Fund Raiser to Help Build a Songbird Aviary

Hey everyone!

 This Saturday we will be participating in a fund raiser at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Etobicoke @ 5468 Dundas Street West (Dundas and Shaver).  It is for Hobbitstee Toggenburgs Wildlife Refuge. The goal is to raise $1500 to build a songbird aviary in the Spring of 2014.

There will be a 50/50 draw, raffles with some great prizes, 10% off many non-seed items in the store which include some great Christmas gift potentials for the nature lover in your flock.  Or come for a coffee and cookie, say "hi" and make a donation, nothing is too small, as every bit goes towards helping injured songbirds come next Spring migration.  Come meet Bilbo the Groundhog, Jim the Snapping Turtle and wildlife rehabber Chantal who may share some stories about life as a rehabber.  The event goes from 10am to 5pm.  If you cannot attend but still would like to help, message me for other ways, contact Hobbitstee or just call the Wild Birds Unlimited store @ 416 233 3558.  Hobbitstee also has a wish list of needed items that are just as much appreciated as cash.  The items include...

Foods...
dry puppy food, UNSALTED sunflower seed and peanut in the shell, powdered milk (esbilac puppy)

Food supplies...
heated electric bowls or buckets, cage mounted water bottles

Bedding...
pine shavings, electric heating pads, incubating heat lamps

Cleaning supplies...
clorox or lysol wipes, laundry detergent or bleach

Miscellaneous... 
dog toys, pine cones, postage stamps, large garbage can with lids

clumping litter, recycled newspaper cat litter

heavy duty gloves, outdoor extension cords, working power tools

If you happen to donate any such items in used condition, please ensure they are clean and in good working condition.  Just think of it as if you were the receiver; would you happy to get such a thing from another in that condition?

If you are on Facebook, check out and LIKE Hobbitstee here.  They have a blog which you can view here.  A YouTube channel which you can view here.  This here video is my fave since Angie and I took part in the release which was amazing to see 5 young Red Fox return to the wild.  And here is more ideas for donating.  Lastly here is the event page on Facebook for this Saturday.

As I mentioned, Angie and I will be there much of the day too, minus lunch break.

Thanks for giving this a read and we hope to see you there!

Here is one of the young Fox from the release back in the summer.

Sideways Sam

Look at that photo above.  That is the back of our GMC Jimmy on Sunday morning.  What a mess!  The empty bird cage is a blog all on it's own that will be coming later this week.  Ignoring almost everything else, just look at that blue towel now.  Underneath it is a live animal trap and in it is our Sideways Sam.  What's a "Sideways Sam" some of you may ask?  Well, he's a grey Squirrel.  And he got his name due to his condition being partially (or fully) blind in his right eye.  So when he runs around, whatever is up with that eye, makes him run in a sideways motion, always pulling to the left but he'd correct himself if he had to or just kept going that way.  I had my friends try and come up with a name for him since I drew a blank.  And in the end, Angie called this one and it stuck.

I can't really say when Sam showed up.  We have so many Squirrels running around these days and only one had been named in the last while, and that's "Baby", once again by Angie, and she will have to tell his tale one day.  But Baby stands out from the crowd and got a name.  And when I began to take notice to the "blind in one eye guy", he soon got a name.

It's only been a few weeks of seeing Sam in this condition.  We've only had 3 grey Squirrels lately and I'm sure he's one of them and whatever happened to him is pretty recent.  I'm hoping it's only an infection or something else treatable because we'd like to see him around the yard again one day.  But time will tell.

So ya, with his condition, I noticed the other Squirrels giving him a real hard time in the yard.  I guess it's the "something is wrong with this guy, lets run his butt outta here, can't waste good food on a sickly Squirrel" because sometimes I would see 3 or 4 Squirrels chasing Sam out of the yard.  Sam would flee from the terrors and watch the yard from a distance.  I felt bad and did what I could to help him.  First was coax him near me down at the back of the yard and I began feeding him steadily and ensuring he was eating and not being bothered.

I've spent easily 45 minutes to an hour at one time with him, tossing nut after nut to him, and Sam would stay close by me, eating in peace.  He ate 10, 12, 14 in a row!  I've never seen a Squirrel eat so much, not burying anything.  And then either I had to leave or he did and we'd meet up before dark or the next day for another session.

I decided for the time being to monitor Sam and see whether he'd be okay or eventually need help.  As he ate more and more, he made some noticeable changes...  like he began fighting back against the other Squirrels.  He didn't take their crap and stood (and kept) his ground out back.  Me being home on short term leave due to my shoulder allowed me lengthy amounts of time to keep watch over him.  I relayed my observations to Angie and we both agreed that this was the best way for him right now, let him do his thing, be a Squirrel, but continue to monitor him.

But sometime last week, I took notice to his right eye now being completely shut instead of 90%.  I also noticed all his Squirrel friends and foes packing on the body fat for the coming cold days ahead; but Sammy still looked pretty thin and runty.

I called Toronto Wildlife Centre and had a talk with one of the people in the call centre.  I already knew everything that they were going to tell me just because of previous experiences and really there wasn't a whole lot they could say without seeing him for themselves and giving him an examination.  I knew they lent out live traps with a $20 deposit and asked if they could hold one for me.

It was Friday that I picked the trap up.  I set it with some peanut butter and bread and waited and watched.  Sam was on it in no time and he was reaching in the side of the cage at the bread.  He managed to scrape some of the peanut butter off, and licked it from his paws.  I left the room for a bit and upon return, he or another Squirrel had gone in the cage and pulled the bread out without tripping the wire (setting off the trap).  Saturday we had a very busy day so there were no attempts to catch him.

Today, Sunday, we were watching him from the window.  I had been feeding him a few peanuts already.  And at one point he was running along the deck when he just fell off the ledge and dropped.  It was a little comical but because we knew of his current state, the laughter quickly silenced and concerns rose.  I set the trap up once again and in very little time, but with some interference from other Squirrels, we caught Sam!  A handful of peanuts in the cage got him in there once again.

I quickly got outside and put a towel over the cage.  Sam was making some awful grunts of being totally freaked out.  But once under the cover, he calmed down pretty quick.  I called TWC and left a message I was on my way with him and away we went.

It's about a 20 minute drive to TWC,  I turned the radio off, kept Sam covered, and wondered how this was all going to go.  Of course we want him well and back home with our crew again but its 50/50 until he gets examined and hopefully treated.  And all the while I am thinking and stressing, I hear this crunch crunch crunch in the back of the truck.  I know that sound all so well.  It was Sam eating the peanuts I put out for him.  He was shelling away and eating them!  I have to laugh about this.  Seriously?  Little Squirrel dude is in a cage, in pretty much total darkness, inside a truck, a place he's never been, no idea what's going on but he manages to stop worrying about it and eat 4 whole large peanuts, shell 'em and chomp 'em down!  Stressed out, freaked out animals aren't supposed to do that!  I will chalk it up to Sam knowing he wasn't in danger, feeling the vibe that he was in good hands.  What else could it be?

Anyways, this is where it ends for now.  I got him to TWC and here we are nearing 12 hours later.  I will call to inquire about him on Wednesday and pray for some good news.  If you feel it in your heart, think about this little guy and send him a well wish too.

I really want to see him like this outside our kitchen window again soon...

and not have this as my last memory of him...

I had to have one last peek at him before I took him into TWC this morning.

Here's a video of him just before the weekend, gives you an idea why I decided it was time to get the trap and try to help him.  Click here.

Its a few days later, and I heard back from Toronto Wildlife Centre late Wednesday afternoon.  I did a short blog about the update on Sam.  Please click here to check it out for the latest!

The Birder Vs The Photographer

A cool blustery morning this November 12th, 2013.  A high of +2c but with the winds it sure felt much cooler.  I finished my physiotherapy mid-morning and got myself a Timmy's and went for a walk near the house.  I didn't have the camera with me and thought just taking in the brisk air, sipping my coffee and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature would be awesome.  And it was, as most times it can be...

I enjoyed Cardinals, Chickadees, Jays, Ducks, Gulls, and a few Golden-crowned Kinglets through my trek along with a couple sleeping Raccoons, no humans, and that coffee was damn good.

As usual, I'm scoping the conifers (cedars, pines, spruce trees) and any cavity, no matter the size, that I could see without the help of my binoculars or camera lens.  And to my joy and surprise somewhere along that walk I discovered an Eastern Screech Owl sitting on the edge of a tree cavity up the path.  We had about 40 to 50 ft between us (rough guess but it wasn't close) and I just froze right there, looking at him, and he looked right back at me.  If you read my last blog about the Saw-whet Owl...  I said "no matter how softly you walk, they always hear you coming" and this guy sure did.

As usual with Owl encounters, I didn't spend much time in his company and I didn't move in any closer because I didn't see the point.  I just watched from a distance, sipped my coffee...  and I could feel a battle within me, the joy of the birder spotting such a wonderful creature and the photographer side cursing away about how I'm missing a great photo opportunity.  I don't really like to refer to myself as a photographer because my outings really are what this was...  just being out, enjoying what I see and hear, and the creatures are living beings and NOT photo subjects to me.  I just love getting a few photos when the opportunity presents itself to me and especially with Screech Owls in cavities because they are unique photos, no two cavities are the same and its great to show how the birds blend in.  See my Masters of Camouflage blog as testimony to this!  I love to share what I see in my travels with family and friends and slowly turn people on to getting outside their own neighbourhoods and enjoying all that is around us in the wild world.  But anyways, the joy and the disappointment battled away in the back of my brain while I watched this bird.  Eventually the birder won, kicking the photographer's ass out of the moment and it was great.

THE END

Here is pretty much what I saw (zoomed in of course) as the cavity wasn't more than 7 or 8 ft from the ground.  This is Echo from a photo shoot we had at Mountsberg's Raptor Centre a few years ago.   Now if you came across such a thing in the wild, wouldn't you wish you had your camera with you?

This blog has been brought to you by me, an Owl, White Owl Whiskey and Zimmers Hole!

Cheers!

Here We Go Again (Owl season is here)

I saw my first Northern Saw-whet Owl of the Autumn season today, well one that was not at a bird banding station anyways.  Since I am off work right now still healing from that shoulder injury, I try to take advantage of the few nice mild days that still remain as we slowly move closer to the winter season.  Going out for a walk someplace is great for fresh air, mild exercise and overall mental health.

I make it a habit of scoping conifers in my walks no matter the time of year because all sorts of birds like to hide in them and you just never know what you may see.  And it's November now so northern Owls are on the move south once again.

I saw the back of this little Owl and my heart jumped with a moment of excitement.  The white spots on his back just caught my eye and his tree wasn't much more than 15 ft from the path I was on.

Can you see the little Owl in this photo?

I scoped the area a little at first, seeing who was around me.  If you aren't sure why I did this, perhaps you should visit some of my older blogs about some people disturbing Owls?  Like Through The Eyes of a Saw-whet Owl or Stealing An Owl Ain't Cool.  

And once all seemed clear, I looked to find an opening and make my way around the trees to see his front side while not be too disturbing of his day time rest nor destructive to the grounds.  I had to do a bit of a walk around as there was a fairly open space on the other side before another grove of cedars.  I walked as lightly as I could but even while they appear to be sleeping, they are quite aware of what is going on around them.  Owls have an amazing hearing ability, I forget the scientific facts at the moment, but being able to hear field mice moving around, even under a blanket of snow is incredible hearing.  So yes, while I think I am being stealth like, its never enough to sneak up on these birds.  But I am a firm believer in respecting the creatures we see out there, and in many cases we will be rewarded with great views of them.

So, I found my way around the trees and got a lovely view of this little one's face.  What a sweet sight watching the Owl sleep the day away!



I took about 15 photos, zooming in and out, toyed with the settings and enjoyed my less than 5 minute view of him. I quietly watched him with my own eyes, and not through the lens or binoculars, for much of that time. 

It was upon my leaving that the little Saw-whet opened his eyes, of course hoping I was leaving and not coming in any closer. 



Please enjoy all the wildlife out there and give them all the respect they so deserve.  They are just trying to survive.  And don't be afraid to speak up to someone who may not be acting as such.  You don't have to be loud and mean but sometimes it is necessary and expect anything in return.  I try polite and educational bits first and take it from there.  If you can change one person, or educate a group, it will help.

Cheers!

*note* the last year I have been mostly using a Sigma 500mm lens which has great zoom capabilities.  So while the creatures I display to you in these blogs seem really close, in reality they are not.  Wildlife photography should be done with great zoom equipment to ensure even less disturbance and invasion of the animals' habitat.  You don't need a big heavy lens these days as even the small point and shoot cameras have incredible zooms on them.

Be Back Soon....

Hi friends....

I've screwed up my shoulder pretty bad in an accident at home.  Nothing is broken but there is a sprain and the muscle spasms are extremely painful at times.  So sitting at a computer, arms stretched out and hitting them keys brings it on pretty quick.

I do hope that this heals sooner than later, and today I am off to get x-rays and an ultrasound on the area since just resting and taking muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories are not working.  Wish me luck and I will be back soon with a tale or just another update.

Cheers!
Rob

Before I go, here is a highlight from this past weekend where Angie and I took some friends to Mountsberg Conservation Area to visit their raptor centre where we surprised them with a private raptor encounter.  Man, were they ever surprised and happy!  I won't post their pictures without permission so here is me with Echo the Eastern Screech Owl who was human imprinted when she was a baby.  I've known Echo for some years now but this is the first time I've ever mingled with her.

A close up o her...

Bye for now!

Whiskey Wednesday

Usually every Wednesday I celebrate getting over the hump of the work week with a shot or two of some spirits.  40 Creek is my top choice these days, but Jack Daniel's and White Owl Whisky are great substitutes, or when I feel like something just a little different.

Of course my celebration, and drinking, is limited to one or two drinks because I do have to get up for work the next day.  And unlike 20 years ago, I just can't handle hangovers nor do I want to waste a precious day of my life due to some self induced over indulgence.  It is funny how others perceive my weekly tradition, some get it, some think I'm polishing off a lot more.  I feel bad for those people who don't know me all that well.  Anyways...

I'm enjoying the last days of the year where it's mild enough to sit outside in a t-shirt and not worry about bundling up.  The lawn furniture is still out back and usually still dry by the time I get home from work and get out there to kick back with my drink.

The night time wildlife is great this year, seeing lots of critters roaming the backyards, as I've blogged a bit about everyone coming around.  And the lately things have been even better with more up close and personal encounters.  I figure its one part they are used to me sitting out there and more so its because of how I act around them being very quiet and slow moving if I am moving at all.  I've sat on the ground by the deck and have had all 3 mammal species (Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum) walk right by me, giving me a glance before moving on with their evening hunts.  My goal is to teach more people to not lose their s**t in the presence of local wildlife, just be quiet and calm, and embrace having a close encounter, especially around a Skunk.  Running around and screaming is the wrong way to deal with one near you.  They spray as a last resort in defending themselves.  My encounters prove they really don't care much about us if we leave them alone, and if they get spooked, they prefer to make a run for it instead of blasting the threat.

Here I am with one of the local Skunks, we've seen 3 in the past few months.  I am maybe 10 feet from this one and was for many minutes.  I sat on the bench at the back and just watched him.

Some nights Sniffy and his family show up, it's mom and the 3 kids.  So nice to see everyone is still with us and looking so healthy.

This is the kids from a couple months ago.

Another family come around other nights, its a mother with 2 kids.  This mom is very different than Sniffy's.  This mom is not very calm nor is she very nice, even to her kids.  She snarls, growls and swats at everything in her vicinity.  I feel bad for the little ones that are stuck with her.  And what blows my mind is when we first noticed this family last month (September), the kids were really small, like big kittens.  And cranky mom is smaller than the other adults I've seen.  So I'm not sure if she's a young mom and is lacking the motherly instinct or perhaps it's genetic, she's just smaller and it's been passed on to her children.  But what they lack in size, they make up in ferocity or giving off the show of being fierce.  Such noises the little ones make when another passes them too.  I wish I recorded them.  They growl and whine and charge at everything...  except me.  Why?  Once again, I'm just sitting back and watching the goings on.

One of the wee little ones.

The past few nights I've noticed the 2 little ones running around, and without their mother.  I saw a dead Raccoon on the main road the other morning.  I have to wonder if it's their mom?  One part of me concerns over this but really I shouldn't, they are old enough now, and have each other to look out for.  Or maybe they just had enough of their mom's nasty attitude and left on their own?  Whatever the case, I watch them more intently now.  And what I've noticed is they are calmer without her around.  They don't freak or hiss or snarl or just plain "lose their s**t".

We all had a pleasant evening this week, actually a few of them.

Someone found something to snack on.

Here is Stumpy the "tail-less" Raccoon. He sure looks odd running around without the tail, that high back end sure stands out.

"Hey, buzz off mister, this is private!"

All the critters love water.  Its true that its much easier to find food in their travels than water.  I try to keep it clean but...

And while I sipped my 40 Creek, he had water.  He has no idea what he is missing.  Haha!

I make the best of my work hours, coming home after 10 at night.  I prefer this over turning on the computer or television.  And its great on the weekends when Angie can join me since she doesn't have to get up at 4:30am for work.  But in those days in between weekends, especially on my Whiskey Wednesday, the wildlife do make for some great company.

Awesome 'Possum

The backyard has been pretty lacking the last few weeks in way of a variety of bird species.  It may be partially to blame for a Coopers Hawk that has been hunting the backyard a few times a week.  But even before this hunter showed up I noticed the species numbers lacking and even the numbers of some species visiting being quite low.  But the House Sparrows are still in high numbers and all over every feeder out there minus the Safflower and the pure suet.

But I still hold out hope for the return of some birds and continue to fill the feeders especially as the weather gets cooler.

I'm back in the habit of filling the feeders at night.  I like the quiet of the night and even more so I like the mystery of wondering who I may cross paths with in way of wildlife.  We've had some Raccoon families and one night I counted 9 Raccoons in my sights about the properties.  We've got a few Skunks too and they don't seem to mind me out there doing what I'm doing as long as I ignore them.  It's my philosophy that if you give the critters respect (and don't lose your shit around them) that they will give it back to you.  Act like a freak and they may do the same.  So my quiet times out back are quite rewarding.  And I'm sure my spillage of seeds and nuts is welcoming too.

And last night was proof once again of what I practice and preach...

Doing my thing, filling feeders, washing the baths, enjoying the cool night air and mostly silence with little traffic on Scarlett Road; I suddenly take notice to something moving at the back of the house.  Initial thought was one of the Raccoons roaming about; but second glance I could see that it wasn't.  It crawled up the steps of the back deck and was heading for the back door...  and its shape was more rat like.  I put the flashlight on it and to my thrill it was a young Opossum!  But to someone not familiar with them might think something otherwise with it's glowing eyes in the light and the black circles around them, the coarse grey fur and that long tail.

When the 'Possum figured out I was there and watching, she darted off under the deck.  I believe the visiting Groundhog we had late last summer made a hole under the ladas on both ends as part of his routes for travel.  The Squirrels and Skunks enjoy it very much (and now this 'Possum) but the Raccoons are too big for it.

I haven't seen an Opossum in a few years.  We had one February 2011 and named her "Virginia".  She was so sweet and everyday around 3pm she would come out and feed under our bird feeders.  This is quite unusual for such a creature but with the bitter cold, she was hungry enough to show herself.  And as long as we gave her the space, she let us be outside with her while she fed.  It was awesome!  So with this young one, I wasn't about to go inside and let this moment pass just like that.  I sat myself on the ground and waited.

Here is Virginia from February 2011

With the aroma of peanuts and sunflower seed in the air, it wasn't long before one of the Raccoon families we are quite familiar with showed up in the yard.  Good ol' Sniffy, his siblings and mom joining him.  The kids are so big now as they prepare for the cold days ahead.  They all wandered around, hitting the baths, looking for spilled seeds (wink wink) and gave little notice to me.  Sniffy sat himself down about 6 ft from me and picked from one of the seed cups I use for filling.  I dropped everything with this 'Possum and Sniffy was taking full advantage of this.

I kept an eye on the family out of the corner of my eye while I waited for another hopeful sighting of the young 'Possum.  And sure enough, slowly out she came.  I just sat there and watched her for the next 20 minutes or so as she sniffed around looking for some grub.  We had maybe 10 ft between us for some time too!  And the young, or not so young Raccoons now, were curious of this newcomer and had to give her a once over.  The 'Possum did not know what to make of these creatures who were much bigger than her but she sat there, stood her ground, beared her teeth momentarily but not much more else happened.  The Raccoons checked her out and moved on.  So cool to see wildlife doing their own thing in our backyard.  One time 2 summers ago, I got home shortly after midnight to find who I believe was Virginia sitting on our driveway with a Raccoon.  They were chilling out, no fighting and I swear they were discussing what was on the menu in the neighbourhood that evening.

Here's a few photos from last night.  Its not easy to get pics in the dark with a flashlight and our little point/shoot camera but what the hell...  and I had fun.

Look at those teeth!

Sniffy passes her by with a sniff and moves along.

She's right below me here.

I wish this came in clear...  look at that nose!

It was nearing midnight now.  I silently said "goodnight" to the gang and headed inside with hopes of seeing the little Opossum again another night.  And of course Sniffy came up to me and said "goodnight"...

I took a very short video of some of the action if you would like to see a bit more. Just click here and you will go to it on YouTube.