Backyard Bird Watchers

#728
#728
Yesterday afternoon, the male Carolina wren that has been nesting in my garage door opener was perched on the lowest branch of the nearby dogwood making a constant fuss. This attracted numerous other small birds, notably a cloud of common finches. Apparently, his offspring had left the nest. Eventually, he flew into a group of azeleas, where he joined them on the ground.
 
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#729
#729
CobbWebb71 said:
Silly question...
Is there anything I can do to make sure they stay here?
I’ve really enjoyed watching them over the last 2-3 weeks, to the point where I sit out in the evenings and watch for them.
😁
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If you're surrounded by 50ac of woods, you shouldn't have to do much. Just don't over-manicure everything.

Whatever keeps the rabbits/mice/squirrels/etc around will keep them around. I've managed to keep a couple hawks and a couple owls around for years in a very suburban area. I just have a few acres to work with- but a couple small brush piles, a dead tree snag if you have one, a couple grown up areas will go a long, long way.
 
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#730
#730
WallyBalls said:
If you're surrounded by 50ac of woods, you shouldn't have to do much. Just don't over-manicure everything.

Whatever keeps the rabbits/mice/squirrels/etc around will keep them around. I've managed to keep a couple hawks and a couple owls around for years in a very suburban area. I just have a few acres to work with- but a couple small brush piles, a dead tree snag if you have one, a couple grown up areas will go a long, long way.
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When the 20 acres north of my property were wild, wooded, and overgrown, it had rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, snakes aplenty. Deer, coyotes (following the deer), owls, and hawks were regular visitors. Even had a fox come up from the river nearby. Alas, a developer assembled the parcels owned by three sets of heirs and built 60 tightly grouped McMansions around a central park. The deer and coyotes still visit, but I miss the owls most of all.
 
#731
#731
There’s nothing quite like the caterwauling of unrelated barred owls roosting in the trees.
 
#733
#733
Tin Man said:
There’s nothing quite like the caterwauling of unrelated barred owls roosting in the trees.
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I have a horned one that seems to run the show around me, and the hooting is pleasant at night. When the barred ones are around though...I swear they'll wait until its late and I'm walking the dog to start their squalling... they've caught me several times.

I had the hawks flying around and screeching yesterday. Wasn't sure if it was an adult and juvenile or a mating and/or territorial thing but it was pretty cool to watch.
 
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#734
#734
Tin Man said:
When the 20 acres north of my property were wild, wooded, and overgrown, it had rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, snakes aplenty. Deer, coyotes (following the deer), owls, and hawks were regular visitors. Even had a fox come up from the river nearby. Alas, a developer assembled the parcels owned by three sets of heirs and built 60 tightly grouped McMansions around a central park. The deer and coyotes still visit, but I miss the owls most of all.
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That's why I do what I can. I'm in a little island of about 4 still somewhat undveloped properties among the hellscape Smithbilit seems intent on building all over knox county. Plant native, keep some stuff wild where I can.

At least give some of the critters a shot.
 
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#736
#736
I live by the woods and see all sorts of birds. Big blue jays and a lot of cardinals. Have 3 Hawks and at least 3 owls who fly into the yard and survey or grab a little snake they’ve been tracking.
Currently a Wren that built a nest in some outdoor pillows. Had 4 eggs now. Have to be close to hatching as it’s been a couple of weeks.
Also ran into this bad boy. Not a bird but could be classified. I now no longer have a carpenter bee problem.
 

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#737
#737
Skooter said:
I live by the woods and see all sorts of birds. Big blue jays and a lot of cardinals. Have 3 Hawks and at least 3 owls who fly into the yard and survey or grab a little snake they’ve been tracking.
Currently a Wren that built a nest in some outdoor pillows. Had 4 eggs now. Have to be close to hatching as it’s been a couple of weeks.
Also ran into this bad boy. Not a bird but could be classified. I now no longer have a carpenter bee problem.
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Is that the devil (horse fly) himself? I hate those things
 
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