Backyard Bird Watchers

#801
#801
Enjoying the dawn cacophony of bird songs at dawn this morning, I am reminded of a time I visited my mother at her home on the Satilla River delta. My mother was in her early 80s then, and sleep was fitful for her. Normally, she slept in, rising from bed between 7:00 and 8:00am. This morning she was up at dawn, outside, having one of her “talks with God” (amusing to her neighbors). I joined her and commented on the bird songs. She replied, “It’s just God’s orchestra warming up.” This phrase has stuck with me through the years since.
 
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#802
#802
Was doing some work around the house today, and noticed a row of six quarter-sized divots in a pretty straight row across a few shingles on my roof. Typical asphalt shingles. Could it be from woodpeckers? We have a few that are active in the trees around the house, but I never would have thought they would damage shingles.
 
#803
#803
franklinpence said:
Was doing some work around the house today, and noticed a row of six quarter-sized divots in a pretty straight row across a few shingles on my roof. Typical asphalt shingles. Could it be from woodpeckers? We have a few that are active in the trees around the house, but I never would have thought they would damage shingles.
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They like to peck on the gutters at my house in the spring which I read was a mating call?
 
#805
#805
The pair of interloping red tails have displaced the red shouldered hawks which were attempting to nest at the same site for the third year (the one within a mile of my house as the hawk flies). I’ve heard their distinctive scree! call several times.
 
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#808
#808
Any recomendations for a Bluebird mealworm feeder that Starlings will not bother? Or at least the feeder will keep the starlings out.
I bought a "Bird Haven" mealworm feeder. They advertise that their feeder is Starling resistant. NOPE, Starlings took over and ate the mealworms until they were gone.
 
#809
#809
Tin Man said:
Saw a brown thrasher which is nesting in my neighbors’ eleaegnus bush take down a small anole. I had read that thrashers prey on small lizards, frogs, and snakes, but I’d never witnessed this before.
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I've seen one take a skink before. Their beaks are perfect for catching quick moving items close to the ground.
 
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#810
#810
Go aeiou said:
Any recomendations for a Bluebird mealworm feeder that Starlings will not bother? Or at least the feeder will keep the starlings out.
I bought a "Bird Haven" mealworm feeder. They advertise that their feeder is Starling resistant. NOPE, Starlings took over and ate the mealworms until they were gone.
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If a bird can feed then so can a Starling. I don't see how you can make a feeder one specific species of bird resistant
 
#811
#811
Rishvol said:
If a bird can feed then so can a Starling. I don't see how you can make a feeder one specific species of bird resistant
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Would need to have an opening large enough for a bluebird, but too small for a starling. Similar to a bluebird house which has a 1.5 inch hole. That hole is round.
Would also keep out mocking birds, robins and others
The mealworm feeders I looked at have 1.5 inch square holes: Barrier Guard Seed Cylinder Feeder - Copper
 
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#812
#812
Go aeiou said:
Would need to have an opening large enough for a bluebird, but too small for a starling. Similar to a bluebird house which has a 1.5 inch hole. That hole is round.
Would also keep out mocking birds, robins and others
The mealworm feeders I looked at have 1.5 inch square holes: Barrier Guard Seed Cylinder Feeder - Copper
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Starlings are fully opportunistic when it comes to food. It's why they've spread so far. They're probably waiting for bluebird to drop food. They are also smart birds so if they're desperate enough then they will find an opening
 
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#814
#814
Rishvol said:
Starlings are fully opportunistic when it comes to food. It's why they've spread so far. They're probably waiting for bluebird to drop food. They are also smart birds so if they're desperate enough then they will find an opening
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Yeah, they hang around the wired feeders and eat what the messy bluebirds scatter out of the bowl.
 
#817
#817
Is anybody who talked about their Bird Buddy system a while back still using them? (The video camera mounted with feeder and accessible by phone.) Seems like it was all the rage for 15 minutes, then faded into oblivion.
 
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