First let me please introduce myself. My husband and I live on a white water section of the Deer River and have been here for three years. Prior to that we spent 21 years in the lakes region of New Hampshire. We have enjoyed a lifetime of watching wildlife, particularly birds and are so intrigued by the different wildlife we see here compared to on our lake in NH.
Two days ago a "different" bird caught my eye as I walked thru the house and it flew by a window. I ran for the binocs knowing it was special. It proceeded to the back of our property which is on the river and I was able to see it very clearly. It then flew off to the woods on the other side of the river. But I did get a good long look with the binocs. It was a Northern Shrike. Every detail was there. It was not the first time we had seen one here. We had one hangout in the cherry tree near our bird feeders in February of 06. It literally hung out all morning about 7 feet from the dining room window. The interesting thing is that we are usually deluged with birds and it was like an air raid siren went off. There wasn't a bird around anywhere. I really think they knew the "butcher bird' was around. For what its worth, we have many thorn apple bushes on our property and I have read thats what they like to impale their little victims on.
We have also had a very large flock, maybe 150-200 redpolls at our feeder every day all winter. This is the first winter we have them. I read here that they are rather rare to see. Well, we have loads.
Another interesting visitor lately has been what seems to be a Canadian river otter. He is so quick that it really is just pure luck when we get to see him. However we do see his prints on the stones in the river.
Nice to meet you all and I am glad DH and I have a lovely place to share our wildlife sitings on.
Bunny
Two days ago a "different" bird caught my eye as I walked thru the house and it flew by a window. I ran for the binocs knowing it was special. It proceeded to the back of our property which is on the river and I was able to see it very clearly. It then flew off to the woods on the other side of the river. But I did get a good long look with the binocs. It was a Northern Shrike. Every detail was there. It was not the first time we had seen one here. We had one hangout in the cherry tree near our bird feeders in February of 06. It literally hung out all morning about 7 feet from the dining room window. The interesting thing is that we are usually deluged with birds and it was like an air raid siren went off. There wasn't a bird around anywhere. I really think they knew the "butcher bird' was around. For what its worth, we have many thorn apple bushes on our property and I have read thats what they like to impale their little victims on.
We have also had a very large flock, maybe 150-200 redpolls at our feeder every day all winter. This is the first winter we have them. I read here that they are rather rare to see. Well, we have loads.
Another interesting visitor lately has been what seems to be a Canadian river otter. He is so quick that it really is just pure luck when we get to see him. However we do see his prints on the stones in the river.
Nice to meet you all and I am glad DH and I have a lovely place to share our wildlife sitings on.
Bunny
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