Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on October 04, 2012, 08:58:59 AM
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The past few days, a Northern Mockingbird has been making semi-regular appearances to the yard. The white flash on the wings is quite striking. The first moment I had, it was so fast, and for a second my head raced to the idea it was a Shrike passing through. I know this would be highly unlikely but hey, one can hope for such a moment... as much as it would be bad for all the other visitors.
I know they can be very aggressive birds and make life hell for everyone else. But right now I am not minding that he's giving all the migrating Grackles a hard time around here. The s**tloads we've had the past 4 or 5 weeks as they move south has been crazy but I still feed them. Still got a lot of RWBBs here too.
Other cool birds around lately include a female Flicker, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, and some Chickadees are returning (I like to think they are the ones that have been born here).
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Nice addition to your collection.......we were at Number bay on Sunday and there were tons of mockingbirds there, must be their time to come around again
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Good luck with the Mocker!
I had a one in my yard two years ago. It decided that the feeder was put up for him alone and chased all other birds out of the yard!
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We get a Mocker a couple times per year. I find he's usually interested in the bird baths more than anything else. None of the feeders have anything he'd like. But with Holly berries, Cardinal Candy, and some other berry types around I've seen him pick at them in the fall.
And right now I am not complaining with him taking on all the migrating Grackles. Send them south. They are costing me $$$$$$$ in seed and peanuts. I've actually cut back the feeding/filling the past few weeks. Half fills once a day. The Jays come to the back door for peanuts. The Woodpeckers got the pure suet. And the Cardinals have the safflower. I feel bad for the Chickadees and Nuthatches who want the BOSS and peanut bits, and try to make a break in there when there is an open spot. They have been resorting to the pure suet at times now.
This Mocker looks like he's got a "milk-stache" as one of my friends put it. I kinda think he looks like The Lorax from Dr. Seuss.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/mocker.jpg)
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If that is what a Mocking bird looks like we saw one on Roanoke Virgina last weekend.