Bird, Squirrels, and Leaves

Every fall I wait for all the leaves to fall from my neighbor's Norway Maples hanging over my yard. They're raked up and put in bags to turn into leaf mold, or like last fall I didn't save the leaves, putting them out for trash pick up. I know that's a waste. Leaves break down into beautiful black, rich, leaf compost for the garden over time. During summer I purchased a leaf shredder so no more bags. I hoped to shred the leaves and allow them to break down over the winter in flower beds. But, for the first time, I think I'll listen to the environment and recommendations to leave the leaves on the ground. They have a purpose providing shelter and homes for insects over winter. I also saw another purpose today for the first time. I'm blessed to be able to still work from home during this pandemic.

When I take breaks, I go to the window to watch the antics of birds and squirrels drawn to the birdbath and feeders in my yard. The cardinal family are usually the first at the feeders in the morning with babies born this summer. Each looks different with some developing their red feathers for males and more less defined red for those that are females. I thought they'd leave for other nesting grounds this winter but they've stayed all 10 that I counted so far including an adult male and female. Likely introduced to the feeders and birdbath by their parents.

This morning I heard the sound of a hawk actually a jay and went to the window. This time 3 jays. One that I've never seen before with a huge crest standing up on the head. He was huge and probably the oldest. It was time for peanuts and I came out and scattered a generous amount on the ground. Hopefully they'll carry most away to their nests before the neighborhood squirrels discover the feast. Each blue jay swooped down, selected and carried off a nut. But for the first time one did something different. I have an umbrella stand on the ground with many square open slots. The jay took the peanut, dropped it from it's mouth into the slot, and took leaf after fallen leaf from the ground and covered it's nut. Obviously to come back later for a meal. Didn't know they hid their food like squirrels. So leaves have an additional purpose. Each blue jay selected a peanut then took off with it to their nest in surrounding trees. Each returning until all the nuts were gone. All the commotion alert the neighborhood squirrels that there was food and they arrived. Quickly selecting a peanut and scurrying off before another jay arrived. 

I've learned that squirrels don't care for safflower seeds as much. They leave those for the cardinals and other birds that visit the yard. I bought safflower seeds this fall after reading that squirrels detest them. It's kept them away from the feeder but when desperate they'll come and eat a few off the ground that fall from the feeder. Squirrels have to eat too. But I find them to be greedy and will eat all day and not leave the feeder if filled with black oil sunflower seeds.

Birds have really enjoyed the leaves this fall. Playing in them and searching in them for possible insects over wintering among them. So, this year, I'll only clean off my lawn table and bench so when it rains and snows the leaves won't leave a wet soggy mess on them. When spring arrives and hopefully bees and insects emerge and leave, I can rake and shred them and pile in a corner to continue to compost. Maybe by next fall I'll have leaf mold to add to the yard before next seasons leaves start to fall.

My possible self gift for Christmas this year may be a bird cam. Seeing what goes on at night at the feeder and bird bath should be interesting. The small bird baths (actually a plant saucer) draws a lot of wild life other than birds. Out door cats that stand on 2 feet to drink, and raccoons. Opossums also visit the yard but don't know if they can reach the water. When I put out the heated birdbath, I'll place the other saucer on the ground for other animals. It's amazing what creatures you can see in a urban city yard. Today for the first time a large woodpecker with a red topped head. Earlier this fall a tiny one sitting on the fence with the cardinals. It didn't come to the feeder though. Didn't know their diet was ants, insects, and nuts. Maybe that's why. Oh, my white and scarlet pelargonium seeds started to germinate today. The seed was fresh and only took 2 days.