Backyard Birds

[MT Net]

Jim W,
In theMinnesota Volunteer, they have an article on the snow bunting. Could this be the bird?

[Daze Off]

I wish I could figure out where all our birds went - up until snow fell we had nuthatches, sparrows of various kinds, blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, etc. on our regular feeder, thistle feeder and sunflower seed feeder and woodpeckers on the suet but nothing for the last month or two except the occasional woodpecker.

Any suggestions on what happened? We live in the outer NW Metro.

[DARK30]

I've noticed a drop in the frequency of certain ones....mostly the Cardinals. Sadly, There are less and less song birds around these days and a lot more of other species including the English sparrow. I'm not a big birding whiz but I would venture to say that some of the native birds are in big trouble. Habitat alterations, Invasive species, and Predators aren't helping the little guys at all!Maybe its got to do with the weather too...Its another easy winter for them so maybe they just aren't concentrated near food sources as much.

This year for the first time, I have a high count of sparrows and it seems they take over an area.

Ladylikestofish, I like the squirrels too. I got a bunch of big fat grays and a few reds. I just have to thin them out once in a while.

Hey Jim, Could it have been a little Pelican?

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[This message has been edited by DARK30 (edited 01-15-2004).]

[MT Net]

Cats. they're all over, always killing the birds. We had some nice green tall plants around our birdbath. Watched a cat jump up and nab one. Only wish I had my pellet gun.

[Jim W]

MT,

I didn't see the bird so I will have to send this to my wife.

I am familiar with buntings, but never thought they would be this far south, feeding on a feeder.

Thanks!!

Jim W

[woodyjdh]

I too feed the birds. As the wife has a daycare, it is an added bonus to them when they see different birds at the feeders. Too much junk on TV, and this will hopefully get them a little more interested in nature. Earlier this fall, I had filled one tube with mixed birdseed, and the other with Sunflower seed. The mixed when immediately, I almost couldn't keep up with the lil buggers. Then sometime in Dec. they switched over to the Sunflower seed (black)and now I can't hardly keep up with them on that! They don't even touch the mixed. Mostly I have nuthatches and chickadees, don't have a problem with the squirrels. Speaking of them...on KARE11 the other night they showed a new toy for them called a "SQUNGEE". Someone in the TC's came up with it. And like the name sounds it is a bungee cord for squirrels with corn cobs on the end. They pretty much leave the feeders alone. But my dad will always stick to his favorite squirrel feeder...one of those high dollar German made pellet guns. I too have seen the video of the pigeon thrower rigged with a squirrel feeding on it. Was pretty funny.

[Renneberg]

Now here is a pic of the flying squirrles that come to my backyard.

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"Study to be quiet"

[This message has been edited by Renneberg (edited 01-27-2004).]

[woodyjdh]

Thanks! I never actually seen any flying squirrels. I don't have enough trees here to have hardly any squirrels at all.

[This message has been edited by woodyjdh (edited 01-27-2004).]

[Renneberg]

Now I got it.

[ladylikestofish]

I asked the lady from the Lowry Nature Center (she's now retired, but a GREAT source of info!) why I haven't seen flying squirrels around my home (in the west Metro) like I do when I visit my sister in Fargo (she has red squirrels, gray squirrels, AND flying squirrels). She said she thinks it's due to our healthy owl population.
I only have gray squirrels; my parents, only five miles away, however, have some big, fat, healthy fox squirrels that are fun to watch.

[Renneberg]

I live in the west metro and see a ton of flying squirrels. Their out there every night. We don't get many fox squirrels or red squirrels.

[M.T. Bucket]

Think some of you guys have squirrel problems? I have 6 gray squirrels on my deck every morning--which is fine. My wife took to giving them corn and peanuts--which is fine. When she started giving them mixed nuts and expensive, locally made granola , I got a chip on my shoulder about squirrels. Such matters have been rationally discussed and the squirrels enjoy a slightly more modest diet as of late

I know it's cold out there, but I have a hard time feeling sorry for a corpulent rodent that eats better than I do most days...

The only birds I get in the winter are chickadees and pigeons

[fishface5]

Is there anything I could put out to attract flying squirls? I have Red and White oaks in my yard. I put out sunflower seeds, suet, thistle, and whole corn (on the ground). Tons of grays but thats all I've noticed. Could I just not be noticeing them? Do they come out at dusk, or just after dark? I live in Big Lake, I would think they'd be around.

[Mark Christianson]

I am curious about these flying squirrels too. I live in Big Lake as well, and I have grey squirrels coming out of my ears.
I have never seen a flying squirrel.

[Renneberg]

Flying squirrels are night time animals. We have a feeder that is on a tree for them. They will come down the tree to the feeder at night. They only seem to like black sunflower seeds. We fill the feeder after sunset. That way we know the flying squirrels are getting more of the food then the grays.

They seem to not fear people because we get close enofe to grap one.

If you have a feeder on a tree you may already have flying squirrels just never noticed them before.

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"Study to be quiet"

[fishface5]

Do they come out at a certain time? Just after dark, etc.? I've had dark Sunflower seeds out for a long time but they are in a hanging tube feeder with a metal cage around it, and a metal feeder. I don't think they could get into it. The grays can't, partly due to thier wieght, and partly due to the slippery metal surface. I'll put one out that is easyer for them to get at. Do you see them in the winter, or do they hibernate, like chipmunks?

[Renneberg]

I see them all winter and all night. One night during the summer I stayed outside until midnight and counted over 20 squirrels that landed on the tree.

The feeder I have is called a Munch 'N View squirrel feeder. You nail it to the tree. Ours is about eye level.

[fishface5]

Thank you for the help. I put a small feeder on the Red oak that is less than ten yards from the kitchen window. I hope it doesn't take them long to find it. I like the one you have pictured. Do you need to have them a certain hight?

[Mark Christianson]

Does a snare work?

I just can't believe these things are around. I honestly have never heard of them around here. I better get to the saw, and make some squirrel houses.
I never thought I would say that.

FF5,
I bet I get pics of a flying squirrel before you!!!!!

[fishface5]

Yea, but I only go for trophys! Ready set go.

[Renneberg]

Mine is about 6 ft off the ground. I've never seen one on the ground, so hang it up on the tree.

When you see one at your feeder walk up to it. You'll be suprised at how close you can get to them before they shoot off.

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"Study to be quiet"

[fishface5]

Thanks again Ren. I can't wait to see my first flying squirrel! I'll post as soon as I do. BLB Do you have a feeder up yet?

[Renneberg]

Good luck guys!

[Mark Christianson]

Do I have the feeder up yet???
I have a flying squirrel condo that I am getting my final inspection done tomorrow.

[Mark Christianson]

Hey FF5
Shoot me an email. I am just curious where you are at. You cant be far from where I live.
Have you heard of scotty18 out here on FM? He is in Big Lake as well.

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by biglakeba$$ (edited 02-17-2004).]

[fishface5]

No Flying squirls yet.

[fishface5]

So I can't spell

[DARK30]

The Robins are here! Until the nightcrawlers show up, put some whole baked apples out for them ...they love um. Might have to put up some rabbit fencing around the apples though.

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Swamp Scooter]

I was lucky enough during deer season in northern WI to get them on digital video. I almost was able to reach out and touch one of them. The weather was cold but they just kept eating. Very cool creatures.

Saw a robin late last week on the U campus. Spring is coming fast!

[swampman]

I saw a bluebird in my yard today might have to finally get a bluebird house built. I havent had any luck with wrens maybe I will have better luck with the bluebirds.