The hummingbird feeder is being well used these days. Most have some unique markings and amazingly after travelling thousands of miles, the same birds keep coming back to the same place year after year.
We filled the feeder with nectar and popped it onto the deck preparatory for the hummingbirds homecoming. We were dismayed to find uninvited finches helping themselves in the meantime.
Well what do you know, glanced out of our kitchen window just before dinner and spotted our very first robin that has arrived for the season. You will note that there is a bit of snow on the ground, however, birds and animals have a good sense of timing and we have reason but to believe that spring is upon our doorstep.
Unfortunately this winter has been one of the harsher ones for this area which caused the grass in the pastures to freeze and turn brown. Under normal winter conditions green grass would have prevailed once the snow melted. However life goes on and the ganders are out snacking away while the geese are nest sitting.
These ravens which are a crow family are always on the lookout for a free lunch. We found them here happily raiding the local trash containers obviously with worthwhile results.
What an ingenious chap this bunny is. I first became aware of him as he was moving on the lawn towards a wild berry shrub. Amazingly he stood up on his hind legs and helped himself to an abundant serving of a delicious lunch.
The Starlings have again arrived creating one of the greatest hazards to the grape industry. These birds are extremely quick, they fly in droves often in the most interesting formations which although are a vision of awe, are they are most destructive where ever they land as they will destroy a grape crop in a matter of second. Local grape growers take many precautionary measures, such as netting the tops or the sides of the grape vines as well as periodically firing off cannons in an effort to ward the starlings away. It's an ongoing battle often lasting until snowfall.