Except for two months out of the year that they're in a breeding pen, all of our (MOL 100) birds are 100% free ranged. We are over a half mile from the nearest neighbor, and there is a 10,000 acre wildlife refuge to our south, 320 acres of heavy woods to our north and west, and another 1,000+ acres of mixed woods and fields to the east. There are plenty of critters out there, including Weasel, Raccoon, Skunk, Opossum, Bobcat and Coyote, (plus owls,and hawks) but we haven't lost a bird to predator in years. The secret is to get a big 'ol dog to stay with your birds. We have dairy goats and poultry scattered out in four areas, so we currently have four LGDs; a Komondok, two Anatolians and a young Fila/Anatolian cross in training. (On two acres, one dog should be plenty) You won't need an extravagant, predator proof fence, just one that will hold the dog. True, a decent started dog will run you a couple hundred at the absolute minimum, *BUT* that's considerably less expensive than trying to fence two acres to keep chickens in or raccoons and coyotes out. Try not to get a puppy unless it's at least three months old and was raised with poultry. Great Pyrenees and Anatolian are great breeds, but for the hot and humid area you're from, I'd recommend an Anatolian. Papers and pedigree aren't as important as whether they are from actual working parents and have been exposed to livestock and/or poultry. Check at the local feed store bulletin boards for ads, or ask who is raising sheep or goats in your area, as they're usually the ones with LGDs. Also, do not let anyone talk you into some Labrador/Pyrenees cross or anything crossed with Border collie; while I have no doubt that someone, somewhere has such an animal and it's just the most wonderful beast since sliced bread, the fact is both breeds are woefully unsuited to guard dog duty and without your (almost constant) supervision, will end up being more destructive to your than the local wildlife. Oh, and a good LGD will not kill your house pets, (cat or dog), and while it won't be a lap dog (it's not supposed to be), it *will* bond with your children. Afterall, from the dog's POV they're on the property, therefore, they should also be "looked after".

Two robins were sitting in a tree when one said "I sure am hungry after that long flight back up to Albany." The second robin agreed, then suggested they fly down to the ground for some nice fat worms. After stuffing themselves, the first robin said he was to full to fly back up into the tree and suggested they stretch out to bask in the warm sun while their dinners digested. So they did. Shortly thereafter, a very hungry cat strolled by, gobbled up the robins and then decided to take a little nap in the sunshine. As he stretched out, he rubbed his tummy and with a sigh and very large smile, said to himself... "Nothin tastes as good as basking robins." (Sorry, I just couldn't resist.....) AdaO

Bluebirds are much more common today than they ever been. Back in 1990 we had numerous mild winters so that help the birds to recover. They have had there share of set backs due to weather. But they are doing excellent. Some people have a desire and rare passion for saving our native birds. The bluebird was probably the poster child of conservation movement in the 1970's Everyone who has ever helped them deserve alot of credit. And a great pat on the back for a job well done. My work was a little diverse with Martins who kind of took a back seat while the bluebird effort took off. Martins suffer greatly from lack of nesting units and the correct ones at that. I gotten great support for them and they will have five nesting colony's in the town where I live for generations. I have no regret for the work I have done. My biggest thank you is when i see the birds in late fall. I use to tell my best friend in the mid 1990's this is the last year no more work and here i am 24 years later and I am still at it. Just as if it were the first year.-------Ray

And starlings are beautiful, too, along with pigeons and English sparrows. Who should care about native species and ecosystems when foreign "beauties" can provide us with all sorts of things to concern ourselves about. Playing God with ecosystems can be real fun.(God didn't put South American parrots in North American.) Look what the Norway rat has done for urban life in North America. And who could forget the cockroach. If the only consideration for the conservation of a species is its "beauty," we are in great trouble from alien species. You ought to see the beauty of a thousand acres of Great Lakes (or other) wetlands covered with purple loosestrife, a stunningly beautiful foreign plant that overtakes everything in a marsh. Shall beauty be the criterion for existance? Or, should it be ecological authenticity and native origin?