That title up there is almost trite, but it fits so well this week that I just had to say it.
I noticed plenty of changes in my backyard this week. Let me tell you about them.
This Week in the Backyard
I own several hummingbird feeders, but I usually only put out one of them at a time. For the longest time I’ve been hanging it on the hook farthest from the house and closest to the maple tree with the thought, “They’ll like to come more if their feeder seems to be in a safer place.”
The problem with that, of course, is that, being such tiny birds, I can barely see them from the deck. I wouldn’t doubt that I’ve missed sighting them simply due to distance.
So this week I moved the feeder to the hook closest to the house. And, guess what! They don’t care. I had the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird visit within hours of the move.
If only….
Also this week I heard a bird I didn’t recognize. Merlin told me it was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. I spotted him first in a nearby tree. Then he actually hopped around on the garage roof for a bit.
I don’t expect he’ll ever visit my feeders full of seeds because he only eats bugs. I had to add him to the Backyard Bird Tracker app so I could record the sighting.
What to Watch For This Week
I said that change is good.
Watch for changes in the behavior of your birds this week.
I’ve had more House Sparrows flitting around than I can count. The Mourning Dove count is up too.
Backyard Moment
There was a fair amount of excitement in my backyard this week too.
A Cooper’s Hawk (a first for me) silently swooped in and grabbed an American Robin. At least, I’m pretty sure it was a robin based on the behavior of other robins in the area. One even tried to dive bomb the hawk. (He didn’t get all that close.)
Did you just say, “Oh, the poor robin!”? If so, I understand the feeling.
But.
That’s what a predator does. Consider that the hawk was likely getting a meal for his youngsters. If papa doesn’t hunt like that, the cute little hawk-ettes go hungry.
Journal Prompt
What small (or big) change have you noticed in your backyard?
I’ve had several this week. See above.
From the Backyard Bird Tracker
Besides adding the gnatcatcher to the app, I’ve also added a data recovery feature.
In the unlikely event that you get separated from your sightings, you can now reconnect without losing a single one.
I have over 1000 birds counted now and was concerned about what would happen if worse came to worst. Now I can rest easy.
I Like Carrots
I have a small patch in the backyard where I’ve usually planted flowers to attract pollinators. But this year I decided to try growing some late season carrots. (I really like raw carrots.)
The main problem I’ll have is protecting them from the rabbits. So I’ll be off to the Home Depot today to get some more wire fencing.
Wish me luck!