Birders' Nest

[Pohjolas Daughter]

There are a few hawks that like to fly around near my house.  A couple of times on my morning walk I'll see them on the ground and realize how HUGE they really are.

Are they red-tailed or some other variety?

I think I've made a new buddy. Somehow, this guy wandered into my man-cave office (i.e. garage) last night and worked his way into an inaccesible corner. I finally got him out this morning and sent him on his way, but he keeps coming back. He doesn't seem injured, but can't fly. I'm not up on my pigeon knowledge and am wondering if he's a juvenile. He seems a little smaller than most of the others around the bird feeder, but has all of the adult markings. I'm keeping him in the toolshed tonight to stay safe from nocturnal predators and will send him on his way again tomorrow, but I'm concerned about the hawk that comes around ocassionally. Pigeons are its favorite target and this guy would be easy pickings.

You could try contacting a local birding group or a wildlife rehabilitation organization and ask them for some advice.

PD

[Brahmsian]

It is really nice to see how the bald eagle population has rebounded tremendously over the last 25-30 years. We now seem them frequently and routinely in Manitoba.

[Szykneij]

You could try contacting a local birding group or a wildlife rehabilitation organization and ask them for some advice.

PD

Unfortunately, my experience trying that around here has not been good. Last summer, I needed advice for some rescued baby squirrels that lost their mother and was never able to get any assistance. In this case, the pigeon seems healthy and happy to go about its business, so I'll just keep an eye out for predators. If it wants to spend the night in my toolshed, that's fine with me. Hopefully, it will eventually find its wings.

[Brahmsian]

Starting to see our official Canadian embassadors of spring.....Canada Geese, returning here in Manitoba.

Another sign of spring for me will be once the dark eyed juncos return in bunches into our yard for a week or two, but that hasn't happened yet. 

[Szykneij]

Starting to see our official Canadian embassadors of spring.....Canada Geese, returning here in Manitoba.

Another sign of spring for me will be once the dark eyed juncos return in bunches into our yard for a week or two, but that hasn't happened yet. 

That's because the juncos are still here in my back yard! They seem to be sticking around later in the spring than usual. Are they later than usual in getting back up there?

Interesting about the Canada geese. Here in New England, they have become year-round residents and can cause problems where they gather in large numbers with their droppings. I didn't realize there are those that still migrate.

[Brahmsian]

That's because the juncos are still here in my back yard! They seem to be sticking around later in the spring than usual. Are they later than usual in getting back up there?

Interesting about the Canada geese. Here in New England, they have become year-round residents and can cause problems where they gather in large numbers with their droppings. I didn't realize there are those that still migrate.

We are experiencing a late spring here.  March was consistently colder than usual, with not a lot of thaw.  So perhaps that is why your juncos are lingering. 

Oh yes, a lot of Canada Geese migrate, and most of the Manitoba ones do.  You won't see them in the winter time here, that's for sure!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

We are experiencing a late spring here.  March was consistently colder than usual, with not a lot of thaw.  So perhaps that is why your juncos are lingering. 

Oh yes, a lot of Canada Geese migrate, and most of the Manitoba ones do.  You won't see them in the winter time here, that's for sure!

I saw one straggler (Canada Goose) here yesterday; last month there were tons of them flying through.  Noisy critters to say the least! 

PD

[DavidW]

Are they red-tailed or some other variety?

I looked it up from an identification site just now... turns out that they are not hawks.  They are black vultures.  What do they know that I don't when I'm reading outside and they are circling overhead??

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I looked it up from an identification site just now... turns out that they are not hawks.  They are black vultures.  What do they know that I don't when I'm reading outside and they are circling overhead??

I haven't seen black vultures before in my neck of the woods (though apparently they have been extending their territory northwards).  I wouldn't panic though if I were you.  From the Cornell website:

"Food

Carrion Black Vultures feed almost exclusively on carrion, locating it by soaring high in the skies on thermals. From this vantage they can spot carcasses and also keep an eye on Turkey Vultures—which have a more developed sense of smell—and follow them toward food. Black Vultures often gather in numbers at carcasses and then displace Turkey Vultures from the food. Their carrion diet includes feral hogs, poultry, cattle, donkeys, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, striped skunks, and armadillos. Sometimes Black Vultures wade into shallow water to feed on floating carrion, or to catch small fish. They occasionally kill skunks, opossums, night-herons, leatherback turtle hatchlings, and livestock, including young pigs, lambs, and calves. They also often investigate dumpsters and landfills to pick at human discards."

I'll often see turkey vultures though.  Take a looksie here (in the compare section):  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Vulture/id

I'm slowly getting better at identifying birds (normally, alas, minus binocs).  One of the things that jumps out quickly when seeing tuvus from underneath, is the distinctive black kind of T-shape with the white feathers--and (if close enough) you can also see their red head.  They also have kind of a wobbly flight with upturned wing tips--and are pretty darn big too.

PD

p.s.  By the way, Cornell has a free birder's app called Merlin.  You can load various packages on it (like for the area where you live or if you're traveling).  It can be quite helpful identifying birds in your area (various ways including taking a photo and telling the app where and when you saw the bird, etc.).

[Szykneij]

We are experiencing a late spring here.  March was consistently colder than usual, with not a lot of thaw.  So perhaps that is why your juncos are lingering. 

Oh yes, a lot of Canada Geese migrate, and most of the Manitoba ones do.  You won't see them in the winter time here, that's for sure!

While out walking my dogs today, I passed these Canada Geese who didn't look like they were in a hurry to go anywhere.

Then, when I got home, my trail cam caught this Junco in flight. Beautiful birds if you can get close enough for a good look.



 

[Brahmsian]

Yes, the juncos are beautiful and more varied in colour than one might first think. Different shades.

Another sign here of late spring is that there are still sightings of the ever majestic snowy owls. Normally, they are gone back further north by now.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes, the juncos are beautiful and more varied in colour than one might first think. Different shades.

Another sign here of late spring is that there are still sightings of the ever majestic snowy owls. Normally, they are gone back further north by now.

Would love to see a snowy owl.

PD

[Brahmsian]

Would love to see a snowy owl.

PD

They are so magnificent!  Such beauty.  Pratically invisible in a field of snow.  During the winter, a drive on rural roads can produce a sighting here.  They will often be perched on telephone/hydro poles.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a male hairy woodpecker pecking out a nest in an old dead tree along a trail that I like to hike.  Today, I was on that same path and was happy to see it outside that same hole.  Perhaps doing some fine tuning/interior design? 

I did find the answer to one question that occurred to me earlier:  do hairy woodpeckers add any sort of soft materials to their nesting holes...and no was the answer....though some of the wood chips left from the excavation apparently make a bed of sorts.

Ooh!  Just read that apparently they make the nests less than two weeks before egg laying begins.  Drat!  I wish that I had jotted down exactly when I saw him making the nest.  Will have to keep an eye and an ear out for the chicks (I think in about 2 weeks time).

PD

[Szykneij]

For the third night in a row, my pigeon friend has waddled into the toolshed attached to my office to pass the night in safety. (She must feel secure with the Louisville slugger at hand.) I've decided she's a female based on the actions of some of the other pigeons when she's out and about. Although there are no visible injuries, it's clear she is unable to fly. I'll wait a few more days to see if it's something that fixes itself. If not, I know someone who works for a veterinarian who cares for birds.

[DavidW]

Look who came to visit my classroom.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

For the third night in a row, my pigeon friend has waddled into the toolshed attached to my office to pass the night in safety. (She must feel secure with the Louisville slugger at hand.) I've decided she's a female based on the actions of some of the other pigeons when she's out and about. Although there are no visible injuries, it's clear she is unable to fly. I'll wait a few more days to see if it's something that fixes itself. If not, I know someone who works for a veterinarian who cares for birds.

That's sweet of you to offer her free lodging. 

PD

[Szykneij]

Look who came to visit my classroom.

Did he have a late pass? 

That's sweet of you to offer her free lodging. 

PD

No problem. She doesn't eat much or take up too much space. 
The trick is getting the dogs to leave her alone.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Did he have a late pass? 

No problem. She doesn't eat much or take up too much space. 
The trick is getting the dogs to leave her alone.

   I suspect that he was searching for the art department--to model.

So, the dogs are temporarily banned from her new home?

PD

[Brahmsian]

According to many people on a Manitoba birding Facebook page I follow there have been several dark eyed junco sightings. A good sign of spring on its way!