Oh it doesn't sound good, I think it's unusual for a goose to be by itself. The geese here are just beginning to flock for migration. According to BNA ... "Breeders are monogamous, with life-long pair bonds formed usually during the second year. Offspring remain with their parents throughout the first year of life, traveling together in large flocks of family groups" Their diet ... "Canada Geese depend primarily on grasses, sedges, or other green monocots during periods of increase in lean body mass, primarily the growth period in summer (Sed-inger and Raveling 1984) and spring premigration and migration periods (McLandress and Raveling 1981a, Coleman and Boag 1987a). Postfledging and during fall and winter, most populations rely pri-marily on foods higher in carbohydrate, such as berries (Sedinger and Raveling 1984) or seeds, including agricultural grains (Joyner et al. 1987). Almost all populations of Canada Geese have readily adapted to use of agricultural crops, which predominate in diets of most populations during portions of annual cycle in which they are available. Canada Geese, primarily B. c. maxima and B. c. moffitti, have also become ac-climated to urban environments, in which they graze on domesticated grasses throughout the year (e.g., Conover and Kania 1991)." Also, according to BNA, not all flocks migrate, some stay in the same area as they breed. The map shows all of California as their wintering grounds. Sandy, I'm not sure if the dogwoods here were affected or not. I don't remember hearing about it but it could be. I believe that dogwoods here are not as prolific as the redbuds, nothing like the dogwoods that I remember in Virginia as a kid. I do have elm trees here, although they are young trees - I'm hoping they are related to the elm trees that were found just 40 miles from here that are dutch-elm-disease resistant and have now been cultivated. The birds seem to like the elms, ecspecially the warblers. I am worried about the ash borer getting here, my woods are full of ash with two large ones that shade the house. I will be very unhappy if I lose them!

A couple of years ago, DH & I were out for a birding/photography drive. We went down an old road and came upon really large sloughs on either side of the road and full of reeds & cattails, where blackbirds like to nest. There were hundreds of Yellow Headed Blackbirds and they were all singing/chirping. On the other side, in the other slough, were a lot of Redwing Blackbirds and they were also singing. The combination of sight and sound was absolutely incredible. This morning I hear the Purple Martins - looks like the neighbor raised his Martin house and they found it immediately.

Patrick, Can you please tell me what you talking about? I think Barb elaborated on what I said with the exception of clarifying what people are talking about when they refer to bird flu. If you could please clarify what you found to be so erroneous, I'll be happy to post a retraction. In my town, we have been asked not to touch any dead birds and to report dead birds to the board of health. If you give me your address, I'll be happy to send you a copy of the flyer. If you have some information on the topic of the thread, it would be nice if you would post it rather than being rude. I think there is a polite way to critique people. Unlike websites that are created and appear to have factual information on them, this is a forum. People expect debate on issues like this. It provides the opportunity for people to ask questions and learn. There is also an opportunity for people to come here and post corrections as Barb so politely did. I have a suggestion for you. The next time you find yourself losing patience and tempted to post something that serves no purpose but to be mean, just close your browser. It is much less work than posting something nasty.

The location of your feeders may have solved a deer problem. By placing the feeders over the shed, it makes it difficult for deer to reach the feeders. On the other hand, the roof top gives cats a launching surface that is too near the feeders. Also, climbing animals such as opossums, raccoons, and squirrels may find a way to the top of the shed to feast. About the hairy and downy woodpeckers: These two are easy to tell apart because one is much larger than the other. Consult your bird book. I keep forgetting which one is the larger. Nicole posted a very nice photo of a male house finch. The females do not have as much red-pink color and their under-bodies have more pronounced dark brown striping. During the past 10 years, house finches have been spreading their range westward. Ten years ago, they were uncommon on the west side of Lake Michigan, but today, they have become common in the Milwaukee area. A few of house finches at my feeder are aggressive toward other birds. However, they do give way to a larger bird such as a Blue Jay or Cardinal. Good luck for your bird viewing. It should get interesting as winter approaches.