Appears I’m down to only one juv Black-headed Grosbeak. Monday, still had adults around. By Tue afternoon, no more adults. Best bird today has been a Rock Wren bobbing up & down through the underbrush near our picnic area.
Have yet to see an adult hummingbird today. And a juvenile Calliope is definitely ruler of the feeder today! The “Fall feel” is definitely welcome!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Fascinating. That dramatically expands my experience of birdfeeders beyond the birds ‘n squirrels. The squirrels bug my brother-in-law who attempts to live-trap them and haul them off for release down by the river. Do you begrudge the deer and bear sharing your offerings for the birds? It would be a tall order to live-trap the deer and bear that come to visit! I don’t have a birdfeeder but it seems doubtful we could totally micromanage natural systems. NASA engineer Mark Rober started out wanting to find a squirrel-proof bird feeder and ended up becoming a fan of the squirrels as he devised several squirrel obstacle courses that tested their dexterity and curiosity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg
Kevin Merrell
Our flocks are changing too. I only have one hummer feeder up, having dropped two this week. Consumption dropped quickly early this week. We were mobbed last weekend and going through more than a quart a day between three feeders. Biggest problem is mobbing hornets, need a hard frost.
Haven’t seen a juvie BH Grosbeak for a week. Chickadees BC and Mountain are hitting feeders now after no sightings since late Spring.
Lawn no longer looks dead. N Sandhills for a while.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Rd
Inkom
With temps dropping into 30s last few nights & leaves of aspens, willows & cottonwoods starting to lighten, am getting the hint of a “feel” of Fall. Seems the majority of Black-headed Grosbeaks pulled out in the past few days.
And, the majority of hummingbirds hitting the feeder now are juveniles: Black-chinned, Rufous & Calliope. Haven’t seen an adult in sev days. Those coming in are ravenous, too! Yesterday, when I was pulling the feeder to take into house for cleaning & refilling, was getting buzzed by several juvenile Hummers. They’re draining 6-7 oz in 12 hrs, which indicates a good number of visitors for our location. Definitely, a “change” of seasons is in the air.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
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