain that the winner would be the pale-bordered field cockroach (Pseudomops septentrionalis).  I never thought that it is impossible to describe a cockroach is being beautiful.  Then a few days ago, I just happened to find a pale-bordered field cockroach.  When I first looked at it, it appeared to be a bauble that had fallen of a necklace or bracelet.  Upon closer examination, I saw the object had six legs and was adorned with a distinctive pattern that was far different from any cockroach I have ever seen.

            This cockroach is small (1/2 to 5/8 inches long).  Unlike the cockroaches we are familiar with,  it rarely ventures into our homes.  Instead, it remains outside living its life in the thick cover found in our backyards, gardens, and natural areas.  It is particularly fond of mulch, and woodpiles.  It is a scavenger that spends the daylight hours feeding on the juices of low-growing plants and flowers.  Fortunately, it does not damage plants nor is a garden pest.  In addition, unlike other cockroaches, they are not known to carry any diseases that can infect humans.

            This insect is not native to the United States.  Instead, its home range includes Mexico and Costa Rica.  Interestingly, some experts believe it was accidentally brought here in shipments of bananas.

            If you spot a pale-bordered field cockroach in your backyard, I suspect that you might exclaim, “It is the most beautiful cockroach I have ever seen!”  

 

ODD MOCKINGBIRD BEHAVIOR

Jun9

        It is easy to believe that researchers fully understand the behavior of birds.  Such is not the case, however.  Last week my daughter, Angela Dupree, watched a mockingbird doing something she had never seen before.

        It seems that, as she walked to her car parked in the large parking lot adjacent to her workplace, she noticed a mockingbird placing small sticks atop the left rear tire on the passenger side of her car.  When she looked around, she found the bird had apparently done the same thing atop 4-5 cars parked nearby.

      The next day the bird did the same thing.  In fact, it acted perturbed when she watched it at worked.  She also noted small piles of sticks on the ground near the tires on several cars parked nearby.  It appeared these sticks had fallen off the tires when the drivers had moved their vehicles the previous afternoon.

       When she asked me if I had any idea what was going on, I told her that perhaps the bird was attempting to build nests.  I based this interpretation on the fact that mockingbirds sometimes build several nests in an area before selecting the one they use as their nesting site.  However, that does not explain why a mockingbird was choosing the tops of tires as potential paces to build nests.

       I have done a little research on the subject and found that, while the behavior has been seen before, nobody seems to know exactly what is happening.  Some suggest the birds are just marking their territory.  Who know!

       If you have seen have witnessed this behavior or can explain it, please let me know.

       My daughter’s experience demonstrates we have a lot more to learn about the behavior of even common birds such as the northern mockingbird.

USE CAUTION WHEN TRIMMING SHRUBS IN SPRING

Apr13

       The beautiful spring weather we have been enjoying in my neck of the woods apparently prompted many homeowners to take on any number outdoor jobs.  One of these projects was cutting shrubbery. In truth, shrub pruning should have been accomplished much earlier in the year.

       When I brought a load of household garbage and recyclables to a nearby recycling center, the huge amount of shrub clippings piled in one of the huge recycling bins at the center told me a lot of folks took on this particular chore this weekend.  That prompted me to wonder how many bird nests their well-meaning activities disturbed.

       Whenever we talk about providing nesting habitat for our backyard bird neighbors too often we only think about birds that nest in nesting structures.  Consequently, too little thought is given to providing nesting sites for birds that routinely nest in the thick shrubbery growing in our yards.  The shrub-nesting birds I most often encounter in my yard are northern cardinals, mockingbirds and brown thrashers.  They will nest in thickest shrubs. Since these birds begin nesting in the spring, it is best to avoid trimming shrubs at this time of the year.

       There is nothing worse than to trim a branch off a shrub and find that nestled deep within the shrub an active bird nest.  When a nest exposed it becomes more vulnerable to nest predators and the weather.  Often nesting birds will abandon such a nest.   Birds are more prone to do prior to their eggs hatching.

       If, for some reason, you just have to trim your shrubs right now, before you begin, carefully search for nests.  If you don’t find any, go ahead with your job.

       When I think about the recycling bin that I saw this weekend, I wonder if the folks that created pile of trimmings took the time to ensure that their shrubs were being used by the bird neighbors to build their nests and raise their young.