We just moved to our house in PA a year ago this month, and the previous owners left their shepherd's hooks in the yard, with one birdfeeder attached. I rec'd a nice birdfeeder as a housewarming gift and have been so delighted with the birds that are visiting. I will probably regret all the seedlings that will be sprouting in my walkway and beds in a few months, but for now, I am a (happy)slave to the birds. So far, my main birds are tons of male and female cardinals, goldfinches, juncoes, sparrows, 2 red-headed woodpeckers, and chickadees, plus two nuisance squirrels. This past spring and summer we had two separate bird families rear babies in the eaves of our gazebo, and that was just great watching them on the day the babies learned to fly. The parents spread out into two trees and called loudly for their children to follow. Slowly, big brother waddled out from the nest and perched percariously on the edge of the eave. "Wow, it's a long way down from here", he thought as he looked below his little feet !! However, he got up his nerve and hopped off the ledge, only to crash a few yards down on the patio (I gasped in horror as he hit the ground !) Quite embarrassed at his first flying lesson, he started hopping into the brush to hide as he gathered his wits about him, and then began a series of short, low flights until he was resting at the base of his parent's tree. Well, in quick succession, his siblings followed suit, all going off in many directions, so fast I couldn't keep up with them all. I learned to recognize their young voices as they called to their moms for help, under a bush, under the bench, or right in the middle of the lawn ! Happily, all seemed to make it into a tree and I am hoping that they come back as adults and make my gazebo their family's choice of home once again. Looking froward to spring and new bird babies !! It's funny, in summer I concentrated on attracting butterflies since I thought the birds could find plenty to eat in spring, summer and fall. Maybe this year I will continue feeding the birds year round, and try to attract more hummingbirds as well. Thank you, God, for making such beautiful animals for me to look at !! I am amazed at every detail.

maryanne: Thanks. Its amazing but I took both photos from my deck. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to aim the camera effectively yet. Both birds flew directly over me and were sailing. The back of my house and deck face a valley with a creek at the bottom about 100 feet or so below the house. The land on other side of the creek rises more slowly to about the same height of my house. The large raptors catch the breeze coming up the hills and they really seem to enjoy it. The vultures are very simple to identify (if I can identify them, anyone can). As you can see, the turkey vulture appears to have a white bottom from tip to tip around the back of its wing. It is large--about 6' across. The black vulture has white only on the tips of its wings and is only about 5' across. Up close the turkey has a red head and the black has a grey head. I've found that the turkey vultures will come down to check me out when I am outside working. They just fly above me about 30' up or so. They will also fly through the woods (when leaves are off the trees) cutting a trail in and out of the trees. I have no idea why they do this since it appears a bit dangerous for a 6' bird. Its almost as if the turkey vultures want to show off. The black vulutres do not do this. They seem more aloof. The read tailed hawk was also enjoying a sail without flapping. That is why I think its tail was completely opened. It was just above me and I couldn't focus on it so I just clicked the camera and looked and there it was--just dumb luck. Last week, I heard what sounded like a death scream in the front yard. I looked up and it was 3 of these hawks making passes at each other. The bald eagles are less common than the hawks here. However, they do land in the trees in back of my house. From the top of the trees, they can survey their kingdom. With some luck, I should get a chance at an image within 100 feet or so.

OOh, this reminds me we still have to go to our lawyer to sign an amended will. We switched guardians for out two youngest from my bil to my oldest son. I should do that before I open the box. Would it be a good idea to have the dog sniff it out first? Should I worry about the mail carrier, after all she is a nice lady. Oh, what to do, what to do. Maybe have a fresh raw steak handy and ready to throw in another direction while I run with the plants.

Hi, I know this post is old, but i came across it looking for another bird sound and had to reply because I'm pretty sure I know exactly what the noise is. I'm surprised nobody else has posted this. Southern Flying Squirrels. http://www.wildlifeofct.com/southern%20flying%20squirrel.html I live in Orlando and they're everywhere, yet nobody knows they're around because they come out at exactly dusk, party all night, and are in bed before you wake up. But if you happen to have a window right outside a tree they live in, they'll keep you up for hours. I had this problem in my old house. I have them living in my yard now as well, but fortunately their tree is on the other side of the house. Grab a flash light and hang out and look for them. But have patience because they're hard to spot at first. Here's a link to the sound. Here is a link that might be useful: southern flying squirrel