A variety of birds are arriving at the watering and feeding stations. The cardinal population is down having had to do without sunflower seeds for the two weeks we were away from the house.
Six does at the feeding lot---sometimes six, but mostly its four does.
Spotted one buck at dawn this morning. Since we have not cut the grass at all this year due to droughty conditions all summer, the grass shows signs that the deer are using the area for bedding down at night. Matted grass in small circles are prevalent.
The water trough in the front of the house under the eave is providing clean water that seems to stay clear of algae---will leave it there for now.
Week 41 Provided corn and sweet feed for 4 of 7 evenings. Sometimes the deer "herd" is two does, sometimes 4 does, but never the 9 or so that we saw last year at this time. No particular activity out of coyotes and raccoons, but the turkeys are quite abundant this year. Acorns are down in some areas, plus they seem to pick up the corn scattered randomly.
Spotted two foxes racing across the back yard on the 10th.
Rain, small as it was, fell on the 11th (3/4 inches)
Week 42 Big observation on the 13th. Two bucks with rather nice racks were sparring in the back yard.
This went on for about 15 minutes, then one gave up and slowly walked away.
Still no bucks at the feed lot.
Corn and sweet feed, plus kitchen vegetable scraps on the deer lot 3 of the 7 days this week.
Feral cat showed up at the water trough. Not exactly in favor of feral cats but we do need some offsets on mice and snakes. So, for now, let it be.
Week 43 Provided sweet feed and corn at the deer lot on 6 of the 7 days this week. Deer activity definitely down at this location. It may be because I am getting some food competition from those who put out feed at their deer blinds. Food, tho, is always gone by the next morning.
Mowed another stretch of the back field as a band of turkeys (perhaps 20) moved through and they certainly prefer mid cut grass to the tall uncut grass.
All the watering spots are getting well used, surprisingly, the one in front of the house is popular, not only with the birds, the feral cat, but with the leopard frog as well.
Hoot owls are back in full force with their early morning hooting.
Week 44 Sweet feed and corn in the feedlot on 5 of the 7 days this week. However, never see any deer during early morning or late evening hours. Feed is always consumed though.
No evidence of feral hogs all this late summer and early fall. The trap was moved to the Purgatory Creek area for a spell.
Water supply holding up as we got a bit of rain.
