Re: birds and other critters

Marge, it's not so much open fields - we do have an open area but it gets 
smaller and smaller as trees close in.  We are fortunate to have a small pond 
(shared with the neighbor behind us) and to be adjacent to a wooded area of 
the Blue Mountain Reservation - a county property.  The pond is small - less 
than 1/2 acre - but the mallards come every year and the kingfishers seem to 
find it very attractive.  I forgot to mention the Canadas that also come - I 
always hope they won't stay because they make such a mess.  They usually 
decide not to nest here, and after a week or so of hanging out in the spring, 
they move on.  One year a pair nested beside the pond and were very defensive 
- wouldn't let us go that way at all - but something disrupted the nest and 
there were no little Canadas.
Also, I didn't mention that we have, on occasion, seen an eagle.  They are 
definitely in the area - local papers have been picturing them this winter, 
but we've been seeing them for several years now.  
We're really very rustic even though part of the great "metropolitan sprawl." 

Auralie
 

In a message dated 02/17/2003 11:55:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
mtalt@hort.net writes:

> That is remarkable, Auralie.  You must have some open fields and
> water near you to have red-wing blackbirds, kingfishers, mallards and
> heron.  I get a flock of Canada geese flying over every evening on
> their way to the Potomac River, but can't claim them as they never
> land here:-)  I've never seen a scarlet tanager; lucky you! 
> 
> When we first built here and things were a tad more open, we had a
> few red-wings, but they don't like woods, so don't come now. The
> mocking birds aren't as numerous as they were for the same
> reason...they like more open areas best; actually, same with the
> starlings.  Used to have a resident family, but only see them in
> flocks in winter now when snow covers everything as they like grassy
> areas to hunt in.  I have seen red tailed hawks, but not on the
> property...we seem to have a resident pair of red-shouldered hawks as
> they are seen pretty regularly sitting in trees looking down for
> rodents (they can have all they want...I encourage them...'catch
> voles...catch voles'...all I can:-))  Not so thrilled when they
> decide to hunt at the feeders!  But they are magnificent birds.

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