Birds in Wrightwood

[angelwolf326]

I disagree about taking all the feeders down.  We have many birds that pass through this are and they will perish if there is no food.  I leave one feeder up all year.  We do have a few birds that will not leave.  One seems to stay each year....

I agree about cleaning and the color....

I have 2 feeders out now, we have about 4 that have returned.

[kew]

Leaving a sugar water feeder up in autumn will not keep Ruby-throated Hummingbirds from migrating. Hummer migration is stimulated by photoperiod, so as days become shorter in fall local hummingbirds begin to put on fat and soon depart for the tropics. Nearly all hummers that stay behind are those that are ill or "genetically inferior," and it's likely they would die in migration anyway.

At most locations in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada, 99.9% of the ruby-throats are gone by 15 October, and adult males don't begin to return until mid-March. Females follow soon thereafter.

We suggest you maintain one half-full hummingbird feeder through the winter for as long as you wish, changing the artificial nectar weekly. You may need to bring the feeder in at night to keep it from freezing and put it out the next morning when you fill your seed feeders....
http://www.rubythroat.org/FeedersMain.html

[love_walnuts]

During Easter Services at the top of Oak the Hummers were having a great time at the feeders the property owners had out. But they haven't come north and down hill to my feeders yet. Guess they will soon, as it is warming up a little more.

[TooSlim]

Does anyone have orioles yet?  I've had an orange out for about a week and it hasn't been touched.

[love_walnuts]

Saw a robin this morning, but still no oriole

[Wildman]

Bullock's Oriole was just on my Oriole feeder.  They should be in WW soon.

[Tall Trees]

Today I watched a big infusion of Pine Siskens at my feeder here on Cardinal Street.  Approx. 50-60 Siskins came in around noon time, they were flying every where and one of the birds slammed into the window but was able to fly away.  Next came the Juncos and within the flock was two Lark Sparrows.  The Lark Sparrows came back all day to feed on the seeds that I put on the ground.  The Band Tailed Pigeons came next with a count of 25-30 they ate some bird seed got a drink of water and then flew off because they got startled by a passing car.  It is important to watch the birds because they can indicate the change of seasons as well of the status of migration routes.

[funnyrunner]

Any advice for keeping the woodpeckers from drilling holes in our house? Or how to plug up the holes that have already been pecked? Our house was vacant for some years and they really went to town!

[Wildman]

The Orioles have been around for a week or so and should be filtering into the higher country.  We get both types of Oriole which is fun to watch as they are territorial.  We have them in Spring and Fall but not during Summer.  

We are losing all our Pine Siskins and Lesser Goldfinches as they move to higher ground also.

[sage]

Saw my first orioles yesterday!!   I put up an orange cut in half on the branches of my tree and it only took about 1/2 an hour for them to start eating it.  I just love watching them, so bright in color flying around.  I am lucky because they come back every year and build their nests at the top of my neighbors spruce trees.  I was lucky last year cause they built one in my backyard tree.  Hopefully they will do the same this year.  I was watching them this morning in my neighbors tree so I'm sure they will build there again this year!

[sage]

Thought I'd share this: Those orioles are quite a joy to watch! I was watching all the birds coming to eat at the feeders when I heard this tap tap tap noise. I looked over at my driveway and there was the male oriole, sitting on the the side of my car and pecking at himself in the side view mirror. I forgot that they seem to do this each and every year when I first notice them back in town.  I was amused by him each time I would sit out on the porch. He did it all day long and will probably continue it for the next few weeks.  I guess he's afraid that oriole in the mirror will try and take away his mate!

[makgirl]

I'm going to ask again, hoping my post doesn't get lost in the thread again:

I use a 6:1 ratio for the oriole food (6 c water, 1c sugar)  Is this what others do?

[Nolena]

That's what the recipe in here recommends.

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/oriole-food.shtml

[Kimy1387]

Hummingbird food is 4 to 1 (water to sugar), right?

[ForestGal]

Yes.

[angelwolf326]

Hummers are back!!!  Had about 20 at my feeders this evening...

Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Often described as "feisty," the Rufous may have the ideal size-to-weight ratio among North American hummingbirds. This bird outflies all other species, and usually gets its way at feeders at the expense of slower, less-maneuverable hummers. The Rufous has the longest migration route of all US hummingbirds.

Spotted - April 4, 2008

Food - Sugar Water

[Naughty pines]

This is definately birds but, they definately ain't in Wrightwood.
Live streaming video of an eagle nest in the Channel Islands.   


http://chil.vcoe.org/eagle_cam.htm 

[TooSlim]

Today my wife and I saw a pair of bald eagles in the lower part of Lone Pine Canyon.  I wonder if it is the same pair I saw a couple of years ago at Silverwood Lake?

[angelwolf326]

Bird:         Pine Siskin - Female  (I think)
Spotted:   04/18/08  East Canyon
Food:       Nyjer Seed in a Sock Feeder

[angelwolf326]

Bird:        Unknown (perhaps someone can fill this in?)
Spotted:  04/18/08 - Swarthout Road at LPC
Food:     

I was out taking pics of flowers and this bird was singing up a storm, took me awhile to find it but I finally did, and it was very pretty!