Update on Live Mealworms
Good news. We now have live mealworms back in stock and should be seeing a consistent supply from our normal distributor again.
Recent Interesting Bird Sightings in TN
Birdwatchers in TN have been treated to a number of rare birds and firsts for the state this winter. Our friend Mary Glynn Williamson found the Cassins’s Kingbird at Bells Bend Park for a state record. The Chattanooga area has had at least 4 rare bird sightings recently including a first ever: A White-throated Swift seen between January 10 and 16. A Bullock’s Oriole was reported visiting a feeder for about a week. This is the first reported sighting of this species of Oriole in 25 years. And a Snowy Owl was present up until January 20th.
In east TN a Pacific-slope Flycatcher was a first in TN.
Territorial Mockingbirds
Based on a number of comments recently from customers our very sassy state bird the Northern Mockingbird seems to be getting a head start on defending nesting grounds.
Usually by mid-February we have several calls a week from frustrated customers experiencing a Mockingbird relentlessly swooping in to chase birds from feeders. Mockingbirds usually have no interest in the seed in the feeder, although they may consume shelled sunflower and peanuts in very cold weather, however, the reason for their defensiveness is likely because the feeder is close to its chosen nest site. As spring gets closer the Mockingbird’s territorial instincts heighten and they will let every bird that comes close know they are intruding. Mockingbirds often choose hedges or evergreens for a nest site.
Our suggestion is to offer another feeding station out of sight of, or at a good distance from, the one being patrolled by the Mockingbird. He or she cannot be in two places at once.
In early spring we see Mockingbirds quite often behind The Wood Thrush Shop where they quickly learn we offer live mealworms. They become quite familiar if not friendly. They have been known to come in the backdoor when open and sit on a shelf waiting for us to throw a few more mealworms their way. They have lots of personality and are very intelligent. So, our other suggestion is to try and get to know this great bird and be patient. By the time they complete their first nesting they will typically settle down and not be so defensive.