Wildlife Sightings

-Don and Mary Dee Raabe have some interesting species of birds & critters. Here is their story:

"We have had a pair of bluebirds - strange for a wooded area, but they were around last year also.  We feed them mealworms and I think by how fast they take them away and return that they have been feeding babies somewhere.  The nuthatches and tufted titmouse like mealworms also. 

Also have spotted a scarlet tanager this year.  What an absolutely gorgeous red.  Haven't been able to woo him to any feeders though.  Since they supposedly like fruit, I put orange halves on a "fruit feeder", but the only winged fellow who enjoyed those was a nice Downey woodpecker. 

And, not to be too possessive about the birds, but "we" also have a Carolina Wren who has just recently brought her baby along.  Mama feeds the baby suet. 

We are having problems with a racoon.  It has stolen one bird feeder (I walked thru the woods and haven't found it), has emptied a small garbage can I used to store mixed seed, and now since that is all gone, it has been chewing on the suet feeders we use to keep our other birds happy.  I try to remember to take the suet feeders in at nighttime and put them back up the next morning.  Oh, well, that's life in the woods!"

Click here for their woodpecker photos.
 

-Injured hummingbird - he'd gotten his wing injured with a twig and was sitting in the mulch trying to fly away. He was spotted by Lucas Feruito, who called Dr. Grampa to help. Grampa removed the twig and the hummingbird tried for awhile to fly, then gave up. A little grave was dug by Lucas, prayers were said, and a hummingbird twirly was placed there. Strangely enough, the twirly also had a broken wing. It was fascinating to see a hummingbird that close.

 

-Piliated Woodpecker –- Vivian Steauterman & daughter

-Large snapping turtle -- Tom Jones

-Barred Owl -- Diana Scudder

-Fawn twins -- Diana Scudder

-Wild turkey -- Pat Chaloupek

-Coyote -- Karen Horton

 

Others?? Let us know. Send sightings and photos to mm@immages.com