My Raving Ravens are Back!

                               
                                     Raven on the railing of my deck just outside the kitchen window.

Last year I began my blog with the delightful antics of a raven family that kept us entertained all summer.  (Check out Raving about Ravens July 2011.) The youngsters have grown and flown the coupe but the Ma and Pa, who mate for life, are still here, and to my excitement (yeah, I don't get out much), they built a nest across the street under our neighbor's roof.
                               
                                 Not the clearest picture but you can see her curled up on the nest.

The two of them fly all over the neighborhood calling out to each other; they're always together or at least within cawing range.  They even started hanging out on the neighbor's deck again.  (It won't be long before he sets up the scary owl, I'm sure.)

                              

But one windy, rainy weekend near the end of March, I noticed a tarp had been placed on the roof in such a way that it covered the nest. In fact, it flapped so much in the wind, making such a racket, I was certain the ravens would abandon the nest. 

                                      

About a week later while walking my dog, I glanced at the nest and noticed some movement.  She was still there! You can see her beak sticking out just under the roof's edge below.

                                       

She is there daily but comes and goes, so I'm not sure if there are eggs yet.  Once she does lay eggs, incubation is 20-25 days and then nesting from 28-50 days.  So it will be awhile before I see the new family flying about. 

I plan to follow them through the season and keep you informed!

For more basic info on ravens:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_raven/lifehistory

Found the Next Chapter in My Life: Working with Wildlife

Coyotes by my house in Lake Arrowhead

Recently I began studying the wildlife commonly found in the San Bernardino Mountains: Black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and magnificent birds of prey,  just to name a few.  I thought that by understanding their habits and habitat, I could come to enjoy and respect their presence, as well as avoid any foolish mistakes that might endanger their lives or mine.  

Having done this with horses, I learned the value of “thinking like a horse” which makes working with them easier and loving them richer.  Rather than projecting human thoughts and needs and fears into their heads, I want to be aware of what brings them pleasure and comfort, what piques their curiosity, or what scares the bejesus out of them.  A filmmaker may find beauty in an air-born plastic bag (American Beauty), but any horse-owner will tell you, a white bag blown about by a gentle breeze is as terrifying to a horse as a stalking mountain lion.  Maybe worse for, What the hell is that thang?

In addition to reading some great books on wildlife (I’ll post a list soon), I also began training as a Wildlife Care Provider at Wildhaven Ranch a wildlife sanctuary near Lake Arrowhead, and with that new responsibility, I began visiting local zoos and talking with zookeepers and curators as well as vets.  As a result, I discovered not a hobby or part time activity but a burning fascination that is clearly the next chapter in my life: Working with wildlife in captivity. 

Orphaned 6 month old mountain lion at Orange County Zoo

http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/

I used to have a problem with zoos; seeing animals in captivity broke my heart.  But I came to learn that most animals in zoos and sanctuaries cannot be released into the wild.  Some would not survive due to injuries and disabilities, such as a hawk with a broken wing; others because they are human habituated.  While rehabilitation facilities strive to rehab and release, some animals become imprinted on the humans that care for them and cannot be successfully placed back in the wild.  Animals orphaned at a young age are often brought to facilities where they are hand-fed and cared for and thus become imprinted on their caretaker.  Others are former “pets” of people foolish enough to think a cute little bobcat or fawn could be a part of their family.  Some are former “performing” animals bred and raised for this purpose, and others are actually born in captivity.

So here they are, living their lives in a zoo or sanctuary; why not make it the best life they can have?  Amazing changes have taken place since I was a little girl visiting a zoo and seeing tigers in small cages.  Not only have the exhibits been improved to provide the animal with a more natural habitat, but care providers work hard to enrich the lives of their animals in other ways to keep them active, stimulated and challenged. 

 I am so excited about my new venture.  I have met fascinating people devoted to their work, and most importantly, I've become acquainted with some amazing animals.  There is nothing like looking into the eyes of a black bear or a mule deer--up close and definitely personal. 

 So expect to be reading everything I learn or experience as I pursue my new passion.

Mule deer at Wildhaven Ranch

http://www.wildhaven.org/

Spectacled Bear at Binghamton Zoo

http://www.rossparkzoo.com/

European Starlings in America: Innocents Abroad or Lord of the Flies?

In my last post, I mentioned seeing a mysterious new species of bird at my feeders.  On further research, I discovered that they are European (English) Starlings.  And wouldn't you know, they are here because of the famous Englishman William Shakespeare and an infamous American Eugene Schieffelin, a gentleman who, in the name of art, tampered with nature and caused a major disaster. 

Apparently as president of the American Acclimatization Society, Schieffelin came up with the brilliant idea of introducing to America every bird species mentioned in the works of the great bard.  In 1890, he released about 60 starlings to Central Park--and there are now somewhere between 140-200 million!

According to an article on "invasive species" (which says it all), "Starlings are among the worst nuisance species in North America. The birds travel in enormous flocks; pose danger to air travel; disrupt farms; displace native birds; and roost on city blocks. Corrosive droppings on structures cause hundreds of millions of dollars of yearly damage. In 2008 the U.S. government poisoned, shot or trapped 1.7 million, the most of any nuisance species."   

^{http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/eurostarling.shtml}  

Welcome to America! 

Actually, if you think about it, they do exemplfy the American Dream.  Wrenched from their homeland and plucked down in the heart of New York, they have managed to survive and thrive from sea to shining sea.  They are driven and determined little creatures, letting nothing, not even the U.S. government, get in their way.  

So it is no surprise that even on the foggiest, windiest day up here in the San Bernardino Mountains, in the pouring rain, with temperatures close to freezing and soon to bring snow, these hardy birds were the only ones at my feeders a few weeks ago, polishing off what seed was left. 

I do admire their pluck and tenacity though their fierce spirit can be intimidating.  I can't help but wonder if their ancesters in Europe were quite as intense or if this is a result of assimilation in America.

Perhaps it's time for a name change?   This new species of  European Starlings might be more appropriately known as  American Starlings.  What do you think?

For more information:
http://natureali.org/european_starling.htm
http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/EuropeanStarlings.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Starling

Feed Them and They Will Come or Lakeview Dining Open Year Round

                                
My last blog ended with my questioning what birds, if any, would stick around once winter set in.  I got my answer just last week!  On November 4th we had our first snow--just a couple of inches, but enough to give us a taste of winter, and enough for me to learn about our birds' migrating habits.

And what I learned was that if you continue to put food out for them, they will stick around.  In fact they will throng to your feeders and eat together, or should I say elbow each other aside for the best seat.  No more pecking order, unless something really large, like a raven or a band-collared pigeon swoops down, but generally they eat side by side. 

Northern Flicker with a Purple Finch

Mountain Chickadees and Finches

Lesser Goldfinch with Flicker

Even my tiny Lesser Goldfinches returned to the wind socks

 and if you look at the hummingbird feeder to the right of the water bowl, you will see a hummingbird  perched on the side.  In fact, I have never seen so many hummingbirds at this feeder since the weather turned.   Now that there are no flowers to feed from, I guess they'll be coming here.

This little one tried to get a drink from the frozen bowl of ice, then hopped down to the snow below and pecked away at that.

Since then, my husband and I take turns chopping through the ice in the bowl if it's just the top layer or adding warm water to melt it.

I talked to a few locals who are knowledgable about birds and asked if I am putting my birds in danger by providing food when the temperatures dip below freezing.  All reassured me that they wouldn't stay if they couldn't survive, plus they are just a day's flight or less down the mountain to warmer climate. Just when I thought I'd be spending less money on bird food each month, I am buying more.  I now have more birds than ever!

...and even a few  newcomers.   I am not sure what this bird is, although I'm wondering if it's a young Northern Flicker.  Does anyone out there know?  I've looked through my books and can't find it.  It does resemble the flicker a bit and as my husband pointed out, the tail feathers don't look fully developed. 

All I know is that they come in small groups daily.

                                                                                                 
I am curious to see if they will all continue to enjoy fine dining at my lake view restaurant once winter really settles in.  We'll soon see.

Early Morning is for the Birds

I love waking up just before sunrise, sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, and watching the birds appear one by one at my feeders.  There's a whole pecking order--no pun intended (or is there?)--as they busily feed first thing in the morning.  Size does matter in this case.  The tinier birds, even though larger in number, still make way for bigger birds. 

First to feed are the red-topped Acorn Woodpeckers.  Very skittish, they slowly and painstakingly make their way to the suet feeder, looking around constantly, ready to take flight with even the slightest of movement.  Their undulating flight back to their home tree across the way is a joy to watch.  Like dolphins in water, they dip and rise and dip and rise.

                             

Next to come, and in large numbers, are the Lesser Goldfinches who cling to the thistle sock feeders even in the fiercest of winds.  One day I counted thirty-five at once!  Like bees swarming at a hive, they fight to find a spot on the feeder and won't let go, except to take turns getting a drink of water.

                            

                         

                                        

Once the Northern Flickers arrive, the Goldfinches step aside--literally!  Usually they take flight to the nearest branch or wire, but sometimes they line up on the deck railing and wait their turn.  (See them lined up to the right.)                 

                        

          When all's clear, they swoop back and feed.                       

In addition a few other birds frequent my feeders.  House Finches, Sparrows, Purple Finches, Grosbeaks, and Nuthatches.                 
                                 

While our stunning though noisy Stellar Jays make an occasional appearance on my deck, they prefer to find their own food, stopping by for a drink now and then.
                                    

And even though I have a hummingbird feeder, wouldn't you know, they prefer the more natural source!  My hibiscus--which did so beautifully on my deck through summer and fall, with blossom after blossom.  I intend to buy several (from Lowes) next year!

Just recently I've been visited by some new guests that, like the Lesser Goldfinches, travel in large groups.  They are called Band-tailed Pigeons, a species once reduced in numbers due to overhunting, but now coming back strong.    They struggle to get the seed from the feeders--so I toss some on the ground for them.  They also take turns at the water bowl.

                                   
                                    
It's late October now, and I can't help but wonder how much longer the birds will stay, and which, if any, will remain through winter.  I can't imagine how any could survive. But I'm ready to watch and learn...and write!

Our Backyard Forest

 It still amazes me that the San Bernardino National Forest is practically our backyard.  There is one street above us and then the forest.  To get to the forest trail, we simply walk along our access road about seven houses down, cut up a little path, and, voila, there is the trail.

                                  

It's a lovely, leisurely stroll that breaks into a fork and curves northwest and northeast toward the 173 in both directions. Mt. Baldy can be seen in the distance and is stunning when snow-peaked.

                                  

                                  

                      

                                    Along this trail we came across a natural chaise lounge.

It is now a destination and popular photo spot!

Judging from the claw marks ? or man-made notches ? on the bottom, it has been visited many times.

 We are still in awe of our surroundings.  Living up here never loses its luster.

                                  
                                  
                                   

But I have to admit, as we ride out the fire season, I hold my breath.