Recently I've had a pair of ducks making regular visits to my yard, gobbling the goodies found below my medium sized bird feeder. They are now regulars, since I toss out a cup of rolled corn every morning. I enjoy them, they're quite funny to watch, especially when other males come calling... The ducked head, and missile like fast waddle are incredibly funny, as are the diversion tactics of the intruders. It normally begins with the pair eating, and two males strolling up the driveway. The male will take off waddling, head down, in an effort to shoo the other two males away. Inevitably, the two trespassers will separate, leaving the mister to chase one male, while the third male almost ALWAYS makes a little detour circle through a path in the trees/brush only to emerge even closer to the hen.


In the mornings, I hear the loud cries of a hawk, sometimes two or three hawks, as the calls come from several locations consistently, almost if chatting w/one another. Could this be why my small bird numbers seem to have dwindled?
I no longer enjoy the glut of siskins and sparrows I once had. My Towhees, which used to number about 8, are at one - and I don't see him regularly. This is a GREAT disappointment.

I have had the pleasure of about four pair of Flickers, the usual Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Two weeks ago, I had a Varied Thrush (oooh how excited I was!!!)

My Mourning Dove is back (I'm not sure what happened - there used to be four), and Band Tailed Pigeons are also gracing my yard. This morning, I had six of the pigeons!!! I've never seen but one pigeon at a time. They're trying to balance on my feeder, which has only a simple wild bird mix of sunflower and (I think) millet. The balancing act is quite comical!

See the pigeons here (two images)
http://www.pbase.com/neens_wa/image/95688647

nina
Bremerton
neens at wave cable dot com
.