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Topic: They're Baaaack (Read 243 times) |
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George_J
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White-Breasted Nuthatch
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They're Baaaack
« on: Mar 17th, 2008, 12:52pm » |
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Changed my icon (again) to reflect that our "resident" American Kestrel female seems to have returned today to reclaim her territory. I presume it's the same one we've had for the past couple of years, because she habitually uses the same perching spot on the black locust alongside the creek at the back of the house. She's not banded, so I can't tell for certain.
Good to see her again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kestrel
Generally, she and her mate nest somewhere in the area. I haven't wanted to inquire too closely, since I don't want to scare them off. Haven't seen the male yet.
They usually hang around all summer and keep things stirred up...the smaller birds don't like them at all. Nothing sneaky about a kestrel--they're eternally hovering over the neighbor's horse pasture and patrolling the creek, uttering their loud "killy killy killy' calls. Last year the male nailed a mouse on the back porch, right outside the glass slider. The (indoor) cats didn't forget about that incident for a long time.
I'll try to get some pics of them this year to show you.
Best,
George
P.S. I have a real soft spot for this species--when my daughter was small, her teacher (who had a permit) kept a wing-injured kestrel named "Cloud" in the classroom for the students to get to know. Ellen's frequent "job" was to feed it--a chore that she eagerly took on.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 17th, 2008, 1:02pm by George_J » |
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Ah! The foreigners put on such airs
Wearing the tangerine suits
And their harlequin eyes.
The pain they inspire
Draws in harmonica melodies
And the feathers of birds
Which flame up at their touch.
It all comes to light in the sheer
Debonair.
(Ellen)
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LeeS
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I love C12 H16 N2O!
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Re: They're Baaaack
« Reply #1 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 2:36pm » |
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Chuffed for you - my favourite bird George 
Looking forward to the pics.
-Lee
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Sean_C
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I am a huge fan of birds of prey George. There are so many, and most aren't seen very often.
I look forward to the pics.
Sean.................................
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coach_bill
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gimmie my imitrex!!
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Re: They're Baaaack
« Reply #3 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 8:15pm » |
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sweet, wish i could get those at my feeder.i will be looking for the male pics now thanks. coach bill
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boy i cant wait till it's my turn to give him a headache. paybacks a bitch
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Linda_Howell
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Hearing is one thing. Listening is another.
  
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Re: They're Baaaack
« Reply #4 on: Mar 17th, 2008, 8:31pm » |
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Quote:
The Swallows of San Juan Capistrano
Back from winter vacation in Argentina
by Gerry Brown
------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------
The interior of the San Juan Capistrano mission.
They're on their way.
The famous cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano, that leave town every year in a swirling mass near the Day of San Juan (October 23), are returning from their winter vacation spot 6,000 miles south in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina.
They land at the mission in San Juan, California, on or around St. Joseph's Day, March 19, to the ringing bells of the old church and a crowd of visitors from all over the world who are in town awaiting their arrival and celebrating with a huge fiesta as well as a parade.
Seeking Solace in the Mission
Legend has it that the swallows took refuge in the Mission San Juan Capistrano from an irate innkeeper who destroyed their muddy nests. The swallows return to the old ruined church each spring knowing they will be protected within the mission's walls. In fact, the city has taken their safety seriously passing an ordinance against destroying their nests.
So-called "scout swallows" precede the main flock each year by a few days but the majority of the small birds usually arrives on the 19th and begins rebuilding the mud nests that cling to the ruins of the old stone church and throughout the Capistrano Valley.
The Oldest Building in California
The mission, originally built from 1776–1806, was seriously damaged in 1812 by a deadly earthquake and was never fully rebuilt. It is the seventh in a chain of 21 California Missions all supposedly separated by the distance of a day's walk. The Mission was named for the Crusader, Saint John of Capistrano, who had taken the name of his Italian birthplace. Padre Junipero Serra was a Spanish Franciscan priest who founded the church on November 1, 1776, and the adobe Serra Chapel section of the mission has been rebuilt and it is now the oldest building in California still in use today.
RELATED LINKS
San Juan Capistrano
swallow
Junipero Serra
The mission is located near two rivers and was an ideal spot for the swallows to nest for years because of the abundance of the insects on which they feed. The reduction in numbers of the insects, largely as a result of the development of the area, has caused some of the swallows to locate further from the center of town and explains why there are no longer huge clouds of swallows descending on the Mission. Still, it's quite a sight.
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We get our migrators too, George. I was there once (at the Mission) and believe me, it was a sight to behold. In fact it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda
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Kindness, is gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.
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Mosaicwench
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Find joy in your day
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Re: They're Baaaack
« Reply #5 on: Mar 18th, 2008, 8:40am » |
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We have a pair of Cooper's hawks that nest nearby. The little birds give them plenty of room but I still find bloody carcasses strewn about the yard. It's easy to tell when they lay eggs - all activity stops for about a month!!
Love those "laughing" hawks.
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The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. ~Author Unknown
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