How Not To Domesticate A Wild Rabbit
Recently, I’ve been tweeting about my backyard bunnies and their antics. I’ve been putting a wildlife mix on the patio at certain times and they’ve been happy to partake of it. This has brought a smile to my wife and I as we know the numbers are against rabbits surviving even their first year. To have two bunnies in our backyard we feel blessed but we also accept our responsibility for keeping them wild for their own protection.
Since we first spotted them, they’ve gone from running and hiding under our fence every time the back door is opened to moving a comfortable distance away from us. They no longer look terrified to hear or see us but they don’t completely trust us. This is a very good thing and I want to keep it that way. At this point, if I wanted to, I could probably “train” at least one of them to come to me for a baby carrot. I will not do this and let me explain why.
Have You Been Changing Your Birdbath Water?
If you live in the mid-south or anywhere else that’s been locked in the 90′s for a while I hope you’ve remembered your birds and backyard critters. I’ve had to change my birdbath water at least twice each day and clean them about every other day. They really appreciate it and I see it. For instance, I can usually tell when the water has gotten a tad murky because my goldfinches will land on the bath and stare at it before taking a small sip and going back to eating. When it’s just been cleaned, they land, take several sips quickly and THEN go back to eating or whatever. They’re very particular about their water-LOL!
The Most Disgusted I’ve Been In A While
Started Like Any Other Shopping Trip
I was at Walmart the other day picking up some suet and corn for my backyard friends. While checking out, the salesperson asked me what I did with the corn cobs I was buying. I told him about the squngee and squirrel feeder in my backyard. I told him how much fun it was to watch the squirrels jump on the squnqee and bounce up and down. He agreed that must be a hoot and then he related to me a story that just made me mad and sick instantly.
Passing The 100 Post Milestone
Never Dreamed I’d Make It
When I wrote my first blog post in July of 2008, I was all about setting up an ecommerce site that would be close to my heart. I love spending time just watching birds and I’ve learned a whole lot about what works and what doesn’t in the backyard. My neighbors think I’m insane because I’m the guy staring down nuisance birds in my backyard until they fly off. I’m also the one that stands by the feeders with my arms outstretched getting birds to hand feed from me. I must admit, until you have success with this you can look pretty ridiculous just standing there like a tree trying not to move.
Then, something happened…
Bluebirds Are Moving In!
Contested Dwelling
This year I’ve had more than a couple species look at one of my two bluebird boxes. I had the bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, starlings and cowbirds. If you’ve been following this blog for any time at all you’d know I’d never let starlings or sparrows move in so their fate was predetermined. I also realize the cowbirds were just looking for an egg drop because they don’t build nests. They just leave their eggs to be raised by the unfortunate bird whose nest they’ve selected. I’ve also never had a titmouse take a nestbox.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Big Day 2011
Help Team Sapsucker Set A New Record
I received an email today that I need to pass along to you. It was from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and their Big Day 2011 that will happen tomorrow. I’ll just let you read the letter from them to begin.
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