We had our crowd of raccoons - mothers and cubs - at the seed trays, when a possum came wandering along from the bushes ( left hand side - you can see the eyes ) and then realized it was pretty busy and scurried off!!!!! The possums and raccoons will often share - but not when there are that many raccoons!
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Raccoon cubs in daylight.
The raccoon cubs are getting bigger and braver. The families of two cubs and four cubs were both out during evening daylight!!!
Monday, June 28, 2021
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Bigger cubs and crowd at the food
The raccoon cubs are getting bigger and bigger, and we had quite the crowd at the food trays.
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Snake in the box!!
After the chicks left, I cleaned out the bird box - we may get another nest this year. The snake returned to see if there was anything to eat!!! If they do start nesting again, I will need to protect the nest.
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YouTube Video https://youtu.be/EAEXnq9KL9Y
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Mike Mason
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
A close up raccoon and a crowd by the food trays
This raccoon was so hungry that it was coming into the food trays before I had finished putting seed out. It is out and about in the afternoon to make sure that I remember to feed them!! Later we had a crowd with the food.
Monday, June 21, 2021
The chicks have fledged!!!!
Over about 1hr 50mins yesterday, all three chicks fledged. One at a time, and the last one was the most reluctant. One of the parents returned to feed them, after they had all left, and didn't seem to believe that they weren't there any more. We started with seven eggs and despite the snake we have three chicks fledged.
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Texas Toast, Chicks getting bigger and a visit from Morgan
First, City BBQ Texas toast is the best!!!
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/k40EOceI9vQ
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Second, the chicks are just not ready to leave the nest!
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/B3SvYykcVRY
Finally, for Janie & Bill, a visit from Morgan.
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/4vIpvvCloWI
Mike Mason
Friday, June 18, 2021
Nearly fully grown.......
The chicks are nearly fully grown - now watching to see when they leave the nest.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Nearly Ready......
These chicks are looking more like birds every day. This one is trying its wings - not ready to fly yet!
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Cubs, Chicks and Cicadas......
The chicks are getting bigger and closer to leaving the nest. This one still managed to eat a cicada!!!! A good use for them!
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/knUVMdYoJis
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These raccoon cubs came out in daylight - and then two of the raccoon families met up by the seed trays.
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/rMps6OUwrN0
And speaking of cicadas - one took a ride on me into the house the other day!!
Mike Mason
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Three Thriving Chicks
After yesterday's trauma of the snake attack - the remaining three chicks are thriving and getting more of their feathers.
Saturday, June 12, 2021
CAUTION : GRAPHIC OF SNAKE EATING CHICK.
This morning I checked the camera in the bird box and found a snake there! Checking back it entered at 9:30pm the night before and ate one chick and then stayed put. I intervened, and removed the snake, although it was very upset with me. Finally, the parent wren returned and started to feed the three remaining chicks.
Friday, June 11, 2021
Squirrel and raccoon sharing.....
We've seen a raccoon share the seed tray with possums, foxes and even a deer - but this is the first time I've seen a share with a squirrel. Brave squirrel!!!
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Four Chicks in the nest and hummingbirds
I didn't check the camera for a couple of days - but now there are only four chicks in the nest. They seem very strong and I suspect that the weaker ones were not getting enough food. It now takes both parents to keep them fed.
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/ktZcuBluSvs
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The hummingbirds are now visiting more - with the warmer weather and less rain.
YouTube Video https://youtu.be/F6JlwVAdiso
Mike Mason
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Both parents feeding the chicks
Both parents are involved in raising the chicks - a constant stream of them entering the bird box and feeding the chicks.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
All eggs have hatched!!
All seven eggs have hatched - and are now demanding food. The insect that the mother has is almost as big as the chick!!!!
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Six small chicks, and a coyote visit.
Looks like six of the eggs have hatched and the parents are now busy feeding!!!!!
Friday, June 4, 2021
Hatching has started.
At 11:04 today the first egg started to hatch. At the start you can see the first egg pip - then by 2:30 the chicks are demanding food!! The good mother cleans out the old egg shells.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Just too much rain!!!
The little wren was thinking of going out for a little while, but decided there was just too much rain and went back inside!!! Still on hatching watch!!!
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Watching for egg hatching.....
The seven eggs are still in the nesting box - and the wren is spending a lot of time sitting - and waiting........
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Mike Mason
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