Yetismith posted: " 0844/2nd March 2024 Birds are returning from down south. First a single red-wing but days later came its flock and soon there were grackles as well. Sparrow song is now drowned out by the reconvening chorus. . Poor Master Sparrow. He"
First a single red-wing but days later came its flock and soon there were grackles as well.
Sparrow song is now drowned out by the reconvening chorus.
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Poor Master Sparrow.
He's bracing for the invasion.
"It's bad enough, having extra beaks to feed"
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"Next they'll all be having sex."
"And then there will be fledglings."
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"How's a lad supposed to rest?"
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One of Master Sparrow's white-crowned cousins is among the visitors, currently.
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Some of our other year-round residents have been watching the activity.
Yesterday the titmouse was basking in the warm afternoon sun.
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Such pretty, jolly little birds
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There are lots of red cardinals about but I'm fairly sure it's the same one that comes every evening to sit in front of the kitchen window.
Sometimes I see him in the feeder when it's almost dark.
Perhaps he prefers to dine in peace.
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Another day movement caught my eye and there was Zoomer rubbing sleep from his eyes,
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"Those noisy birds woke me up!"
"And they didn't leave me a single nut!"
Of course I ran some out right away.
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It has been a few days since we last saw Scooter.
The nuts and carrots I put out all disappear but we can't be sure it is she who gets them
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This day, she was busily grooming in the warm afternoon sun.
She had moved along the hedge to another tunnel entrance away from the bird seed trays.
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Scooter was having trouble balancing because of her disabled back legs.
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This gave us a chance to view those back legs although it only confused us further.
It seemed to us that she had some function in one of those legs, but examining the image, Grant was of the opinion the other foot was actually missing.
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Could that be a stump?
Checking photographs from some months ago, both feet were there, so what is the likelihood that one could have atrophied and fallen off?
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The foot being useless and dragging, a stump would be more efficient?
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We twisted our heads to get a better look, but Scooter having groomed was now busy collecting fresh bedding.
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"This lot will do nicely!"
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No-one told Scooter she was disabled and she just carries on doing what groundhogs do.
The only difference is that she stayed awake through winter, having not been able to feed herself up enough, probably because of the injury.
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"Now I come for a bit o' carrot."
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We haven't seen her since this day but I can't stay glued to the window all day, so it isn't significant.
The following day though, we did see another groundhog out for the first time.
Would there be conflict? We have not seen that one since either.
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