Week 40
Lot of coyote howls these last few nights. As long as the cattle people don't seem to loose any calves, its good to have a few coyotes around to get rid of the feral cats. The one feral cat we have seen in the past is not around anymore.
Our in-the-house cat seems to continue to have visitors at late night hours. They must look at each other through the glass at the front entrance.
Cleared out a number of large prickly pear cacti this week. I think they are growing faster than I am cutting them. All the refuse went to the brushpile.
Replaced two blue bird houses that have become worn out.
Week 41
Started a new brushpile this week. Same general location, but 100 yards apart.
Bought 6 gallons of diesel fuel.
Kestrels have returned, not sure to reside or to pass through.
Week 42
The feral hog activity has been very low the last few months. Someone must be hunting them.
Bit of rain, that's good
Week 43
Three loads of brush to the second brushpile. Working my way through three more big cacti.
Five deer in the south boundary working their way to the west. I think they circle around and end up at the watering trough on the west side. The water stays cleaner in that trough because the coons do not seem to mess with it.
Saw a whole flock of quail, perhaps 15 in the bunch. They were in the tall grass and I flushed them. Shows the value of tall grass---they seem to like it for cover.
Week 44
Forecast of rain, but no rain. The weather did turn colder, in fact, it was the first frost we have had this fall.
Kicked up two quail, so they are still around. Not certain if they stay all year.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
September 2017 Activity
Week 36
Birds are apparently migrating as the usual crowd of songbirds have moved out and new migratory species are appearing at the water and feeder.
The deer herd is maintained at about 5, all does except an occasional buck. One fawn is among the group. The few number of fawns always amaze me as my experience at other locations would say that with five does, I should see at least 2 fawns
Still hearing the bobwhite, but far fewer calls.
I do not observe the gray fox anymore, so looks like mine has been done in.
Week 37
As reported earlier, have not seen any owls this year and only one redtailed hawk.
The raccoons are getting to be somewhat of a pest lately, they have discovered the sunflower seed in the feeder and realize that I have turned off the electric fence charger that was attached to the metal feeder.
We have been providing the deer and other small animals with water and kitchen vegetable scraps every other day. The vegetable scraps are a big attraction. Never once have the scraps been put out and not eaten by morning.
Week 38
It would be interesting if the same deer show up each day, or are the ones that show up randomly different. No way to tell. The well antlered buck was visiting this week.
The mouse population is near zero, in spite of loose sunflower seeds scattered around. Also, have not seen any rattle snakes this year--that's not all bad.
Got some rain to ease the dry soil.
Week 39
Hauled three front end loader loads to the main brushpile. I am trying to get this brushpile built so that it has plenty of room inside it for habitat--not been too successful yet as the weight of the pile keeps compressing it.
Bought more sunflower seed.
I have refrained from buying deer corn as it is basically poor nutrition, only an attractant useful to hunters.
Birds are apparently migrating as the usual crowd of songbirds have moved out and new migratory species are appearing at the water and feeder.
The deer herd is maintained at about 5, all does except an occasional buck. One fawn is among the group. The few number of fawns always amaze me as my experience at other locations would say that with five does, I should see at least 2 fawns
Still hearing the bobwhite, but far fewer calls.
I do not observe the gray fox anymore, so looks like mine has been done in.
Week 37
As reported earlier, have not seen any owls this year and only one redtailed hawk.
The raccoons are getting to be somewhat of a pest lately, they have discovered the sunflower seed in the feeder and realize that I have turned off the electric fence charger that was attached to the metal feeder.
We have been providing the deer and other small animals with water and kitchen vegetable scraps every other day. The vegetable scraps are a big attraction. Never once have the scraps been put out and not eaten by morning.
Week 38
It would be interesting if the same deer show up each day, or are the ones that show up randomly different. No way to tell. The well antlered buck was visiting this week.
The mouse population is near zero, in spite of loose sunflower seeds scattered around. Also, have not seen any rattle snakes this year--that's not all bad.
Got some rain to ease the dry soil.
Week 39
Hauled three front end loader loads to the main brushpile. I am trying to get this brushpile built so that it has plenty of room inside it for habitat--not been too successful yet as the weight of the pile keeps compressing it.
Bought more sunflower seed.
I have refrained from buying deer corn as it is basically poor nutrition, only an attractant useful to hunters.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
August 2017 Activity
Week 32
RAIN, we got rain, two whole inches. This was the first measureable rain at this location since April 15th. There is no other news this week. The animals and grasses are responding.
Week 33
Seven deer in the back yard, two were fawns. On the road at the front there was one fawn that was apparently just born as it was really small and wobbly on its feet.
Half bucket of vegetable scraps in the deer yard.
One cottontail rabbit.
Haven't seen the fox lately. Bird feeder is filled every other day. The coons seem to be leaving it alone this year for some reason.
Two loads of brush to the main brushpile
Week 33
Re organized the animal watering system to provide water in two spots. Moved the main trough from back by the water tank out in the open to prevent the cedars from dropping all the needles into the water--keeps it more clean this way. Converted a scap shopvac bucket into a water trough for a spot downhill, yet within reach of the hose.
Quail are still calling, in fact, flushed a covey of about 12 from the grass on the way to the mailbox.
Fox is not appearing lately
Week 34
Half bucket of vegetable scraps to the deer yard.
Birds are starting to disappear--this usually occurs this time of the year. The cardinals, being the most prevalent seem to go somewhere for about a month, then come back in the later fall.
Four deer in the back, this time one fawn
Quail are still calling, but the fox is nowhere around.
Week 35
Major disappointment. Heard that my neighbor dispatched a fox. Probably was my fox as it has not made its appearance lately. Recognized that these are predators, but they are a beautiful animal and we would have lost a valuable species if they were to be exterminated.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
July 2017 Activity
Week 27
Rain, we need rain badly. The drought monitor shows that Hays County is uniquely dry. The birds and four footed animals are getting desperate. The water in two bird baths disappears each night, and must refill the water bin on the west side every 4 or 5 days.
Kicked up a covey of half grown bobwhite quail from the tall grass to the east side toward the road. Maybe a dozen in the group.
Kitchen scraps to the deer yard farthest from the house to keep them away from the house and wild, but it seems to have no effect on their chewing on plants up near the house.
Game camera shows that we have one raccoon that visits the water source in the bird bath each night.
What a sight!, at about 6pm a grown gray fox came up to the bird bath and had a long drink of water.
Week 28
Buck in the back field this evening. Huge head of antlers, maybe a 12 pointer--no moss on the antlers.
Some animal had been popping the covers off the front drains. Set out the game camera and found that it was the raccoon. Not sure what he was looking for.
Bought 40 pound sack of black oil sunflower seeds and six gallons of diesel fuel.
Still holding off on mowing. Have not had any rain for a month and if we go back to the last rain of any amount, it was 10 weeks ago.
Scarcity of snakes this year- not sure why.
Absolutely no evidence of mice in the fields again this year. Have not seen their predator the owl, either.
Bobwhite are still calling.
Week 29
Not much changing re observations of wildlife. Really dry and providing water for all types of wildlife is the whole activity
Added two loads of brush to the main brushpile
Gray fox visited again, was standing on the rim of the bird bath for a drink of water.
Week 30
Same routine, all focused on water and scraps of vegetables. Flowers are about all dried up, so bought a humming bird feeder to provide food and water for the three birds we have here
Week 31
No rain, so the routine is unchanged. I am guessing that we are providing water for possums, skunks, raccoons, all kinds of birds, deer, fox and whatever else shows up from the smell of water in the tank, pails, poultry waterer and birdbaths. It appears more dry here on this very location than it was during the drought of a few years ago.
Four deer in the back, one was a fawn.
Week 29
Not much changing re observations of wildlife. Really dry and providing water for all types of wildlife is the whole activity
Added two loads of brush to the main brushpile
Gray fox visited again, was standing on the rim of the bird bath for a drink of water.
Week 30
Same routine, all focused on water and scraps of vegetables. Flowers are about all dried up, so bought a humming bird feeder to provide food and water for the three birds we have here
Week 31
No rain, so the routine is unchanged. I am guessing that we are providing water for possums, skunks, raccoons, all kinds of birds, deer, fox and whatever else shows up from the smell of water in the tank, pails, poultry waterer and birdbaths. It appears more dry here on this very location than it was during the drought of a few years ago.
Four deer in the back, one was a fawn.
June 2017 Activity
Week 23
Beginning to get dry again, Bobwhite quail still singing and several hen turkeys seen wandering through the back. Must have a nest somewhere near.
Holding off on mowing to keep some cover.
Hauled two more loads of brush to the main brushpile in the back west area.
Week 24
Beginning to get dry again, Bobwhite quail still singing and several hen turkeys seen wandering through the back. Must have a nest somewhere near.
Holding off on mowing to keep some cover.
Hauled two more loads of brush to the main brushpile in the back west area.
Week 24
Deer (maybe just one) are a major problem with the vegetable and flower garden. Building a fence to keep them out.
Also, have a feral cat that shows up on occasions, perhaps once per week.
Week 25
Added about 30 gallons of water to the west end water bin for deer and others. Have not seen the hen turkeys for a few days, perhaps the chicks have hatched.
Put out the chicken watering can (galvanized bucket that self fills the water trough) on the east side to help the quail.
Have not seen any deer, but evidence of their being in the garden at night shows up.
Week 26
Built the fence to 8 feet high and closed all the crawl through places that may have been letting in the deer.
Adding vegetable scraps in the far deer yard. Scraps are eaten every night.
Have not seen any evidence of hogs in the last 3 or 4 months. Perhaps it is too dry in this particular place right now.
Hauled one load of brush to the brush pile
No evidence of nests in the purple martin house, so that now comes down for the winter.
Barn swallows show up, but is too dry for them to find mud to build nests, so they leave.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
May 2017 Activity
Week 18
Still some evidence of deer in the garden. Not sure where they can get in, but plugging all the holes, no matter how small.
Starting to work on the cactus problem on the west side.
No deer in the feedlot during daylight hours.
First sighting of the painted bunting, but I think they arrived earlier because we could hear them, but not spot them. They, especially, like the water provided.
The purple martin population here, again, is zero. Wonder why. At one time, we were going to build a fake chimney for chimney swifts, but cancelled that project for the reason of not seeing any martins.
Week 19
Kitchen scraps to the deer yard have ceased, they scraps no go on the compost pile as the deer are getting to be pests up around the house.
Deer is on the left. This doe looks to be pregnant.
Week 20
Deer have gone from being assisted with the task of living to now being persona non grata. The garden has essentially been stripped of everything except the pole beans, and the zinnias. We have raised the fence to 8 feet in height. Now testing if they can still get in to the produce.
Hen turkey parades around the front yard in the evening, but have not seen any evidence of a nest yet.
No sign of hogs lately, maybe it is too dry at this time.
Keeping the bird feeders and birdbaths full. The painted buntings are back and really take to the water.
Week 21
The leopard frog is back in the water tub in the front under the eave. In spite of this water tub being out of the bounds of the wildlife acreage, it is still a boon to all the wildlife, as it has something for everyone, including the ramp for the birds.
Hen turkey is still around
Raccoon visits often at night, but seems to do no damage that is visible, but then, who knows if the raccoon has found the turkey nest?
Week 22
Hauled two big loads of brush to the main brush pile in the western end of the tract.
Strangely, we have not seen a roadrunner yet this spring. Will do a bird census in the next week or so.
Still some evidence of deer in the garden. Not sure where they can get in, but plugging all the holes, no matter how small.
Starting to work on the cactus problem on the west side.
No deer in the feedlot during daylight hours.
First sighting of the painted bunting, but I think they arrived earlier because we could hear them, but not spot them. They, especially, like the water provided.
The purple martin population here, again, is zero. Wonder why. At one time, we were going to build a fake chimney for chimney swifts, but cancelled that project for the reason of not seeing any martins.
Week 19
Kitchen scraps to the deer yard have ceased, they scraps no go on the compost pile as the deer are getting to be pests up around the house.
Deer is on the left. This doe looks to be pregnant.
Week 20
Deer have gone from being assisted with the task of living to now being persona non grata. The garden has essentially been stripped of everything except the pole beans, and the zinnias. We have raised the fence to 8 feet in height. Now testing if they can still get in to the produce.
Hen turkey parades around the front yard in the evening, but have not seen any evidence of a nest yet.
No sign of hogs lately, maybe it is too dry at this time.
Keeping the bird feeders and birdbaths full. The painted buntings are back and really take to the water.
Week 21
The leopard frog is back in the water tub in the front under the eave. In spite of this water tub being out of the bounds of the wildlife acreage, it is still a boon to all the wildlife, as it has something for everyone, including the ramp for the birds.
Hen turkey is still around
Raccoon visits often at night, but seems to do no damage that is visible, but then, who knows if the raccoon has found the turkey nest?
Week 22
Hauled two big loads of brush to the main brush pile in the western end of the tract.
Strangely, we have not seen a roadrunner yet this spring. Will do a bird census in the next week or so.
April 2017 Activity
Week 14
Garden fence is up, now hoping that the deer do not dare to cross the breezeway to get to the garden.
Two loads of brush to the pile. We are now concentrating all the brush in one pile as a series of small piles seem ineffective as a refuge.
Week 15
Turkeys are still coming through the property, but in smaller groups. Probably in getting set up for the nesting season.
First roadrunner showed up, first in a long time.
Small bird activity seems down from last year.
Week 16
Deer seem to be getting into the garden, some blossoms are disappearing at night.
Two more loads of brush to the big pile
Water tanks are all full
Two does this week.
Lone turkey wanders through the south side about every other day. Must have nest nearby
Week 17
No report this week.
Garden fence is up, now hoping that the deer do not dare to cross the breezeway to get to the garden.
Two loads of brush to the pile. We are now concentrating all the brush in one pile as a series of small piles seem ineffective as a refuge.
Week 15
Turkeys are still coming through the property, but in smaller groups. Probably in getting set up for the nesting season.
First roadrunner showed up, first in a long time.
Small bird activity seems down from last year.
Week 16
Deer seem to be getting into the garden, some blossoms are disappearing at night.
Two more loads of brush to the big pile
Water tanks are all full
Two does this week.
Lone turkey wanders through the south side about every other day. Must have nest nearby
Week 17
No report this week.
March 2017 Actvity
Week 10
Down, now, to only a few cactus which we will retain for the tunas they make for the wildlife. Sometime this year, we need to move this eradication effort to the west side to get rid of more cactus where they are in thick groves. Everytime I go to clearing a large grove of cactus, many small birds fly out, making me think they are using these thickets for refuge from harsh weather.
Week 11
Kitchen scraps to the deer yard. Five does now feeding. There may have been some harvesting of the does this last season, as the average number of does that show up at the kitchen scraps table is down about 3 does from preseason counts.
No evidence of purple martins at the martin house.
Plenty of nesting activity by the titmice and the wrens.
Barn swallows keep being driven out by the phoebes. The phoebes took over the swallow nest two years ago and as of now, have not given it up.
Week 12
Big winds, tornado like, swept through last night and took down a big tree on the north side and one on the very south side.
No wildlife activity to note.
Week 13
Feed to the deer yard, four does showing up, maybe one buck.
No snakes observed yet this spring.
Decided to erect a deer fence to protect the vegetable garden next to the back of the house. Deer are always nosing around up close to the house at night in spite of their being afraid of us. (we keep them being afraid of us)
Down, now, to only a few cactus which we will retain for the tunas they make for the wildlife. Sometime this year, we need to move this eradication effort to the west side to get rid of more cactus where they are in thick groves. Everytime I go to clearing a large grove of cactus, many small birds fly out, making me think they are using these thickets for refuge from harsh weather.
Week 11
Kitchen scraps to the deer yard. Five does now feeding. There may have been some harvesting of the does this last season, as the average number of does that show up at the kitchen scraps table is down about 3 does from preseason counts.
No evidence of purple martins at the martin house.
Plenty of nesting activity by the titmice and the wrens.
Barn swallows keep being driven out by the phoebes. The phoebes took over the swallow nest two years ago and as of now, have not given it up.
Week 12
Big winds, tornado like, swept through last night and took down a big tree on the north side and one on the very south side.
No wildlife activity to note.
Week 13
Feed to the deer yard, four does showing up, maybe one buck.
No snakes observed yet this spring.
Decided to erect a deer fence to protect the vegetable garden next to the back of the house. Deer are always nosing around up close to the house at night in spite of their being afraid of us. (we keep them being afraid of us)
February 2017 Activity
Week 6
Mowed some of the grass to knock down the high dead stuff and clear the way for new growth in the spring. Removed two very large cactus and put on the brush pile.
The deer are getting to be a menace up around the house in spite of feeding and watering 100yards away.
Week 7
Big, perhaps 20, turkeys wandered through the back side of the property. Two males present.
Sufficient rain, but not a lot.
Week 8
Finished mowing for the winter, but still have a few cactus to take out.
Inspected the brush pile. It seems to be compacting more than it should in order to provide a good refuge for small animals.
Still, no evidence of mice in the area at all, such a change from a year ago. No mice, no owls.
Week 9
Bought a new bag of sunflower seeds. It appears that the gang of cardinals are much smaller this year. Maybe they found something better.
Table scraps to the deer yard.
We went through a real lapse in hog damage, but now, this week, there has been a lot of uprooting in the south side of the property. Perhaps twenty holes now need to be refilled.
Weather okay, no additional water needed.
Mowed some of the grass to knock down the high dead stuff and clear the way for new growth in the spring. Removed two very large cactus and put on the brush pile.
The deer are getting to be a menace up around the house in spite of feeding and watering 100yards away.
Week 7
Big, perhaps 20, turkeys wandered through the back side of the property. Two males present.
Sufficient rain, but not a lot.
Week 8
Finished mowing for the winter, but still have a few cactus to take out.
Inspected the brush pile. It seems to be compacting more than it should in order to provide a good refuge for small animals.
Still, no evidence of mice in the area at all, such a change from a year ago. No mice, no owls.
Week 9
Bought a new bag of sunflower seeds. It appears that the gang of cardinals are much smaller this year. Maybe they found something better.
Table scraps to the deer yard.
We went through a real lapse in hog damage, but now, this week, there has been a lot of uprooting in the south side of the property. Perhaps twenty holes now need to be refilled.
Weather okay, no additional water needed.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
January 2017 Activity
Week 1
Have not seen the buck since the photograph was taken in mid December. Perhaps he did not make it through the hunting season.
Deer fence around the garden seems to be doing its job. Only tracks seen seem to be from a housecat.
Three deer seem to be the usual at the feedlot.
Cold!
Strange, but for just one day during a warm spell, the leopard frog showed up in the water tank at the front. It was there just one day-----probably read the weather forecast.
Cleaning out the purple martin birdhouse, getting it ready for the spring.
Week 2
Built 11 purple martin birdhouses, and 7 wren houses to give away. Prices for cedar seem to have gone up, it now costs about 3 $ per bird house to build these. Now up to number 22 with the wren houses, and 280 with the bluebird houses. Now looking for some interested recipient.
Week 3
The Spring Lake Garden Club is the recipient of the batch of birdhouses.
Not a whole lot going on in the way of wildlife, so no observations.
Week 4
Three does in the far back side of the property. Feeding mostly kitchen vegetable scraps. Have not seen much of any other wildlife. Some evidence of raccoons, but only occasionally.
Added two loads of cactus to the brush pile.
Week 5
Three more loads to the brush pile. Trying to keep the height of the pile down so that it does not compact. Compacted pile offers no refuge for small animals.
Vegetable scraps on the feed yard, with 3 does participating.
Have not seen the buck since the photograph was taken in mid December. Perhaps he did not make it through the hunting season.
Deer fence around the garden seems to be doing its job. Only tracks seen seem to be from a housecat.
Three deer seem to be the usual at the feedlot.
Cold!
Strange, but for just one day during a warm spell, the leopard frog showed up in the water tank at the front. It was there just one day-----probably read the weather forecast.
Cleaning out the purple martin birdhouse, getting it ready for the spring.
Week 2
Built 11 purple martin birdhouses, and 7 wren houses to give away. Prices for cedar seem to have gone up, it now costs about 3 $ per bird house to build these. Now up to number 22 with the wren houses, and 280 with the bluebird houses. Now looking for some interested recipient.
Week 3
The Spring Lake Garden Club is the recipient of the batch of birdhouses.
Not a whole lot going on in the way of wildlife, so no observations.
Week 4
Three does in the far back side of the property. Feeding mostly kitchen vegetable scraps. Have not seen much of any other wildlife. Some evidence of raccoons, but only occasionally.
Added two loads of cactus to the brush pile.
Week 5
Three more loads to the brush pile. Trying to keep the height of the pile down so that it does not compact. Compacted pile offers no refuge for small animals.
Vegetable scraps on the feed yard, with 3 does participating.
December 2016 Activity
Week 49
Same conditions for the wildlife.
Loaded two more tractor loads of brush to the main brushpile. This brushpile is compressing so rapidly that I often wonder if it serves the wildlife as a refuge.
Four deer, the regular does, show up to feed whenever I put out the feed, perhaps twice per week. Its good to see that these deer still act wild and afraid of any human activity.
Week 50
Finally got a picture of the buck:
Week 51
No observations this week
Week 52
Three more loads to the brushpile, stacking it so as to maintain some open areas.
We have not heard the coyotes in some number of weeks. Squirrels and opossums have been rather scarce, and the raccoons are seldom seen. Not sure why the change in numbers.
Same conditions for the wildlife.
Loaded two more tractor loads of brush to the main brushpile. This brushpile is compressing so rapidly that I often wonder if it serves the wildlife as a refuge.
Four deer, the regular does, show up to feed whenever I put out the feed, perhaps twice per week. Its good to see that these deer still act wild and afraid of any human activity.
Week 50
Finally got a picture of the buck:
You can tell its almost dark when I caught him just coming from the water trough on the west side of the property.
Week 51
No observations this week
Week 52
Three more loads to the brushpile, stacking it so as to maintain some open areas.
We have not heard the coyotes in some number of weeks. Squirrels and opossums have been rather scarce, and the raccoons are seldom seen. Not sure why the change in numbers.
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