Two males stayed around most of the morning. We didn't see any females and by early afternoon the two males had left the area. We were glad to see them go.
We know they are simply living the best way they can but we are happy they have decided to live elsewhere.
Although we pulled the bird welcome mat from the cow birds, we have a really big welcome mat out for my good friend who will be visiting this week. I am absolutely blessed to have two really close friends and she is one of them. We will have a wonderful week together no matter what we decide to do.
So while I welcome this dear friend, I will vacate the blog for a week. While I have some ideas, I do not have "canned" posts to pre-post. So I'll be back next Monday.
HAVE A TRULY WONDERFUL WEEK!!!
22 comments:
One April a few years ago, we'd worked very hard keeping the sparrows at bay so a first-time mating pair of bluebirds could make use of the house that was meant for them. The bluebirds were hesitant, fumbling, unsure...so we nurtured them along with mealy worms and an area security watch.
One day, I realized I hadn't seen them for over 24 hours. I checked on the nest and found five beautiful eggs and one ugly speckled one. I removed it and tossed it into the lake, but the bluebirds never returned to sit their brood.
I researched, learned it was a cowbird egg, and called my local extension service. They informed me it was ILLEGAL to destroy the cowbird egg. What!?! Needless to say, I did not mention that it was too late, the crime had already been committed.
We have those too! What can you do to discourage them and all the sparrows? My first time to your blog and I enjoyed reading! Your retreivers are gorgeous! I'll be back. Have a nice day!
How exciting to have company (of the friend, not cowbird type). Have a great and relaxing week!
I knew nothing of cowbirds until today. They're remarkably clever to lay their eggs in another's nest and then go about with life as though nothing ever happened. The science involved with species survival is always incredibly interesting. I can see how they'd be a scourge, but yet, it's intriguing. I think I've known several humans who behave in the same manner.
We occasionally see the dreaded cowbirds in the early spring but they always move on. I'm glad that yours did too!
Enjoy your week with your good friend. Sounds wonderful... See you next Monday.
Happy visiting! So fun to have friends visit.
I am a bit prejudice against those cow birds too. Last year one of the juncos had this big brute of a baby after it wanting to be fed ... you guessed it, a cow bird!
We haven't seen any cowbirds for a couple of years, but did see them in Port Townsend, Wa. Interestingly, the only problems we had with nest intruders was when a violet-green swallow decided she wanted to take over a chickadee nest (with the chickadee eggs already in it). We had quite an afternoon redirecting her attention to a very fine swallow nestbox, built just for her. Fortunately, she caught on. Bird behaviors can be incredibly interesting.
have a wonderful time with your friend!
xoxo
I live over in Henderson county and this is the first year I have noticed the brown headed cowbirds at my place and unfortunately I have males and females.I'm just hoping they don't do too much damage and I don't wind up with all cowbirds next year. I wonder how many eggs they actually lay?
Have a blessed day.
Cuckoo's lay eggs in the song birds nest in SE UK.....I must say I do not mind as this particular species is in serious decline.....
I have only ever seen one pair in my area.
Understand your concern though.
Have a wonderful time with your friend.....and give the golden girls a hug and tell them I will miss them on Friday.
We spotted a couple of cowbirds (male) on the other side of the golf course, but they haven't come around our feeders. I hope they don't.
Poor cowbirds :0
Enjoy your guest...I love friends like that; no plans, but you know it will be enjoyable.
I hear you on those cowbirds...we have several visiting also..usually they come with the crows and red wings blk birds.
Do have a nice week with your friend and enjoy your week away from the computer!!! Some times one just needs a break!
Have a wonderful time with your friend!
We occasionally see cowbirds -- handsome creatures. One deplores their behavior but Nature has her little ways...
I have only seen two cowbirds ONCE in our yard... I didn't know they were such scoundrels until you (and others) told me. Now---I'm hoping we don't ever see them again.
Enjoy your company.
Hugs,
Betsy
Oh, I do hope the cowbirds stay away Carolyn!
Have a wonderful week with your friend!
Enjoy enjoy enjoy--friendship is priceless.
Have a wonderful week with your friend! I will travel to Phoenix tomorrow to see my best friend, too.
There are plenty of Cowbirds around here. They didn't choose to be what they are and they are native birds. I watched a Chipping Sparrow working constantly to feed a much larger, demanding Cowbird chick.
Have a good week.
Thank you for stopping by my site and leaving a nice comment! Most appreciated. I'm a NC girl, born, raised, and educated. We find ourselves stuck on the SC coast (I know: poor babies, right?) I'd be living in those mountains with you right now, were it not for the Great Recession. All that will have to be enjoyed vicariously for a little longer, so I'm delighted to have found you, too.
Cowbirds are very frustrating. I hate what they do to warblers and other song birds though since they are here I try to enjoy their antics. They actually have sat upon our cows. Cowbird cowboys.
http://beyondmygarden.blogspot.com/
Carolyn -- Hope you've had a great week with your friend. Can't wait to hear about your adventures!
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