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>
