Duck, Interrupted

Ever since I caught the attention of a rogue female Mallard in the scratch ground a few weeks, I have been on high alert for these pesky characters.  You see, last year we had a multi-day problem with a pair of Mallards during nesting season.  I was convinced the ducks were plotting a camp-out in our yard and I'll have nothing to do with that!  Perhaps the female has visited but at least so far she has not been in my sight.  Yes, ducks are as bad as grackles, and I intend to interrupt any plans they make for our property.  Sorry, ducks.  Stick to the pond down the road!

Well Fed Robins

As we enjoyed the sudden return to normal here in the Piedmont (temperatures of 60F+) I had the equal pleasure of watching the birds at the north feeders and at our "scratch ground".  One American Robin, or at least a robin each time I observed, had a ball.  I stirred things up enough there today which, combined with a highly rain-saturated ground, made for easy pickings for the robins.  They must have glutted themselves on worms and various other invertebrates.  Quite a sight.

In other news, dear friends, I will be offline for a good part of the coming week.  I hope to have some interesting news when I am able to resume posts.  Stay tuned!

Scratch Ground is Quite the Magnet

Ever since I removed an overgrown juniper in the summer of 2012, I've maintained(?) a sort of scratch ground under the streetside feeders.  It's a popular place for ground feeders and feeder birds alike.  Cardinals are frequently seen there, and I can count on towhees, White Throated Sparrows, House Finches, and others on a regular basis.  Cover is available fairly close by so the birds are reasonably secure and cannot be ambushed any longer by cats.  I get a hoot watching doings in the scratch ground in good weather, but can't see much when I'm indoors in winter.  Such is life.  But mind you, come the Great Backyard Bird Count my binoculars will be scanning this scratch ground a good deal.  It's too good a magnet!

Quick! Duck!

From the perspective of the typical suburban, cul-de-sac resident, there is likely no more disturbing avian visitor than one of our many waterfowl species.  As a general rule they're nastier and messier than any of the passerines and their allies.  I spotted these two on the scratching ground on Wednesday morning and found them again today, at the same time, in the same location.  My first hope -- that they were drawn to some millet I am attempting to rid myself of -- has been dashed.  The drake seems interested in sunflower seed as well.  And now a major question arises as to whether we have two more pests in the neighborhood.  My only remaining hope is that, because there is simply no meaningful body of water here, that they will be occasional nuisances.  But we never really know the bird mind.  Will they visit daily? invite friends? Only time will tell.  Look out! DUCK!

The Right Address Today

Our home was definitely the right address today for neighborhood songbirds.  It was an unusually crummy winter day for the central Piedmont with a high of 26F and a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain.  The birds were hungry and active all day, and from long experience they know they can depend on a meal here.  And my well-stocked feeders attracted crowds.  The scratching ground was like a bus station!  At one point I counted 26 birds; mostly juncos and Pine Siskins but also with cardinals, goldfinches, White Throated Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, and towhees thrown in.  The various nuthatches, chickadees, and such worked the suet feeders hard.  And I even noticed birds out past sunset in a last desperate effort to load food before a raw night under the ice.  I made sure to top of feeders so that the morning rush would be able to warm up on a good meal, and I checked the deicers to ensure liquid water was also on the menu.  After all, I want my address to remain the dining spot of choice!

Contended Cardinals

Even months after I opened a section of the yard that's become a scratch ground, I am amazed how popular the spot is to birds, especially Northern Cardinals.  They seem to feel right at home at an environment with easy ground pickings, feeders if necessary, and decent perching and cover opportunities.  And two new trellises for native vines close by are already very popular perches: allowing a vantage point barely a foot or two above the ground.  That's a height the cardinals seem to enjoy.  (House Finches like much higher points, I observe).  It will be interesting to see how responses changes (or not) as that section evolves in 2013.  It won't be the same place...but will the cardinals be just as contented?

Greater Thrasher Activity

In recent weeks I have noticed a good deal more Brown Thrasher activity.  This species comes and goes in terms of observations, or at least, one sees them more plainly at some times of year and much less at others.  And July is turning out to be a very good Thrasher month indeed.  They work the scratching ground (shown) regularly and also make visits to the feeders, where they most often pursue suet (else, I assume, insects getting in the safflower platform).  And at all times they're wary and skittish.  It's definitely good to see them around, as that assures me any of our pest problems are being mitigated by nature's own exterminators!

Scratching Away, Happily

Almost two months ago I cleared a space near the front yard feeders, eliminating an overgrown juniper that was a nice place for predators (read: cats) to hide.  I've been fascinated how the birds responded to this area.  One species that has really taken to the space is Eastern Towhee.  I have seen the male, female and this year's juvenile all use the space as a scratching ground.  They seem content enough even given its wide openness.  But evidently it provides a feast of invertebrates, else they would spend more time skulking in the brushy areas.  Personally I am delighted to find them out in the open although I worry about hawks.  So far so good.  I'm happy, and perhaps, so are the towhees.

A Very Popular Spot

Ever since an obnoxious, overgrown juniper was removed in our northern sector, I've watched a number of birds take a cotton to the increased open space.  It's become quite popular with all of the "scratching birds" such as Chipping Sparrows, robins, towhees, and Mourning Doves.  And I regularly see cardinals, grackles, house finches, and goldfinches pop down to sample the goods.  Some of this is fallen seeds (from the tube feeders directly above), some of this is invertebrates drawn by whatever mess lies on the surface.  As an added bonus, there's no where for an ambush predator to lie and the grounds are concealed from the street, so perhaps there's added security.  We will be adding a sun garden close by, but I think the scratching grounds might just stay for awhile.  It's too much entertainment to close down.