Sponsored Post: Hen Picked Dried Mealworms

Bringing you another sponsored post this week is Hen Picked Dried Mealworms.  I received these at a reduced price for my honest review.  Not for human consumption!  :-D

So, what are mealworms, you ask?  They are the larval stage of the mealworm beetle that are mass produced to provide a tasty treat for birds.  These particular ones are dried and shipped to your door.  Now, you could buy some live ones from a bait store or wild birds store (such as Wild Birds Unlimited)... sounds creepy and a little yucky.  Heck, you can even raise them yourself, which sounds even yuckier and I'm unwilling to go that far.  I like to feed the birds though, and birds do love these yummy treats, so I prefer the dried version.

Here is what they look like served on tray feeder along with some peanuts and seeds.  This is how I prefer to present them - and the birds love them too!

As you can see, I get a lot of takers eating the mealworms.. but I have yet to attract my favorite bluebirds!  I know that bluebirds love them and if they were still nesting in my bluebird box, I'm sure they'd stop by and check these out... but alas, they moved on after the house sparrows gave them a run for their money.

So my review?  I think these are nice and convenient.  There is very little waste - by which I mean broken worms/dried pieces left at bottom - which is great.  I love that I can have them delivered to my door when I need them.  I recommend them if you want to give your birds a little treat now and again - I'd recommend feeding during the nesting season (to help parents with "take out" food for their demanding nestlings and fledglings) as well as in the winter for an extra energy boost (high in protein!).

Check out my full review here:

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3SLA32FJ9B9NC/

Sponsored Post: Solar Glass Mosaic Bird Feeder

I received a Solar Glass Mosaic Bird Feeder at a reduced price in order to share with you, my loyal readers, my review.  This is for my honest review, mind you, and I in all honesty cannot recommend this product to you as a bird feeder.  As an art piece, yes, but not as a bird feeder.

I have fed birds for a long time - and I have a wide variety of bird feeders and types of seed to do so. There are so many style on the market that one often wonders: is this one or that one right for me? I can tell you right now, as a bird feeder, I cannot recommend this product. 

Why?

1. It is hard to fill with seed. You literally have to take the top off, complete with the battery and light compartment, hook, and pole holding it all together, just to fill the bird feeder. My birds go through this in a day, easy. I like easy to fill feeders because of it.

2. The bottom tray does nothing more than hold waste/opened seeds and water. This creates a bad hygiene situation and a mess - no thanks.

3. The holes that the seed come out of are small - only a couple of seeds come out at a time. Ok for birds like nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, etc that will grab a seed and go, but not so good for other birds who like to sit and eat. I know there are feeders for all different species though, so this isn't as large of a concern.

Now, however, is the aesthetic angle. This thing is beautiful - I'll give you that. I might keep it around just for that. But it doesn't really light up much - the bulb inside of it is really tiny and doesn't effectively light up the entire feeder and definitely not bright enough to be considered a night light. It does provide a little focal point though, so it isn't completely without merit.

Here is the feeder set up and installed in my backyard.  It is beautiful even in broad day light, without the light.  As you can see, the Tufted Titmouse didn't mind picking some seeds out one bit!

This is what it looks like at night. Not very bright.  The light in the top part of the photo is a nearly full moon by comparison.  It more just gives off a glow than a light, in my opinion.  It's ok - but nothing to write home about.  

Here's another night shot, showing you in comparison to the lights on in my house.  Very dull and doesn't really highlight the colors.  I actually think it's prettier in the daylight!

Here is a picture showing how it opens up to fill the feeder up.  I can't imagine having to open this daily.  It is threaded on, which is a pain, plus you have to line up that little pole through the container hold the tiny light and battery, into the hook to hang the thing.  Phew!  And the whole time you don't want to accidentally drop it or bump it, because don't forget, it's made of glass!

This photo also does a better job of showing the pretty colors.  All of that was hand made - gotta love that! It really is beautiful just as art.  Which is probably how I'm going to leave it for now!

Bottomline: if you want a little pretty touch, this is beautiful art... just don't expect to use it as a bird feeder as well.

If you are interested in purchasing this item, check on the listing on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFJHZ4A

2 Eagles in 4 days!

For the second time in 4 days, I saw a Bald Eagle! I mostly consider this luck - being in the right place at the right time. People are often shocked when I tell them I've seen eagles multiple times in the area, but it really is just knowing what to look for and then being in the right place at the right time.

(Photo courtesy of Audubon Field Guide)

The first time was just outside my work on my lunch break Friday. I walk the Mishawaka River Walk frequently when the weather was nice and Friday was a beautiful Spring day. I got down to the bridge to Kamm Island and started watching 4 Tree Swallows immediately fighting, tumbling over each other in an aerial battle that reminded me of dog fights in WWI. Exciting to watch them chase each other and nearly miss obstacles. As I was gazing up in the sky, I saw a larger bird up much higher. Raising my binoculars, I immediately deduced it was one of 4 things: Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, or Osprey, by size and behavior (soaring at a high altitude) alone.

The broad wings of the bird suggested possibly a hawk - the largest and by far most common buteo in the area being the Red-tailed Hawk. Buteos are the type of hawk you'd see demonstrating this behavior of soaring way up high. They are so common that when I play the game "What kind of hawk is that?" [you'd be surprised how many times I play this game, especially while driving] I automatically assume it's a Red-tail until proven otherwise. Their red-tails (their distinguish field mark) aren't pronounced from below, but rather above. This bird did have a white tail similar to the Red-tail, but didn't have nearly the amount of white underneath to justify even a second guess as a Red-tail. [On a side note, it's always a thrill to dismiss a bird as "not a red-tail" in the game. Not that I don't love them, because I do, but it's seriously like 90% of the time a Red-tail!]

(Photo Courtesy of Audubon Field Guide)

Going down the list, I quickly threw out Osprey: they are mostly white underneath with a bit of black and this bird was the opposite: mostly black with a little bit of white. Furthermore, Ospreys often hold their wings kinked - in an "M" shape - not a flat plane like buteos and eagles. This is obvious in flight, even on a high flying bird. Although uncommon, they are not unheard of in the area, with several nests in Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend. They are one of the birds that were devastated by the use of DDT 50 years ago, but have made a come back since it was outlawed. They are a fun bird to watch (they are pretty exclusive to eating fish, so if you watch them long enough you're bound to see them dip into the water and come up with a fish). I'd been happy to see one, but nope that's not what I was seeing.

(Photo courtesy allaboutbirds.org)

I narrowed my binoculars in on the head of the bird and quickly dismissed it as a Turkey Vulture. Turkey Vultures have little red heads that are literally naked and this bird didn't look like that. But I had to dismiss Turkey Vultures because they are very common pretty much every where in the area. They are also extremely large - like this bird was - much larger than any hawks. They are superb flyers, soaring without flapping for very long periods of time. They also have considerable white under their wing, although it's more of a grayish white and doesn't always stand out, just gives a two tone appearance. It's worth noting that Turkey Vultures often hold their wing in a shallow "V" form, in place of the "M" of Osprey, which is definitely not what what I was seeing. The head that I saw was white which was the biggest field mark there was.

(Photo courtesy of Audubon Field Guide)

Let's review - very large bird - broad wings and soaring above the river - not the common Red-tailed Hawk or Turkey Vulture or the uncommon Osprey - mostly black wings with some streaky white in them - and a white head.. that leaves me with only one choice: a bald eagle. This bird was not an adult though because the adults are pure dark brown/black with zero white underneath. In case you don't know, eagles take about 5 years to get their adult plumage - which (uncoincidentally) is when they are at the breeding age. It had the mostly white head and tail though, which indicated it wasn't a real young eagle though. A bit of research clued me into it's full identity: a 4th year Bald Eagle. This particular year is often referred to as the "dirty bird" because it looks mostly like an adult, but messy. They sometimes have a dark eye strip and a dark tail band and still have some white under their wings. This picture is pretty close to what I saw (honestly, I couldn't see the eye strip, but it was pretty high up).

(Photo courtesy of natureandwildlifepics.com)

I was ecstatic to the see the eagle - a great sign of how with the right protections a species can come back from being nearly exterminated. This bird might have been migrating still, but there are Bald Eagles nesting in the area. I personally know of 4 - St Patrick's Park, Potato Creek, near the Elkhart Dam, and near the Goshen Dam. There was also an attempt near IUSB recently, but I haven't heard if a pair is trying again this year or not. If there was a nest there, that is just downstream of the Mishawaka River Walk which means I'd probably see them frequently, especially after the eggs hatch.

Little did I know, I'd be seeing a second eagle only days later. The second time was this evening as I was driving home from my parent's house in Mishawaka. As I pulled up near Elkhart Memorial High School on CR 12 in Elkhart I saw a large bird in the sky. I had to stop at a light so I was really studying it , going through the same mental checklist as above. My mind decided Bald Eagle very quickly - this was a full adult and is unmistakable. It was also considerably lower and so I saw more of the bird. I quickly pulled over and got my binoculars out to confirm. Yepp, definitely another eagle! I grabbed my phone to take a photo, the only camera I had on me. This is what I got:

(Photo Courtesy of a crappy cell phone camera)

What, you can't see the eagle? LOL yeah it was my cell phone, so it wasn't able to grab a great shot, no matter how low it was in the sky. It's that tiny little dot in the middle of the photo. You'll have to trust me on this one. Also, with my binoculars, I could definitely make out a fish in the talons. My guess is he/she got a fish out of the old quarry that's located by the high school and was taking it somewhere to eat - or possibly to feed it to a baby or mate in the downtown Elkhart nest. Very cool to see!


Now, to get outside more this week and see if my luck continues! ;-)

Spring is here - I saw a Robin!

One of the most common things I get around this time of year from well-meaning friends and family is a statement like this "Spring is here - I saw a Robin"!!!  Usually, their faces are so full of joy at the prospect of a cold winter being over and they are so enthusiastic to share something "bird" with me, which anyone who has been around me more than a day knows I love birds, that I don't say anything other than "yay! that's great - bring on the better weather!"  When in fact, I'd like to share this post with them to share the knowledge that I have about the truth of the matter.

Actually, as time goes on, I tend to want to share more than leave them in ignorance.  So whether it is I who pointed you here or a friend or family member - read this knowing that we LOVE that you want to share your excitement and passion for spring with us.  We just want to dispel the myth that for the majority of North America, all robins migrate south and return in Spring.

 

(photo courtesy of National Audubon Society)

Here is how many of us picture arguably the most identifiable bird in North America: the American Robin (Turdus migratorious) [heck it even has the word migratory in it's Latin name!].  A medium sized song bird hopping around on the grass with a huge worm in it's mouth.  This is in fact how most people see them most of the time.  They do love worms, it's true.  They especially love feeding worms to their young - like most songbirds, they feed their young the nice protein-rich food of invertebrates to sustain them. In our yard-loving society (a topic for another day), robins are plentiful.  Thus leads to the argument people often have with the concept of Robins being year round species - how in the heck do they get worms out of my backyard that looks like this!:

(my backyard this winter)

That's just it - they don't.  They're not hopping around on the snow and we typically don't see them as we expect.  So we assume they are gone - ie went south for the winter.  Until one early spring day, the temperatures reach 50 degrees, the sun is shining, the ground begins to unfreeze, and back they come again - looking for worms on the ground.  We jump around, get excited, "The robins are back!! They came back!! It's spring!!"

In all truth, a high percentage of them have been around all winter.  True, they have "come back" - come back to their quintessential place as the yard hoppers most people think they are.  And there are some that migrate every year - but usually not as far as we think.  A bird has to make a choice: migrate or not?  -more about this later-

But first, you might be questioning my credibility at this point.  Have I seen them this winter?  Yes.  Have I seen them every winter?  Since I've been an out-in-the-woods birdwatcher, yes (I say this mainly to differentiate that before the age of roughly 18 I saw most of my birds from behind glass looking at bird feeders - not that there's anything wrong with this, mind you - it just limits how many birds you see and behaviors you witness).  But beyond personally, how do we know about this for a fact?  First, a scientific way - mist netting, aka bird banding.  Bird banding is an ornithological technique by which individual birds are caught in a hard to see net, measured and weighed, and fitted with a lightweight band that identify them with a unique number.  Some are recaught, thus telling us where they've been and how they've changed.  These studies help researchers greatly and give us a ton of information that we'd otherwise not know about birds.

(photo courtesy of Sand Bluff Bird observatory, http://www.sandbluff.org/bird-banding/)

 

I encourage everyone to check out a bird banding demonstration if they ever get the chance - it is very cool.  Another awesome tool that you can use right now in the privacy of your own home is eBird.  eBird is an online resource that many citizen scientists (ie amateur bird watchers) have entered data in for over 10 years now.  I can get lost for hours on the thing, exploring data.  I definitely encourage you to take a look.  But here is a graph I quickly pulled up, showing American Robins observed in December and January for the past 10 years, as a percentage of checklists submitted - the darker the purple, the higher the percentage. 

 

 

 

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/amerob?neg=false&env.minX=-147.8800213249042&env.minY=9.582376023585398&env.maxX=-35.38002132490419&env.maxY=62.89673847598747&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&mr=on&bmo=12&emo=1&yr=last10&byr=2006&eyr=2016

 

I know this image is not the cleanest - I strongly suggest you go to the weblink to check it out for yourself.  While you're there, play around with some of the parameters - this is for December and January for the past 10 years.... but you can change the date range, zoom into your area, even change the species.  This is an amazing tool that I just love... ok enough reading, go check it out!

Welcome back!  So let's assume that you've taken my word for it, checked out some data showing there is evidence that some robins do, in fact, over winter in your backyard.  Now, I know you're asking - where are all the birds if they aren't eating worms?  They group together in large groups called flocks.  Sometimes they are even in mixed flocks with other species - typically Eastern Bluebirds (or other bluebirds if you are in a different region than I am), sometimes even Cedar Waxwings or Yellow-rumpted Warblers.  The primary advantage of a flock is that they can find food faster.  And this time of year, what are robins mostly looking for? Berries!  They love fruit - and great news - you can provide it in the form of berry-producing shrubs in your yard (preferably natives - that is definitely for another post).

(photo courtesy of Kim Smith)

 

It is actually not that uncommon for a species to change it's food source to what's more prevalent at particular times of years.  Even humans did this before modern transportation and refrigeration allowed us the luxury of eating anything we want, whenever we want (that my dears is a topic for another blog!).  There are a few species that do not do this, but by and large, the majority of species of birds shift their food preferences to what's available.  The other option is to follow your food source - and that is the essence of migration.

 

Growing up, I always thought migration was about staying warm, but really it's about food.  Sure, these birds can freeze to death, but in a roundabout way that goes back to food too.  Food produces energy, which powers these birds and keeps them unfrozen (they are warm blooded, like you and me) - well and some nice places to roost help too.  Birds are much less active in the winter - I'll admit it, I am too! - another reason why we don't see them as much.  But if you want to find them, you can, you just have to know where to look.  Look for berry bushes/trees - sumacs, high bush cranberries, junipers... there is a wide variety that they like.

 

[Another tip for seeing bluebirds in winter - they still like to bathe!  Put out a unfrozen body of water and robins will come!  And you might also get other species too - especially bluebirds.  Honestly, putting out a bird bath in winter is one of the best things you can do.]

 

The thing about migration is it takes a TON of energy and there are great risks.  Every year, birds decide to either migrate or stay put.  I don't really think they mentally decide - it's probably instinct, but mostly it's about food availability.  The best way to describe this, I feel, is through an analogy.  Say you love crawfish.  Straight up, love them.  You know all the best crawfish restaurants in town - even sometimes making special trips just to try a new place.  Well then imagine a catastrophe strikes and crawfish become rare.  You start to pack your bags, stock up on what food you have left, and get ready to make the thousand mile trek down to Louisiana where they are still plentiful.  Yet, you start looking around and seeing all this other food that is all around you - maybe you should try some chicken instead.  You decide the favorite food isn't worth the effort (and risk) and decide to just eat chicken until crayfish become more plentiful (and easy to find) again.

 

I know, this is a silly thought, but it works as analogy - some birds migrate, some don't.  There are birds that make thousand mile trips every year - it really is a fascinating subject.  Some robins migrate - some don't.  The ones that do face the risks of travel, while the ones that stay face the risks of the cold and running out of food.  In mild winters, many will survive - in harsh winters, not so many.  The benefit if you survive?  You have spent less energy AND you are already near your territory and are thus more likely to mate and be successful.

 

Another bird that falls into this category of a harbinger of spring is the Red-winged Blackbird - similar thing here folks.  They spend the winter in MASSIVE mixed species flocks with other blackbirds, feeding primarily on waste grain in the fields.  Come spring, they will be back to their usual posts at the side of any and all bodies of water.

(photo courtesy of New Jersey Audubon)

 

I will end by saying that robin behavior can be a good harbinger of spring, if not the robin itself.  When the weather changes enough that the ground unfreezes and grass greens, the robins change their behavior.  They will unflock and find their respective territories - males singing their hearts out to any female who will listen (and other males they what to keep away).  That IS spring - new life stirring in the remains of the bitter winter.  It is my favorite time of the year.

 

Resources:

 

All about birds website: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

 

Weidensaul, Scott.  Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, 2000.

 

eBird website:  www.ebird.org



Here's to a Big Year!

Well, it's been 3 years since my last post.  That's crazy.  I don't even know if I have any followers still out there.

(cricket, cricket, cricket)

Well, ok, I'll just type to the invisible person, or the person who stumbles across my blog and wants to learn more about birds.  Or maybe my readers will return (I hope so!).

I'm back because my son has finally gotten to the age that I can take a breather and be my own person again.  I have done it a little bit, but being a mom is a full time job.  No, I didn't quit my job (well actually, I did change jobs, but that's another story), I just mean it takes up a lot of time if you want to do it right.  And I do want to do it right.  But now, I can have a little more time to myself (just a little), so I want to start writing again.

And there is one other reason.  I have decided to do a Big Year.  Ok, not like the movie Big Year, at least not exactly.  I just want to document all of the birds I see in a year.  Try to see new ones, but not go to crazy on it.  Many people sink tons of time and money into Big Years.  I just want to dedicate more time to birding.  In Indiana in particular, and in State Parks as much as I can.  I was inspired by the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration, which is this year.  The Indiana Audubon Society is trying to encourage people and so I'm going to take the bait.  I have to document all the birds I see (more about this later) and try to see as many as I can in 1 year (2016 to be exact).

Along with this, I'm committing to share my journey with you my loyal readers (or random person, I love you too).  Enjoy!

Vacancy... filled!

Sorry, everyone, I've been vacant for awhile.. but I have some exciting news that might explain my reasons.  My husband and I are expecting a baby in early December of this year!!  We're both very excited.  I hope that slowing down will give me more time to blog.. but we'll see how it goes! :)

Woman vs Cat

Once again, I'm sure my neighbor's are ready to send me off to the loony bin.  Wouldn't you if your neighbor came running out of their house screaming bloody murder to chase a cat 500 feet without any shoes on?

Yepp, that's me.  I was cooking dinner, yummy pork chops with onions and apples.  They are so tasty!  Anyway, I had just added the pork to the pan in order to brown them, when I happened to glance out my window towards the bird feeder  (when you're obsessed with birds, this is a common occurrence).

One of the six or so stray/roaming cats in my neighborhood.

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?  But a tabby cat, crouching under the bird feeder.  Now, we have the neighborhood cats trained that if we bang on the windows, they should take off running.  I went to the screen door and banged on the window.  The cat only crouched lower.  As I quickly fumbled with the latch in order to unlock the door to open it up and yell at the cat, he jumped.

Up, way up, to the bird feeder.  Probably a 4 1/2 foot leap.  And he came down with a bird.  A flutter of red feathers flew up, and my mind and my brain sprung into action:  CARDINAL!

That's the male Cardinal on the left and the female on the right.

Don't get me wrong, now.. I would have probably done the next thing if it had been any bird.. but a Northern Cardinal?  One of the most recognized and beloved birds.  Indiana's state bird as a matter of fact... And Illinois.. and Ohio.. and Kentucky.. and North Carolina.. and Virginia.. and West Virginia... Ok, I think you get the point.  This is a beloved bird, probably second only to Bluebirds.  And unlike bluebirds, which sometimes get mistaken for other "blue" birds, Northern Cardinals are VERY recognizable.  The male is a brilliant red with a black face, whereas the female is a tan color with a reddish tinge, especially in the tail.  They share a bright orange rather large beak (the color and the size are distinctive) that they use to crack open seeds, their primary source of food.  Their favorite is safflower, which I feed primarily for them.  They love it!  If you aren't getting cardinals in your backyard and want some, try putting safflower out for a week or so, and I can pretty much guarantee a cardinal will stop by to try it out!  Safflower is the white seed in the picture, similar to sunflower, but smaller.

Alright, back to the action.  As my brain witnessed this horrible act, my body sprung into motion.  I ripped open the screen door and RAN at the cat, full blast, screaming at the top of my lungs.  I honestly think I scared the living daylights out of it (and anyone else around for that matter).  I didn't care.  It was right at dusk and was getting hard to see, but as I approached the scene of the crime, I saw four or five large red feathers (confirming my cardinal guess without a doubt), but no bird.  I heard some very metallic chipping coming from a nearby pine tree and felt a huge surge of relief.  The cat eyed me from the safety of the other side of the fence.  Panting hard and looking at me like I was crazy and just robbed him of his dinner.

See the cat in this picture?  Yeah, ultimate sneaks!

Well I kind of did. But I did NOT feel sorry for it.  There are a bunch of feral and free roaming cats in my neighborhood that I chase off on a fairly regular basis.  Let me tell you, I love cats.  INSIDE cats that are spayed that is.  What I dislike are feral cats and, to a greater extent, indoor cats that a typically ignorant, yet well-meaning pet owner let roam around to "get some fresh air."

I've heard it all before.  "Awwww, come on Lindsay, what harm can one little cat do?"  Tons!  If you have a cat, you know they love to stalk and chase their prey, even if they just ate.  It's their built in nature, that's how God made them.  So even if you feed your cat well, then let him out, he will catch birds outside.  I've heard it all, but if your curious, check out this link.  It answers some common misconceptions about cats and the outdoors.  No one knows exactly how many birds are killed by cats each year, but I've heard anywhere from 100 to 500 million.  PER YEAR... YIKES!!!

Somehow, amazingly, I had gotten there in time for this one lonely bird.  Praise God!  Now, I don't know if the bird was bitten, scratched, and bleeding and died overnight.  I will pray not, but the sad reality is, if the cat broke the skin of the bird, it will most likely be compromised.  I do know that the cat didn't break the cardinals neck (it would be lying their dead) or its wing (it wouldn't have been able to fly off and I would have seen it struggling).  The bird scuffled up higher in the tree when I approached, so I will assume that it was temporarily ok.

At this point, my husband came out wondering what was going on.  After I explained it to him, the adrenaline started to leave my body and I realized I was barefoot in the cold wet grass and decided I should head back in.  As we entered the house, he quipped "well you might have saved the Cardinal, but who's gonna save dinner?"  HA!