Almost The End of Catbird Summer

I think that the shortest visit of any of our migrants is that of the Gray Catbird.  They show up  in April and are regularly gone in August.  They're mostly welcome---as delightfully noisy, inquistive characters---until late July.  Then they and the young of the year eat like crazy, trashing suet supplies.  Surely they are bulking up for their migration.  But, I am miffed.  Their migration isn't far.  Most of ours just head to the coast.  And so each year I grumble and stock the feeders less often.  And then they leave and I find myself regretting the absence as the days shorten and the weather chills.  I know they are ready to go.  And with it goes something of the spirit of summer.

New Bath is Definitely in Use

I figured it wouldn't be a great matter of time before the first bird made use of my new, third bird bath (out in sunnier digs equipped with a solar powered fountain).  And I caught sight of the first known user, a Gray Catbird, yesterday.  This bird was having a marvelous time bathing, and went in and out a number of times in a five minute period.  Catbirds are well known enthusiastic bathers and this was no surprise.  What did surprise me was that the fountain's operation did not dissuade the bird at all.  I wondered if it would alarm them.  So we have a happy conjunction of bird, water, and garden.  You can't beat that!

Very Active Catbirds

For their first few weeks here this summer, they seemed invisible.  Now---everywhere!  The Gray Catbirds are now dominating the stage and are active at feeders and fruiting shrubs alike.  It dawns on me that perhaps they were nesting early and made themselves scarce as a means of evading predation.  Now the young may be out and everything is a plunder party!  At least so far they are terribly entertaining.  One hopes they do not become an irritation!  On with the show...

The Only Use for Mahonia

In recent years I executed a campaign to rid myself of Leatherleaf Mahonia in favor of useful native shrubs.  I got rid of all of them save one, which is doomed.  It seems to have one use and that is an attractant for Gray Catbirds, and others, that seem to enjoy the succulent fruits.  This feeding frenzy is amusing.  But on the flip side, the lousy berries are ultimately turned into plants that I will have to hunt down and eradicate.  Maybe this season the last beast will go and this could be the last time I'll watch Catbirds go ape for fruit, at least until the replacement plants get old enough!

They're Back, For Real!

I have awaited the arrival of Gray Catbirds for some weeks.  And now I have seen one.  Of course, they were hear a bit before and I observed the signs.  The birds just stayed out of view.  I could hear them alright: the insane chatter is unmistakeable!  and the suet started disappearing at a quick pace---another sign these voracious eaters are in the area.  But it always takes a visual to really drive home the point that the catbirds are here for their short summer.  Now...less than four months remain in their summer plan.  I hope it is a fun time for all!

On The Hunt for Catbirds

The winter species have more or less vacated the premises (only the White Throated Sparrows are still here) and it is time to start seeing some of the summer arrivals.  I have seen not a one.  I suspect hummingbirds are around but they are invisible.  And the Gray Catbirds? not a sound or sighting.  These characters are noisy enough that they will give themselves away, but that is not yet the case.  And they should be on the grounds by now.  Hence a great Catbird search is underway: I strain for any clues to their advent.  With my luck, having said they're not around, I fully expect to see one today!

Catbirds Check Out

There are many measures for the end of summer.  Many Americans might say, "Labor Day", and others "Back to School", and still others "the last day of August".  For me, summer ends when the Catbirds leave.  It is an admittedly early event -- always in the third week of August, many days before we are clear of, say, 90F-days.  And a month before the Vernal Equinox.  But it seems that the lazy days of high summer have come to an end when this chatty bird checks out for the season.  The woods are quieter, the feeders less frequented.  From what I can see they have now departed.  Soon the hummingbirds will join them, but by that time some of those other deadlines have passed and fall seems more a reality.  But it is today.  Catbird Summer is done.

Catbird Summer for the Ears

The annual splash of Gray Catbirds never lasts long, but it is a delight, and never more so than at high summer.  The little devils don't declare themselves so much in person---in fact they seem to leave the feeders largely unbothered once the young reach the right age.  But instead they make themselves known by the peculiar gurgles, meows and calls unique to these birds.  And with all the cover we provide all one can really do is listen for the catbirds.  They are in fact about the noisiest critters going right now, so that is easy.  But it won't last long: our catbirds typically depart in the 3rd week of August.  Now is the time to enjoy Catbird Summer!

Catbirds Put Off?

The catbirds this year face a bit different environment than this time in 2012.  The berries are no more!  The Leatherleaf mahonia were quite a draw but I am more interested in native vegetation.  Hence shrubs gone, and catbirds seemingly confused.  I see them take a crack at the various feeders and to some extent the suet is a good attractant.  But for the most part they skulk--and sulk.  The takings are a bit slim right now.  I'm sure they will do fine once the season really gets underway.  And if they're patient, fruit choices will be quite good in two or three years!

Catbirds Have Checked in for the Summer

As the last of our winter species (the White Throated Sparrows) make their way out, one of the last of the summer birds has reappeared.  I spotted my first Gray Catbird of the season Saturday.  And this bird was at a very familiar place: the bird bath.  I can count on catbirds to (a) devour suet, (b) devour any fruit -- like those nasty mahonia berries (that won't be with us anymore!--I pulled them out) and (c) bath a good deal.  I don't know if they are mostly fastidious or love the feeling.  It's plenty fun to watch and at a reasonable cost in suet.  The catbirds also entertain with their repertoire of strange calls and songs.  I should be able to hear them daily for the rest of the summer.  Let the follies begin! and welcome, catbirds!

Adios, Catbirds

I was extremely successful, it appears, in discouraging a family group of Common Grackles from using our feeders.  Some weeks ago I cut off suet, and left those feeders empty until about a week ago.  The grackles have not been seen since, no doubt raiding some one else's supply.  As with all things in life, there is a downside.  The bluebirds have been but sporadic visitors, and I haven't seen a Gray Catbird at all.  They are typically very regular visitors.  Well, it may not be all that bad.  The catbirds are suet gluttons and they usually leave for the winter in the third week of August.  But I grieve that species variety really took a hit.  Onwards to the end of summer...

In Between Fruiting Options

At last the Leatherleaf Mahonia berries have been cleaned out, with help from our friends the Gray Catbird (and the robins, cardinals, and a rogue Cedar Waxwing), and perhaps for the last time.  This inherited nasty plant has worn out its welcome with us and it is likely going to be taken out altogether this fall.  That's the plan.  In their place, we may introduce some friendlier fruiting vegetation.  That research is going on now.  One plant I can depend on is the Beautyberry.  My first is growing like gangbusters and it's even possible I will see some fruit this fall, when they would be expected.  My donor tells me it will spread.  That is music to my ears: it would be nice to see a native worm its way around the neighborhood and provide meaningful food value to the birds.  As for the mahonia--good riddance!

The Catbirds are Here!

April 17, 2012.  A big day at Cary BirdCam.  That would be the day our first Gray Catbird appeared for the usual short catbird season (ends in August.)  And I am virtually certain one of our past guests was the first I spotted, because that bird was puzzling over an empty suet basket.  Those rascally catbirds were major suet predators last year!  And they even arrived in time to sack some of the Leatherleaf Mahonia berries they also appear to love--while those last.  I may sack the nasty shrubs this year.  Whatever else, catbirds provide great entertainment value and make the summer go down just a little more easily.  Glad to see 'em!

Almost Time For Catbirds

It's getting warmer out there, and it's pushing mid-April.  And around here that means...Gray Catbirds!  They usually show up in mid to late April and are with us until late August, and they make a more interesting summer for us.  But they'd best hurry up if they have any designs on mahonia berries, which are reaching peak ripeness.  However, the suet, another catbird favorite...there will be plenty of that.  I imagine these characters are not too far away.  Many winter on the southeast coast and I suspect our residents are from those precincts.  We are ready for you, catbirds!  Are you?

The Catbirds Will Be Surprised

Each year, and not long after the Gray Catbirds arrive for the summer, our Leatherleaf Mahonia bushes are in full fruit.  And the Catbirds (and their allies) ravenously consume said fruit.  This year things promise to be a little different.  The fruit are already here and ripening fast.  In fact we started getting slowers in late January(!)  The warm(-ish) winter motivated many plants here to start early and the Mahonia have been spectacularly early.  We should be seeing fruit in May.  Oh well.  The robins, cardinals, and mockingbirds should be happy as they will get the fruit.  The catbirds will arrive to find...nothing.  Except suet, perhaps.  Such is the luck of the draw in a Carolina spring!