April 12 2010

• Shot Two male Brown Headed Cowbirds
• Saw a flock of five Brown Headed Cowbirds pass through
• Removed pond plants that have overgrown the area

Species sighted:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Northern Cardinal

Carolina Wren

Lesser Goldfinch

Titmouse

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Squirrels

• Refreshed all Hummingbird feeders
• Saw a baby Scorpion in kitchen sink

Posted in 2010 Journal, Census, Habitat, Predator, Food, Water

April 11 2010

• Saw two squirrels at seed ball feeder
• Saw Woodpecker at seed ball feeder
• Saw Wren nesting in Purple Martin House
• Saw bees on Lavender flowers
• Shot 2 male Brown Headed Cowbirds

Caretakers note: The Brown Headed Cowbird is a nest parasite species that lays its eggs in songbirds nests. The Brown Headed Cowbird female sometimes kicks the songbird eggs out of their nest. The Brown Headed Cowbird fledgeling is larger and hatches sooner than the songbird eggs, causing the songbird female to favor feeding that youngster instead of its own. This behavior is adapted from following herds of buffalo many years ago. Now days, the Brown Headed Cowbird is found near cattle ranches.

Posted in 2010 Journal, Census, Predator, Food

April 10 2010

• Saw very many Verbena flowers on slope at feeding area

Caretakers note: This sloped area has improved with the addition of dirt berms to slow down erosion

Posted in 2010 Journal, Habitat, Erosion, Food

April 08 2010

• Found dead Ringtail cat in wood barn- it had been living there
• Saw Wren in birdhouse provided at Rain Barn

Posted in 2010 Journal, Census, Shelter

April 07 2010

• Many more Hummingbirds today than before
• Refreshed Hummingbird feeders
• Cleared River Trail
• Saw butterflies

Posted in 2010 Journal, Census, Habitat, Food