July 22 2007
- Bridge was flooded, but passable
- After 6 days, all hummingbird feeders were dry
- Saw young Rock squirrel
Posted in 2007 Journal, Census, Food
Archive for 'Food' Category
May 28 2007
Continued feeding hummingbirds. (Feeders need refreshing every 4 days in hot weather, it is especially needed when the color of the sugar mixture appears cloudy instead of clear.)
Emergent Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly seen on post at gate entrance
- Removed Johnson grass throughout yard area
- Transplanted Blackfoot daisy
- Cleared trail to river which was overgrown due to increased rains
- Removed ragweed from river bottom
Posted in 2007 Journal, Census, Habitat, Food
April 15 2007
New spring plantings:
- 6 Blackfoot daisy
- 2 Sideoats gramma grass
- 1 Crossvine
- 1 Coral honeysuckle
- 2 Mealy blue sage
- 4 Mexican feather grass
- 4 Boneset
- 2 Coreopsis
Caretaker's note: Plant diversity is desirable to encourage a variety of animal species. Selections are made that are native to Texas. Plants that are deer resistant are left uncaged. Most flowering plants need to be caged to protect from deer browsing. One exception is the Blackfoot daisy (seen in the foreground of this photo).
In harsh conditions, no plants are safe from deer browse. Typically, deer avoid strong smelling leaves, like Rosemary, Lavender and Lantana.
Native plants require frequent waterings until they are well established in their new location, then they should do fine on natural rainfall.
Caretaker's note: Many frogs and tadpoles are found in the pond near the house. This juvenile has grown its legs, but the coloring on the back of its head is still in its youth phase.
Posted in 2007 Journal, Census, Habitat, Food
February 04 2007
No freeze. Temperature was 70 degrees today
- Saw one large and one smaller fox at feeding station
- Many sparrows at feeding station
- Cardinals very active
- Boise d'arc tree at bobcat draw
- Cleaned up fallen and broken branches lost from ice storm damage.
- Found first invasive Ligustrum tree along river trail. It was removed by pulling up.
Posted in 2007 Journal, Census, Habitat, Food
September 05 2006
Rain! Finally, 1 inch or more, a good slow soaking. Birds very active in drizzle after rain.
Planted Buffalo Grass and watersto_jennystone mix around edges of roads near house
Many hummingbirds (20 or more) - Ruby Throated, Black Chinned, Rufous. Continued to feed hummingbirds and keep ant guards full. Yellow jacket wasps visiting hummingbird feeders, but harassing hummingbirds. Put up wasp trap.
Caretaker's note: The cup of water hung above the feeder keeps ants out of the hummingbird food. The water guards also provide another drinking place for thirsty birds in the drought.
The hummingbird feeding mixture is 4 parts water to 1 part plain white sugar. Do not cook to dissolve, just stir very well and keep refrigerated. It is not necessary to add red dye to the feeding mixture because the red color on the feeder will attract the hummingbirds.
Observations:
- Saw Swallows feeding in clearing after rain.
- Many White Wing Doves
- Many Cardinals
- Inca Doves
- Scrub Jay
- 2 large Deer families (plan to "Harvest" deer this fall)
- Fox seen at feeding area
Caretaker's note: Continued feeding stations. Animals benefit from supplemental feeding, black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite for many species. Using 900 pounds a week
Posted in 2006 Journal, Census, Habitat, Food, Water
web application - database development by davidcdalton.com
New Site