Out here in Edgewood, Wa. (near Five Mile Lake), we have a fine diner for
all various type feeder birds. We offer 9 "tables" plus the many lush ground
feeding accommodations for those who like their meal's on the "dirty"side.
I'm curious to know how long my new recent repeat customer is going to
stay? The other birds are beginnng to talk about moving on down a couple
blocks to the house that offers "moldy seed"!!!! The Towhees are saying the
yard is going downhill and the Pine Siskins are so polite, that the're being
"snatched" without a peep!!!! The whole bird kingdom hasn't been normal since
Ms./Mr. Sharpie decided I had the best food to offer her good taste!
Around 1 1/2 months ago I was sitting on my deck watching the birds
relaxing, when in rushes a Sharp-shinned Hawk right in between 2 birdfeeders
she flew! I was startled and seeing her in hot pursuit of a bird, I jumped
up and said "NOOOOOOO!!!"
She aborted the mission and flew up into a cedar. I sit there....thinking and
looking through my binoc's. I get a good look at her and with a heavy sigh I
say "Oh I'm so sorry.... I interfered in Natural Predation and
Selection...and she waited for how long for that meal???? Hmmmm. Later, when
she did get a Pine Siskin, she gave me a great view of her table manners
(plucking, ripping ect..). Needless to say I grew to appreciate this highly
skilled hunter and have had her visit maybe once or twice a week for a while.
But she's been here daily for about a week now and my birds and I are
running low on patience! I'm looking out my bedroom window..see a flash of
orange..could it be my first winter Varied Thrush??? Get the binoc's, lock on
..YES!! COOL!!! it is! All of the sudden "swoosh" in comes the Sharpie - in
through the roofless playhouse - out the door - twisting -around to the side
of the house- out of sight. I'm inside screaming "NOOOOOOO!!!!" running
through the house - out the front door searching for some sign that my V.
Thrush got away! No sign of either....
Her taste I see is getting more refined and her appetite is larger. I
accept that with the huge flocks of Pine Siskins and the numerous Junco's with
the misc. feeder birds about that a few are expendable. But my first V.Thrush
winter!!?? Next thing I know she'll want Chickadee Garnishes with her Thrush!
ARGGGGG!!!
Anyway, could or should she migrate or move on somewhere soon??? Is it
normal for a Sharpie to stay and fatten up for so long?? She's beautiful
but...Waaaaa, I want PEACE in my Bird Diner Kingdom!! Please tell me
something good!!

Kathy Krienke
Auburn, Washington
Flwrwm at aol.com

P.S. Don, I read somewhere, you had a soft spot for Sharpies? Any Info?