Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Feathers

Weary of the rain? Take a lesson from the Flicker.

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Never-ending Rain

 

 

We humans aren't the only ones weary of this rain.  As I watch the birds, I can't imagine what it must be like to forage for food, not to mention sleep on a branch, as rain pelts your body.  Read on and take notes.  The Rain Weary Flicker has the answer!

 

 

The Retreat bird population appreciates the umbrella protecting their daily feast from the elements.  It has been a busy location!  In the photo, three Bluebirds and a Pine Warbler grab a dry snack.

Under the Umbrella

But the Flicker doesn't care about the umbrella.  His solution for rain weariness:  Climb into bed at 2:00 PM, bury your face, and sleep the rainy day away.

Don’t you just hate it when your nest disappears?

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Finch Pair Bring Nesting Material

The House Finch pair started bringing nesting material to the nest platform they used in 2018.  They had a good start to their nest when it suddenly disappeared.  When the pair returned to add material to their nest, their confusion was obvious.  WHO took the nest?!  They started over.  Two hours later, the nesting material disappeared again.  The culprit was the wind blowing the nest away.

Out came that 16' extension ladder, a piece of lumber, drill and screws.  In short order, the platform had a side wall and the Finches delighted in their nest's success (as did the human).