[NatureNS] White Point Birds (long)

Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:59:05 -0300
From: Marg Millard <mmillard@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Things here have gone quite quiet. I last saw "my Hummingbirds" Thursday 
then since I see the occasional bird usually at the jewelweed rather than 
the feeders. I saw two yesterday some time apart and they were moving fast 
when they left. I am going to miss them for sure although the feeders will 
stay out until freeze up just in case.
I rescued a poor hummingbird that couldn't seem to get itself out of the 
greenhouse. At first I thought it was hunting the tiny bugs up at the peak 
but soon realized it was frantically trying to push its way through the 
plastic. It eventually collapsed on my broom and I was able to get it 
out.........all limp and soft.
I decided if I didn't do something It was probably going to die so I propped 
it up in my hand at the feeder, gently tipped its beak into a port and ever 
so slightly rocked the feeder and stroked its throat. It took some time but 
eventually it did drink but still seemed too weak to do much  but flop back 
on my hand, wings outstretched.  I kept with it for awhile longer when 
another hummingbird came and started to dive at it. and at me!! Chittering 
all the while. At some point it lolled its head to look up and I had hopes. 
I waited until it felt like it wasn't so pliant and then tucked it onto the 
stand, put its beak back into a port and stepped back to see if it could 
hold itself upright. It did, only just so I stayed close but not right by 
and I stayed very quiet while the other bird joined it and eventually the 
other bird coaxed it to drink more, it very gradually became more alert and 
then the other managed to coax it into the air.
We  have many sparrows, mostly songs, I think. Maybe a couple white throats. 
I saw a couple  Blue Jays earlier today but they aren't interested in 
staying around. Same with the grackles and starlings. I am not complaining 
after the hordes this spring. Lots and lots of gulls flying back from the 
shore just ambling along. I can't see what they are but from the colour many 
are juvenile.
I have the very occasional Chickadee and still a faithful Hairy woodpecker 
who comes and demands seed cake although I haven't been putting one out for 
a bit. This pm I broke down and set up a small one and I see one of the 
sparrows is trying to have at it.
We had a small brown bat in the house the other night. I was working in the 
studio and could hear this strange clicking noise that was a bit off time 
with the snick the clock hands make and although it took me awhile it was 
eventually discovered and set outside. It must have been sounding off to the 
clock and was hanging on the top of the curtain right beside it. I hope it 
made out ok.
We watched the space station and the shuttle last evening.
We have a young fox visiting most mornings. He wants the seed we put out for 
the Crows and Mourning doves.
That bat program tonight sounds very interesting.
Marg Millard, White Point, Queens

http://MargMillard.ca 


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