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A neighbor spoke to me yesterday about the number of squirrels and crows that I’ve attracted into the area. The neighbor claimed some damage has occurred to their home due to squirrel activities and also being annoyed by the harsh cawing sounds throughout the day…I agreed to discourage their presence. Did this by emptying and leaf-blowing out my feeders and covering them with trash bags. Also and drained the bird bath and no more early A.M. peanut distributions to discourage the squirrel’s habitat.
From my viewings today it’s sad to see the number of smaller birds diverting their flight when they realize the feeders and water are no longer available, but along with my neighbor I won’t miss the destructive squirrels and the consistent cawing. My squirrels have the ability jump 10 feet from a tree and land upon the feeders — post mounted squirrel guards have been ineffective.
Gary
I use niger seed for the small birds, and safflower seed for the larger birds. Squirrels do not like either.
I’ve uncovered and restocked my bird feeders and began to feed the squirrels once again, even though my neighbors might complain. It was just too painful to see the little critters appear desperate from the recent snows. The smaller birds returned today by the hundreds. Tied a red bow in a branch near the feeders and began some Christmas like scenes.
Hmmm. No smaller birds to be seen. Is that a Cooper's Hawk?
Gary
I'm thinking a Sharp-shinned Hawk..... little smaller than a Cooper's hawk.... (but after reading a bit more... not so sure!)
Cooper's seem to have a yellow/tan chest, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk is white.....
But then.... One of the most easily noticed differences between the two birds is that the Sharp-shinned Hawk’s tail is squared off when resting, with the outer feathers slightly longer and a small cleft in the middle, and a thin white tip. A Cooper’s Hawk’s tail at rest is rounded, with a larger white tip. (http://askanaturalist.com/cooper%E2%...sharp-shinned/)
But then, I'm no bird expert!
Last edited by Lovetodrive2000; 12-19-2016 at 03:58 PM.
12-06-2016, 02:35 AM
