I may start this as a semi-regular feature. All observations are from my backyard, unless otherwise noted.
So why take up bird watching? It was sort of an accident. I have always had feeders, and of course have enjoyed the birds that frequent the yard. Then of course came the squirrels … err tree rats. Adult airguns in form of a Beeman R7, Beeman R1, and Beeman R1 Carbine quickly followed.
As I have gotten more into the airgun hobby it was natural to stumble across sites, forums, and blogs that discuss defending cavity nesting birds from such non native species as European Starlings. Sparrows are also a favorite pest species to “remove” from one’s property. Ah, but which sparrows? One sparrow looks like another until you take the time to properly identify your intended target. As I said, one accident (misidentification) sort of led me into this potential new hobby.
It should also be noted that according to the 2008-2009 Georgia Hunting Regulations:
COYOTES, ARMADILLOS, GROUNDHOGS, BEAVERS, STARLINGS, PIGEONS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season. No limit.
Now onto my observations …
Today (01-04-09)
Cardinal (male)
Carolina Wren
English Sparrow (male)
House Sparrow (male and female)
Mockingbird
Mourning Dove
White-throated Sparrow
*Unidentified: Mostly drab grey (maybe olive green), with yellow tip tail feathers. Medium sized ~8-9″ long; 3-5 in a group.
*Unidentified: Mostly drab grey; maybe slightly blue-ish tint. Small sized ~5-6″ long. Eating berries in the palm tree?
01-03-09
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Cardinal (male and female)
House Finch (male)
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Tufted Titmouse
White-throated Sparrow
*Unidentified: Canada Goose? Flying overhead in “v-shaped” formation (~25 birds).
01-02-09
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Wren
Cardinal (male and female)
English Sparrow (male)
House Sparrow (male)
Mourning Dove
01-01-09
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Wren
Cardinal (male and female)
English Sparrow (male)
House Sparrow (male)
House Finch (male)
Mourning Dove
Pileated Woodpecker
White-throated Sparrow
So you shoot certain species of birds to protect certain other species?
I thought bird watchers shoot pictures of birds not pellet guns.
Congratulations on the Falcons’ year despite the loss. Nice one-year turnaround.
Over here, some 49ers fans talk about Stafford as a possible draft choice but he’s expected to be the first or second QB taken. But has Stafford declared for the draft? For that matter, has Bradford?
I didn’t get to see much of Stafford. The negatives seem to include the fact that he still needs to learn to see the field better.
But it seems he’s being compared to Cutler, having the toughness and the physical tools for the NFL game.
Hi wco81 – good to hear from you! I never said I had this bird watching thing figured out.
I do know that the European Starling and European Sparrow are non-native species that are destroying our native species. There is an interesting video on youtube if you want to see what Starlings can do to a Purple Martin nest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ybRPxIRsg
Stafford has not declared. I think he has all the physical tools, and this year he looked very good at the line calling his own plays and doing check-offs. At times he seems to be very impatient … and maybe some of that is not seeing the field better.
Would you build a team around him? Depends … as a UGA fan I hope Stafford is a franchise QB, but I am just not certain. I do not think he will be like Ryan and be ready to play from day one.
So that’s where all of our sparrows have gone ? There has been some interest in the press over here as to the decline of the native sparrow (though I always seem to have a fair few of them), but it would seem the rest of them are over the pond at JC’s house, risking life and wing to nick stuff
dave – funny … when I was in York last Nov I saw something on the morning news about sparrows disappearing from the UK because most gardens no longer have native shrubs. And to think they are pest birds over here!