You nailed it Mrs. G. Those catbirds are pretty, but they are really tough on fruit patches. They have been the leading cause of the need for netting on my blueberries and the few cherries that I get. Catbirds are kinder with my raspberries. They, and the brown thrashers, seem to only eat the raspberries that don't get picked and fall to the ground. They like my fruit patch some much, they usually nest nearby in the thicker brush. I just planted strawberries this year. I guess that means that I will need more netting. Also new this year are gooseberry and currants. Do they eat those as well?

It appears you are correct and that your tour guide isn't very educated about birds. Magnificent Frigatebird, if I am not mistaken.

That's what I would've guessed. I've got another video that's uploading now but is going to take a long time. There are two of these wrens that hang out at the edge of my woods and the other one let me get right up and close, tonite. I'll post this video tomorrow if I can get it to load. I have a satellite connection that conks out if I don't sit here and wiggle the mouse to keep the screen up. Try not to laugh at me, I beg! I've gone a lot overboard then I would normally to the point where I laughed at myself a few times. It could take me a few days, so be patient, as it's kind of fun. It's definitely dorky... which is worth all ya all's time. Dax

There is only one way to prevent squirrels from raiding bird feeders and that is don't have bird feeders. My neighbors (now moved away and missed) used to have several bird feeders that attracted a lot of birds. I have a bird bath that I try to keep full where the well fed birds would come over to for a drink and frolic in the water. One day my neighbor came over and his eyes popped when he saw all the birds in the bird bath which easily outnumbered those at their feeding stations. I said, 'Yup, they eat of your house and then come over here for a drink and to play' Since they moved and the new neighbors rarely fill their feeders the bird watching here has suffered (not in dry spells), but, on the good side, squirrel watching has declined significantly as well. Jon