My guy/girl is shy and I've only seen her the one time but the level in the feeder drops visibly each day. I'll try to keep her happy.
This is a question for anyone but I'd especially like John Brunner to reply. Feeders are out and I understand why but how about just spreading seed in the grass? The birds wouldn't need to rub shoulders.
The first time I saw one it was feeding on my trumpet vine. I pulled up a chair as close as I could for days, eventually they didn't even notice me and fly very close practically touching me.
When we had our bird feeders out, the squirrels would manage to get into them, even though there was a squirrel feeder also, and the scattered the bird seed all over as they hunted for their favorite bites. The part that fell on the ground was eaten somewhat by the birds and squirrels, but for some reason they all preferred what was in the bird feeder. Just guessing, but I think maybe they felt safer there than they did on the ground ?
Here is one of our regular visitors. She apparently didn’t go home (lives next door) with the others, and is now sitting on the edge of the porch waiting for me to put out more bites of bread or something good.
I had a wonderful bird experience this morning. I was sitting in the yard watching the birds flutter around when out of a tree which was about 20 feet away a bird takes off flies directly at me and lands my arm, it looked up at me, I look down at it and it took off and landed about 15 feet away. I couldn't tell what kind of bird it was look like a young one that was just learning to fly, because it seemed to be flying in small increments. It was just a nice experience.
You may be right I'm 77 I watch birds all the time never happened before. I just wonder if they can tell your friendly.
I commented on a young owl flying over to my deck as I was standing there and sitting on the rail for the longest time just looking at me. It kinda gives you chills, doesn't it? I used to have them swarm all around me when I would fill my feeders, but never actually land on me. Of course, those visits were clearly bribed.
Just to update this sick bird issue here on the east coast...no cause has been found. And sick birds have now been found in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Many causes & viruses have been ruled out. Here is an update from the Virginia Dept of Wildlife Resources.
I stopped filling the feeders. I hope they figure out what's going on and take preventive measures. I feel like I have let my flying friends down by not feeding them, can't wait to resume.