There’s not much happening at this time. I put out sunflower seeds that are consumed by small birds, quail, and a couple of small Douglas squirrels. I built a feeder that prevents the large Eurasian Collared Doves from getting to most of the seeds.
Seeds that get dropped to the ground are not enough to keep the doves around.
Junkos seem to prefer to feed on the ground, although I do see them on my feeder that is 5 feet above the ground. The quail are a little large for the 2×4″ fencing at the feeder, but some still go through. I’ve another spot where they can feed. Those have to be set up in a way deer can’t get to the seeds.
The squirrel’s natural food is/are the Ponderosa Pine seeds. A squirrel will cut a cone from the tree, come down, pick it up, and go to a favorite spot to tear it apart. The seeds are covered (inside next to a central axis) by a bract or scale. Some cones do not have seeds. The squirrel will begin to rip the bracts off, be disappointed, and drop the offending cone. Then, back up the tree to try again. A fruitful cone will be almost totally dismantled.
I’m planning for vine-pruning-time by making lunches and suppers so that I can quickly feed myself. Early, when cold, we prune in the afternoons, so it is 4:30 when I get home. When the temperature is more comfortable in the morning, I get home about 1:30. At the start, I want something to eat in the truck when I leave at noon. Later, I can heat a supper in the microwave that will be ready sooner than if I have to start from scratch. I’ve got a veggie-chicken casserole to cut and freeze today.
Thursday, I went to a presentation about small mammal investigations along the I-90 corridor. We learned about shrews. These studies are part of the nature and road folks working to lessen the impact of a major road corridor through the habitats of many animals. A second Critter Crossing and more under-the-road passages are being constructed 38 miles northwest of Ellensburg.
Keeping Track
on the Naneum Fan
John