Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Tuesday, March 13. 2012

Got Grackles?

My blackbirds - mostly Red-wings, Cowbirds, and Grackles - arrived yesterday. It's always between March 12 and March 15. They empty out the bird-feeders and move on. Do they remember my feeders from last fall?


People are annoyed with Grackles because they like to poop in swimming pools. They don't bother me at all.


Here's an autumn migratory flock in Sipp's previous back yard:


 


Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation, Our Essays at 04:44 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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Our (Knox Co, OH) first robin showed up yesterday.

Our winter was so mild (only about 5 days of minimal snow cover) that several turkey vultures over-wintered. They should be on their way to Hinckley by now.
#1 bob sykes on 2012-03-13 06:56 (Reply)
March 8 backyard grackles, in Central Ohio
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhhardin/6818931080/
#2 rhhardin (Link) on 2012-03-13 07:12 (Reply)
I had Grackles here in Atlanta about a month ago; they stuck around for a while. Pooped all over my back deck, too!! They seemed to be around in all-grackle flockings; didn't notice any Cowbirds, Starlings etc.

Now the Robins have made a strong appearance; Wrens are getting very vocal; and I think I heard a Catbird yesterday.
#3 T.K. Tortch on 2012-03-13 12:27 (Reply)
There are two kinds: Purple Grackle with a shiny irridescent black neck; and, Boat-tailed Grackle with a longer tail that ends in a vertical stabilizer with a forward sweep reminicent of the old wooden motor lanches.
#4 PYDOG on 2012-04-01 06:22 (Reply)

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