I would like to thank all of the customers that stopped in the store over this past weekend and helped raise money for Legacy Land Trust. This is one of my favorite non-profit organizations in Northern Colorado. Their mission is to purchase and set aside open land in Northern Colorado, and support local, family owned farms and ranches producing organically grown, sustainable products. I can’t think of a better way to leave a lasting mark on the landscape in Larimer County. More importantly, their mission and goals create a legacy of wild bird and wildlife habitats right in our backyards. Because of all of your generosity, we raised over $450 this weekend! Thank you all for helping this organization continue their valuable work.
20 Feb
The Birds are back in Northern Colorado!
I was so excited to go into my backyard on Thursday this past week before the snow began to fall again. I was actually taking the opportunity to clean up some of the dog waste that has accumulated over the past couple of months of snow cover in my north-facing backyard. I couldn’t have been more excited to hear the call of a black-capped chickadee in one of the trees in my backyard. I have never had many chickadees in my yard because the tree growth is only about 11 years old. However, on occasion they do stop in for a quick bite and on some of those visits I happen to be lucky enough to actually be outdoors to enjoy their company.
I stopped doing my chores for a moment to figure out where the bird was located and watched it fly back and forth from a tree to one of my tray feeders with one peanut kernel at a time. I really got excited when I looked to the branch above the bird to see yet another chickadee joining in. In such a hectic world it’s such a joy to be able to walk outside and let the natural world entertain you.
This morning before I let my dogs out in the backyard I looked out at the snow falling on our blue spruce tree. It almost looked like we still had the tree decorated for the holidays because there were so many bright red male house finches sitting on its branches. I know that feeding birds can be time consuming, but the payoff is great! I hope that you feel the same way.
10 Feb
Osprey Nest Cam a Must-See!
Osprey with Catch of the Day
My parents spend the winter in the Dunedin, FL. It’s a beautiful little town about 30 minutes north and west of Tampa. We we’re able to get away from the store for a long weekend the end of January and were so excited to see all of the wildlife and birds in the area. We played one round of golf, not very well if I might add, and saw more alligators than I’d like to see in a lifetime. I also saw my first female Cardinal. I know that might sound like a rather ordinary sighting, but for someone that grew up in Colorado, it was a life bird for me!
One of the greatest things about Dunedin is the community committment to birds and birding. On almost every street light you came upon, there was an old satellite dish or wooden platform built for Osprey to nest. Everywhere you looked there was a female in the nest tending her eggs, and a male bringing the days’ catch back to feed mama. At a small executive golf course about 1 1/2 blocks from my parents home there is an Osprey nest with a nest-cam for everyone to check in on the families’ progress. If you would like to view the nest, click on the following link and you will be allowed to view it for about 60 seconds. The site times out so that everyone can get a chance to look at the nest. It’s not exactly like being in Florida for the winter, but if you would like to check this great site out, I highly recommend it.
If you’re lucky to ever see an Osprey catch a fish, watch as they begin to fly away with it in their talons. Osprey are the only raptor that can actually move the fish in their talons from front to back rather than sideways, allowing them to fly more aerodynamically.
9 Feb
If it isn’t one thing…….
Today I awoke worried about out 3 year old Lab, Beckham. She’s the cutest little dog that just loves to run, play and torture our cat Jack. For the past 4 months she’s been dealing with an injury to her back right leg and we finally had an MRI done to determine the cause of the pain. CSU Vet’s found that the tip of one of her toes was crushed and they had to amputate the first knuckle of that toe. She came home from the hospital this morning and just seems happy to be in her own home. We think she’ll be back up and fetching balls in no time.
I also looked out this morning to find that both my front and back yard heated bird baths were frozen solid. As usual, I didn’t have enough time to really figure out what had happened but my bet is on a blown fuse. I have a feeling that when I get home tonight there are going to be a bunch of songbirds trying to chip away at the bird bath giving me the “evil eye”.
Critters certainly do take a whole lot of time and care, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything!
8 Feb
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Strikes Again!
Dark Eyed Junco
I was so excited to see my birds return to the feeders in my backyard after the cold weather set in. I had my usual slate-colored Junco sitting on one of my nyjer feeder trays eating away. I had more house finches and sparrows than I could count, vying for a space at the window feeder, and more Northern Flickers than I’ve ever seen at one time. Then it happened……I looked out at a large bird sitting on the back fence. After focusing my binoculars on him I knew that the reason the yard had gone silent was because a sharp-shinned hawk had returned to the yard to dine on an unsuspecting songbird. It’s not an easy thing to see, but raptors need to eat as well as our songbirds. I’ve got most of my feeders in cages so that squirrels and blackbirds can’t empty them out, but the cages also serve as a bit of protection from raptors that might be scouting out a feeder that is full of small songbirds. By the time I had left for work today, the sharp-shinned hawk had moved on to other hunting grounds and the house sparrows were lining up at the window feeder once again. I hope that the hawk is well fed and happy and that my songbirds will trust enough to return tomorrow and dine with me again.
7 Feb
It’s Cold Outside!
As expected, my backyard birds are in a feeding frenzy with the cold, snowy weather that’s descended upon Fort Collins. My cat Jack is in kitty heaven because there are so many house finches fighting for space at my window feeder. He sits on the window sill all day trying to figure out how to get his paws on one of those little birds. I’m a firm believer in the idea that the only good cat is an indoor cat. He can try all day, but all he’ll get out of the situation is some scintillating cat “TV”.
I found the most beautiful little nest in my front yard this morning. I was aware that I had 2 small nests in my front ash tree, but they were up way too high to investigate any further. The wind must have blown the nest out of the tree. It is a very small nest with no more that 1 1/2 inches diameter in the center. I only have 1 feeder in my front yard which is a nyjer feeder. That tree is absolutely alive with American and Lesser Goldfinches in the spring, summer and fall. Based on the size of this nest, I believe that Goldfinches are using my tree as a nesting location. I live very close to the foothills, but the elevation here would usually be considered a bit low for Goldfinches to nest. They usually head up into the mountains in late August and September to have their babies. I guess we’re very lucky to have such a treasure in our yard.
That’s all for today. Go Saints!
5 Feb
My Inaugural Post!
Welcome to my new blog site “Dabirdlady”! I hope to use this site to keep you informed about upcoming events at my store, Wild Birds Unlimited in Fort Collins, CO. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and about all of your birding adventures. If you would like to learn more about the store, go to www.wbu.com/fortcollins.
