Look Who's Back!

I had quite the surprise on Sunday afternoon. I was in the backyard and in flew a male Hairy Woodpecker. He was in our lilac tree and looking at me like he knew me. You know, just looking at me rather intently, head bobbing up and down. Instantly I thought is that you Harry? We call all the male Hairy Woodpeckers "Harry" but last summer we had a unique one some of you might recall. We had a hand feeding Hairy Woodpecker.

Luckily I had some shelled peanuts in my pocket. I pulled them out and extended my hand to the bird. There was no hesitation, he went right for them.

How cool is that?

Harry disappeared early in the autumn season like what happens every year for us and having this species of woodpecker for the most part. We may get random visits through the winter but nothing frequent and he wasn't coming around. I suspect they go off to the nearby woodlot, Lambton Woods. It's also known to some as Woodpecker Woods. Really I don't know but that makes sense to me.

I'm thrilled he is back. He showed up again this morning.

It's this kind of stuff that makes our backyard a very special place. It also makes it a lot easier to stay home like health officials plead all of us to do.

Hopefully Harry shows up with his kids again this summer. They are fun to watch.

Stay tuned.

Robin Kinda Day

While practicing physical distancing as much as possible, I can still volunteer with Toronto Wildlife when the need arises and my schedule is open. Today was one of those times. It was a simple task, pick up a successfully rehabbed American Robin and drive it back to the area where it was found. Funny is it was in one of my old, on occasion, stomping grounds back in high school. Some of my friends lived up in this part of Rexdale. Seeing the old buildings, recognizing some of the side streets and even passing my old high school on the way home was good for a few memories.

The Robin was certainly happy to be free. He burst out of the box when I had barely gotten the top opened.

I get home and spot a robin on our front lawn. As I got out of the car, a robin flies out of one of our hedges at the front of the house. Hmmmm? I suspected a few weeks back that they were looking to build a nest in this hedge. Then at one point I thought they changed their mind(s) and moved to a neighbour's tree across the street. I even looked for a nest a couple times but never saw one. Now, seeing the female jet out of the hedge today, I figured it was time for another look.

I'm unsure the actual species of bush it is but it is a conifer and tightly grown if that makes sense. The branches are firm and close together but there are some openings and the robins chose one to build within. They have a good canopy of foliage above to shelter them from the elements. It's well camouflaged. It's about 5 feet above ground. I'd like to think the nest is quite safe where it is. My only issue is that it is right along the side with our walkway to the front door. I know in the coming weeks, especially after work, I will be entering the house from the back door so as to not disturb them.

Here is an over the nest photo I took with my phone. This is the only way to see what is going on.

I will be sure to update in the coming weeks on how things are going. Let's wish them well.

Meet Timbit

Hey hey, how is everyone today? Still healthy and hanging in there I hope. Thank you to those who have recently commented on my last couple blogs. I've not been "pimping" them out because I am not on the computer as much what with Angie working from home but also it's interesting to see how many hits I get without promotion.

Anyway, a short blog here about a new visitor to the backyard. Probably nothing really exciting to most but it's cool for us. A Red Squirrel. Now this is not the first of this species to pop in here, this is actually the third in the last 5 years, and actually as long as I have lived here (that I have noticed anyway). The previous two were only here for a couple hours before disappearing. This one, he's on 3 days of visiting now. Angie has named him Timbit.

Timbit sure is cute. He's so little compared to our Eastern Grey Squirrels. He's also a nice little distraction during these trying times as we call life now.

Timbit is very quiet compared to other red squirrels I have encountered when out and about. He's afraid of the bigger squirrels. He's also afraid of Mourning Doves which I noticed yesterday. A Mourning Dove fluttered in near him and he spooked, jumping up into the air and then running away, going up a tree. He's not entirely sure what to make of me but I think he realizes I am no threat from a respectable distance.

We hope he sticks around for a while, even though it's only him and no others of his kind. I guess we shall see as time passes.

I know red squirrels can be little buggers, chewing on stuff, getting into roofs and stuff. It's just like learning to live with other wildlife... be aware of them, what they can do, and make sure they don't do those things, but also appreciate and enjoy them, their antics and the entertainment they can bring to a backyard.

Is it just me or does he look rather well fed?

Thanks for stopping in. Stay safe.

Cheers!

Shout Out to You All

What trying times the world is in, eh? How quickly this virus has spread throughout the globe. Pandemic = chaos to say the least.

Here in our home, Angie is fortunate to be able to work from home now. She doesn't have to make the trip to the downtown area via public transit. As for me, it's the opposite. Work is still a thing, which I really am grateful for. It's stupid busy at Pepsi, busy like July kind of busy... summer is our peak for sales. I do my best to stay physically distant from everyone else. I spend most of my work shift on my forklift which is almost the same size as my Mazda 3 but I sit about 4.5 ft up. I disinfect the truck every day before starting my job. Hand washing is a regular thing every time I am off my truck for any reason. Other than that, it's mostly life at home, enjoying the backyard critter crew and the few walks have been in remote areas with the main purpose of getting nest boxes ready for the birds.

I hope everyone who reads my blogs is doing well, both you and your families. We're all in this one together.

Here's a little bit of what's going on over here in way of the animals.

I've recently made a new pigeon friend. He's a big bird. He knows I'm the guy with the grub and he will follow me around, cautiously hanging out with me but won't come to hand. I'm okay with that. I like that he's a daily visitor. He makes me feel special. HA!

After a bit of chit chat on social media, a friend suggested a couple names and one was Churchill. Angie approved. So here you are, say "hello" to Churchill.

We have a pair of Mourning Doves that have been entertaining us for a few weeks now. What's so exciting about Mourning Doves? Well, we don't get a lot of them. Years ago we did but a Cooper's Hawk did a number on them. Both Angie and I like the doves. Their peaceful call can lull us to sleep on the deck during the dog days of summer. Having a bonded pair is quite endearing to watch. Initially we only had one. The bird called day after day for about a week and then another one showed up. Now they're inseparable and are with us every day for a good part of the day. Angie has named them Mildred and Moe. We'd be okay if they set up nest here with us. I'm trying to make the area more appealing to them. We shall see.

Our resident rabbit has been making random day time appearances. I think he is living a couple yards over but with their 2 loud rambunctious dogs, it might be spooking him some days. We both like having a backyard bunny though I am sure at some point in the summer I will be shaking my fist at him for eating one or more of my plants. But that's life with wild ones, eh?

He is caught on the cam fairly regularly too.

The other critters are showing up nightly too.

Opossums. I'm still catching two on the cam. One is smaller and darker than the other.

Numerous skunks. I'd like to think this one is Topper. It sure looks like her.

Topper and another.

This bald one has been around for a couple months now too.

If you looked at the dates with the skunks, they were all here on the same night.

Of course we cannot omit the raccoons. I can't even fathom how many may be around. I've caught five at once in the winter. Two or three together lately plus a lot of lone ones.

One.

Two.

Three.

Here's a funny capture from earlier in March. I got caught on the cam as I tried to take a picture of one.

The creatures seem to tolerate each other too.

I had a new creature on the cam but I cannot find the photos. It was a deer mouse. He lives down near the shed and that's fine, just as long as that is where he stays. Maybe I will get him on cam again soon?

Anyway, ya, this is a bit of a catch up blog and a shout out to you. May we all get through this terrible thing, without too much loss of any kind.

Just hang in there.

And stay safe.

Feel free to say "hello" back and tell me how things are with you.