October 2017 Activity

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.

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.