Thursday, May 7, 2015

Back To The Feeder

I decided to stop back off at the feeder this time for any of you who might miss it a little bit. I kind of missed it here, but I still watch it every day. I'm not only revisiting the bird feeder because I missed it. I'm doing this post because I have a little bit of news. A little bit.

See those two Downy Woodpeckers at the feeder? They're both female! Maybe I need to explain the importance of this. Up until now I thought I had exactly two woodpeckers visiting the feeder, one female and one male. Now I realize there are more than that.

This picture would indicate that I have at least three of these birds at my feeder. But these pictures aren't everything. I've now seen at least four female woodpeckers out there together. That also means there could be several males as well. No wonder they've been visiting the feeder so much.

Another reason I wanted to revisit the bird feeder is because I kind of ended these feeder posts on a sour note. My last post showed a squirrel invading the feeder, so maybe I gave the impression that it was all over with. That's not the case at all. I've just had to think a little more strategically about when I put the feeder out.

Now I put the feeder out there when I let the dog out. She stays out on the porch for about an hour guarding the feeder from the squirrels. She actually understands that part very well. After she chases the squirrel away a few times it doesn't usually come back for the rest of the day. Then the birds can come over to eat.

It's getting warm enough now that I should probably get a poll to mount the feeder from. That might keep the squirrel away from it for a short time. After it figures that out I'll have to think of something else. An endless battle.

I'll have more from the feeder as new things happen. There aren't many birds coming in the warmer weather, but they do still come. Until then I'll have some things from my usual everyday adventures. I'll talk to you later.

11 comments:

  1. Some migrant only stop for a few days, keep your eyes open.

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  2. you've got a bunch of downies around! nice!

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  3. If you mount the feeder on a slick metal pole, away from anywhere the squirrels can jump from, it might make it a lot more difficult for them to get to it.

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  4. a nice discovery. I wouldn't have figured out that there were so many of them.

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  5. I love the last photo you have posted of the woodpecker taking flight Ratty. Glad you have mostly sorted the squirrel problem out with the help of Isabella!!

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  6. cute downies....great snaps!!!!

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  7. How wonderful to have so many woodpeckers visiting. They're lovely birds to see.

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  8. Oh my goodness you have a whole woodpecker community visiting! Lovely news! You're lucky. I've been chasing woodpeckers when I walk in the morning but every time I point my camera, whoosh ... Gone.

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  9. You have the papa, mama, sisters and brothers all visiting your feeder.

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  10. You sure do have a lot of fun with your bird feeders Ratty!

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