Saturday, January 2, 2010

Birds and Squirrels

I have been having fun watching the critters and taking photos of them out of windows. They all take off when I open the door to take photos.

The first 3 were taken 12/29. I am pleased to see sparrows and black-eyed juncos eating seeds from goldenrods and rudbeckias. This is 'Wichita Mountains' goldenrod.



I'm not sure how the birds are getting the seeds from the feeders to fall inside the fence. I suppose there is some on the other side, too, but I am wondering if they know they are safer from cats inside the fence. I see birds on the sidewalk outside the back door every day.


We were running out of bird feed, the other day, so I air popped some plain popcorn and put it on the rain barrel and a couple other places. I'm not sure if any birds ate it, but the squirrels did.


The top of the fence is a favorite perch of birds like this sparrow, and later, you'll see the squirrels like it, too.



The next several photos were taken yesterday, New Years Eve. I've read that these house sparrows came from England a number of years ago, and are not desirable to have around. I just read an article about them where they encourage people to control them because they kill bluebirds and other cavity nesters and take over their birdhouses. We have sparrows build a nest on the air conditioner outside our bedroom window every year. Do any of you have experience with sparrows? They seem to get along OK with other kinds of birds in the winter. I've seen the blue jays, this week, but must not have gotten photos of them.

Larry got the kind of bird food that cardinals are supposed to like, that does not have millet in it, and just a little cracked corn. Sparrows and squirrels aren't supposed to like safflower, but the sparrows here were eating it when the other food was out.



I'm enjoying the black-eyed juncos.


I was excited when I counted 6 doves among the sparrows. I couldn't move fast enough to get them all in a photo, but there are 3 and a half of them in this one.



This one was right outside the back door this morning.



I looked up to see 2 squirrels.



After taking photos, I decided to open the door so they would run off and give the birds another turn.


To see more critters or find out how to link yours, click on the Camera Critters logo in the sidebar.

32 comments:

  1. Lovely photos, the only thing cold weather and snow is good for is the wildlife it brings in to the garden!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We have song sparrows like crazy...seriously, nothing to see about 30 or so on all the feeders..they do run a lot of birds off...your snow photos are so 'cool'!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad someone else leaves their plants in the garden over the winter so the birds can eat the seeds, you have a hungry bunch there at your buffet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved all your birds and the squirrels. I think the birds will eat anything in the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lots of lovely bird photos this week. And of course those squirrels have to get into the feeders don't they?

    ReplyDelete
  6. The squirrel wants to get his share too.

    My Camera Critter post. Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have lots and lots of Black Eyed Juncos at my feeder, along with the occasional Blue Jay and Red Bellied Woodpecker. But, I don't have any squirrels.

    Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  8. getting ready to stock up outside myself -- 5 days of frost predicted - my poor poor plants..sk

    ReplyDelete
  9. All of these critters look so well fed and healthy. Nice shots.

    My first time joining this meme,hope you can take a peek on my first CC entry. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lots of activity around your garden this weekend, Susan ! I love the doves, which we have quite a few of, and the juncos, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sue, you did a great job capturing all these feathered--and furry--friends. I can't seem to get close enough to take decent bird photos, but I do enjoy watching them outside my window. I knew when I saw the juncos outside for the first time that winter must be here to stay.

    Hope Daughter is settling in and you are having a good beginning to this new year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. My, my ... you have a busy backyard in the snow! Wonderful series of critters. They love your buffet!!! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great shots! Birds are so fun to watch in the winter. I have experience with sparrows killing other birds. They killed a bluebird-I found her dead in her house. This happens at least once per year. The sparrows literally take over. I watch them in a gourd house I have and they multiply like crazy-3-5 broods a year it seems. By their sheer numbers they need lots of places to live and the other cavity nesters lose out. I finally put screen over some of my birdhouses to keep them out-they can have the gourd though. Now I noticed the screen is torn and birds are inside again:( I don't have the heart to kill them but do try to discourage them.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a great entry you have! Wishing you all the best this year. God Bless you and your family.

    Mine is up! Hope to see you. Your comment is much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy birds and critters. This is a great way to get close-up views of the animals that wouldn't be at all close during the rest of the year (hiding in the tree leaves, etc.) Happy 2010, Sue!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi, Sue,
    My favorite sparrow is the Fox Sparrow ... I occasionally see one under the bird feeder during the spring and autumn migration. This bird scratches like a chicken with both feet at the same time to find seeds and insects. "Fox" refers to the bird's rusty color. I have no idea if you would see them in Nebraska.
    Happy New Year! Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  17. I forgot to say --
    Best wishes to your daughter in her new home!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. just imagine... animals are equipped with all-weather fur and feather. such a neat arrangement.... ~bangchik

    ReplyDelete
  19. Whooo, looks chilly there....glad the critters all have something to eat!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've heard that about the sparrows, too. I have been wondering the same thing because I am trying to attract the bluebirds to a nest box. This winter is really the first time that I have had sparrows regularly visiting the feeders.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Susan,

    There is just something about seeing birds huddled in the snow, eating birdseed that does my heart good :-)

    We have doves here as well that look very similar to yours.

    ReplyDelete
  22. awesome! wishing you all the best in 2010! mine is up. see yah.

    ReplyDelete
  23. awesome! wishing you all the best in 2010! mine is up. see yah.

    ReplyDelete
  24. happy camera critters! visit my 2nd entry! happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Sue....our native sparrow is in decline in the UK. I have never noticed any aggression here but that does not mean they do not cause problems elsewhere. I have read on other blogs (USA) that the sparrows do chase your native birds away.
    We have problems here with parakeets (non native)....they are driving our native birds out of areas. I suppose it is the old story, creatures being where they don't belong. And of course, it is usually humans that are responsible for the problems and the end result.....

    ReplyDelete
  26. There is a big dove population in my garden, pecking along the ground. I do wonder if they're eating my fall-sown seeds! :-) They are beautiful birds and I love their coo, so I don't mind.

    Cameron

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey! We have the same bird feeder. Doves are my favorite, too. Love that haunting call of theirs...

    ReplyDelete
  28. lucky animals to have you to take care of them....

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love the pictures!

    I really miss the snow, here in Califoria, it's still sunny...

    ReplyDelete
  30. happy new year sue. the pictures were so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love visiting your corner garden! Isn't it amazing how many animals you can attract when you roll out the welcome mat (and the food).

    Keep on subtracting lawn. Other than a few robins looking for worms they don't attract much wildlife. I have systematically removed all but 8 feet of lawn and that is going, going, gone asap.

    Happy January,
    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a
    Little Green Island

    ReplyDelete
  32. Popping popcorn for the squirrels and birds.....now that's what I call being a good friend to the critters.

    donna

    ReplyDelete

I welcome comments and questions from anyone, including those who do it anonymously. Some people find my posts by doing searches, and I like hearing from them. I guess spammers won't even read this message, but I will delete spam as soon as I see it.