Welcome to Backyard Birdscapes
A Few Acres for the
Birds and Critters to Play
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| Once again the
bluebirds have come to check out the birdhouses
as the weather gets colder in November. They are
usually seen in pairs (this year 2011 we saw two
distinct couples). We have noticed over the
years that they seem to wait for sunshine to
go house hunting. This day the sun was out but
had yet to melt the frost from the
birdhouse roof. |
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... more bluebird
info and photos |
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In 2011 the American tree sparrow
returned to our yard on Thanksgiving
Day. He's been back at that feeder on
that same perch every day since then. We
have yet to see the "stick pin" spot on
his chest, but his other feather
coloration and "mismatched" dark top and
light bottom beak makes him highly
recognizable. It helps that we were
watching for him since the first snow. |
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...more
American tree sparrow info and photos |
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Homemade Bark Butter |
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I have spent some
time researching and experimenting with suet
alternatives. I call all its variations Suet $ents
(obviously playing on the words less cents and
more sense). Hope you might like to try the
recipe. The woodpeckers especially have given it
two zygodactyl feet up.
...recipe
with photos
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On October 27, 2011, our
area of upstate New York had our first snow fall for the
upcoming winter season. While driving visibility was
poor, it created a winter wonderland the next morning.
By the afternoon of the 28th most of the snow was gone
and the birds and critters resumed business as usual.
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The morning of
October 28th brought the threat of a heavy snow
storm due later in the day. So, it was an
enormous surprise to first hear then see hot air
balloons rising above our back tree line. Our
local balloon festival is in June, so this was
an unusual sight. Most of the birds took cover,
but the Canada geese were brave.
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The afternoon and evening
of the 29th gave us the second snow, much deeper. Birds
that haven't used feeders after summer baby making and
tending, gained a new appreciation for full feeders, new
Suet $ents rings, and clean and fresh birdbaths plugged
in for heat. (We were very busy preparing for the coming
winter storm by doing fresh birdy stuff on the
28th.
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The spring and summer of
2011 had been very wet in this neck of the woods. Trees
and bushes grew rapidly and unchecked by normal yard
work. Benign neglect is a great opportunity for birds
and critters to eat natural foods and insects, while
hiding from predators and cameras. Because our shrubs
and perennial flowers grew densely, particularly at
ground level, we saw fewer birds passing through our
yard on their way to elsewhere. As the summer progressed
we saw fewer of our faithful regulars, as well. The
natural habitat was lush with food and over-hanging
protection, so feeder dining slowed.
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Because of our abundant
vegetation, we were astonished to discover a first time
visitor. It took us several bird books to determine what
our new little bird was. At first the tiny red spot on
the back of his head looked like a stray reflection or
photo anomaly. This adorable, small egg-like bird is a
male ruby-crowned kinglet, stopping by on his journey
from his summer home in Canada to his warm winter spot
further south.
...more
info and photos
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