Thank you so much hoovb for posting this picture at the perfect time for me at least. This is my first year trying to go "no spray" for insects and I saw some of these the other day and figured it was a "bad bug" but let it be until I tried to figure out what it was. Soooooo glad to hear its one of the good guys or girls. Thanks for keeping us informed. Judy

Britta - go to Rachelsreflections.com and find some info. But basically wait until the babies leaves are about a nickel so you can handle them easily, separate and give them their own pots. Plastic Solo cups 3 oz. work OK for babies - and are much cheaper than Oyamas. Momma leaves will do OK in a 4" pot till then. Cheers Irina

Screech owls and barred owls are the easiest to call. I can do a barred owl well enough that they answer me, and sometimes fly in close to take a look. I learned it from a friend who was so good at it, you really couldn't tell the difference between her calls and the owls. Birders will on occasion use a recording of a screech owl call to bring in small birds. Birds will "mob" any screechie they thing is in their nesting territory, so they respond to the call by flying in like crazy to take a look around. This isn't really considered a good thing to do very often as it agitates the little birds, obviously. Once in awhile, it is helpful in seeing just what you might have living in a given area, though. I have been hearing barred owls at night for weeks now. Earlier in the season, I had two in my big oaks, calling at the top of their lungs one night, but I never could get the light on them to see them. Now they are calling from a block or so away every night. Ya gotta love owls. Too cool! Marcia

I'm not sure, but it's a possibility. The bird was found on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. When I saw it the bird didn't seem to try to walk like I'd think a baby pheasant would do, but I can check on that with the finder. Don't pheasants leave the nest to run after the mother at hatching time?