One can tell by the lack of critter activity & the sound of the Muzzle Loaders that it is hunting season in NH. Luckily we have our “no hunting” signs up in our yard. Not that we have a problem with our neighbors hunting behind our property, on government land. We just want to protect our turkeys & neighborhood cats.
It is hard to show excitement about our friends visiting so often. The wistful glances of would be hunters, from the vehicles that drive by are enough of a deterrent for that. The Bear have until the 24th. The turkeys & deer until Dec. 15th. And the crows, pheasant, many waterfowl & much of the small game until Dec. 31st.
I understand hunting from a population control perspective & the need to put food on the family’s table. NH is pretty good about their guide-lines. Though I don’t agree with some of the critters that are ON the lists & I really don’t GET hunting for sport. People who Enjoy killing, honestly, lack respect for life .. (In My Humble Opinion).
So, what do I have to report?
The turkeys are around so often that the crows don’t stop by as much. The blue jays are everywhere & lots of them. The pileated woodpeckers are coming back from the deep woods, with the tourists & snowbirds leaving the area. The days are in the 40’s, the nights are in the upper 20’s to low 30’s. Indian Summer lasted a day with the temps. in the 70’s. The furnace is clean. Oil prices are rising because of the speculators & refineries. Our government is so focused on the health-care reform that they are forgetting the recession. And I am still wondering why this country deludes itself with the viability of day-light savings time (good idea, not practical).
Hoping everyone had a great Samhain, October Nights & a happy New Year
Food Consumption: Sunflower Seeds is the big winner this month, with the cold weather & the turkeys. This should be pretty consistent going forward. Next is Mixed-Seed, due to a large band of Blue-jays. Suet is at a steady pace, with only woodpeckers & the smaller birds (chickadees, titmice, etc.).
In Order of Quantity (unless noted otherwise) …
Oct.:
Birds: Turkeys (well, 5 that are here all the time), Black-Capped Chickadees, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, American Goldfinches, Ravens, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Crows, Pileated Woodpeckers
Animals: Gray Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mice