FeederWatch Nov. 24&25th

Cats. At least two of them. Prowling beneath the feeders all yesterday (Saturday).

Now, I love kitties. We have two of them (Simon and Bindi) which live inside and help me watch the birdies. The birds don't seem to be offended by Simon and Bindi's presences, however. Every once in a while when S or B jumps onto the radiator or someone pounces the other one (i.e. there is a great flash of movement), the birds will flutter off the ground and into the bushes for a minute or two. But they don't disappear.

When I got up yesterday, there weren't any birds. I figured I was just up at a non-birdie hour. No big deal. I checked on the feeders several times between 9:30 and 10:30 and there still weren't any visitors. I peered around the yard and spied DUSTY, the resident ragamuffin kitty who lives a few doors down. I scowled, banged on the window, and he left. Then I went to get my hair cut.

When I came back at about noon, Dusty was sitting underneath the feeder. I took an empty soda can, put a few coins in it, leaned out the back door and shook it at him, insisting he leave. He got the message and bolted. A while later, still no birds. Then I noticed one of Dusty's siblings in the neighbor's yard, tight up against the chain link fence, nose pressed to metal, lusting after my birdies.

I didn't see more than 30 sparrows yesterday (I estimated a flock of 80-90 earlier in the week), but I did see TWO of each Juncos, Chickadees, Goldfinches (my favorites), and Cardinals (one male, one female), and Titmice. Husband Paul saw three Mourning Doves while I was out.

Today, I didn't actually SEE Dusty, but I didn't see many birds, either. The two Chickadees were back, as was a Titmouse, two Juncos, and FIVE Mourning Doves, but I haven't seen my finches or the Cardinals ("Sid" and "Nancy" as we affectionately call every pair of cardinals).

Official Count:

30 House Sparrows
5 Mourning Doves
2 American Goldfinches
2 Cardinals
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
2 Tufted Titmice
2 Black-capped/Carolina Chickadees