Protecting the Wildlife

National Wildlife Federation sent me a little card on how to protect wildlife.  Since you read my blog enjoying the wildlife, I would like to share this information with you:

1)  Grow native plants so that pollen, nectar, nuts, cones, berries and other seeds grow easier and better for our climate.

2) Provide water for wildlife.   I keep one shallow birdbath during the cold months (The water for a deep bath, when frozen, can expand and crack the bath).  In summer, I keep 3-4 birdbaths around. The surface of the bath should not be slippery and should be kept close to a tree for immediate escape if necessary.

3)  Create protective cover by growing shrubs, evergreens, and placing hollow logs and rock piles.

My neighbor has a beautiful Blue Spruce in the front yard.

House Sparrow, male:  "This evergreen works for me.  My whole family roost inside.  I know a Scrub-Jay family used to have a nest here.  Often Oregon Juncos stay here, too."

4)  Build birdhouses, attaching to metal poles (for safety from snakes and other slithery dangers), away from the feeding area and the southern exposure (too hot in spring).  To make feeding easier, grow plants for butterfly and moth caterpillars and provide dense plantings to help create a safe nesting area.

"We, Northern Flickers, like to excavate a cavity on a big tree, but if you prepare a nest box with sawdust, I might use it!"

Lunar New Year Is Coming.

Lunar New Year falls on February 10 this year.  In China, people call it "Spring Festival (春节)."    People in China, Korea, and Vietnam celebrate this day.

The zodiac animal for this year will be the snake, the 6th animal in the total of 12 animal cycle.  Derek Walters, the author of the secrets of Chinese astrology, says, "...the Snake is said to be the guardian of buried treasure... Facts and figures fall naturally into the Snake's understanding, and they make excellent researchers."  Wow, do you know someone who were born in the snake year (1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)?

 Folk Art Papercutting from China: Snake

The other day when I was walking around the compost bin in the backyard, I found an early sign of spring.  The honeysuckle bush already has many new leaves!! Even in this biting cold air, the plants are steadily getting ready for spring.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon Warbler) stopped by.

"I like your suets.  Three suets to check on here: one under the apple tree, one at the wisteria, and the last one under the patio.  I can't decide which flavor I like best, but thanks a million for stocking up."

Snow Geese

Early in the morning the sky in Oregon can be pretty.  I hope we are done with the chilly, below freezing temperatures for a while. 

 

A few days ago when it was foggy,  I heard a loud honking up in the sky.  As I looked up, expecting to find Canada Geese,  I saw a band of graceful Snow Geese flying towards the east.

As a Field Guide to the Birds of Western America says, they are very vocal in flight, a lot louder than Canada Geese.  They are  abundant in western states in winter, while in summer they move up to the north such as Canada and the Arctic.


Here is a backyard friend who also appreciates the warming weather.

"Finally, I don't have to put up with the ice.  The fresh rain water is tasty."

Who is the Earliest Riser?

Even in the thick fog, even in the below freezing temperature, someone always comes to my feeders earliest in the winter morning.

Can you guess who does?  If you like, try to choose from the following bird friends.


1)  Golden-crowned Sparrow

"I come early on a frosted morning.  I must be the earliest...."

2)  Western Scrub Jay

"I have to come earliest, before squirrels get all the peanuts

that the backyard owner scatters on the patio every morning."

3)  Oregon Junco

"No matter how cold it gets, we love the cold

weather.  We come in the earliest."

 

4)  Anna's Hummingbird

 

"No, no. no....  I come in the earliest.  I have already finished

my breakfast and now's the time to do sunbathing today."

ANSWER:  For 8 - 9 times out of 10, Oregon Junco is the earliest; the next comes Anna's in my backyard

Accident 101: Chestnut-backed Chickadee's case

Today's weather forecast kept warning about the possible freezing rain.  So I stayed home and watched birds.

Have you seen this cute little Chestnut-backed Chickadee? 

 

Different from Black-capped Chickadee, this one is smaller and has the chestnut colored back.  Their call is a rapid tseek-a-dee-dee, which is faster than the Black-capped one.  In winter they often fly in together with a flock of Bushtits. 

As I was bird watching today, one came to my patio, hanging to the hummer's feeder, etc.  And then there was an accident of hitting the patio glass door and plunging down to the cold cement floor.  Since I saw it, I was out immediately for a rescue.  I lifted the bird from the freezingly cold cement with a piece of newspaper so as my hand oil would not touch it.  I kept it in my emergency cage for it to recover if possible.  Luckily in a few minutes it started flying inside the cage, ready to go home.
A happy ending.

"Thank you for taking care of me.  I'll be careful now."

Majestic Birds

Whenever the blue sky returns, I look up standing still in my backyard for a while.  Soon, I begin to see birds crisscross in front of me and sometimes a majestic bird soaring up above.  Today was such a day.


Do you know a big bird with the white head and tail?  It's the Bald Eagle shown on American coins and paper money.  There are a couple of their nests in the nearby wildlife reserve, so on a nice day they show up above my backyard.

"Hello, there.  I couldn't soar up much today due to the cold temperature.  

So much for soaring.  Ready for home now."

Then, soon after, I heard a lot of commotion in my neighborhood.  There came a band of American Crows.  There were a dozen of them, cawing, cahing all over here and there.  But unfortunately I could not spot any hawk this time.

Crow #1:  "I'm gonna hop around here."

Crow #2:  "Skipping here."

Crow#3:  "Now ready to fly away."

"Bye for now."

A Sunny, Blue Sky

In the morning the thick fog blanket cleared and the beautiful blue sky returned for the day.

The temperature was still cold.  The ice was still left on the tip of the maple tree branches.

We, warm blooded creatures, were delighted with the sunshine.

European Starling:  "Ummm, such a nice day.  I look pretty in the sun.  Do you notice my shiny feathers?"

House Finch, male:  "I'm suntanning on the branch.  DO NOT disturb me."

Anna's Hummingbird, female:  "You can disturb me.  I love your attention."