Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ July 31, 2013

Bird Notes

Bear Facts

Today (7/29) as I approached the screen door to our back deck to go outside, I spotted a bear of medium size ambling across our backyard. It was heading up a little used path toward the top of the ridge where it disappeared into the heavy undergrowth. This is the first time, in the 30+ years that we have lived here, that we have ever had a visit from a bear the end of July. So, if you live in West Brattleboro and you deem it safe to hang out your bird feeders . . . DON”T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

Teacher, Teacher Teacher!

We have a white pine tree that we have kept cut back so as to make it like a large bush. The thick foliage keeps it very shady and the ground beneath it is damp and cool with an ample amount of dropped pine needles. In the winter we use it as a ground feeding station because the snow doesn’t penetrate. The birds love it for cover and seem to feel safe there. Saturday morning I happened to see movement there from what appeared to be a brown bird with streaking down its front. With the help of my handy binoculars I made out an eye-ring. First thought was Swainson’s Thrush but as it turned it revealed a light tan streak on its crown. It’s an Ovenbird! We have heard it calling all Spring and into the summer but this was the first good look that we have had.

Feeding the Hummers

It seems as though these sleek little aero bats have nested somewhere nearby and are now bringing their youngsters to share in the sweet nectar at our hummer oasis. We have a large feeder hanging from the eaves so that it can easily be seen from our dining room table. It gives us great pleasure to watch the antics of these novice flyers testing their wings in vertical climbs, full speed in reverse and steep dives from their feeding perch, when their brothers and sisters launch mock attacks as they are sipping. The male parent gets in on it once in a while when he arrives to an empty feeder only to be buzzed by one or both of the youngsters who have been sitting on a secluded branch waiting for just such a moment.

Our feeders need attention about once a week, which means cleaning and refilling with a new mix of nectar. At my sister’s home in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado it is a daily chore, as you can see by the photo of the line up of feeders on the railing of her deck. She informed us that she counted as many as 60 Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and 6 Rufous Hummers that wait for her to bring them fresh, sweet, sipping syrup each morning about sunrise. Good grief that is nearly a full time job . . . and beginning at sunrise no less!