Yesterday I saw that Whoopi Goldberg just published a family memoir titled Bits and Pieces.
Which reminded me of my very best friend in high school, Vern Hendrickson, who used to sing the Dave Clark Five song, Bits and Pieces, outside their bathroom door while he was waiting for his older brother Dean to vacate their only bathroom when they were both trying to get ready for school or work. Use your imagination to figure out why.
Vern and Dean always reminded me of Jan and Dean.
I’m using the same title, Bits and Pieces, mostly because it seems to fit the scattergun approach of today’s post. But also because it brings back fond memories of Vern – a very good guy who died way too young of brain cancer.
Which also reminds me of one of my favorite Billy Joel songs. Because of the catchy tune, but mostly because of the lyrics, which Joel says “have something to offend everyone”.
Which reminds me, Billy Joel and I share a birthday.
I’m showing my age and my penchant for going off on bizarre semi-connected tangents, so let’s get on with my version of Bits and Pieces.
I’m still trying to get a decent flight shot of the leucistic Red-winged Blackbird but he always seems to know when I have a camera handy and those are the times when he turns skittish (this photo was taken through a window from inside my kitchen). But overall he’s becoming much more tolerant of me when I’m working in my garden so I’m hopeful.
Yesterday he made about a half dozen appearances at my feeder and twice he came at the same time that an absolutely gorgeous adult male Bullock’s Oriole showed up. Exciting times in my back yard.
Around here, invasive Eurasian Collared Doves have largely replaced our native Mourning Doves so for the last few years I’ve seen far more of the former than the latter at my feeders and elsewhere. But that seems to be changing.
This spring the Mourning Doves seem to have made a comeback. I’d estimate that at least 80% of the doves I’m seeing at my feeders are Mourning Doves. I’ve seen as many as nine Mourning Doves scrounging seed below my feeder without a single Eurasian Collared Dove in sight.
I’m curious if any of my readers have noticed something similar. If you have, please let me know in the comments.
The news regarding our native Yellow-bellied Marmots isn’t as good. I used to see them regularly this time of year but this is the only one I’ve seen so far this spring and I’ve been looking hard for them. I’m worried that their numbers may be declining in northern Utah.
My new bird feeder and my latest attempt to outfox Bandito the thieving squirrel. The feeder, called the Eliminator, is advertised as “squirrel proof” and so far mine is as advertised.
It has six circular feeder ports surrounded by a circular perch ring. In this photo the ports are open, allowing access to the seed.
But the weight of a squirrel on the ring causes the entire outside of the apparatus to move down, which completely closes all six feeder ports. Even the weight of two starlings will mostly close the ports but they stay open with as many as seven smaller birds (finches, sparrows etc) jostling for position on the perch ring.
So far, Bandito’s repeated efforts to get at seed in the feeder have been completely futile so he’s given up trying and contents himself with scrounging fallen seed. Part of me wishes that he’d continue to make attempts because it’s hilarious to watch him trying.
Here’s Bandito, seemingly unhappy and discouraged as he runs across my back fence after several more unsuccessful attempts to conquer the Eliminator.
And by the way, in the feeder photos my garden looks pretty barren but those photos were taken last week. Since then I’ve planted about 90% of my garden with starts and seeds and six rows of hardy veggies and flowers were already sprouted, so now it looks very different and much better.
Because of my back problems and surgeries it’s been almost four years since I’ve been able to garden effectively so for that long I’ve let large parts of my garden go fallow. It feels very very good to be able to use the entire thing again (1050 sq ft).
I hope I’ll be able to keep it up. Some days it’s marginal but I’m sure doing better than I was last year.
Ron
Note: The Eliminator has a feature that I haven’t tried yet but I’m planning to. The weight sensitivity of the feeder can be adjusted from 0-6 oz. I’d like to get it adjusted so that it would close with the weight of a single starling but remain open with the weight of 4-6 smaller birds. It may or may not work but I’m going to try. While I’m working in the garden I have endless opportunities to watch for results.
What a wonderful feeder. A weight adjustment would be necessary here. Several sulphur crested cockatoos at once would shut it quickly. And the mass of pigeon imports would certainly slam it shut. I may have to investigate.
I am so glad that you are back to working in the garden. And hope (so much) to do the same.
EC, I hope very much that you’re soon able to get back to getting dirt under your fingernails. For those of us with a bit of farmer in our blood, nothing else will scratch that itch.
Thank you for all the earworms, you stinker. 😉 😈 Didn’t realize that Billy Joel was a fellow Taurus. Did you see his recent special? It was fantastic! I found an interesting video on the DC5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDMiHPFMMM8
Now, on to birds (and thieving squirrels)! Glad your new feeder seems to be doing the trick, but I do feel sorry for Bandito (he is a handsome gent). Perhaps a couple of walnuts would keep you off the squirrel naughty list. 😉 Your feeders are definitely becoming the neighborhood hot spots! Nice to see so many MoDos around. That’s all we have in our neighborhood — not a EuCD in sight — and they’re especially fond of the telephone and power lines over my neighbor’s back yard. Some days it’s a cooing cacophony!
Looking forward to seeing progress shots of your garden too! Hope your back is not worse for wear after putting in all the plants and seeds.
Marty, that’s the first time anyone has ever called me a stinker. Usually it’s something much worse.
I saw a clip of Joel’s special but that was all. I understand a lot of viewers got really pissed off when CBS cut it off early, right in the middle of one of his big songs.
I followed the DC5 link you provided and watched it for a minute. I’ll definitely go back for the rest, after my nap. I just ate lunch so I’m fading fast.
The seed cylinder preferred by the Bullock’s Oriole was all eaten up by this morning so as soon as my Wild Birds Unlimited store opened I rushed down to replace it with a giant version of the same cylinder.
Within 15 minutes of me hanging the new one, the Bullock’s was back. I was afraid he might become discouraged and not come back.
I saw the cable special which was fabulous! Didn’t see the CBS one — shame on them for cutting him off!
Glad the oriole came back! Have a nice nap!
I think the Eliminator is a great feeder. (But I have to confess to owning a Wild Birds Unlimited store who sells them.)
Once Eurasian Collared-Doves became established here their numbers quickly grew and I feared they were replacing Mourning Doves. But the Mourning Doves are doing well and Eurasian Collared Doves seem to be fewer; a trend I hope continues. EC-Doves typically sit in the open and vocalize continuously. That makes them easier targets for Cooper’s Hawks. I don’t know if that’s a factor in their decline but I’m all in favor of the hawks.
Dan, interesting that you’re seeing what I think I’m seeing with doves. I’d about given up hope for our Mourning Doves so it’s nice to see them coming back. Apparently.
I’m rooting for the hawks too.
A fun Bits and Pieces. Interesting about your Mourning Doves/EC doves. I’m seeing a similar change. When we moved to Ellensburg WA 5 years ago, ECDoves were the only doves in the yard. There’d be an occasional MoDo on wires over the hay fields, but the EC’s were everywhere (easy prey for the hawks!) They were a new bird for me, as we’d only had MoDos in NJ. Then last spring/summer, an occasional MoDo would show up in the yard. This winter/spring, the ratio has definitely changed. I can now usually count on 4-6 MoDos in the yard for large parts of the day, with brief fly-throughs by a pair of EC Doves. And last year, the ECDoves were very aggressive with the MoDos, driving them out. This year, the MoDos are holding their ground. It’s interesting to read how quickly the ECDoves established themselves. Makes one wonder why this seeming change. Thanks for posing the question.
Carolyn, I’m very interested in what you’ve reported about doves in several areas. Thanks for posting it.
Lots of interesting bits and nice photos Ron. But your marmot comment in particular caught my attention. I wonder if rising average temperatures are keeping them at higher elevations so you’re not seeing them in the same places you have in the past? I haven’t been hiking in the mountains much this spring, which is the only place I see them near Fort Collins, but I’ll definitely be watching to see if I encounter roughly the same number and distribution of marmots here in Colorado. I’ll also check on what the rangers in RMNP are seeing when I get a chance.
Bill, your ‘theory’ could play a part in it, if what I think I’m seeing is real. But of course, what I’m reporting is only anecdotal.
The heat dome we had in June over the Northwest in the summer of 2021 crashed the ground squirrel population in the Morly Nelsen Birds of prey area in southern Idaho. The extended °100+ temperatures withered away all the available forage and%98 %99 of the population didn’t put on enough reserves to survive hibrenation and the ones that did survived by canabilizing the dying. They barely had any reproduction the following year. Where you used to see hundreds of whistle pigs in the last 3 yrs I have only observed 4 ground squirrel . They were the biomass that sustained the wildlife. I would see blue herons in the desert feeding on young of the year in the spring. It really hurt the raptors and disruted the food chain.
First time I’ve seen a Eurasian ring necked dove in 2003 I called up the local fish game department because it was a bird I was not familiar with. They informed me that captor flock of 200 Birds escape from their Aviary in the Florida Keys in 1979 and from 200 Birds there are now millions of them and their Nationwide
Steven, their story is pretty similar to that of European Starlings.
Lot’s of goings on!
Nice portrait of Bandito.
Like that feeder.
Here is So. Cal. we have both the Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves. But they seem to stick to their own neighborhoods. We get up to 8-10 Mourning Doves at one time in our backyard fountain in the evening. Others visit on and off all da long. One year we began to see some Eurasian Collared Doves in the neighborhood, but it did not last. Have not seen one around here in quite some time. No clue why the Mourning Doves have a better foothold than the Eurasian Collared.
“No clue why the Mourning Doves have a better foothold than the Eurasian Collared.”
Whatever the reason, appreciate the fact, Michael. In my opinion, EUCD’s don’t have much positive going for them. Not here anyway.
Agree.
What an interesting bit of bits and pieces. Outstanding photo of Bandito. He is one handsome squirrel and very physically fit. That is a super idea to build a feeder that can react to the weight of the squirrel. Something I would never invent.
A few years back while visiting Jupiter Florida met a guy from NY who lived next door to those we were visiting who knew Billy Joel very well. I think they were neighbors growing up and went to the same school etc. The Piano Man will always be my favorite.
“The Piano Man will always be my favorite.”
He’s been a favorite of mine for years, Everett. The guy is multi-talented.
I am glad you are actively gardening again!
Me too. Thanks, Dave.
Good luck with the feeder! Great entertainment! 😉 Showing your age is OK! 🙂
Eurasian Collared Doves are a pain for us but haven’t driven out the Mouring Doves yet(a couple of pairs so far this spring). A Perigrine Falcon (maybe) took out one Eurasian in the yard last week. Whatever it was appeared to be smaller than the dove with pale chest and darker grey head – didn’t see take off watching Joe get out of the car. Had eaten most of it so should be good for awhile 😉 He’s welcome any time! 🙂
“Showing your age is OK.”
Judy, I’ve reached the age where I have no choice.
And anything that eats Eurasian Collared Doves is fine by me.
Maybe you could fill one of your old, Bandito friendly feeders with cheap feed and then everyone wins!
Glad you’re able to enjoy your garden more again.
Mary, no more cheap seed for me. Too much is wasted and I’m tired of it sprouting in my lawn.
Ah, yes, happy birthday (a little late, but. . .) Don’t worry. I’ll be older than you again in just a few days.
Glad you’re getting back to gardening! And I love the picture of the Bandito on the fence!
Happy ‘almost birthday” to you too, Sue.
My relationship with Bandito is classic love/hate. He’s a character, that’s for sure.