April 2016 Activity

Week 14
Good rains, about 2 inches.
Must be a fawn is in the brush just in the front yard.  Doe keeps hanging around the area in the evening, a sure sign that her fawn is close by.  This has been our experience, that does tend to place their fawns near people as they must think that that would be a more safe place. If this is the case here, it will be the third time we have experienced this.
Hen turkey makes a daily round of the south side, in the short, new grass looking for food.  Must have a nest of turkeys close by.
We have not seen evidence of the feral hog lately.
Treated 22 mounds of fire ants.  They really sprout up after a rain, must be to get the eggs out of the water..
Still no sign of either the painted buntings, or the quail.
Have not heard coyotes for two months.

Week 15
Replace two bluebird houses.  No sign of bluebirds however.
Wren houses are popular, wren in one, and the other is occupied by a tufted titmouse.
Deer are scarce this spring.  Have seen no fawns yet.

Week 17
The hen turkey does not feed in the back yard anymore that we can see, so she must have reared her chicks and moved on.  Nevertheless, we should see her escorting the brood around the area soon.
Deer again scarce.  When we do see them, there are no more than three in the group.
We spotted one painted bunting, one day, but not subsequent days.
Hauled three buckets of brush to the main brushpile.
Treated 19 fire ant mounds. 
Invited the TPWD person to make a site visit. We have a lot of questions listed for his advice.

March 2016 Activity

Week 9
New experience today.  For the last several years we have heard a dove like sound, always descending in tone, about 4 calls in series.  Well, today the sound was coming from the top of a tree nearby, so we moved into the area and with the binoculars, searched for the source of the sound.  Hah, it was a roadrunner, sitting high in the tree perched along the length of the branch and making this sound.  Turning to the birdbook, this is now confirmed as the roadrunners mating call---very unlike his vibrating like call one normally hears.

Week 10
Replaced the cattle trough under the front window with the plank leading into it.  Although this is "outside" the wildlife area, it nonetheless is a very important wildlife feature as it has a guaranteed water source in the even we are away---plus the birds really like the wooden "beach" for accessing the water.  The leopard frogs have not made their appearance lately.
Regarding the species we list in our wildlife plan, its easy to focus on deer because they are big, they are visible and they are always in the news.  But, deer have an amazing ability to take care of themselves and adapt to surroundings.  We are more concerned with habitat for all the species, including the lowly mouse.
On the subject of mice, they are nowhere to be found this spring so far. Not a good sign

Week 11
The hen turkey does not reappear lately, hopefully the brood is hatched and we will see the small birds soon.
Hearing coyotes on one occasion lately, but coyote evidence is way down this year compared to last year.  Don't know if there are trappers in the area, but there could be as there are large ranches nearby. 
Cardinals are reappearing. 
Have not seen bluebird one yet this year.  Evidence of bluebirds keeps dropping year after year.

Week 12
The purple martin house has been up for almost two months and no sign of purple martins, even those that just cruise through the area.  The barn swallows showed up briefly to check out their nest of previous years, but found mother Phoebe sitting on eggs in the nest.  Like good birds, they left and did not bother the nesting Phoebe.
Strange, no deer observed this week.

Week 13
Estimate of annual cash costs for wildlife:

Black oil sunflower seed .......$40.00
Diesel Fuel ............................$54.00
Feed corn................................$18.00
Wood for bird nestboxes........$52.00
Fireant killer...........................$26.00

Estimate of annual labor hours for wildlife:

Average of 6 hours per week x 48 weeks...288 hours.

Variety of birds seems low this spring.
Observed regularly:

• Cardinals
• Titmouse
• Carolina wren
• Mockingbird
• Vulture
• Phoebe
• Lesser goldfinch

Observed on occasion:

• Raven
• Red Tailed Hawk
• Roadrunner
• Turkey
• Cara Cara
• Chicadee
• Barn Swallow

Not observed so far this year (but have in the past):

• Parouque
• House finch
• Painted bunting (late?)

February 2016 Activity

Week 5
Big news, the lone large black hog has been shot and left for the buzzards.  We hope this is the last of the destruction in the south to the fenceline. 
Still very dry and having to keep the water troughs full.
Four does usually pass through early in the morning probably on their way to someones corn feeder.  Beginning to be concerned about excessive feeding of the deer year round, making them into pets.
Correction, although Bruce shot a sow at his feeder near Purgatory Creek, he did not get the big boar that is so destructive.  Janets game camera catches a sow with an entourage of some 8 smaller pigs at the south end of Steeplebrook.  So, we still have some hog work to do.

Week 6
There is a turkey nesting close by.  Saw her twice this week feeding in the mowed (last year) south side of the property.  It probably is good to mow the dead grass late in the year so that in the spring when the new grass is short the turkeys have easy feeding, yet have the cover of the cedars and oaks along the border.
Most days this week, the typical herd of 4 does is spotted either in the east end of the tract or the south end, mainly moving on through to somewhere.  As mentioned earlier, there are more than one neighbor who apparently fill their corn feeder year round.  This is not good for the deer.
The Virginia warbler does not show up anymore, so it must have been migrating through the area.

Week 7 (March 14-20)
Visitor all week, no activity recorded

Week 8
Only three does showed up for most of this week.
New hog damage in the south side.  Used tractor to replace the torn up areas---there were ten areas to repair.
Cleared about 6 big cactus.
On the subject of cactus, we still have not seen one of the acorns planted in the surrounds of a prickly pear cactus germinate and grow.  Close observation shows that germination is the problem, not deer foraging after germination.
Acorn planting in general has been a big disappointment.  Of hundreds of acorns planted over the last 3 years, only 4 have germinated and grown into small (one foot tall) trees so far.

January 2016 Activity

Week 1
Still seeing some new hog damage in the back yard.  We are trying to make the best of it by repairing  the damaged area by pulling the dirt back into the hole and seeding the same with little bluestem.  Completed perhaps 6 damaged areas.
Deer are scarce.  One neighbor called and said they had shot a deer with arrow and were tracking it in our direction.  They found the downed deer  and hauled it off.
Week 2
Neighboring property reports that they trapped a boar, a sow and three small pigs in their trap.  Perhaps they got the culprits who have been tearing up the south slope.  We shall see.
Deer population exploded to 9 does this week, but no bucks.  Seems like hunting pressure was greater this year than it was last year.
Small band of turkeys moved through.
Do not see much evidence of raccoons or possums, but from the droppings around, they do seem to visit at night, even up on the back porch where they leave their calling card.
Coyote evidence this year is down considerably from last year.  Not sure why, but the bordering ranches might be actively destroying them.
Week 3
Really dry again, having to water the wildlife tanks in front and back.  Holding back on feeding kitchen vegetable scraps to the deer as the hog keeps rooting up the back yard.
Week 4
Routine for the deer seems to be 3 to 5 does in the back near the fenceline early in the morning, seldom at night.
Winter bird count:  Cardinals, tufted titmice, Virginia warbler (new to us this year), sparrow, wren (not sure species), mocking bird, buzzard, pereque (call), Carolina wren, chickadee, phoebe.  Noticeable short list of birds this winter.
Also noticeable absent this year are red fox, coyote, turkey, and mice.

December 2015 Activity

Week 48
We hear several shots of deer hunters in the area, some to the north on the Ingram Ranch, some here in the community.
Season has ended for harvesting grass seed, so that ends a poor year for seed.
Removed two more very large prickly pear cactus plants.
Week 49
Sufficient water so that we no longer have to be concerned with keeping the two water troughs filled.  The rain, plus the lower level of visits of animals allows the water to last longer.
Week 50
No activity on our part this week
Week 51
No activity this week.
Week 52
Still seeing some hog damage, so there must be more than one visitor to the west slope of these acres.  Not every night, however, so that makes it more work to sit up for a good shot.
We slacked off on the sunflower seeds to the feeder, so the bird population really tapered off.
Seeing a bird in the yard that we have not seen before, but from all we can determine, it is not that rare for this area.  Its probably a Virginia's warbler.  Its small, warbler sized and has a red crowned head.

November 2015 Activity

Week 44
Deer population steady at 4 to 5 does.  On an occasion of once per week or so, a rather large buck shows up with the does.  On occasions, we see them cross the county road going south toward Purgatory Creek where it is pretty much a "no man's land".
Twice this week had a rather large group of turkeys move through the area.
Songbirds are dwindling down in numbers.
Mowed some more of the broomweed before its seeds are mature.
Cleared two tractor buckets full of prickly pear cactus.
Week 45
Hauled two tractor buckets of brush trimmings to the main brush pile in the west end.  The brush pile, although it is settling due to decay and weight, still offers  many places for small animals.
Grass seed production this year has been very poor.  Last year I was harvesting by hand all the tops of the bluestem. and indian grass, but there is almost none this year. 
A report on all the acorns planted inside the spread of the prickly pears, I find none that have sprouted.
The ten oak tree seedlings planted in a protected area, in spite of watering, have lost their leaves.  The stems seem to be pliant yet, so maybe next spring they will respond and grow.
Week 46
Deer season has started, the does don't seem to mind matters and the buck has again made his appearance.  We stopped feeding the table vegetable scraps because the deer seem to have enough feed in the area with the more rain we have had and the other deer feeders in operation.  Plus, the kitchen vegetable scraps down in the deer yard may be contributing to the hog problem.
Cut a few more swaths of broom weed, making sure not to cut the grass that seems to want to form seed at this late time.
Week 47
Finally got one of the wild pigs, now lets see if the rooting damage stops.
Deer population seems to have dropped.
Ever since we have electrified the bird feeder, we no longer have any squirrels, the birds seem to appreciate the disappearance of the squirrels.  If there is food present, there is no way to kill enough squirrels to drop their population to zero---don't even try.

October 2015 Activity

Week 40 
Two deer browsing in the back yard,  a few songbirds back after refilling the feeder. There has been no rain for about a month (since September 11-- now October 9).  The deer are still up on the terrace eating the last bit of tomatoe plant leaves. 
Providing sweet feed and corn, plus kitchen vegetable trimmings on an every other day basis.
20 or so turkeys walked through the back yard.
Week 41 
Turkeys are back again, nice sized flock with healthy looking birds.  We saw a fawn today, no spots, but perhaps the smallest fawn seen at this time of the year since we have been observing deer.  It was less than half the size of a normal doe.
Still no rain. Still hot at 90 degrees every day.
Added two front end loaders of brush to the pile nearest the roadway.
Mowed about 5 acres of backyard to cut the broomweed to prevent reseeding.  It was cut high to cut the broomweed, but not damage the tops of native grasses.
Scraped out of the ground several large cactus plants, reminding me that this fall we need to take big time action to rid parts of the property of small cactus growth.
Week 42
Still hot, still dry.  Small bird population is beginning to shift to the fall/winter bird species.  Many of the cardinals have moved on now that their brood has matured.
So far this fall, not as many deer have been observed.  Concluded, though that deer counts don't mean a lot since there are others within a mile that feed the deer and so have pulled them away from here.
Week 43
Seems as if we are having a big problem with either one or two feral hogs tearing up the backyard.  Had another shot at the big black beast the other morning with buckshot (no rifle rule here) but did not bother him as the distance was too great.
Not sure mentioned in an earlier post, but along in August last a family of mother and four feral cats moved into the area and stayed about a day.  They, all but one runt cat, moved on to a neighboring ranch where they stayed for awhile until they were sent away to the animal control unit.   The runt stayed with us and is now a house cat, no longer roaming the area.

September 2015 Activity

Week 35
This is the last week we have before leaving the ranch for some two weeks.  Checklist completed, water troughs filled, feeders full, deer yard supplied with two days feed (no need to provide more, they just eat it all up in one day)

Week 36, 37, 38
Out
(Neighbor reported 4 inches of rain to us by email---great!)

Week 39 
The deer and other wildlife seem to have given up dependence on me as there is nothing stirring.  All the cardinals have disappeared, which is noteworthy as there are usually lots of them.

August 2015 Activity

Week 31
Still no rain, feeding birds and providing water via the front tank and birdbaths.  Water in the bird baths disappears each night.  Mostly deer are drinking it dry at night.
Aside from the cottontail rabbit, essentially no sighting of any wildlife--perhaps a deer or two every four or five days.
With these drought conditions and the mid-day temperature of 103 degrees, here is when it is important to have natural cover, dense shaded areas where the sun seldom shines, for wildlife to hunker down on the ground- the coolest spot for them to find until nighttime comes again.  Undercutting brush eliminates all this important daytime cover.  If one does not have natural heavy brush near the ground, the only alternative is to create it via half cut cedars and carefully stacked brush piles---brush piles that have a lot of open areas underneath.
Hooray, the bobwhite quail are still here.

Week 32
Rain today, the 15th of August-- brief shower in the morning, perhaps .50 inches.
Resumed feeding kitchen greens to the deer in the far back feedlot area.  The deer hang so closely to this nightly feeding that they must be waiting for fresh food every night.

Week 33
The metal tub under the eave in the front is turning out to be popular with the birds and the Leopard Frogs during this dry weather.  Especially, they both like the "beach" provided by the 2x6 on a slant into the water.  Here are two photos, one of birds, one of frogs:

Week 34
Very dry on these specific acres, maybe more droughty than at the worst of two years ago.
Feeding the deer corn, sweet feed and kitchen vegetable scraps.  The deer were selective on the vegetable scraps they ate last year, but this year, they eat everything provided.

 

July 2015 Activity

Week 27
In spite of showers, the ground is still dry.  Not critical as green growth still occurring.
Saw the first fawn of the year, not here, but on adjacent land maybe a mile away.  It was spotted yet and very small, seems as if it is late.
Six point buck observed today, horns all in velvet yet.
Lone turkey stalking the back yesterday---Still, not as many turkeys this year as years before.
No evidence of new hog damage now that the ground on this tract is hardening up from lack of rain.  Am still on the lookout though.

Week 28
No rain and the condition is getting tight for water supplies.  Keeping the two troughs filled with water, but the roaming animals seem to like the bird bath water best as they drain these each night.
No new evidence of the hog, perhaps the ground is too tough for rooting now that the soil is so dry.
Occasionally spotting the 8 point buck in the back, horns still in velvet.
Observed for the first time this year a fawn--yay!
Turkeys, roadrunners, owls all somewhat scarce at this time.
Cottontail rabbit greets me on the driveway every morning.  Never afraid of me approaching.
Skunk walked through the back on two occasions this last week, almost at darkness.
Snakes are scarce this year.

Week 29 
No rain, its starting to be critical again for the animals and plants.  Its now become a daily routine to keep the bird bath full and the drinking tubs filled with water.  I haven't put the game cameral out, but I suspect that the birdbaths and tubs are visited by a variety of animals during the night.  I will place the game camera near a birdbath tonight, and then rotate it to the tub behind the big water tank.
Frogs have taken up residence in the tank under the eave, and disappear quickly when the roadrunner appears for its nightly drink.
Still no snakes, being the time of the year when they are pretty much holed up during the day and only prowl at night for food and water.

Week 30
Still no rain.  Worst ground moisture condition since start of records on this land six years ago.  Worst before was two years ago when the frost week was badly wilted, now the frost weed are dying.
Only wildlife activity seems to be at the watering trough in front and the bird baths---all water centered.

June 2015 Activity

Week 22 
Rain, good for everything that grows, but maybe enough for now

Week 23
Only feeding is the sunflower seeds in the electric feeder.  Deer and all others are self sufficient.
Modest crop of turkeys this year, perhaps the excessive rain affected the broods
Treated 43 mounds of fireants.  They are especially busy with all this rain.
Its turning out that the metal bin under the eave in the front is proving attractive to wildlife. It appears that small wildlife is using it for drinking, and birds especially like the 2 x 6 board on a slant that serves as a bird beach.

Week 24
Oh no, hog damage in the downhill side.  Discovered 4 rather large uprootings  that were quite fresh.
Spotted the big black lone hog leaving the edge of the property one late evening.  Will begin to post a watch for it.
Spotted the hog again one late evening and blasted away at it with  No. 1 Buckshot (2 rounds), but didn't seem to affect his rather rapid race to security.  Will continue to watch for more action.  Filled in the holes dug to prevent further erosion.
No sightings the last three days.
Quail calls still prevalent.   It appears this species had a good spring brood
No evidence of purple martins, and the barn swallows attempted nest building, but abandoned the effort.
A good crop of wrens in the two birdhouses under the eaves.  Perhaps as many as 4 broods this spring.

Week 25 
Still seeing some new hog damage, but never spotted in the act.
Quail still around, but have seen only one covey.
Turkeys seem to be doing well, but have not seen one fawn this spring and early summer.
Added more brush to brush piles in the front and the back.  The many rains have really settled the brushpiles and compacted them---not good for wildlife.
Grey Fox population seems to be good; cotton tail rabbits seem to come and go, not sure if the foxes are harvesting them or the owls.

Week 26
Smattering of rain, but it appears to be getting  a bit dry again.  Keeping water supplies up and available.  No feeding, the deer feed lot is now overgrown and the deer do not hang around like they used to do.  That's good, the deer need to remain wild.
Six of the six planted oak seedlings, under the protection of wire, are all growing well.  These are the Oak variations that landscapers use, and which appear to be productive acorn bearers.
Painted buntings are still here, they usually are one of the earliest to migrate away.

Summary of 2014 Costs

• Diesel Fuel
• Sunflower Seed
• Bluebird houses (10)

Semi-Annual Bird Species Count

Birds observed in 2015 to this date (May 10)

• Barn Owl
• Grackle
• Cowbird
• Cardinal
• Mourning Dove
• Bobwhite Quail
• Carolina Wren
• Barn Swallow
• Ruby Throated Hummingbird
• Crow
• Vulture
• Cara Cara
• Roadrunner
• Scrub Jay
• Painted Bunting
• Red Tailed Hawk
• Scissor Tailed Flycatcher
• House Finch
• English Sparrow
• Lesser Goldfinch
• Whitewing Dove
• Peruque
• Bluebird
• Summer Tanager
• Mocking Bird
• Chicadee
• Rio Grande Turkey
• Cuckoo
• Raven
• Titmouse

May 2015 Activity

Week 18     All is stable and quiet this week.

Week 19    Rain, rain, not much volume, but everyday is rainy.  Good for the soil to get some deep-down moisture built up for a change.
Deer have been scarce at dusk and early morning, but tracks prove they are on the prowl all night long.  Many spots in the long grass where they have bedded down for the night.
We will begin to work on the areas of excessive cactus growth, with the tractor, as soon as the ground dries out a bit.
Quail calls still prevalent in all directions from the house.

Week 20  More rain, all is quiet

Week 21  More rain, ground wet.  Mowed track through the center of the south side to provide a place to walk--the needle grass is just too tough to walk through.
Hauled two front end loaders full of brush to brushpile no. 2.  One of the loads was from uprooted prickly pear cactus that was growing too thickly in  one area.
Quail still here.  Wrens have fledged.
We had to electric fence the Mexican Plum tree to keep the deer from browsing the terminal buds.  Most often, we see just three does.  We have not seen any fawns yet.

 

April 2015 Activity

Week 13   Placed one front end loader full of brush on the front brush pile.
No evidence of feral hogs on this property, but neighboring properties are experiencing some damage to plantings.

Week 14  We seem to have heard the painted bunting, but have not seen it.  The barn swallows are back in the same nest built last year.
No reports of quail yet.
Four oaks are up and leafed out.  These are the monterrey-looking oaks that produce a lot of acorns.

Week 15   Yes, did hear the Painted Bunting, now showing up at the water trough in front.
And, yes, quail are back in good strength according to their calls from different directions at the same time, so perhaps have several nesting pairs.
Water situation looking good, so none of the wildlife need any special attention regarding water or food, as the rains are producing edible forbs in good supply.

Week 16    The Wildlife Plan for the next five years has been approved by the Central Appraisal District.  There were no big changes made to the Plan submitted 5 years ago.  New plan puts a bit more emphasis on native grasses, clearing some prickly pear where it is getting to dominant, and continued building brush piles. 
Since deer supplemental feeding has stopped for the year, deer are less visible, which is good--they need to stay wild.

Week 17   All is quiet except for the grass which is growing like wildfire.   This is definitely the best spring grass growth we have had since we started the wildlife plan 6 years ago.  Three factors are important here:  Timed mowing to make sure seed has matured, ample rain, no cattle grazing on the front half.   It is too early to check for results of hand sewing of the on-site collected native summer grasses in the previous two years.

March 2015 Activity

Week 9  Time has come to cut way back on supplemental food.  All wildlife, especially deer are now able to forage for themselves---any more food just makes them tame.  We can not do that.
Seems like there has been a big increase in deer population.  Of course it is difficult to make that conclusion because the deer from surrounding areas may just be visiting more often.  Next door at Summer Mountain, many residents feed deer all year long.  It shows the effect with the tame natureof the deer and the large population there.
Field mice seem to be prevalent this year in the grass out in the fields.  Good food for the owls.
Purple martin house is up, but no activity.
Getting short on ground water again, but the forecast for today (8th) is promising.
Inspected the brush pile created by the half cut dead juniper from last year.  This is a rather open brush pile and the grass has grown up in it so that it really provides good habitat.
Two more front end loader loads to the brush pile in the front left corner.
We heard a red tailed hawk this week- with its shrill call.
An oriole was at the bird feeder.  Put out a half grapefruit to see if that attracts them.
We have seven oak trees (of unknown species) starting from acorns.  They too are looking for warmer weather. When warmer weather comes, they will be transplanted inside cages. These acorns came from some trees alongside Hwy 123 in the city.  We were attracted to these trees due to their huge production of acorns---good food for wildlife.

Week 10  Rainwater troughs are all full and seem to be used very little by wildlife--except the birds as they always use the nearby supplies of water.
New $20.00 bag of sunflower seeds.  Birds at the feeder seem to be mostly cardinals, but some finches as well. Spotty observation of deer.
Observed big two stripe skunk in mid day.  It seemed healthy and rambled off to the north.

Week 11  Planted 5 oak trees of the "unknown" species--the ones from acorns from planted trees  alongside Hwy 123.  Will continue try to identify them.  In all places where these small plants were placed, they now have cages over to protect them from deer browse.
Water situation in good shape.
Added two front end loaders full of brush to the front brush pile.  Have not yet started the selective prickly pear cleanup.
Still have not heard any quail calls and have not seen any birds since those seen back a month ago. 

Week 12   Half grapefruit disappeared, not sure to where.  Doe cautiously appears near 6 pm to the north side in a loitering mode--Must have a fawn stashed away somewhere nearby.  Supplemental food has been deleted.  Deer observations are way down as a result.
The call of the painted bunting was heard (perhaps), but did not observe.


 

February 2015 Activity

Week 5 Steady routine of reduced corn and sweet feed, plus vegetable scraps to the deer yard.  Those attending range from 3 does to 6 does.  Added to the brush pile no. 2 in the back field, placing brush and cactus cleanup such that there is a lot of internal space for habitat. 
No reply from TP &W on the question of whether to mow last years dead grass or let it stand for the quail.  Disappointed in no response.
Week 6  Cleaned and erected the purple martin house this week.  Recall that no purple martins have taken up residence since this house was put up two years ago.
Decided to limit the barn swallows to one nest---if this is possible--due to their aggressive nature regarding the smaller birds, such as the wrens.  Moved the wrenhouse away from the barnswallow nest on the house wall.
Usual routine of feed at the deer yard.  Point to note, saw two bucks with the antlers still intact.  Must be getting close to antlers falling off. 
Added more brush to brush pile no.2.  We will put a few more cactus on this pile, then move to another site for adding another brush pile.
Week 7  Good news:  We encountered a state game warden at the SMCISD STEM fair and asked the question about quail habitat for our land, asking him the question of mowing.  He did not know the answer but buttonholed a biology professor from TSU who happened to be nearby.  He was knowledgeable and gave us all we need to know about quail on this land.  Four key points:  (1) Don't mow if there is room for the birds to run along the ground without mowing (yes there is).  (2) Provide brush piles with loose structure for nesting (yes there are, and will build more) (3) Don't knock down old, loose structure prickly pear cactus as they provide nesting sites. (good advice as we were about to take many of them down). (4) Don't bother to feed the quail purchased seed or commercial feed as studies have shown no effect on quail nesting success or population growth.
Week 8  Feed to the deer yard pulled in 10 does tonight.  Most ever.  I guess that is because all the hunters have stopped feeding for the season and this is now the only welfare feeding spot.  One buck with antlers.
Getting dry again, need some rain.
Built a level platform for the phoebe to see if that helps them build a nest in their favorite spot by the garage.
Planted a huge number of acorns (half shumardi and other have liveoak) in various protected places.  We did this last year with no noticable results, but maybe with the right rainfall, it will be successful this spring.

January 2015 Activity

Week 1  Seems as if the harvest of deer is quite large this year.  None on this tract, but know of at least 10 bucks killed within half mile radius of this location.  Wildlife in general is in good shape this year, opposum, raccoon, field mice, (squirrel population is down since I rigged the bird feeder with an electric fence charger), fox (havent seen any, but have heard them bark, coyotes (needed to keep the piglets under control).
Week 2   Corn and vegetable scraps in the feed lot.  Need to think about cutting back, getting ready for spring.  Plenty of water, as the water troughs hardly have any use at this time.
Winter bird population is at a low point.  Hardly see any birds except a few cardinals and lots of mockingbirds (they never used to stay here all year, but now do).
Week 3 Deer spotted were the usual 3-5 does, but did see two bucks which means they escaped the hunting season.  No coyotes heard.  A few, but not many, red tailed hawks showing up.
Corn and sweet feed to the deer lot on three of the five days.
Feral cat seems to show up about once per week.
Week 4  Person in charge of the community hog trap says he has caught about ten hogs so far this new year. For some reason, we never see any sign of hogs here--but on the alert nevertheless.
Vegetable scraps and corn to the feed lot on two days this week.
Reports of night hunting of hogs on the adjacent ranch to the north.  From the gunfire, sounds like they had lots of targets.  Planning on setting a day aside for bird count.

December 2014 Activity

Week 49  Three nights with corn and sweetfeed in the deer feed lot.  Seven does showed up just before darkness.  Hearing a fair number of gunshots in the area at early morning and late day. 
Cardinals still dominate the birdfeeder, but even their numbers have diminished.
Water tub under the eave in the front is really proving to be worthwhile in terms of continuous water supply and ease on me for refilling it.  A leopard frog lived in the trough for at least a month -not sure how he got up and into it, but did take up residence.  As it began to get colder, he would often sit on the rim looking out over the back yard thinking about how he would make a run to find a winter hideout before his "lake" froze over.
Week 50 One of the big bonanzas for the honeybees are the rosemary plants along side the driveway.  For the last few days these plants are covered with their blue flowers and scads of bees are gathering their winter supplies of nectar.
This week, fed the deer and others 4 of the 7 days with corn and sweet feed, plus table scraps.  Interesting in that they tend not to eat the vegetable scraps when their is corn present, but the next night, if I have not provided corn and sweetfeed, they take good care of the greens,
Week 51 We saw scarback on the road just outside the gate, so he is still alive and doing well, but did act strange.  We were able to stop the car and look him right in the eye before he bolted away.
Deer fed three of seven nights with corn and sweet feed.
Bees still taking care of the rosemary flowers.  Nearly one inch of rain last night late. 12.18.14
Week 52  Corn and sweet feed to the deer lot, along with kitchen scraps of vegetables.  The vegetable scraps seem to be a big hit with the deer at this time of the  year when forbs are so scarce.
The usual range of does in the feed lot---running anywhere from 3 to 5 per day.

November 2014 Activity

Week 45   Very little activity this week.  Fed deer three out of 7 nights, but saw no deer, just the evidence that the ate sometime after dark.  Hunting pressure is keeping them down and out of sight.
Water plentiful and the two bins are full.  Out of the area on the last two days of this week.
Week 46 Week starting off slowly, as have seen no deer whatsoever, even on the surrounding properties.  New varieties of songbirds moving in, so should compile a new list of observations. Bought another bag of corn and sweet feed, plus a big sack of sunflower seeds.  At the rate of deer eating the corn, it may be awhile to feed all that I now have.
On the 14th--big bodied 12 point buck with two does in the back yard--may have a photo.
Week 47  Still not a lot of activity in the field.  Three of the 7 days fed the deer at the lower yard corn, sweet feed and kitchen vegetable scraps.  (with vegetable scraps to the deer, glass, metal and paper to the recyler, we put the garbage can at the street for pickup once every two weeks)
Week 48  Two bucks jousting in the back yard again.  One has a big scar on the top of his back, so lets call him scarback.  Maybe we shall see  him again.  Four days feeding in the lower yard and the food disappearing means that something is eating it.

October 2014 Activity

Week 40   Had a chance for rain, but none received this week.  Added sweet feed to the corn for deer feed.  Provided food on 4 of the seven days this week.
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.

September 2014 Activity

Week 36  No rain, so continuing to provide water for all animals.   Also, corn and kitchen vegetable scraps to the feed lot 4 of the last 7 days.
Two "never before" observations this week.  One was an Argerope spider had caught a songbird in its web by the front window and was devouring it.  Second was a road runner who had captured a songbird and was eating it.  I know that road runners are carnivores, but I did not know they could/would catch songbirds for food.

Week 37 Leaving for New Mexico this week, so have set up an emergency supply of water for animals in case there is no rain while we  are away. Its the long water tub under the eave, filled with water from the tank, with a "beach" into the water built from a 2x6 piece of lumber.  It should suffice for the time we are gone.

Week 38 Out

Week 39 Back home late this week.  Received 1.7 inches of rain while we were out of town, so the water situation was eased somewhat.  Placed a quart of corn in the deer lot and 6 does showed up for the event.  Two of the does have tan colored coats, and four have very dark brown coats.  The dark brown ones may be developing their winter coats, but why the difference?  No bucks.
More corn and kitchen vegetable scraps at the feed lot, 4 does and one buck showed up about dusk.
Had to despatch a diamond back rattlesnake.  It was on the front porch and just outside the front door. Not sure why it chose that place to rest except it is close to where the bird feeder is located and the mice there are quite numerous.

August 2014 Activity

Week 32.  Four deer, no fawn in sight.  Two bands of turkeys walked through at nearly the same time indicating a good turkey year.  Quail are quiet, but did observe one covey attacking the mustang grapes by the driveway entrance.  Watering, but not feeding.
Week 33.  No rain, grass very dry.  Burn ban is on.  Keeping the water troughs with ample water.  Bird baths now need refilling daily as the crowd comes by at night and drinks from them. Might set up a camera to see who they are.
Week 34.  The ground is very dry. The grass is gone for the time being, but the stand of brown grass shows plenty of places where deer have bedded down for the night.  Never see them, as they must get on the run before daybreak.  Often see three or four heading up their trail to the north in the early hours. Observed a covey of quail this week.
Week 35.  Started feeding corn this week in the feedlot.  Water troughs are frequently filled.
Received 0.20 inches of rain, enough to provide some more water for the wild ones.  Placed one of the water tubs under the front eave to catch rainwater---this is for the birds and deer while we are not here and the birdbaths run dry.
Interesting thing about "processed food".  No wild animal ever will eat people food such as cookies.

July 2014 Activity

Week 27.  Four deer, one fawn.  Not feeding, but adding water to the troughs every day.
Week 28.  Five deer, one fawn.   Band of turkeys walked through heading toward the oak grove.  Not sure where the turkeys are getting their water.  Quail are quieting, they nests must be fledged by now.
Week 29.  One inch of water this week.  With the hot weather, ground is getting quite dry and the summer grasses (warm weather stuff is not doing well) are not showing up.  Last year, we had an abundance of natural seed from side oats, grama, etc, but this year looks grim.
Week 30.  Deer not showing up at the feeder but are drinking lots of water from the trough.  Birds are desperate to stay near the birdbath.  Even hawks and road runners visit the birdbath for drinks.
Week 31.  Three deer, one fawn--fawn is getting to near adult size but not quite.  No evidence of bucks in the pack.  Quail are now silent.

Summary Comment:  Settling in for some hot and dry weather.  Need to begin looking at feeding again.  Watering is a necessity.
No sign of the live oak acorns planted in among the cactus.  Perhaps the cactus has a negative effect on germination or growth.

June 2014 Activity

Week 23.  Grass is looking good from the recent rains.  Food for wildlife should be adequate, but still keeping water troughs filled with just enough water to avoid getting full of algae.
Observed 6 deer today, along with the fawn.  One deer looks bigger than the rest, might be a buck, but can't tell from a distance.  All the vegetable gardens are now temporarily fenced, but the deer appear to be reaching over, trimming the tomato plants.  Not feeding.  Note:  we walk a fine line between feeding the deer when necessary and yet not making pets of them.  Still they like to hang around the house it seems.
Week 24.  Another 1.5 inches of rain.  Plenty of raccoons showing up at the birdbath for water each night.  Observed two rock doves, noted for their under wing colors.  Interesting observation of a mockingbird.  He was hovering over the ground and it turns out that he was harassing a snake, and eventually ran him off the edge of the mowed area into the cactus.  No wonder the Mockingbird is called the junk yard dog of birddom.
Week 25. Visitors all week, no activity
Week 26.  Another bit of rain; 0.9 inches.  Three deer observed passing through the tract on the way to the north.

Summary of bird observations, year to date:

• Cardinal
• Mockingbird
• Carolina Wren
• Lesser Goldfinch
• Titmouse
• Rock Dove
• Bobwhite Quail
• White Winged Dove
• Mourning Dove
• Vulture
• Owl 
• Red Tailed Hawk
• Chickadee
• Painted Bunting
• Eastern Phoebe
• Road Runner
• Scrub Jay 
• Purple Finch