[TN-Bird] Catbird & other updates

From: Dthomp2669@xxxxxxx
To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 07:54:11 EDT
Good morning,
 
The wild grapes are beginning to ripen on the south east side of the vine  
here in the Charlotte Park section of West Nashville.  One catbird, "gray  
ghost" that it is, has been skulking through the vine for several days in 
search  
of the few semi-ripe morsels that it can find.  I catch a rare glimpse of  the 
bird in the thick vine, but I do hear it "meow" each morning.  So far,  I only 
know there is one for sure.  Last year, there were two at a time  which I 
could SEE.
 
My poor little house wren is now singing from two doors away.  Perhaps  it 
has found another nesting site to try again.  So far, I have been  physically 
unable to take the carport's gourd down to clean it after the  eggs were 
undoubtedly destroyed by a predator.  It appears that all the egg  residue is 
gone 
from the nest.  The ants have stopped trailing in and  out.
 
Carolina wrens are "working the leaves" in the grape vine and will  sometimes 
take a taste of the peanut butter.
 
Cardinal, titmouse and chickadee babies are everywhere.  Mourning  doves, 
house finches, house sparrows, rock pigeons and starlings are plentiful  with a 
few adult cowbirds hanging around to feast constantly.  Once in a  while, the 
goldfinches drop by for a turn at the Niger feeder.
 
Although it appears that all the mockingbirds are nesting again, I can put  
out the peanut butter and grape jelly, call "C'mon Bosses," and a couple of 
them  will fly right in.  They feed until the "swarm" of starlings takes  over. 
 
The adult "mocks" do not seem to be as feisty and do not fight so  hard for 
peanut butter rights as their young ones did.  The young  mockingbirds were 
really scrappy this year and gave those starlings a battle for  the food.
 
Blue jays and cardinals come daily to "sun" on my deck.  I don't think  they 
are "anting," as I never see any ants where they have been.   Maybe the birds 
leave "wearing" the ants they collect!!!  I am  kidding.  I don't THINK they 
leave with ants all over them.  If any of  you know better for sure, please 
clue me in.
 
Robins are scarce here this year.  No hummingbirds yet.  Of  course, I could 
miss a lot of birds when I take my fairly frequent "rest  breaks."  Still tire 
quite easily even though my recuperation seems to be  progressing at a rate 
that the doctors seem to feel is pretty normal.
 
Hungry squirrels are stealing food faster than I can supply.  I  haven't seen 
the pair of chipmunks for quite a few days, so perhaps they have  gone 
elsewhere.
 
With these hot, muggy days, I do not dash outside to restock the  feeders as 
often as in the past.  Therefore, I may be missing some real  "goodies."  
 
Happy birding!
 
Dee Thompson
Nashville, TN
 




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[TN-Bird] Catbird & other updates

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