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Don't know whether to laugh or cry
There's an 8 or 9 foot tall skinny tree of some sort by the kitchen windows
on one side of the walkway to the front door. It's all branches at the bottom but has a bushy, leafy top and in the winter it gets bright red berries. There's a family of Cardinals nesting in the tree. (For our non US friends, this is a cardinal: http://tinyurl.com/n52ry ). Cardinals are beautiful birds and wonderful parents; the male and female tend the young equally. Yep, daddy sticks around to change diapers and do feedings ;) The last few days I've heard the male and female cardinals PIPPING loudly (distress calls). Each time I investigated I found the female cardinal sitting opposite the tree on the other side of the walkway atop a very low shepherd's hook, no more than three feet off the ground (a windchime hangs from it). The male cardinal was on a bush nearby. Also each time, one (or the other) of the neighbor's cats has been out there sitting at the base of the tree, staring up. The cardinals are *clearly* trying to distract the cat(s) away from the nest. Unfortunately, they aren't like some other North American birds which will physically attack animals of much greater size who venture too close. So I've been going out and shooing the cats away, "HSSSSST! Go home!" Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
Jill, I had something like this here when I had the baby Hummingbirds. I
bought one of the "Super soaker" water things the kids play with. No point, with my sight, of trying the little squirt bottles or guns. I finally convinced the neighbors cat to leave the birds alone. Now, if I see a cat in my yard, I soak it. Can't tell who it is from a distance but, water doesn't harm them and they can all learn the rules. "jmcquown" wrote in message . .. There's an 8 or 9 foot tall skinny tree of some sort by the kitchen windows on one side of the walkway to the front door. It's all branches at the bottom but has a bushy, leafy top and in the winter it gets bright red berries. There's a family of Cardinals nesting in the tree. (For our non US friends, this is a cardinal: http://tinyurl.com/n52ry ). Cardinals are beautiful birds and wonderful parents; the male and female tend the young equally. Yep, daddy sticks around to change diapers and do feedings ;) The last few days I've heard the male and female cardinals PIPPING loudly (distress calls). Each time I investigated I found the female cardinal sitting opposite the tree on the other side of the walkway atop a very low shepherd's hook, no more than three feet off the ground (a windchime hangs from it). The male cardinal was on a bush nearby. Also each time, one (or the other) of the neighbor's cats has been out there sitting at the base of the tree, staring up. The cardinals are *clearly* trying to distract the cat(s) away from the nest. Unfortunately, they aren't like some other North American birds which will physically attack animals of much greater size who venture too close. So I've been going out and shooing the cats away, "HSSSSST! Go home!" Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
"jmcquown" wrote in message
. .. There's an 8 or 9 foot tall skinny tree of some sort by the kitchen windows on one side of the walkway to the front door. It's all branches at the bottom but has a bushy, leafy top and in the winter it gets bright red berries. There's a family of Cardinals nesting in the tree. (For our non US friends, this is a cardinal: http://tinyurl.com/n52ry ). Cardinals are beautiful birds and wonderful parents; the male and female tend the young equally. Yep, daddy sticks around to change diapers and do feedings ;) The last few days I've heard the male and female cardinals PIPPING loudly (distress calls). Each time I investigated I found the female cardinal sitting opposite the tree on the other side of the walkway atop a very low shepherd's hook, no more than three feet off the ground (a windchime hangs from it). The male cardinal was on a bush nearby. Also each time, one (or the other) of the neighbor's cats has been out there sitting at the base of the tree, staring up. The cardinals are *clearly* trying to distract the cat(s) away from the nest. Unfortunately, they aren't like some other North American birds which will physically attack animals of much greater size who venture too close. So I've been going out and shooing the cats away, "HSSSSST! Go home!" Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Jill, if there is an outside faucet handy, take an old hose, cap or pinch closed the end, and punch holes in it every few inches - then wrap it around the base of the tree and turn the water on to medium when the cats are out and about (or are they *always* out?). The resultant water spray around the base of the tree should discourage the cats. Chin Skritches, CatNipped |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
CatNipped wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message . .. Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Jill, if there is an outside faucet handy, take an old hose, cap or pinch closed the end, and punch holes in it every few inches - then wrap it around the base of the tree and turn the water on to medium when the cats are out and about (or are they *always* out?). The resultant water spray around the base of the tree should discourage the cats. Chin Skritches, CatNipped There's a faucet right by the tree so this might work! (would wreak havoc on the water bill, though). She brings the cats in when it gets dark but during the day they are free to wander in and out as they please. I don't want to start up the indoor/outdoor cat debate but there are *alligators* on this island! Jill |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
"jmcquown" wrote in message
. .. CatNipped wrote: "jmcquown" wrote in message . .. Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Jill, if there is an outside faucet handy, take an old hose, cap or pinch closed the end, and punch holes in it every few inches - then wrap it around the base of the tree and turn the water on to medium when the cats are out and about (or are they *always* out?). The resultant water spray around the base of the tree should discourage the cats. Chin Skritches, CatNipped There's a faucet right by the tree so this might work! (would wreak havoc on the water bill, though). She brings the cats in when it gets dark but during the day they are free to wander in and out as they please. I don't want to start up the indoor/outdoor cat debate but there are *alligators* on this island! Jill Really? I watch "Miami Animal Police" all the time and hear about 'gators getting pet dogs and cats. I'd be really hesitant about letting an animal roam wherever they're spotted. Re the water bill - yeah, there is that! ; Maybe, as Granby suggested, just a good soaking with a "Super Soaker" would train them not to come over after a while. Tail Twitches, CatNipped |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
jmcquown wrote:
There's an 8 or 9 foot tall skinny tree of some sort by the kitchen windows on one side of the walkway to the front door. It's all branches at the bottom but has a bushy, leafy top and in the winter it gets bright red berries. There's a family of Cardinals nesting in the tree. (For our non US friends, this is a cardinal: http://tinyurl.com/n52ry ). Cardinals are beautiful birds and wonderful parents; the male and female tend the young equally. Yep, daddy sticks around to change diapers and do feedings ;) The last few days I've heard the male and female cardinals PIPPING loudly (distress calls). Each time I investigated I found the female cardinal sitting opposite the tree on the other side of the walkway atop a very low shepherd's hook, no more than three feet off the ground (a windchime hangs from it). The male cardinal was on a bush nearby. Also each time, one (or the other) of the neighbor's cats has been out there sitting at the base of the tree, staring up. The cardinals are *clearly* trying to distract the cat(s) away from the nest. Unfortunately, they aren't like some other North American birds which will physically attack animals of much greater size who venture too close. So I've been going out and shooing the cats away, "HSSSSST! Go home!" Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Purrs for the babies to fledge. -- Adrian (Owned by Snoopy, Bagheera & Shadow) Cats leave pawprints on your heart http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
CatNipped wrote:
"jmcquown" wrote in message . .. CatNipped wrote: Jill, if there is an outside faucet handy, take an old hose, cap or pinch closed the end, and punch holes in it every few inches - then wrap it around the base of the tree and turn the water on to medium when the cats are out and about (or are they *always* out?). The resultant water spray around the base of the tree should discourage the cats. Chin Skritches, CatNipped There's a faucet right by the tree so this might work! (would wreak havoc on the water bill, though). She brings the cats in when it gets dark but during the day they are free to wander in and out as they please. I don't want to start up the indoor/outdoor cat debate but there are *alligators* on this island! Jill Really? I watch "Miami Animal Police" all the time and hear about 'gators getting pet dogs and cats. I'd be really hesitant about letting an animal roam wherever they're spotted. Coincidentally, I just saw a Wildlife Control truck leaving the island. Three guesses what they were called for and the first two don't count! There are signs posted saying, "Do Not Feed the Alligators". Twenty-some years ago when people started building here they thought it was quaint (or something) there were alligators around... until small pets started going missing. The only other wildlife on the island that might be a problem are coral snakes but they are rare. Oh, and red tailed hawks. One landed not six feet from the back window a couple of weeks ago. It was full grown and could easily have carried off a small cat. I suppose if the raccoons got rabies they might pose a problem. Re the water bill - yeah, there is that! ; Maybe, as Granby suggested, just a good soaking with a "Super Soaker" would train them not to come over after a while. I'll just turn the hose on :) Problem is I can't sit and watch out the kitchen window all day! Jill |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
jmcquown wrote:
There's an 8 or 9 foot tall skinny tree of some sort by the kitchen windows on one side of the walkway to the front door. It's all branches at the bottom but has a bushy, leafy top and in the winter it gets bright red berries. There's a family of Cardinals nesting in the tree. (For our non US friends, this is a cardinal: http://tinyurl.com/n52ry ). Cardinals are beautiful birds and wonderful parents; the male and female tend the young equally. Yep, daddy sticks around to change diapers and do feedings ;) The last few days I've heard the male and female cardinals PIPPING loudly (distress calls). Each time I investigated I found the female cardinal sitting opposite the tree on the other side of the walkway atop a very low shepherd's hook, no more than three feet off the ground (a windchime hangs from it). The male cardinal was on a bush nearby. Also each time, one (or the other) of the neighbor's cats has been out there sitting at the base of the tree, staring up. The cardinals are *clearly* trying to distract the cat(s) away from the nest. Unfortunately, they aren't like some other North American birds which will physically attack animals of much greater size who venture too close. So I've been going out and shooing the cats away, "HSSSSST! Go home!" Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Yikes, Jill! Cardinals are my all-time favorite wild bird species. Well, now I have a fondness for Blue Jays because I raised three tiny little bitties - pix available if anyone wants to see them. Hey, we all know I have a fondness for cats, but darn it, leave the birdies alone! kili |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
Adrian wrote:
jmcquown wrote: Last evening night I heard the birds again and this time they sounded even more distressed. (From many years of bird watching and bird feeding, I can tell the difference.) I looked but didn't see either cat so I went outside. One of the cats was in the top of the tree! I yelled, he scrambled down and ran away. The good news is mama cardinal went back to the tree. A while later I could just make out through the window it appeared she was feeding (a?) little one(s). So the cat didn't get the baby/babies. This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! Jill Purrs for the babies to fledge. And to fledge well! Takes a little practice to be able to get off the ground once you're on it :) I've also seen a lot of fledglings over the years who pretend they can't fly (or feed themselves) when in fact they can. I guess they're just not willing to become independent yet. Playing games like that with these two cats around wouldn't be good for their health. Years ago my ex-fiance was sitting on my (then) balcony with me when he spotted a sparrow on the ground fluttering its wings like mad at another sparrow. He said, "Look at that bird, it's trying to pick a fight!" (I needed a beverage warning for that one!) Um, no, that's a fledgling pretending it still can't feed itself. Sure enough, the mother bird flew away and the fledgling took off after her. This from a man who was raised in the country. Sheesh! Jill |
Don't know whether to laugh or cry
jmcquown wrote: This morning one cat made his displeasure known. They normally use a patch of pine straw some 40-50 feet away under a tree as their "litter box". Not this morning. The big brother deliberately walked right up to the back of the house (my desk is set up right there by a window), squatted and urinated! He was watching me the entire time. Heh. Pee all you want, pal, I'm still not going to let you get those baby birds if there's anything I can do about it! LOL! A friend's big marmalade cat took a dislike to one of her neighbors. Regularly every day, he would go next door to anoint their front door! (He was the one who would periodically get enough of the yappy little miniature poodle owned by another neighbor, so go over and beat up on the dog - it usually eliminated the yaps for a week or so, until the stupid dog forgot the lesson.) Jill |
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