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A Finch, a Feline
and the Feeders
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Tap, tap, tap! "Goofy, where
are you? Any other day she's either at the
window staring or snoring. What in the world can
she possibly be doing? The Big Bird Book of Life
is true- all cats are scary and worthless."
"Hey, Goldy, I heard that! I have other windows
and other sun beams to follow, you know." |
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"Sorry,
Goofy, it's just that we're all so worried. The
other birds chose me to be the one that asks you
if you know what's going on with the feeders."
"What! I was just at my perpetual bowl and I had
the same old crunchies as ever. Granted, they're
boring but I've lived through some unfortunate
dietary experiments with Food Guy when he tried
to save money. It took all four of us cats to
set him straight. Even then, he tried to blame
Food Mom." |
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| "Yah,
yah, we lived through that phase too, but this
is much more disturbing because I'm talking
about the disappearing Bird Feeders!-Important
point being they are feeders for Birds! They
used to be- what was that word you used for
always there? Oh yeah, perpetual. Now they're
gone before the sky is dark blue and they don't
come back until way past the baby blue dawn.
Most of us swing by for a last snack and then
like to be the first ones up in the morning- you
know, that early bird thing. We love this place
and would really rather not have to move on down
the road. So, Goofy, can you tell us why this is
happening?" |
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| "Let me tell you a story
that might answer your question. Long ago and far away-
okay, last week and in this very backyard, we had a new
visitor. A very large, and hungry creature who was so
desperate for food, he was willing to rip apart several
bird feeders that you hold near and dear. He actually
ate that fatty stuff with seed gunk imbedded in it, suet
or something like that. Some of the feeders and supports
were wiped out entirely. Shepherd's hooks were bent to
the ground. He did have as much trouble getting into the
squirrel-proof feeders as our own grays and reds. |
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So the Food Folks
eventually came to the conclusion (it only took
three visits) that putting away the food and the
feeders at night might discourage the three
black bears that have been seen around here.
Evidently humans and bears need a quite a few
lessons to catch on. The male bears (the hungry
females and cubs are not yet out of the den) are
convinced that food may still be available here.
Actually it still is- no one bothered taking in
the Nyjer thistle sacks. Don't worry-even
starving bears coming out of months of
hibernation have not considered thistle as a
viable food source." |
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| "Well, thanks, Goofy. It's good to know that the
bears and the squirrels both hate Nyjer seed.
But when can we get our other feeders back again
for our first and last snack of the day?"
"Maybe
you should consider hiding and storing some
stuff like the squirrels and chipmunks, 'cause
bears don't sleep in again 'til Autumn." |
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