Monday 29 April 2019

Ducks, flickers, phoebe

Wood duck nesting

Box #1 has some downy feathers in it.

Box #2 (on the left) is empty. 😞

It was warmer in the sun on Sunday, Apr. 28th. I thought I'd nip down and check the wood duck boxes. It's a busy spot.

It looks as if box #3 has about a dozen eggs (above, right box).



Phoebe

Phoebe has begun a nest in the shed. They finally agreed on a location!

Flickers

I noticed them in several spots, the lawn, and in the trees, then spotted the nesting hole. This is our dead elm. 


They have been dancing about, you can see in the video. It seems as if there are two males and a female. They've been at it in the trees.

Flickers from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I started up the water fountain. First try! We were cold last night, just below zero, so I either had to drain it or start it.


Also, the lawn tractor battery was dead, and I shoved it down the hill from the shed, and plugged it in. It was good to get on it, and roar around mulching the leaves. I used to have to do that every time I used the old one. We'll see if the charge holds on my new, red one. I'm hoping it's just needing a wee boost!


9 comments:

Olga said...

I have a soft spot for phoebes. Lawn tractors, not so much. My husband kept track of the hours used and at this point, change the oil, another point sharpen the blades or grease all the moving parts. He took the battery out for the winter and added fuel stabilizer. After he died I was asking my brother how I was possibly going to maintain all that needs to be done to a lawn tractor. He just looked at me kind of puzzled and said, "Olga, normal people do not do all that stuff."

DUTA said...

I like the picture of you on the red tractor.

Nancy J said...

Olga, my husband is normal and he has done all that as well, just really good maintenance. Luckily, I did not have to do it, and now with a small section, just a normal mower. Did your brother get the garage to do all oil level checks etc too? You'll be right, just read the manual. Jenn, love those fluffy soft feathers in the nest, what a welcoming bed for the babies. And the jetty looks wonderful, will you have the deck chair down there again this summer? XXX

RedPat said...

It sounds like you are going to have lots of baby wood ducks around!

William Kendall said...

The phoebe is a beautiful bird.

Christine said...

glad no flooding where you are, Muskoka's under water.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I miss driving our ride on mower...…….

Anvilcloud said...

And the circle it goes round and round ... in the circle game.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I love the wood duck pond. They are my favorite ducks. Great Flicker video. The Phoebes are cuties! Enjoy your day and week ahead.