Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on October 14, 2011, 10:09:02 AM

Title: Predator, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Post by: Rob'in'To on October 14, 2011, 10:09:02 AM

In recent weeks something has been happening out back.  And I wish I could know the whole story.  It probably explains much of the inactivity at my feeders.  There are about 12-14 very tall cedars at the back.  And some days the past month, in a moment, a bird lets out a warning, and dozens of birds fly out from those cedars.  I assume it's a predator of some sort but have yet to see it.  But causing this much interference with my backyard bird feeding enjoyment?  I scan the trees from a distance, even going down underneath in hopes to see what the threat is, if it landed, but nothing.

And one morning a few weeks back I did have this sighting.  Not sure what happened but definitely shows something is going on...

(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/bloodbath.jpg)

Title: Re: Predator, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Post by: Rob'in'To on October 14, 2011, 10:10:10 AM

The feeder does get a good seasonal cleaning...  just so you know.  And it was time for such thing by this day (obviously).

Title: Re: Predator, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Post by: Howieh on October 14, 2011, 11:52:31 AM

Looks like Jason was very confused - today is Friday the 14'th! :)

Title: Re: Predator, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Post by: Napper on October 14, 2011, 09:20:00 PM

Pretty Sloppy Predator :!:

Any feathers about? I've never seen blood after a Coopers or a Sharp Shinned attack.

Yesterday afternoon the dog and I were playing fetch and Squirrel  :!: (for an hour)  when a Coopers hawk made a pass over the tree.

 First Coopers I've seen since May.

Napper



Squirrel :arrow:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAIGLkSMls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAIGLkSMls)

Title: Re: Predator, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Post by: Rob'in'To on October 14, 2011, 11:00:44 PM

LMAO @ Howieh!

Ya, that's the other thing, there's no feathers or anything.  I've seen Kestrels make a bloody mess but leave something.

I wondered if a Squirrel or Raccoon is running around injured maybe?  Trying to get a meal?  The edges on the feeder are all folded over and smooth so no cutting there.  The feeder hangs on a pole about 5 ft off the ground.

I dunno.   :?