FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Spring Chimney Swift Sightings

[canyon.eagle@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello VAbirders,

Typically, the closer we get to spring, the more Grackles and Starlings 
appear in our garden.  We're now at about 100 Grackles and 50 Starlings 
daily.  I've never found a way to shoo them away from the feeders for more 
than a few minutes, so instead try to get creative with methods of 
feeding.  I use a variety of seedfeeders.  Some of them are too small for 
the Grackles to perch on.  The small birds can use them without too much 
hassling from the Grackles.  An accidental discovery this year that has 
proved to be a good way to divert the Starlings from the suet feeders...a 
friend gave me a huge bag of catfood that her cat wouldn't eat.  The food 
was too rich for our fat cats, so I put it out for the Crows.  The Crows 
ate a bit, but the Starlings loved it!  So much so that they've given up on 
the suet.  When I put out the catfood the Starlings swarm it, leaving the 
suet feeders alone and giving the woodpeckers ample opportunity to eat 
suet.  Everyone seems happy!

BTW, Chimney Swifts are on their way.  FYI for those of you who might like 
to participate, check the website in the post below.


Lori Markoff
Vienna
Fairfax County
canyon.eagle@xxxxxxxxxxx


>From: <mailto:DWA@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>Paul D. Kyle
>Subject: RFI: Spring Chimney Swift Sightings
>
>Greetings,
>
>Once again this year we will be tracking the arrival of Chimney Swifts in 
>North America.  The first sighting for 2002 was March 5th, so the swifts 
>could already be in south Texas.   All reported sightings will be posted 
>on our web site 
>at: 
><http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa/page48.html>http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa/page48.html
> 
>
>
>Please distribute this message to any group or individual that may be 
>interested in participating.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Paul and Georgean Kyle
>
>
>--
>Paul and Georgean Z. Kyle
>Driftwood Wildlife Association
>North American Chimney Swift Nest Site Research Project
>1206 West 38th Street, Suite 1105
>Austin, Texas 78705
>phone / fax:  (512) 266-3861
>Visit our web page at:
><<http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa>http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa>
>
>
>

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