Video: FOY Grack baby!
Very early this morning, the first baby Grack appeared at the pond. The parents seem to like "parking" the babies there while they forage, and it always reminds me of childhood days at a public swimming pool or lake, with lots of swimming and the occasional snack. The bird you can hear in the back is a Baltimore Oriole.
Review: Potey heated birdbath
One of the perks of having this hobby is that sometimes companies get in touch and offer products to try for free. This happened just recently with a heated birdbath. When the first night frost hit, I noticed that the new orange bath I got for this season was frozen over in the morning. Thankfully, I had another one ready right away, and that is the one I am reviewing here. The maker is Potey, and the bath can be purchased on Amazon (there’s a 20 % off coupon there right now too - no I do not benefit financially from this).
Now for the bath. It comes in a nice box with clearly written instructions and brackets to mount it on posts or deck rails but can also be put on the ground, standing on stubby little feet. The cable has a nice length, which is good because outside mounts often require an extension cord and short cables are impractical to handle and weatherproof. Why does it need a cable? It is a heated bath, something I never even thought about in Germany but something that is very practical in cold Michigan winters because birds need a water source also when it is cold. There is a thermostat in there that only prevents the water from freezing, it is not like a hot tub.
This bath is dark green, which I quite like. The first thing to notice is that there are three compartments rather than one. The maker says the smaller ones can be used for seed but I would advise against that because it would just create a mess. Instead, just fill all three with water. This bath is on the smaller and shallower side, so it is perfect for smaller birds. The edges on the smaller compartments are not smooth, which apparently gives birds a better grip, a neat little feature. The bath is oval rather than round, which makes it great to use for the Birdsy camera too . A round bath can, if it is too big, make it hard to get everything in proper focus, and an oval shape just works better for that. I mounted it on the shed, about 7 feet up on a frame I built to add the deck mount to. The mount is like an upside down fork (see pic below), and the bath slides on it from the underside. This is a lot more practical for removal and cleaning than the orange bath mount where I had to tilt the bowl to unclamp it. It comes with optional wires to secure it from tipping but I have just put a piece of wood underneath for extra stability. Overall, the bath makes a sturdy impression, and I am glad I got to test and use it. The dimensions are 15.7" x 11.8" x 1.2" and the price is more budget friendly than my larger ones.
Eastern Bluebirds visiting a heated bird bath
Video: They are back!
Two days ago, fall really started, with leaves changing colors and temperatures dropping. I closed the pond for the season and have set up three heated baths this year, one on the ground at the pond spot, one on a pedestal, and then this one, which is mounted above ground. It is smaller than the others, and it took the birds a bit to find it but now it is in good use. There was a group of Robins passing through that took to it, the woodpeckers seem to like it because it allowes them easy access, and the smaller birds enjoy it as well. Like the Juncos that have just started to return too. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. Check out the calendar shop as well - from today until the 14th, calendars are 10 % off.
Video: Scenes from the Santa Stop
The yard has been quite busy today, with many birds (including a hawk earler) visiting the bird baths and feeders. Here is a fun little scene from the bath earlier, a gathering at the Santa Stop. With Goldfinches, House Finches, Bluebirds, Juncos and at the end an American Tree Sparrow. I love snow days.
Video: A new pond visitor
I love it when a new bird comes and the pond cam lens is clean. (I run out all the time to wipe it but sometimes my timing is off. It's a good workout in this weather 😁)
I am thinking immature Cooper's. Never had any other ones here and it feels like the legs and overall size are bigger than a Sharp-shinned.
Livestream: at the bird bath
The livestream today comes from the bird bath, and I hope you enjoy. It is rather windy, so maybe turn the sound down. In the meantime, I heard that Orioles were seen in Michigan today, but I have seen nothing here yet. The masks in the Zazzle store are still stuck in “under review” but since it’s been more than four days now, I assume they don’t work during the weekend and they will be available tomorrow. I hope you are all doing good out there. Enjoy the water ballet! (You can also find the livestream by clicking here.)
