Tom's Bird Feeders and Reptile Supplies

This is just an update to keep people current on how the spring bird migration is progressing.  This past week we had our first Black-chinned Hummingbird into our Best 1 hummingbird feeder.  He was quickly followed by several other Black-chinned, and the aerial contest was on.  As usual they dove at each other and hovered above each other buzzing angrily.  They created quite a show for us.

Meanwhile, a Magnificent Hummingbird was quietly sipping nectar from our saucer hummingbird feeder.  The Black-chinned Hummingbirds chose not to challenge him.  I’m not sure why as they have done so in the past.

The Lawrence’s Goldfinch continues to come in to the thistle bird feeder.  He comes in with a flock of Lesser Goldfinches, so be sure to check the entire flock out.

We still have only the Scott’s Oriole coming into the jelly at the oriole feeder.  The rest of the orioles should be arriving soon.

Hope everyone’s bird migration is great this year.  Ours is off to a good start.

Over the past few days we have observed a number of bird species that we consider true signs of spring.  Several hummingbird species are coming in to our hummbingbird feeders now and we had our first Scott’s Oriole at our recycled oriole feeder and a Lawrence’s Goldfinch at our stainless steel thistle feeder.  We also saw our first Turkey Vulture (the true sign of spring in Portal).  An additional sign of spring comes when the reptiles come out to play.  Today we had several Ornate Tree Lizards sunning on the walls of our turtle enclosures. They were a joy to watch as they sunned for a while and then scurried around grabbing small insects which were landing on the walls. We should develop a Lizard Crossing sign to put up on the sidewalk between our house and our office as quite often, in the summer, the lizards come close to plowing into us as they pursue their food in our path. Our first Ornate Box Turtles were out and around in their enclosure and two Russian Tortoises were out exploring today. When the cold blooded creatures come out we know that spring is truly here and that the freezing weather is behind us.

Today we had our first Scott’s Oriole in to our recycled oriole feeder.  It must be time to put up the saucer oriole feeder  in the backyard.  The Scott’s was about a week late for the average arrival time, and two weeks later that last year.  Those of you planing a trip to southeast Arizona, stay tuned and I will keep you informed of the migration situation.

While driving home yesterday I saw one lone Turkey Vulture soaring by Rodeo, N.M.  For those of us in southeastern Arizona that means that spring is upon us. The trees are starting to bud and the poppies are turning the hillsides golden.

We had a Broad-tailed Hummingbird into our saucer hummingbird feeder this morning and the Cactus Wren and the Curve-billed Thrasher are fighting over the telephone pole. Both feel they  have territorial rights to this pole.  We cleaned out the nesting platform, but the Cactus Wren has started moving nesting material into it already.

The spring bird migration has started, the flowers are blooming and it is a GREAT day for nature lovers!

This week-end we saw our first signs of the spring bird migration.  We had put up our Best  1 hummingbird feeder a few days ago.  Over the week-end we had a Magnificent Hummingbird and a Blue-throated Hummingbird.  We also had a smaller humming bird in, but was not able to identify it.  It just didn’t stick around long enough.

We also had  Mountain Bluebirds come into our Supper Dome bird feeder. If you are not familiar with the Supper Dome, it is both a mealworm feeder and a suet feeder.  We had put out some mealworms for the Says Phoebes, but phoebes weren’t fast enough.  I guess the old saying  “The early bird gets the worm” would apply.  Our new supply of mealworms came in Monday, but the poor pheobes had to find breakfast the old fashioned way-hunt for it.

With the bluebird migration on, remember to have your bluebird houses cleaned out, repaired or replaced, as territories will be established soon.  Get the mealworm feeders out and get your supply of mealworms stocked.

Remember to only put out a little nectar in your hummingbird feeder until the hummingbird migration is in full swing.  Also remember to change the nectar regularly. 

Hope your bird migration is great this year and I will let you know what is coming into our yard.

I have written about the importance of nest boxes for bluebirds. The importance can be emphasized when talking about the Mountain Bluebird. Most studies of the Mountain Bluebird involve birds in nest boxes, and in fact very little is known about natural nest site requirements.

Scientists have learned by observing the nest boxes that only the female builds the nest. The male sometimes acts as if he is helping, but he either brings no nest material or he drops it on the way. (Men- we are talking about bluebirds and this behavior should not be reflected in your actions.)

Where territories overlap Mountain and Western bluebirds will compete for nest boxes, and consider males of the other species direct competition.

The Mountain Bluebird will usually dominate the Eastern Bluebird. This relationship may limit the westward expansion of the Eastern Bluebird.

Your effort in establishing bluebird trails and your addition of a bluebird feeder will help this species continue to recover. And really, what would the world be without the bluebird of happiness in it?