We have been noticing this year our feeders are not emptying as fast as previous years. I did see a lot of birds when it was snowing. A group of about 10-15 juncos, a half dozen mourning doves, the usual cardinals, chickadees, tufted titmice and a few finches along with an occasional woodpecker. The last couple of days it has been quiet out there. I asked my husband to check to see if the feeders were empty in the back. I could see there is still sunflower seed in one feeder and one was empty. He said the back feeders weren't empty but he filled them all, so we will see. I just ordered a heated pet bowl to use as a bird bath for them and I'm excited to see if they take to it. I have seen black crows in the yard this year for the first time in 30 years. I have no idea why. We do see an occasional hawk but none of late. There have been a group of 4-6 crows roosting in a neighbor's silver maple trees on some days. They would fly off and circle and land again in the trees repeatedly. Then one day I looked out the window and three of them had landed in our yard on the ground for a bit. That's a first. I keep hearing them in the neighborhood every once in awhile. I wonder what has suddenly attracted them to our neighborhood. I also wonder if they have any effect on small bird populations?

here's what i found on sialas... Louisiana, Central (no listings) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, Northern -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, Northeast Louisiana, Northeast region, Ouachita Parish (Monroe)..... 318-322-8144 Carmon Hill, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator carmon.hill@worldnet.att.net Wildlife Species: mammals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, Southern Louisiana, Southern region (Clinton, E/W Feliciana Parishes)..... 225-683-8004 Scott and Anna Heinrich, Anna's Exotic Animal Ranch annasdeer@bellsouth.net Wildlife Species: white-tail deer, small mammals Comments: we have a release site that is controlled acreage so the progress of released animals can be monitored Louisiana, Southern region, Gloster Parish (Gloster)..... 318-933-1166 Kathy Wilson (owner), Loving Care wcrazykat0225@yahoo.com Wildlife Species: rabbits, raccoons, opossum, squirrels, coyotes, deer Specialties/Knowledge: work for a veterinarian Comments: on 250 acres for safe release with lake and woods; Have federal license. Louisiana, Southern region (Gonzales)..... 225-675-8004 Susan Lipoma, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator Wildlife Species: hawks, owls, raccoons, white tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, etc. Louisiana, Southern region, Livingston County (Livinston)..... 225-698-3168 Leslie Lattimore (director), Wings of Hope Leslielatt@aol.com Wildlife Species: all Louisiana, Southern region, St. Landry Parish (Washington)..... 337-826-8109 or 337-945-1461(cell) Noel Ann Thistlethwaite (director), Acadiana Raptor Center at Malacoff, Inc. leonthistle@centurytel.net Wildlife Species: hawks, owls, and eagles Specialty: hacking back raptors and caging in Southern states Comments:ARC is the only center in the state permitted to rehabilitate eagles (have adequate flight enclosure); utilize video cameras for hack back system Louisiana, Southern region (Lafayette)..... 337-288-5146 Letitia Butcher, Acadiana Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation, Inc. tishabutcher@bellsouth.net Wildlife Species: migratory song birds, birds of prey, native mammals including bats, wildlife education -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, South Central Louisiana, South Central region, St Martin Parish (Breaux Bridge)..... 337-326-4122 or 337-781-3513 (c) Valerie Jagneaux, licensed home wildlife rehabilitor critter-queen@cox.net or kenspia@cox.net Wildlife Species: Accept any mammals and reptiles Specialties/Knowledge: Opossums, skunks and armadillos Comments: If I can't help I can help you find the proper rehabber to contact. I do not rehab birds but will transport them to licensed rehabbers or to LSU Veterinary College for treatment and care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, Southeast Louisiana, Southeast region (Kenner)..... 504-455-2167 or 504-832-2318 or 504-338-5287 (cell) Louise Walzer, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator wez904@hotmail.com Wildlife Species: squirrles only -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana, Southwest region, Calcasieu Parish (Lake Charles)..... 337-477-6129 Suzy Heck (director), Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center heckhaven@aol.com Wildlife Species: all mammals, raptors, large waterfowl (mainly pelicans), and will take unwanted exotics Limitations: We do not accept songbirds

thank you for the ID. Since we have one perching on our roof fairly regularly, this does make sense :) (just looked kind of 'white' from ground up)

If you have seen or heard of raptors in your new area, then I would heed the caution mentioned by previous posts and be careful. As a small animal veterinarian, I see the results of raptor attacks occasionally. The worst seem to occur at night, likely from Great Horned Owls. I say likely, because most owners do not see the attack, even though they may be nearby when it occurs. The owl swoops in, tries to take down the small dog, and then is either successful or not. The resulting talon injuries can be significant, but in a dog the size of yours, are usually not fatal. I have heard of fatal attacks of very tiny dogs by Bald Eagles, either from attack or from being carried off. We, too, see many serious attacks by coyotes and wolves, which sound like they would be less of a risk in your new neighborhood. Best advice is to stay with your pets when outside at night, and consider a good yard light to help discourage sneak attacks.