During the sunny spell, the two deer revisited the back garden; the younger one has lost her spots now. On the feathered front, the Steller's Jay have also been visible, especially now that black sunflower seeds are in the feeder. These seeds seem to be a big hit with the small birds like the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the Black-capped Chickadees which look like they fly away with one seed at a time. You can see how the blue jay eats in the video.
One morning the feeder was on the ground and there was Mr. Sneaky cat lying beside it! I didn't stop to take a photo before shooing him away. At first I thought that he had jumped up and knocked it down, but more sleuthing showed that a raccoon or two had been about because there were little diggy holes where they had 'mined' for grub larva. I should have cameras set up like Midmarsh John and find out what exactly goes on outside during the night! In the video, the blue jay is picking up the spilled sunflower seeds.
Here's the cute little chickadee that I think is singing in part of the video.
...and here is the Steller's Jay. I have seen three of them at once around the bird feeder. They sound crow-like when they squawk.
The following information re the Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is from this site. To read more about where these birds originated and other information,check it out.
British Columbia's provincial bird is a bright blue jay, but it is not the Blue Jay of eastern North America. This member of the crow family is bright blue on its wings, tail, and underparts, with a black hood extending from its upperparts to the top of its crested head.
My video:
Hope everyone has a great weekend with some sunshine. (It must be there, because it isn't going to be here ;))
It's always good to read about, and look at, your wildlife in a post like this.
ReplyDeleteYour Jay sure is different to ours!
I hope that the weather has been kind over the weekend, and Happy Thaksgiving! Flighty xx
Ah, raccoons leave clues, don't they. I've seen the same thing here. And I know it's not the cats! I love the little chubby chickadee and his songs. Yes, we did have some sunshine, but we'll be glad to trade you for some rain!
ReplyDeleteHi Flighty ~ Pleased to hear you enjoy my back garden wildlife! It is interesting to watch the various visitors. Yes, our blue jay is different ~ I like the colour and the way it hops around on the ground! The weather was a mixed bag ~ Saturday wet; Sunday a surprising sunshiny day, Monday wet, and today half and half. We had a great Thanksgiving, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki ~ There are all sorts of other 'messages' left in the back garden as well. Seems like rabbits, deer and raccoon 'pellets' give some clues as well. The chickadees are cute and there are many of them flitting about the trees in the back. Send the sunshine up ~ the rain is all yours ;)