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Index of Subjects Things are finally slowing here a bit. The big rush of hummingbirds fueling up has finished for now although we do have at least five birds today. The three feeders were drained each day and refilled as soon as I saw they were empty. They are most definitely feeding after dark. I watched again to see and yes it is the little birds. Missing is one particular female who has been coming for a few years now. She has an odd wing and is quite easy when I am out and about. The past two years she has had late nests and leaves in October. I haven't seen her for a bit so she may still be nesting (I hope or she is lost) I hope not. The cats from the neighbourhood have taken a tole at all the neighbourhood feeders. We have placed the feeders higher and try to dissuade the felines with blasts from the hose but I fear they are beginning to like it if only just to thwart us. Last evening is the first time I have seen two of the latest 4 Northern Flicker fledges in my yard without the adult teaching them. Very fluffy and plump and gregarious! Enthusiastic diggers too! We lost a song sparrow to panic in the greenhouse where I just could not get it out. It was so hot in there. She had a family she was feeding so I expect they are lost as well. Bird that has been driving me foolish seems to have moved on. For over 5 weeks all day and all evening it would sit treetop and call, the same two calls over and over, about a half hour with one, a couple calls that were a different pitch and then return to the original. Such a penetrating call! hits somewhere in the reaches of my brain. At first I thought it was the varied thrush but then decided it had to be a redwinged but to be truthful I just haven't had a good enough look to say for sure. It was attended to by Red winged blackbirds and even a grackle and would fly out with them then return shortly to the tree above the red winged nest site. The calls on the internet are close but not the same. I was sure the other day I saw applets but then I did catch it with binoc very briefly and it was not right from underneath. It seemed paler blue and orange so I have no idea. No call I have heard today and very noticeably none last evening. We were over run with snails last year. They are trying to make a return visit but I have a helper now. I watched as a BlueJay with 5 young all fussing/begging to be fed. First she tried pulling the insides from the shells, then in desperation she started ramming shell and all into the mouths of the youngsters. I don't know how they will survive that or if they will but she sure tidied up the yard! Going to be a nice day. They are making headway at the resort with the rebuilding and announced this week that three Piping plover chicks made it to fledge. Best regards, Marg Millard, White Point, Queens
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