I haven't been posting many photos recently,
but that is just because this is basically what the feeders look like right now most of the time. The Starlings and their babies have taken over a bit. These “takeovers” happen each season, and they will mellow at some point too. And no matter what one thinks of Starlings (Europe and the US perceive them a bit differently), the interactions between the youngsters and the parents are funny to watch. They do sound a bit like haunted witches, though.
Get ready for Birdsy!
As you know, I have been using the Birdsy camera for quite a while now. (If you don’t - that is the camera I am using for my videos. I have written a bit more about it in my FAQ.) It has helped me getting to know my backyard visitors and also the ecosystem of my garden a lot better. It has brought me joy in the cold of the winter and the heat of the summer, in daylight as well as during the night, and it was a pleasure to share that with the world. Many people have asked me about it, and now I am happy to let you know that Birdsy is going to launch on Kickstarter on Monday, June 15th 2020. You can learn more here. I can help you out if you have questions, and I will also provide a special Ostdrossel link once it has started. I am very excited for the Birdsy team, they have created a fantastic product that I am sure will make lots of people happy.
Stay tuned!
These babies.
The Bluebird babies seem to be much more alert this year. Usually, once the parents bring them down to the yard, they sit on the cameras while the parent flies from the bowl to the baby to feed it for a couple of days. But these babies are jumping down on the bowl themselves on their second day in the yard. I have a very good feeling about them, and I still don’t know how many made it so far. But I am madly in love.
Video: Ragnar and two babies at the pool
I heard them yesterday but they didn’t come down, but today was the big day. Ragnar and Lagertha, the Bluebirds, brought their first set of babies to the backyard (her new nest is almost done too). I saw three, but I was keeping a distance, so I am not sure how many there are. They are as adorable as ever, and my heart is full of joy. Ragnar made a big display at the pool too, showing that wonderful slow moving of the wings that is so typical for Bluebirds. The baby bunny, a baby Robin and the baby Grack also paid a visit, and I think the livestream is going to be a lot of fun in the coming weeks.
Video: Wilhelm von Grack at the pool
It looks like baby bird season has officially begun. Earlier today, this tiny Grackle showed up, I think the parents just parked it at the pool while they were searching for food. It must have felt good for him to take a bath after spending weeks in a nest with his siblings. We named him Wilhelm von Grack. I will get nothing done in the next few weeks, this bird bath is just way too entertaining :D
Video: surprise visitors
I just looked out the window when I saw three deer walking across the yard! Thankfully, an attention-seeking Robin and a Starling parent and his kid jumped into the frame, so Birdsy recorded it. This is only the second time I have seen deer in my yard, it was quite cool to watch.
During nesting season,
I find it especially interesting what the birds bring to the feeder. It is like getting samples of the insects that are around in my yard. This year, things seem a bit more extreme, I don’t know if it is because of the cool spring or because of the rain or because of a quarantine-related lack of pesticide treatments in larger areas. We don’t spray our garden because we know there are lots of insect-eating birds. It can be tough, especially for me because my German body is still not really used to American mosquitoes, but it makes me feel better thinking about baby birds eating the spiders, worms and flies that their parents feed them (pictured are Grackles). And it is always somewhat satisfying to see a beak full of natural food.
